New World, Gateway Sea. Not long after leaving Mary Geoise Harbor, Ortoren boarded the warship G-5 had sent to pick him up.
Back in his cabin office, he hadn't even warmed his chair when Admiral Sengoku's Den Den Mushi rang.
"Admiral? What's the matter?" Ortoren asked while making himself some tea.
"What do you mean, 'what's the matter'? Why did you go to the Sabaody Archipelago? And going there is one thing, but why did you raid all those shops in Mary Geoise?" Admiral Sengoku's voice carried clear irritation.
"Raid? How can you call it that? This is Navy business. I was enforcing regulations, confiscating their illegal profits!" Ortoren said with full confidence.
He then explained the situation—slave trading, threats against high-ranking Navy officers, and so on.
After hearing him out, Admiral Sengoku just grumbled, "I'll keep this quiet. But you'd better stop stirring up these shady messes..."
"Got it, got it. This time was an accident," Ortoren replied earnestly.
If it happened again, he'd make sure to uproot everything—clean up even the complainers. If no one reported him, then the problem wouldn't exist.
He thought the conversation was over, but Sengoku's tone suddenly shifted. In a low, almost sneaky whisper, he asked, "Have you been in touch with Garp lately?"
"Garp-san?" Ortoren scratched his head, thought for a moment, then shook it. "No, not since that meeting about the Shichibukai at headquarters. Haven't spoken with him since. Why, what's going on?"
"Nothing much..." Sengoku hesitated, then went on. "It's just, he's been acting strange lately. Always wearing this odd smile, like he's got something to be happy about. But when I ask, he won't tell me. Seems like he's planning a trip to the East Blue... Since you're close to him, I figured you might know something."
"You're seriously gossiping, Admiral? You care whether Garp-san's in a good mood or not?" Ortoren teased.
"Ahem!" Sengoku cleared his throat, sounding a little embarrassed. "I'm just looking out for him as an old comrade, that's all."
After a pause, Sengoku suddenly asked, "Do you think... maybe he found someone? Planning to remarry?"
"Huh?" Ortoren froze at the question, staring wide-eyed. "No way! With the way he is, who'd even go for him?"
Hearing that blunt remark, Sengoku nodded as if it were only natural. "You've got a point, kid. Even a fine man like me still... ahem..."
That slip made everything clear to Ortoren. So that's it—jealousy, huh? That's why he's fishing for answers?
He almost wanted to ask, "So, how are things with you and Chief of Staff Tsuru?" But on second thought, saying that might cost him a shot at admiral someday. Better to hold it in.
"Forget it, forget it. Asking you is useless. How's G-5 holding up?" Sengoku shifted the topic.
"Everything's under control," Ortoren replied with a grin.
"Good. Then just focus on your duties. If nothing else, I'm hanging up." Without waiting for a reply, Sengoku cut the line.
Ortoren stared at the Den Den Mushi, his lips twitching. Shaking his head, he put it away, took a sip of tea, and pressed the communication button on his desk to summon Tesoro.
But just as he set his teacup down, something struck him. He glanced at the calendar.
October, Sea Circle Calendar 1500...
"So that's it..." Ortoren looked at the date, recalling Sengoku's doubts, and suddenly understood.
The reason Garp was grinning like a fool for no reason? It had to be because that bastard Dragon got married!
It was already the end of 1500, and Garp's destined grandson would be born in 1502. If Dragon's love life hadn't hit any snags, then right about now he'd have found a wife, tied the knot, and before long she'd be pregnant—perfect timing!
"Right in the middle of the Revolutionary Army's founding period, and that Dragon guy is off chasing romance? Totally irresponsible..." After putting the pieces together, Ortoren didn't bother calling Garp on the Den Den Mushi.
It had nothing to do with him anyway—why get involved?
Naturally, he also had no intention of reporting this to Admiral Sengoku. He pushed the thought aside, and before long, a knock sounded at the door. Ortoren responded.
A moment later, Captain Gild Tesoro, dressed in a crisp white Navy uniform, stepped inside.
As the G-5 Base Commander, Ortoren had the authority to directly recruit subordinates, and he had personally granted Tesoro his naval rank of captain.
It wasn't a high rank—mainly because Tesoro was still unimpressive at this stage. He had no Devil Fruit ability, no real combat strength, and in terms of fighting power, he wasn't even as capable as a seasoned Navy veteran. His business talent and potential had yet to be revealed, and he hadn't accomplished anything notable. So Ortoren couldn't justify giving him a higher position yet. Starting him as a captain to get some experience made sense. Once he proved himself, promotions and wealth would be just a word away.
"Benn-sama, you called for me?" Tesoro gave a proper salute, speaking with respect.
"Yeah. Take a look at these." Ortoren casually tossed a thick stack of documents onto the desk. "These cover the economic issues G-5 has been facing recently, along with some rough solutions. See if you can come up with anything better."
Tesoro swallowed nervously. Realizing that Ortoren trusted his ability, a determined look flashed in his eyes. He stepped forward, picked up the heavy stack of papers, sat down on the sofa, and began to read.
"No need to rush. Take them back and study them carefully. At our current speed, it'll be a while before we reach G-5. Once we arrive, just give me something useful and you'll pass the test." Seeing Tesoro's tension, Ortoren smiled and reassured him.
"Yes, Benn-sama!" Tesoro immediately stood up again and responded respectfully.
"Alright, take it back with you and go over it..." Ortoren waved him off, not wanting him to linger.
...
Meanwhile, in another sea of the New World, several Navy warships faced off against a massive pirate ship.
The sails of the warships bore the large letters "G-5," marking them as part of the G-5 fleet.
On the flagship, Issho leaned on his sword-cane, his face serious as he stared at the pirate ship in the distance. His voice was deep and stern.
"Slekemind. Blocking our path so openly—are you looking to end up in Impel Down?"
This time, Issho hadn't come after Slekemind. It was Slekemind who had blocked Issho's route.
On the bow of the pirate ship stood a young man, about twenty-five or twenty-six, with a strong build and a messy, spiky hairstyle that gave him a wild, dashing look. His upper body was bare, his style carefree and bold.
He was the user of the Paramecia-type Masu Masu no Mi, known to the Navy as the "Crusher," with a bounty of 360 million Belly.
Slekemind had crossed blades with Issho many times in the New World. Though he always ended up fleeing from Issho's pursuit, his strength was undeniable. After all, not every pirate could escape Issho—even if Issho had yet to reach the peak of his power.
"Ahahahahaha! Issho!" Slekemind greeted arrogantly, then tore open a parchment scroll and held it up. "Thanks to you, I struck a deal with the World Government two days ago. I'm now one of the Shichibukai! As long as I hold that title, you Marines have no authority to pursue me. Today, I'm here just to tell you this: from now on, in the New World, I'll do whatever I damn well please. Don't bother me again!!"
"Shichibukai?!" Issho's eyes widened as he saw the parchment, his expression full of disbelief.
Seeing Issho's shock, Slekemind laughed even louder, swaying his head smugly. "That's right. From a certain point of view, we're even on the same side now..."
But Issho quickly recovered from his surprise. His gaze sharpened as he said seriously, "Then come back to G-5 with me. Settle that 200 billion Belly debt."
Slekemind froze.
"Two hundred billion Belly? What the hell are you talking about!? When did I ever owe you money!?" he shouted angrily.
"As a Shichibukai, you owe G-5 two hundred billion Belly. If you don't even know this basic rule, I doubt your title will last long," Issho replied calmly.
"Bullshit! I've always been the one extorting others—no one's ever extorted me! I'm not paying a damn thing. Let's see what you can do about it!" Slekemind snapped arrogantly, then waved his hand, ordering his crew to turn the ship around. He had no intention of wasting more words with Issho.
...
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