Battling the Storm #128

Garp strode through the bustling streets of the Ryugu Kingdom, the Marine soldiers marching in step behind him. His trusted aide, Bogard, walked by his side, his expression stoic as he watched their surroundings. The citizens of Fishman Island couldn't help but steal glances at the legendary marine, their whispers rippling through the air.

As the people recognized Garp, a mix of awe and resentment colored their gaze. They knew him as the hero of the Marines, the man who had fought countless battles against pirates and protected the world from chaos. However, beneath their breaths, their words dripped with contempt and frustration.

"They're probably here to capture the pirates who saved the princess," a shark fishman whispered to his neighbor, his voice heavy with disdain. "Even after they saved our home, those damned human marines are a joke..."

His neighbor, a seahorse fishman, shook his head in agreement, his voice filled with bitterness. "Humans... always thinking they have the right to control everything," she muttered. "They don't care about our struggles one bit..."

The murmurs spread like wildfire through the crowd, each passing comment fueling the growing resentment towards Garp and the human marines. Some cursed him under their breath, while others openly mocked his title as the "hero."

Bogard, ever vigilant, noticed the tension in the air and positioned himself closer to Garp, ready to intervene should any confrontation arise. The marine soldiers followed suit, their grip on their weapons tightening, prepared to protect their vice admiral.

Despite the rising tension, Garp raised his hand, signaling his soldiers to stand down. He understood the frustrations of the fishmen and mermaids and wasn't one to let misunderstandings escalate into unnecessary conflicts.

"Calm down," Garp loudly said, his voice carrying over the crowd's murmurs. "It's just a misunderstanding. We're not here to capture anyone. We're just passing through."

His words hung in the air, momentarily diffusing the hostility. The fishmen and mermaids exchanged uncertain glances, their expressions softening as they absorbed Garp's assurance.

However, before Garp could continue, he was abruptly interrupted by a small fishman child, who came charging towards him, his tiny legs struggling to keep up.

"Go away, you bad human!" The child said, and with a determined look on his face, he kicked Garp's leg, only to lose his balance and fall flat on his back, his attempt at aggression ending in comedic failure.

Garp's eyes widened in surprise, his stern expression turning into a wide grin. He chuckled heartily, finding the child's audacity both amusing and endearing. He knelt down in front of the child, his laughter echoing through the street.

"Well, well, look at you," Garp said, his voice laced with genuine amusement as he spoke. "You've got some guts, kid. But you might want to work on your balance a bit."

The child, disoriented and slightly embarrassed, looked up at Garp with wide eyes. Garp's laughter was contagious, and soon the child's expression softened, but he still seemed hostile.

"Shut up, human! Go away!" the child exclaimed, brazenly shaking his fists at the vice admiral.

Garp reached into his pocket and pulled out a small packet of rice crackers. He extended it towards the child, his grin still firmly in place. "How about you take these and let us pass, eh?" he said, his tone sincere.

The child's eyes lit up, his initial suspicion turning to excitement. "Rice crackers?" he asked, his voice filled with surprise and delight as his expression lost all signs of hostility.

Garp nodded, his eyes twinkling mischievously. "Yep! And let me tell you a secret," he whispered conspiratorially. "I stole these from the fleet admiral's desk. Don't tell anyone, alright?"

The child couldn't help but smile, Garp's infectious laughter and warm demeanor instantly disarming him. He tentatively reached out and took the packet of rice crackers, his eyes sparkling with gratitude.

"Thank you, mister," the child said, a hint of awe in his voice.

Garp ruffled the child's hair affectionately, his laughter subsiding. "No problem, brat. Enjoy!" he said, his voice filled with genuine warmth.

The child's father watching the scene unfold with concern quickly approached and scooped up his child. He offered a nervous, grateful nod to Garp before taking his son and leaving in a hurry.

Garp rose to his feet, his soldiers standing ready at his side. He turned back to the crowd, smiling and waving at the fishmen and mermaids who had witnessed the exchange before he resumed moving.

...

The Silver Gale cut through the choppy waters, its sails billowing in the strong wind. Cedric stood at the ship's bow, his gaze fixed on the eternal pose in his hand. Dark clouds loomed on the horizon, signaling an approaching storm. He furrowed his brow, assessing the situation with a focused intensity.

Kieran stood at the wheel, his steady hands maneuvering the vessel with practiced skill. The ship responded to his commands, smoothly navigating the treacherous sea. Duval and his team of flying fish riders were all over the masts, their agile movements expertly adjusting the sails to harness the power of the wind.

Ironically enough, Chuchun perched upon the crow's nest alongside Baby Five as the two lazed around, doing nothing productive.

Cedric's thoughts were interrupted by Den, who approached him with a curious, somewhat concerned expression. "I hate to interrupt, Cedric, but..." Den began, trailing at the end of his sentence, "How do you plan on finding the CP9 agents in Water Seven? It's a big city, and I don't imagine they'll show themselves so easily..."

Cedric turned his attention away from the storm and focused on Den. A smile played at the corners of his lips, but he maintained a calm and confident demeanor. Cedric knew who the CP9 agents were and where they were hiding. However, he had a different plan in mind.

"Well, Den," Cedric replied, his voice steady, "finding them won't be a walk in the park, but I have a plan. They're after the blueprint left by Tom, and as far as the CP9 agents are concerned, it's with his student..."

Den raised an eyebrow, his curiosity piqued. "In other words...?"

Cedric nodded, his eyes shining with mischief. "Exactly. The CP9 agents are after the blueprints left behind by Tom. And Tom's only known living student is Iceberg, the president of the Galley-La Company, making him the only clue to the whereabouts of the blueprint..."

Den's eyes widened in realization. "So we just dig around Icebergy and hope to find the Cp9 agents..."

Cedric shrugged. "That's right. Iceberg holds the key to their location. If we can dig around him deep enough, the CP9 agents will show their faces sooner or later, I'm sure..."

"Alright..." Den said with a sigh. "It's not much to go on, but it's a start... we'll have to make do, I suppose...."

Cedric grinned, unconcerned by Den's lack of enthusiasm. "Don't overthink it... we'll manage somehow..."

Though Cedric withheld crucial information about the CP9 agents' identities and the extent of their threat, he had a good reason. As the captain of a pirate crew, Cedric knew that he needed to know everything about his crew's abilities to lead them well.

By letting them hunt down the CP9 agents themselves, he aimed to test their resourcefulness, capacity for teamwork, and individual combat prowess and measure them.

Still, that was neither here nor there.

The crew continued their journey towards Water Seven, and the storm intensified, casting an ominous shadow over the Silver Gale. But Cedric remained undeterred, focused on the task ahead.

As the storm raged on, the Silver Gale battled against the tumultuous sea, its crew holding their positions with unwavering determination. His eyes fixed on the compass in his hand, Cedric guided the ship through the treacherous waters.

The wind howled, and the rain lashed against their faces, but the crew pressed on. Kieran skillfully steered the ship, his hands steady on the wheel, while Duval and his team of flying fish riders braved the elements, ensuring the ropes would withstand the powerful gusts.

Chuchun, with Baby Five by her side, finally found some purpose and joined the crew in their efforts. Together, they braved the storm as one, steadfast as the hull of their ship.

Hours passed, and the storm gradually subsided, giving way to a calm sea and clear skies. Drenched and exhausted, the crew gathered on the deck, catching their breath and assessing their surroundings, having overcome their first storm togather as a crew.