The next day.
At the port of the High Court Kingdom, Vice Admiral Mark—hailed as the hero who had saved the kingdom—boarded his warship in high spirits, having just received a generous reward from the royal family.
Although the High Court Kingdom was one of the World Government's affiliated nations and the Marines were obligated to help maintain its stability, that assistance was never free.
Especially during a conflict that threatened the nation's very survival.
If the kingdom did not provide sufficient compensation, the Marines would hardly commit their full strength.
And as the North Blue branch's Vice Admiral, all those rewards naturally belonged to Mark.
"Drake!"
Standing at the edge of his ship's deck, Mark looked toward the neighboring vessel and grinned broadly.
"Even though your performance in High Court City irritated me greatly, I'll let it slide for Vice Admiral Tsuru's sake. I won't compete with you for the credit this time."
"As for these rewards..."
"Vice Admiral Mark, they're all yours."
Before Mark could finish speaking, Drake interrupted him.
Then he turned and walked into the cabin.
Moments later, Drake's warship slowly departed the harbor.
"Commodore!"
As soon as Drake entered the cabin, a Marine soldier hurried over.
"Sir, Mr. Arashi's ship, the Traveler, has already left the High Court Kingdom."
"I see."
Drake nodded.
"You may leave."
He had already noticed the Traveler was gone when he boarded his ship.
Having someone confirm it was merely for peace of mind.
The events at High Court City had left a profound impact on him.
Especially Arashi's strength—it had completely astonished him.
But more than Arashi's power, Drake found himself longing for Arashi's life as a free-spirited traveler.
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
Fleet Admiral's Office.
Wearing his white Fleet Admiral coat, Sengoku sorted through a stack of documents before raising his eyes toward Drake, who stood respectfully before his desk.
"You want to resign?"
After setting the documents aside, Sengoku leaned back in his chair.
"This mission in the High Court Kingdom was completed exceptionally well."
"After discussions with Vice Admiral Tsuru and Vice Admiral Garp, we were preparing to promote you to Rear Admiral."
"And yet you're requesting resignation."
"Why?"
"Reporting, Fleet Admiral!"
Drake straightened his posture.
"During the High Court Kingdom operation, I did not participate in suppressing the rebels."
"Therefore, I do not deserve a promotion."
"Oh?"
Sengoku raised an eyebrow.
He picked up a report and tossed it onto the desk in front of Drake.
"This is Vice Admiral Mark's official report."
"He specifically states that the kingdom's victory was largely due to your outstanding command."
"He's lying!"
Drake interrupted immediately.
"From beginning to end, I never approached the royal palace."
"At the time, besides the rebels, there were countless pirates throughout the city slaughtering and looting civilians."
"So you spent the entire battle fighting pirates instead of helping suppress the rebellion?"
"Yes."
Drake answered without hesitation.
"But it wasn't just me."
"If I had been alone, I couldn't have stopped that many pirates."
"To be precise, the person who truly stopped them wasn't me."
"It was Mr. Arashi."
"Arashi?"
Sengoku looked up in surprise.
"You mean the traveler?"
"Yes, Fleet Admiral."
Drake then recounted everything that had happened in High Court City.
"That traveler again..."
After hearing the full story, Sengoku fell into thought.
"Wasn't he in West Blue?"
"How did he end up in North Blue?"
"And more importantly, how is he moving between East Blue, West Blue, and North Blue so freely?"
After a long silence, Sengoku looked back at Drake.
"As for your resignation, I won't approve it."
"The promotion can be postponed for now."
"You are dismissed."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral."
Drake responded crisply and turned to leave.
Watching him depart, Sengoku immediately picked up a Den Den Mushi.
"Garp."
"Come to my office."
"And bring Gion with you."
Meanwhile.
Vice Admiral Momousagi's office.
A twelve-year-old little girl sat across from Gion, blinking her large eyes as she listened attentively to stories about a certain traveler.
When she heard that the traveler had defeated the Logia user Stroll with a single sword strike and sent him crashing into the sea, her eyes widened in amazement.
"Auntie Gion!"
"That traveler sounds so amazing!"
"He really is."
Gion smiled softly.
"So Tashigi has to work hard too."
The little girl nodded earnestly.
"I will!"
"When I grow up, I'll become a powerful Marine just like Auntie Gion!"
She paused.
"No, that's not right."
"I want to become an even greater Marine than that traveler!"
Just then, Garp's voice sounded from outside the office.
"Momousagi!"
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku is looking for you!"
"Coming!"
Gion rose to her feet.
Then she turned toward the little girl.
"Don't run around."
"Stay here until I come back."
The moment Gion left the room, the little girl immediately jumped into her chair.
With practiced familiarity, she pulled out a hidden file and opened it.
Looking at the large title printed across the cover, she tilted her head adorably and slowly read aloud:
"Traveler... Arashi?"
Fleet Admiral's Office.
Looking at Garp and Gion as they entered, Sengoku got straight to the point.
"Two matters."
"First, Drake has submitted a resignation request."
"Second, the traveler you've both been paying attention to isn't in West Blue anymore."
"He's already traveled to North Blue."
"What?"
Both Garp and Gion froze in surprise.
Then Garp burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"That brat really knows how to keep moving!"
"He's already made it to North Blue?"
"That's not the point, Garp!"
Sengoku immediately felt a headache coming on.
"The important question is how he's freely traveling between East Blue, West Blue, and North Blue."
"Hmm. That is worth thinking about."
Garp rubbed his chin thoughtfully before suddenly turning toward Gion.
"Gion."
"How long have you been back at Marine Headquarters?"
"A while now."
Gion paused before continuing.
"If Mr. Arashi left for North Blue immediately after parting ways with me in West Blue..."
"Given his strength, it's entirely possible."
"Hahaha! There you have it!"
Garp laughed loudly and turned back to Sengoku.
"Remember that kid Mihawk? The one who became a Warlord?"
"Doesn't he sail all over the seas in nothing but a tiny little boat?"
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