Chapter 23: Do Rayleigh and Garp Know Each Other?

“He actually lost. That boy is too strong!” In the distance, a Navy captain stared in disbelief at the exhausted Kizaru and Aokiji, both lying on the ground, unable to fight any longer.

“What are we supposed to do? All three Admirals are incapacitated. Are we just going to let this kid walk away?” The captain tightened his grip on his sword and spoke in a low voice.

“Hurry, give me the Den Den Mushi,” he called to the communications officer nearby.

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

The Den Den Mushi rang in Fleet Admiral Sengoku’s office: “Pururururu…”

“This is Sengoku. What’s the situation over there? Did you catch him?” Sengoku picked up the call, tension evident in his voice.

Eight years ago, this man had gravely wounded Kizaru right in front of Garp. He vanished for eight years, and who knows how much stronger he’s become since then.

“Sengoku—Fleet Admiral Sengoku—the three Admirals have been defeated!” The voice coming from the Den Den Mushi was the last thing Sengoku wanted to hear.

“What?!” Sengoku slammed the desk and leapt to his feet, veins bulging on his forehead.

“All three Admirals are seriously injured. What do we do?” The terrified Navy captain’s voice came through the line.

At that moment, Garp strolled into the office.

“Hey, Sengoku, what’s got you so worked up? Can I get some time off? I want to visit my grandson!” Garp grinned as he munched on a doughnut.

“Garp, don’t go anywhere. I have a job for you,” Sengoku’s eyes lit up with an idea as soon as he saw Garp enter.

“What? I want to see my grandson!” Garp protested, his face falling.

“Garp, Kizaru and the others are on the verge of death, and you’re still thinking of visiting your grandson? You—!” Sengoku was so angry that steam seemed ready to shoot from his ears.

Listening to Sengoku and Garp argue over the Den Den Mushi, the Navy captain was on edge.

“Kizaru and the others are almost dead? No wonder I haven’t seen them. Wait, what? What happened?” Garp’s tone shifted from casual to serious as he realized the gravity of the situation.

“Elros D. Camio—he’s reappeared after eight years and even killed a Celestial Dragon. I was uneasy, so I sent the three Admirals to capture him or take him out, but even together, they couldn’t defeat him. Now their lives are hanging by a thread. Can you take this seriously for once, Garp?!” Sengoku’s mustache bristled with anger.

“Well… How are Kizaru and the others now?” Garp, now understanding the seriousness, stopped chewing his doughnut.

“Hey, how are things over there? Are Kizaru and the others alright?” Sengoku shouted into the Den Den Mushi.

“Fleet Admiral, they’re alive, just badly injured. Medical aid is underway. But the criminal has already escaped. We couldn’t stop him.” The captain was panic-stricken. To let Camio walk away, right in front of them—what a disgrace for the Navy! But when even the three Admirals were defeated…

“As long as they’re alive, you can withdraw. Forget about that guy for now.” Sengoku tried to calm his breathing. As long as those three survived, even if it was a humiliating blow to the Navy, there was nothing to be done. If he joined forces with Garp, perhaps they could corner him.

“Yes, sir!” The captain sighed with relief. To go against that man would be suicide.

“Sengoku, I have a mission for you,” Sengoku said quietly, still visibly furious.

“Oh, what is it? Guess I won’t be seeing my grandson after all. I really wanted to give Luffy a loving Iron Fist of Guidance,” Garp grumbled, reassured now that the Admirals would survive.

“Garp, can’t you give me some peace of mind? I want you to get in touch with Elros D. Camio. Ask him why he killed the Celestial Dragon. Even if we despise those nobles, they’re still under the World Government’s protection.” Sengoku spoke softly after a moment’s thought.

“Alright, fine! I’ll go meet the kid. He seems interesting. Killing a Celestial Dragon—ha!” Garp let out a hearty laugh.

...

Meanwhile, Camio was about to reach District Thirteen. Reflecting on the day’s events, he felt a bit irritable. Those Celestial Dragons were beyond contempt—no, far worse than that.

“Heh, I wonder what Sengoku will do next. I’d love to see his face if he knew that, in a decade or so, Garp’s grandson Luffy would get him into trouble all over again!” Camio laughed to himself as he walked into District Thirteen.

Robin watched as Camio walked over, spotless as ever. She simply smiled, saying nothing. She knew how powerful Camio was. If she realized he’d just changed into a fresh set of clothes, she might have burst out laughing. After decades together in the ring, Robin’s personality had grown far more cheerful.

“Ha, Uncle Rayleigh, I’m back.” Camio entered the house, grabbed a bottle of wine, and took a couple of swigs.

“Hey! Hancock, come here and let your big brother have a look. Are you alright?” Camio’s eyes lit up as he looked at the little girl sitting next to Robin. Hancock was still so young—best to leave a good impression, then disappear for a few years before returning to sweep her off her feet. Surely she’d fall for such a dashing man!

Camio’s eyes grew brighter as he stared at Hancock, and everyone around felt it.

Feeling awkward, Camio sat down on a chair to the side.

Robin walked over and sat next to him, her hand drifting toward Camio’s waist.

“Er…” Camio glanced at Robin, pleading silently with his eyes.

Robin rolled her eyes at him but said nothing. She waved Hancock over. Hancock glanced fearfully at Camio, recalling his earlier look, but then went to sit beside Robin.

Rayleigh cleared his throat. “Camio, what are you planning now? You’ve killed a Celestial Dragon and struck Navy Admirals. What will you do next?”

Camio’s expression turned serious. With his strength, the Navy was no longer a threat, nor did he have to worry about Robin. Still, the constant harassment was vexing. Should he just storm Marine Headquarters and wipe them out?

“Heh, Uncle Rayleigh, you don’t have to worry about me. The future can wait for itself,” Camio replied after a moment, tossing Rayleigh a cigarette and lighting one for himself.

“Purururu…” Just then, the Den Den Mushi beside Shakky, who’d been listening to their conversation, began to ring.

“Who could it be?” Shakky picked up the Den Den Mushi.

“Haha, Shakky, is that you? It’s Garp. I need to talk to Rayleigh. Is he there?” came Garp’s voice on the line.

Rayleigh glanced at Camio, who looked back curiously. How did Garp know Rayleigh was here—and his Den Den Mushi number?

Rayleigh chuckled awkwardly and picked up the receiver. “Garp, what’s up?”

“Rayleigh, haven’t you heard what happened today? I wanted to ask if you know anything about Elros D. Camio. I need to find him.”

Rayleigh gave Camio a strange look. Camio nodded gently.

A storm of thoughts raged inside Camio. He never expected the Navy hero Garp to be so familiar with the Dark King Rayleigh, the former first mate of the Pirate King. He’d even come here looking for information.

“Garp, I’ve got good news for you,” Rayleigh said, the corners of his mouth turning up.

“Oh? What good news? Do you know where he is?” Garp’s voice was full of doubt.

“This is a private line, right? No one’s eavesdropping? I don’t want to get exposed,” Rayleigh said with a chuckle.

“Relax, it’s my private line. No one would dare listen in. So, what’s the news?” Garp pressed.

Rayleigh didn’t keep him waiting. “Garp, the kid’s right here with me. Come on over!” he laughed.

“What—he’s with you? I’m in District One. I’ll be right there—alone, don’t worry,” Garp exclaimed, then dropped his voice.

“Then hurry up! Haha.” Rayleigh laughed and put down the receiver.

“Uncle Rayleigh, how do you know that guy?” Camio asked, curiosity piqued.

Robin looked at Rayleigh, equally intrigued.

Rayleigh glanced at Camio. “It’s actually thanks to you. Eight years ago, Garp came to see me, asking about you.”

Camio was stunned. “About me?”

“You’ll know when he arrives. Ask him yourself.” Rayleigh gave Camio an odd look but said nothing more.

Camio sat back down, muttering to himself, “About me? What could it be?”

...

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