One piece: I,Akaino will not die easily

Sakazuki took a deep breath, trying his best to control his emotions, but the bulging veins on his forehead and his slightly trembling hands betrayed his true feelings.

He was somewhat puzzled and asked in a deep voice, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku... may I ask... why is that child in your office?" Sakazuki still held on to a sliver of hope. Maybe it was another child? After all, Vice Admiral Tsuru's subordinates were all female soldiers... maybe…

Before Sengoku could answer, the Navy hero beside him shattered Sakazuki's faint hope with a single blow: "Hahaha! When I returned to Marineford, I heard that you adopted a civilian child. Then, after checking with Kuzan, I immediately decided to bring her here from Jonathan's house for a visit."

"Karp! Sir!! Thank you so much!!!" Sakazuki's voice, almost gnashing with anger, replied to the Den Den Mushi in a deliberate and restrained tone.

"Hahaha, no need to thank me, Sakazuki. Children should get out, exercise, and broaden their horizons. Jonathan initially tried to stop me, but after two punches, he behaved himself," Garp cheerfully and openly admitted.

The magma-solid man finally understood what the pirates he used for practice must have felt. Jonathan… you've had it tough... Kuzan… once I get back, I'll treat you to a magma bath.

As for the brazen old veteran on the other side of the Den Den Mushi—MMP!!!! I said MMP; do you even understand what that means???!!! Sakazuki suddenly found a new motivation to grow stronger: one day, I swear, I'll smash your head in, Garp!!! You've ruined so many good seedlings!!!

Finally, Fleet Admiral Sengoku snatched the receiver and changed the subject: "Calling me at this time—your mission must be complete, right?"

Despite mentally cursing both Garp and Sengoku, Sakazuki hadn't forgotten the original purpose of this call. "Yes, Fleet Admiral, we are about to return to headquarters. Of note, based on the data we've collected over the past three months, there's been a sustained increase in the number of pirates entering the North Blue. Although their quality varies widely, many of these small-time pirate crews are heading toward the Grand Line."

This was not a good sign. Sengoku frowned. If this trend continued, the Navy's already heavy workload in capturing and eliminating pirates would only increase. They'd never be able to plug all the holes. And the sight of that old fool over there playfully teasing a child only made Sengoku even more irritated.

"Garp!!! Get out of here!!! Tsuru, make sure you spend more time with this child in the future. Don't let some idiot lead her astray!!!"

Sakazuki couldn't help but mentally give his Fleet Admiral a thumbs-up. Sengoku's prestige skyrocketed in his eyes, reaching a level of reverence. The Fleet Admiral has restored my faith in justice. Praise Fleet Admiral Sengoku! You've saved the future of the Navy!

Sengoku, known as the Wise Admiral, turned to the Den Den Mushi: "Provide me with a full report on the statistical data and mission details in my office when you return." With that, he hung up the call and resumed comforting the little girl who had been frightened by his old friend.

Marineford, the Navy's headquarters. Today, Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office was unusually lively. First, Garp was sitting on his sofa with a little girl, eating donuts. Then the bastard had the audacity to eye his stash of rice crackers, even spouting nonsense like "Rice crackers go best with tea!"

Since things were relatively quiet at the moment, Sengoku begrudgingly brought out his favorite snacks to entertain the two. Garp, clutching a paper bag of donuts, stuffed them into his mouth without any decorum. Sengoku, somewhat curious, asked, "Is this child your granddaughter?"

"No, that brat Dragon hasn't moved that fast yet."

Sengoku seemed to recall something and tentatively asked, "Is this the child Sakazuki adopted?"

Garp gave his old friend a strange look. "I thought you two had already met."

"No, Sakazuki and Kuzan only reported this to me. I also approved it, but this is indeed my first time meeting her."

Sandwiched between the two big men, eating rice crackers and matcha, Robin couldn't help but feel out of place, especially after learning the identities and positions of these two. Earlier, the vice admiral with a crescent-shaped surgical scar under his eye had abruptly visited Jonathan. From the surprised yet deeply respectful expressions of Jonathan and his wife, Robin deduced that this cheerful vice admiral with a constant smile was far from ordinary.

"Garp... Vice Admiral! Why are you here?" Although Jonathan himself was a vice admiral, he spoke with an awestruck tone, standing upright to salute with full respect.

Garp, casually picking his nose, replied with his booming voice, "I heard from Kuzan that Sakazuki adopted a civilian girl who's currently staying at your house, right? Jonathan, bring her out and let me have a look! It's so rare—Sakazuki, that cold-blooded brat, raising a child?"

"Well… You're not wrong. Robin is indeed temporarily staying at our house. Robin, come meet the hero of the Navy!"

"Robin, huh? That's a great name," Garp said as he rested his hand on the coat of the reddish-brown-bearded vice admiral, completely ignoring the fact that his hand had just left his nostril.

Over the past three months, Jessica, through dietary therapy, had carefully adjusted and improved the little girl's nutrition. She didn't want Sakazuki to return and find Robin still looking malnourished—it would hurt her pride as a top chef.

Thus, the Robin that Garp saw was a girl who, though still somewhat dark-skinned, exuded vitality. She descended the attic stairs cautiously, holding a Navy warship encyclopedia in her arms. "Jonathan? Jessica?" Seeing an unfamiliar face, the little girl hesitated, appearing timid.

"Haha! There you are. Come, come, let grandpa have a look." Garp thick-skinnedly elevated his seniority, though he was indeed of an age to be called grandpa by others. "Have you had a chance to tour the island yet?"

Robin slowly walked behind Jessica and looked up at Garp. "Jessica and the others took me out for a walk."

"Hmm... Then how about I take you to the headquarters fortress to eat rice crackers?"

Before Robin could reply, Jonathan grew more anxious than her. "This… wouldn't be appropriate, right?! Vice Admiral Garp, the Fleet Admiral is busy—" Before he could finish his sentence—Bang!—a light fist landed on his head.

Garp waved his hand carelessly. "Don't worry. Sengoku is never really busy in my eyes."

"..." You've already said this much; what else can I add? Jonathan rubbed his head, still hesitant. "But Sakazuki entrusted her to me…"

Garp slapped Jonathan on the back. "Then you can rest assured! I'm much tougher than that brat!"

Jonathan almost had to use Tekkai and Haki to defend himself from the shockwave of that slap. "Then… I'll leave her in your care. Cough, cough!"

Robin, watching the gentle vice admiral cough continuously, somehow felt… even less reassured.

Jonathan noticed the girl's concern. Smiling, he patted Robin's head gently. "Vice Admiral Garp loves children. Don't worry; he's a good person!"