"Garp! Where are you going? This matter has already been decided, neither of us has the power to change it!"
Sengoku had initially thought there was still a chance to salvage the situation before the news of the war was published, but the World Government's firm stance took him by surprise. He knew very well that even if Garp went to Mariejois, it would be impossible to reverse the decision.
"I just want to see him, as his grandfather... Arrange a ship for me to go to Impel Down. That shouldn't be a problem, right?"
"I understand."
Garp's footsteps were slightly heavy. He had always hoped his grandson would become a Marine, but he wasn't good at teaching. Or rather, this world had very few people who knew how to educate the next generation—growth was something one had to figure out on their own.
Sengoku still believed in Garp's sense of duty, thinking he wouldn't do something as absurd as breaking someone out of prison. So, he allowed him to go. He wouldn't stop him from a simple visit.
Besides, it wouldn't be appropriate to stop him. If he couldn't even be trusted with this, then it wouldn't be right to let Garp take part in the upcoming war either.
Garp's absence from the war as the "Hero of the Marines" would have a serious impact on morale.
After Garp left, Marineford was temporarily sealed off. The Science Unit was modifying the coastal artillery, installing special equipment, and transporting the newly created Pacifista to Sabaody Archipelago for final pre-war testing.
...
Sabaody Archipelago was the same as always—a mix of chaos and prosperity. The only difference was that there were more Super Rookies this year. It was as if all the rookies from different seas had timed their arrival perfectly, gathering on this "Island of New Beginnings" all at once. Naturally, Luffy and his crew were among them.
News of Moria's defeat had already spread, but not every member of the Straw Hat Pirates received a bounty. While Luffy and Zoro's bounties had surpassed 100 million, compared to the other Super Rookies of their generation, they weren't particularly remarkable—perhaps even a bit ordinary.
At the moment, they were preparing for the coating process of their ship while listening to Shakky explain the situation on the island. However, they didn't pay too much attention to it—only Hercules was listening intently.
Elsewhere on the island, besides the Super Rookies, there were also Isuka and Lami.
"Sister Isuka, Sister Misu has sent a message. It's the latest order from Onigashima. The officers outside need to finish their tasks as soon as possible and return to Onigashima—it seems something big is about to happen." [TN: The sister used here for Isuka and Misu is different.]
"How are things progressing?"
"Almost done. Everything should be wrapped up before nightfall."
"Alright, then let's finish up and leave this place. Today, this island is really getting on my nerves. There are more and more annoying people around."
"Alright, I'll go buy some food from that restaurant over there. Come on, kids, let's go eat."
Just like before, except now Lami had matured quite a bit, becoming more composed in handling things.
In the last few years, when coming to Sabaody Archipelago, Lami would buy food from this restaurant. The portions were large, and the prices were fair—making it the best choice for those living in the slums of Sabaody Archipelago.
However, this restaurant was currently under pressure it could not withstand.
A group of men dressed like mafia occupied a corner of the restaurant. The man leading them, dressed like a mafia don, was eating while casting an irritated gaze at those around him.
"Vulgar woman, how disgusting. Go seal her mouth."
The speaker was Capone "Gang" Bege, captain of the Fire Tank Pirates, with a bounty of 138 million Berries.
And the one he found vulgar was another Super Rookie—Jewelry Bonney, captain of the Bonney Pirates, with a bounty of 140 million Berries. Her pink hair stood out as she sat at the table, devouring food in massive amounts.
"That's not a good idea, Father. We're right under the Marines' noses—if we cause a big commotion..." [TN: Bege's men generally address him as "Father" similarly to the way that Mafia members address their high ranking leader as "Godfather".]
Bege paused for a moment, then picked up his fork and stabbed it into his subordinate's face.
The subordinate had a point, but Bege did it anyway—because questioning him violated the mafia's rules.
Meanwhile, Bonney continued yelling for more food. In the chaos, a flustered restaurant waiter accidentally bumped into someone—only to be caught and steadied by Lami as she walked in the restaurant.
"Careful there, Mr. Waiter."
"Th-Thank you..."
"Hey! Why did you knock spaghetti all over my pants?!"
Lami had managed to catch the waiter, but the plate in his hands still went flying—landing right on someone else. And on a day when pirates had gathered from all over, it just so happened to land on a pirate.
"Sir, fighting and killing isn't a good idea, you know? There are so many kids around—can you try not to be so reckless?"
The pirate instinctively reached for his sword, but before he could draw it, Lami swiftly pressed it back into its sheath, flashing a gentle smile as she persuaded him.
"You—!"
He wasn't some saint, nor did he care about children. But the strength in Lami's grip prevented him from drawing his weapon. Just as he was about to reach for another weapon, his captain stopped him.
"Stand down."
"Captain?"
"100% chance of getting defeated. 100% chance of dying. That is your future if you make a move. The shadow of death is already circling around you."
Golden hair, eyebrows sharp like nails, and a cross tattooed on his chest.
The captain of the Hawkins Pirates, The Magician - Basil Hawkins, Bounty: 249 million Berries.
The most superstitious among the Super Rookies, he relied heavily on fortune-telling to determine his actions. Almost all of his decisions were dictated by his tarot readings.
And this time, his cards had given him a clear message: do nothing, and all would remain peaceful; make a move, and the chance of victory was zero. With such an outcome, naturally, he stopped his subordinate.
From a mystical perspective, he had already foreseen Lami's next move—if the pirate continued his attack, Lami would release a carefully prepared poison, causing him to inexplicably drop dead within minutes.
Seeing the Hawkins Pirates, who were dressed like a religious cult, Lami said nothing. She simply packed up a large amount of food and left the restaurant.
The chaotic atmosphere inside made her give up on dining there.
However, the chaos wasn't limited to just this place. Compared to other areas, this restaurant still maintained some restraint, while outside, fights had already broken out.
Given pirates' nature, this wasn't surprising—violence and picking fights was just part of their nature. But nearby, another onlooker rubbed their eyes in disbelief.
"Captain, that woman looks a bit like you. If you were a girl, you might even be her sister!"
"Captain? Captain? What's wrong?"
Shachi and Penguin teased Law, but he didn't react at all. He just stood there in a daze, staring at that familiar face.
"Sister Lami, can we eat now?"
"Just wait a little longer—the wind's too strong here, you'll get a stomachache if you eat now. Wait till we're back on the ship, alright?"
A child's voice reached Law's ears, and Lami's voice triggered his memories.
"Wait... Lami!"
"Huh? Who are you? Do we know each other?"
****Please support on pat*eon for extra chapters; there is date to date subscription enabled on patreon. [There is a 7-day trial version availabe on patreon.]
https://www.pat*eon.com/dmtranslations
You can read ahead upto 75 chapters on my pa*reon.