Sengoku returned to his office, found a fresh shirt, and stood in front of the mirror to examine himself.
He was in an excellent mood today. As he looked at his reflection, a pleased smile spread across his face.
Despite being over seventy years old, his thick, dark hair made him look closer to fifty.
What? You say it's dyed?
So what if it is? Does he have to go around looking like Garp—an old man with no shame? A man should take pride in his appearance!
The longer Sengoku admired himself, the more satisfied he felt. He puffed out his chest, clenched his right fist, and struck a heroic pose.
But in his self-admiration, he forgot to shut the office door.
Suddenly, Corazon burst in joyfully shouting,
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Vice Admiral Purple Kirin… Hmm?"
Corazon blinked, staring at Sengoku frozen mid-pose in front of the mirror. He hesitated, then asked,
"Uh… I saw the door was open. Did I interrupt something?"
Sengoku didn't face him directly, but through the mirror, Corazon could see his flushed face and twitching mouth.
At that moment, Sengoku silently swore he would have a double-layered door installed for his office.
Still, as the Fleet Admiral, he maintained his composure. He slowly turned, smoothly shifting his clenched fist to his mouth as if clearing his throat.
"Ahem. Corazon, what were you saying? Something about Vice Admiral Purple Kirin?"
"Vice Admiral Purple Kirin is back! And he brought new recruits with him!"
At the mention of Chiga, Sengoku's embarrassed expression vanished, replaced by genuine delight. Hearing that Chiga brought back new recruits was the cherry on top—he couldn't ask for more.
Anyone brought back by Chiga would certainly be of outstanding character and potential. Sengoku adored Chiga now—he could hardly wait to see him.
He exclaimed,
"Chiga's back? Excellent! Bring him—no, I'll go myself!"
Sengoku darted out of the office so fast he disappeared in a flash, leaving Corazon behind.
Corazon snapped out of his daze and rushed after him, yelling,
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you're going the wrong way! Vice Admiral Purple Kirin is in front of the Headquarters building!"
---
Outside Marineford HQ
In front of Marine Headquarters, Chiga stood with his arms crossed. Beside him, Aokiji had one hand in his pocket. The two Marine powerhouses quietly watched Garp rolling around on the ground.
Chiga had used the Flying Thunder God technique to return directly to his office. After releasing Kalifa, he handed her all the pending paperwork without hesitation.
Kalifa glared at him with charming annoyance, but Chiga left her to handle it and stepped out.
He bumped into Corazon, who excitedly greeted him before dashing off to inform Sengoku.
Chiga had originally planned to look for Zephyr—to see whether his hard-headed teacher had eaten the Devil Fruit he gave him. He was particularly curious about the Mythical Zoan, Ox-Ox Fruit: Model Minotaur. Mythical Zoans were always fascinating.
But the moment he walked outside, he noticed a crowd of Marine soldiers gathered. Even Aokiji was present.
Curious, he paused to join the informal "Garp-viewing" group. Aokiji gave him a casual greeting, and Chiga responded with a nod.
As for Garp...
He had been lying on the sunlit pavement for over thirty minutes, muttering repeatedly like a scorned woman:
"Sengoku's changed. Sengoku's changed…"
Several soldiers tried persuading him to get up, saying it wasn't a good look for a Marine hero, but he barked at them.
Garp declared that unless Sengoku personally came to pick him up, he wasn't moving an inch!
Watching Garp throw a tantrum, a wicked smile crept onto Chiga's face, causing Aokiji to shiver.
Aokiji glanced at Chiga with unease. Had Chiga gotten even stronger? He, a powerful Ice-Ice Fruit user, was actually shivering just from that grin!
Chiga's wicked smile came from a single amusing thought—Ace and Yamato were still in his Door-Door Space.
Yamato didn't matter much, but Ace? He had deliberately left Ace inside just to let him watch his grandfather's public meltdown.
He wondered what Garp's reaction would be once he found out Ace had witnessed the whole thing. Would he still be able to throw his proud "Fist of Love"?
---
Inside Chiga's Door-Door Space
Ace stood with a blank expression, peering through the space wall at Garp rolling on the ground.
He couldn't believe it.
Was that really the same Garp who used to scold and punch him and Luffy for getting into trouble?
Beside him, Yamato, unaware of Ace's relation to Garp, stood with her arms folded like Chiga. She commented seriously,
"Who's that old man flailing on the ground? So pathetic. I really want to go out and punch him."
Ace's mouth twitched. He didn't argue. In fact, he nodded and agreed,
"Yeah… same here."
---
Back Outside
Unaware that his reputation in Ace's eyes was crumbling, Garp lay roasting in the sun.
He grumbled at the blazing sky.
'Why isn't Sengoku here yet?! It's scorching! He really doesn't care about me anymore…'
Although heat never really bothered him, the discomfort was another matter. He glanced at Aokiji and shouted,
"Kuzan! Don't just stand there like a popsicle! Cool this place down—I'm boiling here!"
Aokiji obliged. With a gentle wave of his hand, he released a cool burst of air, forming a thin layer of ice beneath Garp. The relief was immediate.
Garp sighed with satisfaction. With this kind of treatment, he could stay down there all day.
Suddenly, Sengoku came rushing out of the building. His eyes immediately locked onto Chiga, completely ignoring Aokiji nearby.
"Chiga! Great work! Let me see the new recruits you brought—"
Garp's ears perked up. He thought, There it is. That guilt finally broke him down. You still care about me, old friend.
Smiling to himself, Garp stayed still and closed his eyes, waiting for Sengoku to approach.
But Sengoku didn't go to Garp at all.
Instead, he beamed at Chiga, grabbed him by the shoulder, and started dragging him back toward HQ.
Aokiji glanced at Garp and gently reminded,
"Uh… Fleet Admiral, Garp is still on the ground."
Sengoku frowned. That name again. Couldn't Kuzan read the room?
He shot a look at Garp, scoffed, and said,
"Oh? I don't see anyone lying on the ground. Alright, everyone disperse. Chiga, follow me back to my office!"
With that, he vanished with Chiga in tow.
The onlookers looked at each other, shrugged, and dispersed. Orders were orders.
Aokiji gave Garp one last sympathetic glance, shook his head, and walked away.
Now alone, Garp lay there in silence in front of the Marine Headquarters, staring at the sky.
So… love really can be transferred, huh?
---
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