Marinford Town.
Located directly behind the Marine Headquarters building, Marinford Town was home to countless officers, soldiers, and their families stationed at Marine Headquarters.
Though called a town, it had everything one could need. Bar streets, barbecue streets, entertainment districts, cultural avenues—intersecting roads connected every house in the town, creating an exceptionally lively atmosphere.
As a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, Garp naturally owned a residence here.
Now that Kairo D. Arashi had come to Marinford, there was no way Garp would let him stay anywhere else. He brought Kairo straight to his own home.
Walking beside Garp, Kairo looked around with undisguised curiosity.
Although Marine Headquarters had appeared many times in the original story, those scenes had only shown the general layout. During the Summit War in particular, every shot focused on the headquarters building and the massive plaza before it. There had never been a glimpse of this town.
It was obvious that this town existed for the officers permanently stationed at Marine Headquarters, promising young soldiers, and their families. Elderly retirees could occasionally be seen strolling through the streets, while children ran around playing happily.
Of course, the most common sight was Marines in their headquarters uniforms.
"We're here!"
Just as Kairo was taking in the scenery, Garp stopped in front of a house and said, "This is where the old man lives. Come on! A lot of people have been dying to—"
Before Garp could finish speaking, the tightly shut front door silently opened, and a petite elderly woman walked out.
"Come, let me introduce—"
Looking at the woman who had just emerged, Garp immediately began, "This is—"
"Hello, Vice Admiral Tsuru."
Before Garp could finish yet again, Kairo stepped forward with a smile and gave Tsuru a polite nod.
At this point in time, Tsuru's age showed clearly. Even her height seemed to have shrunk with age. Looking at the frail, elderly Vice Admiral before him, Kairo found it difficult to imagine that she had once been a vibrant beauty.
After all, when Tsuru had sailed alongside Garp and Sengoku in their younger days, she had been an undeniably stunning Marine officer.
Time really was a butcher's knife.
"Long time no see, Kairo."
Tsuru also examined him closely.
She had heard his name so many times that her ears had practically grown calluses, but now that he was standing before her in person, she couldn't help but feel impressed.
Garp hadn't exaggerated at all.
Kairo wasn't just young—he was refined and courteous. There was a quiet, scholarly air about him, while his entire presence radiated warmth and sunshine. His gentle smile was as refreshing as a spring breeze, making people instinctively feel at ease.
"Mr. Kairo! Mr. Kairo!"
Just then, several voices rang out from the street behind them.
Turning around, Kairo saw Bott and the others whom he had met back in the East Blue.
Seeing them, he smiled helplessly before looking up at Garp.
"Tell me, old man... exactly how many people did you tell that I was coming to Marine Headquarters?"
"I didn't tell anyone!"
Even as he denied it, Garp burst into hearty laughter, grabbed Kairo by the arm, and dragged him inside.
The moment they entered the living room, Kairo froze once again.
More than a dozen Marine officers were already gathered inside. As soon as he and Garp walked in, every one of them stood up and enthusiastically greeted them.
"Mr. Kairo!"
"Vice Admiral Garp!"
Although Kairo didn't know any of them, he politely returned each greeting.
"Alright, everyone, sit down!"
Taking the single sofa at the head of the room, Garp waved at Stokes, Bott, and the others who had followed them in.
"Listen up! I'm giving you all the day off today. Your mission is to get Kairo completely drunk! Hahahaha!"
"Yes, Vice Admiral Garp!"
His trusted subordinates answered in perfect unison.
Immediately afterward, they grabbed the fine liquor that had already been prepared and sat down all around Kairo.
At the same time, Vice Admiral Tsuru, Momousagi (Gion), and Tashigi entered the room carrying platter after platter of delicious food.
Faced with Garp and his men's overwhelming hospitality, Kairo didn't hesitate. He simply picked up a bottle of liquor, twisted the cap off, and started drinking.
Thus began the welcoming banquet in Kairo's honor.
The celebration lasted all the way until the afternoon.
After several hours of lively drinking and laughter, the once-noisy living room gradually quieted down.
The men who had been ordered to get Kairo drunk were now sprawled across the room in every direction. Some were snoring loudly, completely passed out. Others had entered the stage of drunken honesty, spilling every thought on their minds. One had even started hallucinating, stuffing cigarette butts into his bag because he believed they were gold before sneakily escaping under the excuse of going to the bathroom.
"Hahaha! You brat... you're actually impossible to get drunk!"
Seeing that everyone else had collapsed while Kairo remained completely unfazed, Garp—who was equally unaffected—raised his glass and clinked it against Kairo's.
"But I'm truly happy you came to Marine Headquarters. Come on, cheers!"
Smiling, Kairo drained his cup in one gulp.
He was genuinely touched by Garp's enthusiasm and trust.
After all, no matter which world one lived in, earning someone's unwavering trust and respect was something to be grateful for. Based on that trust alone, even if Garp weren't a Vice Admiral or the Hero of the Marines, he would still be someone worth calling a true friend.
"Little Tsuru, you ladies must be exhausted. Come on, come have a drink with me and Kairo! And Gion, why are you still standing there? You rushed all the way back from Alabasta—you should sit down and rest! And you, brat, what are you staring at Kairo for? Hurry over and introduce yourself!"
"I'm not a brat!"
Having been called that yet again, Tashigi immediately protested.
"My name is Tashigi, not 'brat'!"
"Hahaha! She's got quite the temper!"
Garp laughed shamelessly.
"Keep acting fierce and I'll send you off to train under that Smoker kid!"
"Hmph! I don't want to train with Smoker!"
Pouting, Tashigi turned her head aside before making a declaration that stunned everyone present.
"I've decided! I want to become a traveler just like Mr. Kairo!"
"Huh?"
The moment those words left her mouth, both Kairo and Gion, who had just sat down at the table, stared at her in surprise.
Before anyone could react, Tashigi hurried over to Kairo, yanked the completely unconscious Stokes away from his seat, and sat down right beside him.
Her eyes sparkled with anticipation.
"Mr. Kairo, may I travel the seas with you? I want to become a traveler just like you!"
"You want to become a traveler?"
Looking at the young beauty sitting beside him, Kairo blinked in surprise before smiling.
"That's a wonderful dream."
"I'll definitely consider it."
To be continued...
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