Chapter 294: Aokiji is Injured

(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 chapters edited smoothly. https://www.p.atreon.com/INeedRest)

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The events that transpired in LogueTown quickly reached the Marine Headquarters, and immediately caught the attention of the Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

Though the East Blue was considered the weakest sea, powerful individuals who rise from it tend to stir up storms—Garp, Roger, and Ace being prime examples.

According to Smoker's report, this pirate 'Colt' not only possessed mastery over Armament Haki but also exhibited a mysterious ability, most likely linked to a Devil Fruit.

His strength was no longer to be underestimated as a weak East Blue pirate.

Additionally, there were various reports of his impressive healing abilities.

With this information in hand, Sengoku needed to hold someone accountable.

And so, Garp was summoned.

"Damn you, Garp! I sent you to the East Blue on your vacation with just one task, and now, look at the mess you've caused!" Sengoku yelled, spit flying as he scolded Garp, whose confused expression said it all.

'What task?' Garp thought.

Hadn't he gone back to the East Blue just to visit his grandson?

*Bam*

*Bam*

After Sengoku's relentless reminders (Hits to the head), Garp vaguely recalled he had been asked to deal with a pirate on his return trip to the East Blue.

"Oh that, Wahaha! I just forgot. No need to get all worked up!" Garp laughed.

"Besides, I was busy bringing Naruto back. What's wrong with that?" Feeling justified, Garp became even more confident.

"Just an ordinary pirate?" Sengoku growled, throwing a stack of documents onto the table in front of Garp.

The reports detailed everything about Colt's actions from his time with the Vicious Dog Pirates to his arrival in LogueTown.

Even his appearance in the Windmill Village had been tracked by the Marines.

As Garp scanned the reports, his face changed slightly.

The idea of a pirate showing up in the Windmill Village alone was enough to make him nervous.

But after reading the rest, he seemed somewhat relieved.

"These guys don't seem like typical pirates. Anyone who helps civilians and only charges a hundred Berries to treat them can't be that bad," Garp remarked.

"You're overreacting. They only killed that scum Nezumi because they had no choice. If the same thing had happened in the Windmill Village, I would've done the same! The same goes for you,"

Garp's words carried weight, especially after seeing the crimes committed by the so-called Captain Nezumi.

There was no way the Marines wouldn't be aware of what Nezumi was doing in Nami's village. And that was what Garp had read in the report.

Though Garp often acted carelessly, he was no fool.

He knew well that even the Marines, who prided themselves on justice, harbored darkness.

Every day, the Marines strayed from their ideals, and corrupt officers further tarnished the organization's reputation.

"I'll handle the Marines affairs myself! I don't need you to teach me," Sengoku slammed his hand on the table.

He had called Garp to take responsibility, yet Garp somehow turned the tables on him.

"Regardless, these pirates have already committed a crime against the Marines. We can't let them roam freely on the seas! Garp, you were in charge of handling this situation, and since they've entered the Grand Line, you'll be responsible for capturing them."

Sengoku's words were final.

But who was Garp?

"I won't go," He replied casually, scratching his nose.

"I just finished a mission and need some rest." He didn't feel like catching Colt at all…

Sengoku's frustration mounted, about to boil over, when the door suddenly burst open.

A messenger rushed in, barely bothering to knock.

"Fleet Admiral! Urgent news from Sabaody Archipelago—Admiral Aokiji's attempt to recruit Ace to join the Shichibukais has failed, and he's been seriously injured by Uchiha Sasuke!"

Sengoku stayed silent for a few seconds… and then exploded.

"Gaaaaaarp!!!!"

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In the waters near the Reverse Mountain in the East Blue, the current grew more turbulent the closer they approached the Red Line.

But Nami, with her unmatched navigating skills, handled the situation expertly.

No matter how chaotic the waters became, her instincts and experience guided them safely.

During their journey, Nami had also been training under Colt.

After their encounter in LogueTown, both realized that her current strength was a liability.

She desperately wanted to grow stronger.

However, after two grueling days of training, her enthusiasm waned.

"Colt, can we take it easy on the training today?" Nami pleaded, clinging to his arm and trying to act sweet.

Colt just gave her a half-smile, unimpressed.

Sensing the futility of her request, Nami shivered slightly and dropped the matter.

She knew full well that Colt's power far exceeded her own, which would render her efforts useless.

Colt smiled, amused by her sharp instincts.

A few days ago, he had transferred some of his chakra to Nami.

The inhabitants of the Pirate World couldn't directly train in chakra since they didn't possess a connection to the Shinju in their bloodline.

Even though Konoha's teachings described chakra as an energy drawn from both physical and spiritual sources, only those with ties to the Sage of Six Paths and by extension Kaguya and the Shinju, could actually harness it.

By transferring a seed of chakra into Nami's body, Colt had granted her a rare opportunity. She was now someone who could use chakra.

How far she could progress now depended entirely on her own efforts.

Nami spent her days not only navigating but also training, splitting her time between chakra exercises and physical conditioning.

It was no wonder she had begun to complain.

After a while of sailing, Colt and Nami finally reached the base of the Reverse Mountain.

"Is this... really possible?" Nami's voice trembled with awe as she stared at the upward-flowing water.

The sight of the current defying gravity left her utterly shocked.

"Aren't we going to be smashed into pieces?"

"Of course not. Just steer forward," Colt said calmly.

"I'll take over, if necessary," he added, marveling at the natural wonder before them.

Nature's power in this world was truly miraculous, capable of feats beyond imagination.

The Reverse Mountain filtered out the weak, pushing the strongest into the Grand Line.

"Well, no turning back now!" Nami steeled her resolve and steered the ship forward at full speed.

Colt created a chakra barrier, shielding them from the harsh wind and rain, giving Nami a sense of security as they sailed.

The powerful current nearly dashed them against the mountain several times, but Colt's steady guidance kept them on course.

Finally, the ship surged up the reverse-flowing river and reached the peak of Reverse Mountain, plunging forward into the mysterious Grand Line.