Sengoku summarized the known information and added, "The situation isn't that bad yet. We investigated that Cane Swordsman. Although there are few records of him, one thing is certain."
"He didn't know Hiroto at first and even showed some hostility, this was learned from Smoker's side."
"Something must have happened afterward that led him to assist Hiroto in finding Moria, likely some sort of cooperation they reached."
"So he probably won't interfere in Hiroto's battle with you, unless you try to kill him. What you need to do is stall for time. Once Garp arrives, you will work together to take down Hiroto and arrest him."
"If the other party really does try to intervene then, Garp will handle it."
As he spoke, Sengoku also scrutinized the feasibility of this plan.
The situation with the Cane Swordsman was as he said.
As for Hiroto's own level of danger...
Dalmatian had initially been dispatched with the goal of blocking Moria from acting up. But at that time, Sengoku's point of reference was the Moria of memory, not the hollow Moria whose strength had severely declined and who couldn't even use Haki.
The impact of Haki on an individual's strength is enormous. For instance, ninety-nine percent of Marine Headquarters Vice Admirals are proficient in both types of Haki, not because Haki is some entry requirement, but because only by reaching that level can one meet the combat strength indicators to become a Vice Admiral.
In other words, a Moria who lost his Haki had his strength effectively cut in half.
From the surveillance records, Hiroto's victory over such a Moria at least hadn't reached the point of an instant kill.
And Dalmatian was not weak. Although he had only recently been promoted to Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, he had already mastered the basics of both types of Haki.
Furthermore, he was a Zoan Devil Fruit user who had spent years developing his devil fruit ability. In terms of endurance and the ability to take hits, he was extremely formidable—even average Vice Admirals couldn't compare to him.
Therefore, stalling Hiroto would certainly not be a problem.
"Okay."
Dalmatian nodded and accepted the new mission.
...
In the East Blue, near the entrance to the Grand Line, a warship with a dog-head prow slowly sailed out of the Calm Belt.
The warship utilized the latest technology, with Sea Stone embedded in the hull, allowing it to sail through the Calm Belt where various Sea Kings roamed.
On the bow of the warship, a burly man wearing a white suit and draped in a Marine coat stood against the wind. His head of short, ash-white hair showed he was no longer young, but his well-developed muscles equally showed he was no mere old man.
This was none other than the Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral known as the Marine Hero, Garp.
At this moment, he was recalling Sengoku's call from not long ago.
Hiroto, huh?
I really didn't expect it, even Tsuru misjudged him.
A pirate who was originally thought could be handled by Smoker ended up taking out that smoke brat instead.
He even eliminated Moria, stirring up such unrest in the East Blue. And now he plans to take on a marine headquarters vice admiral.
A brat like that really needs to be educated with fists.
Garp grinned. "This should be about right, shouldn't it?"
His adjutant, Bogard, hesitated before saying helplessly, "We have already left the Calm Belt area, we won't attract the attention of those Sea Kings anymore."
"Hahahaha, that's good!"
Garp suddenly took a heavy step forward, and the Warship, over seventy meters long and thirty to forty meters wide, suddenly dipped beneath him.
Amidst the cries of the Marines and Bogard's helpless expression, Garp leaped into the air, countless air currents converging around his iron fists.
"Everyone, hang on tight!"
In the next instant, Garp suddenly spun and threw a punch, his terrifying strength acting upon the air.
The warship beneath him was swept up by the suddenly surging air, and the sunken sea surface abruptly bulged upward. Then, the entire Warship soared into the air, flying toward the distant sky at an incredible speed.
"Vice Admiral Garp is as casual and monstrous as ever."
Bogard gripped the ship's railing tightly, watching Garp throw punch after spinning punch, making the Warship soar through the air and leap across the sea at a startling speed.
A flash of admiration couldn't help but cross his eyes.
Garp's strength was as unbelievable and terrifying as in the old days. Relying solely on the air moved by his spinning punches, he could make this massive Warship fly through the sky.
This greatly shortened the time it would take to reach Loguetown.
...
"Is this as far as we go?"
"Yes, the rest is up to me."
"Well then, see you later."
After the brief dialogue, the whistling wind whipped past his ears, and a sense of weightlessness came from beneath his feet.
Falling from the sky, Hiroto looked down at the land, seeing an island and a town that was rapidly growing larger in his vision.
Loguetown, the only supply island before the Grand Line and the place where Pirate King Roger was once executed, was right beneath his feet.
The wind howled around him as his Observation Haki expanded to scout, locking onto the most powerful presence as the distance continued to close.
"Found you."
Wind and fire surged, enveloping Hiroto as he turned into a meteor plunging straight toward the ground.
Beneath the brilliant and dazzling flame-colored meteor, Dalmatian, who was standing on the balcony outside the Branch Commander's office gazing at the sea, suddenly snapped his head up.
BOOM!