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It wasn't until all the remaining ingredients in the floating restaurant were thoroughly devoured that Garp, with a satisfying pat on his round belly, sprawled on the restaurant's couch for a nap.
Since it wasn't an emergency, he had no plans to use his Life Return ability to quickly digest the food.
Under Zyhark's stern supervision, Aqua tearfully began cleaning up the dishes.
It had hardly been half a day since they parted, but she was already sentimentally missing Biskin, their free labor.
Fortunately, King was there to help.
Zyhark and Smoker sat down at another clean dining table.
"A Devil Fruit encyclopedia? It just so happens that among the pirate goods we recently confiscated, I found one and bought it with my own money," Smoker said, lighting up a fresh cigar and puffing thick rings of smoke.
It was unclear whether Smoker, a Smoke-Smoke Fruit user, was actually smoking or just feeling lonely.
"Really? That's great! Honestly, we're planning to venture into the perilous Grand Line, and this book could be a big help."
Zyhark had only asked about the encyclopedia on a whim, not expecting that Smoker would have one!
"How about this, Smoker? More of these encyclopedias will likely flow into Loguetown later. You give me the one you have now, and I'll take care of the damages and wall repairs caused by the restaurant myself. Don't worry about compensating me."
Upon hearing this, Smoker's mouth twitched, and he internally railed against the audacity.
It was Mr. Garp who had caused the damage, but now it sounded like it was his fault! Moreover, the value of a Devil Fruit encyclopedia far exceeds the cost of repairing a ship.
How thick-skinned must you be, Zyhark, to act as if you're the one taking a loss!
The shamelessness of this capable young man was beyond Smoker's comprehension!
Unfortunately, Smoker couldn't bring himself to be as shameless as Zyhark, and considering that Zyhark had been acting with great justice—defeating pirates and rescuing oppressed civilians—especially removing a corrupt Marine like Colonel Morse, he couldn't help but admire him.
So, even though he knew it was a bad deal, Smoker nodded in agreement, promising to hand over the Devil Fruit encyclopedia to Zyhark once they reached Loguetown.
Zyhark, seeing this, naturally expressed his gratitude with a broad smile.
Another important matter resolved.
If all went well, he could soon reactivate the Wishing Well and summon powerf-, cough, options for enhancement!
...
Under the escort of two fully-powered naval ships, the Endless Dream cut through the waves at high speed.
They managed to arrive at Loguetown, the birthplace of Gol D. Roger known as "the beginning and the end," by sunset.
Thanks to the company of the naval ships, the port manager of Loguetown immediately waived the docking fees for the Endless Dream.
However, Zyhark insisted on paying as per the rules—having just dealt with the Krieg pirate crew, did they look like people who were short on cash?
Following Garp and Smoker, Zyhark, Aqua, and King stepped onto the bustling streets of Loguetown.
Being the town closest to the Grand Line in the East Blue, the main street was bustling with people even as the sun set in the west.
On their way to the Marine base to collect bounties and the encyclopedia with Smoker, they encountered a group of pirates, completely unexpected by Zyhark.
"Guests, guests! You can't do this; our restaurant is a small business. Please pay for your meal!"
Several uniformed waitstaff ran out from a restaurant beside the street, looking anxiously at a group of plainly dressed, odd-looking pirates.
"Ha ha ha! Isn't it typical of lowly and vile creatures to expect pirates to pay?" The leading pirate, with a long nose and sharp barbs, carrying a saw-toothed greatsword on his shoulder, laughed disdainfully.
"I haven't chopped off your heads to feed to the dogs, which is already a great mercy. If you know what's good for you, just scram!"
As the people opposite tried to speak up, impatience flashed in the pirate named Arlong's eyes, and he grabbed the saw-toothed greatsword from his shoulder, casually swinging it at a nearby fried fish stall.
Bang! The natural monstrous strength of a fishman burst forth, smashing the stall and the tiles beneath it into pieces.
The sudden eruption of violent intent scared the onlookers away, and the owner of the fried fish stall quickly packed up his money and fled.
"Ha ha ha ha!"
Seeing this, the fishman pirates laughed unabashedly, mocking those around them.
As the waitstaff, just ordinary people, were stared down by Arlong's brutal gaze, they shrank back, too frightened to press for their dues, and retreated helplessly.
Then, coincidentally, they bumped into Garp, Zyhark, and their group approaching from the opposite direction.
"Lord Smoker? Lord Smoker! Please help us! Those fishman pirates ate without paying!"
As if finding their backbone, they ran up to Smoker, draped in his cloak of justice, pleading for help.
As for the super VIPs Garp and the East Blue hero Zyhark, they were unconsciously overlooked.
After all, for residents who have lived in Loguetown for years, Smoker's influence and reputation are undoubtedly the highest and most immediate.
"Oh? The Navy? Wait, you are?!"
Arlong, with eyes flashing arrogantly and dismissively, did not take Smoker seriously.
However, when he noticed Garp standing beside him, his face broke out in cold sweat.
Being a former crew member of the Sun Pirates led by Fisher Tiger, he naturally recognized a Marine powerhouse like Garp.
"Knowing we've come to the East Blue and sending such a high-level powerhouse immediately, it seems the Navy headquarters is quite wary of our terrifying power..."
Arlong's self-assured smirk revealed sharp teeth like steel blades.
His gaze shifted briefly to his frightened fishman subordinates before he stared intently at Garp and his companions.
"We've just been appointed as a pirate crew under the Fishman Jinbei, a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea!"
"What? Does the Navy intend to capture us, the 'legal pirates' recognized by the World Government?"
Clearly, Arlong, despite his intense disdain for humans and his extremely arrogant nature, had brains; knowing he couldn't defeat Garp, he brought up the name of Boss Jinbei.
In reality, they had broken off from Jinbei over the matter of the Seven Warlords and left Fishman Island to establish their own pirate crew!
The Seven Warlords? Fishman Jinbei?!
Arlong's words caused the Marines behind Smoker to visibly falter, shaking their resolve to punish the evils of Loguetown.
Jinbei's acceptance of the World Government's invitation to become one of the Seven Warlords had happened just in the last couple of days, and it hadn't even been officially published in the newspapers yet.
Aside from Zyhark, including Garp, no one present knew that the Arlong in front of them had already severed ties with the Fishman Pirate Crew!
(End of Chapter)