"Damn kid!" Garp scratched his head, clearly annoyed, as Kuzan suddenly slumped down beside him. "What are you doing here? Don't tell me you're after that brat, too. Wait... has my secret been discovered?"
"Hrm? A secret?" A hint of curiosity broke through Kuzan's usual lazy expression as he raised an eyebrow. "What secret would that be, Garp-san?"
"Bwahahaha! A secret? What secret? Forget I said anything!" Garp boomed, feigning innocence as he casually started picking his nose. "I didn't say a thing. You must be hearing things, Kuzan."
"..."
Kuzan shook his head at Garp's stubborn denial, his lazy expression settling back into place. "I was passing through the East Blue, so Fleet Admiral Sengoku asked me to give you a message in person. Your vacation's over. You're to return to HQ immediately."
"Bwahaha! Over already? That fast?! How could I not know?!"
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku mentioned you hung up on him," Kuzan said, showing no mercy. "He's already sent Bogard with your warship and crew. I saw him at the pier. And he said to stop hanging up on the Den Den Mushi."
He turned away from Garp. He'd delivered his message, that was all that mattered. Whether Garp actually went back was none of his business.
Facing the bar owner, he gave a lazy nod. "Makino-san, long time no see. Could I get an iced beer, please?"
*Cough cough*
Kuzan sighed. "Make that two. One for Garp-san as well. And do you have anything to eat? I haven't eaten all day."
He understood Garp's signal perfectly. Shrugging, he reached into his pocket for some money, but suddenly...
"Bwahaha! Thanks a lot, Kuzan!" Garp roared, clapping a heavy hand down on Kuzan's shoulder just as he was fishing for his wallet. "You haven't eaten either?"
The force of the slap made Kuzan stumble.
Then...
*Clink.*
Something small slipped from Kuzan's pocket and landed on the bar.
"What a coincidence, neither have I! Let's eat together!" Garp continued, still patting Kuzan's back enthusiastically. He glanced down. "Huh? Looks like you dropped something."
His eyes fell on a small, pink card on the counter. He blinked.
"This card... why does it look so familiar?"
"Garp-san," Makino said with a helpless look, not hesitating to scold him gently, "please be more careful!"
Just as Kuzan's eyelid twitched and he reached for the card, Makino swiftly picked it up and held it out to him. "Sorry about that, Kuzan-san. This is yours. A Romance Dawn Club VIP Card? You should keep this somewhere safe."
'You really didn't have to read that out loud,' Kuzan thought, his mouth twitching. He snatched the card with a speed the eye could barely follow and stuffed it deep into his pocket. "Ah, thank you, Makino-san."
Meanwhile, Garp's mind finally caught up. His eyes widened in realization. "Romance Dawn Club? That's right! This is their VIP card! Kuzan, how do you have one?"
'Can't you be a little quieter, old man?'
Before a frowning Kuzan could respond, Makino, who had just set two frosted mugs of beer on the counter, asked curiously, "Romance Dawn Club? Garp-san, have you been there before? What kind of place is it?"
"Bwahaha! Of course I have!" Garp grabbed his beer and took a huge swig. "That's a good..."
Before he could finish, "Tavern," Kuzan cut in smoothly, a slight smile on his lazy face as he looked at Garp. "Garp-san, it's just a tavern, isn't it?"
Garp, having just finished his gulp, paused. He blinked, then his eyes narrowed as he gave Kuzan a meaningful look. "That's right! Kuzan's right. It's just a tavern!"
"Garp-san is correct," Kuzan added calmly. "It's just a completely ordinary tavern."
"I just stopped by for a drink on my way here," Garp said, waving his hand dismissively. "Nothing special about it!"
Makino watched the two of them, a confused look on her face.
'It's just a tavern... Why do they both need to repeat it so many times?' she wondered. 'Are the drinks there really that good? Maybe I should go there for a visit, hopefully I can get some new drinks recipes!'
Garp and Kuzan didn't notice her expression. They were looking at each other over their drinks, one with a broad grin, the other with a lazy calm. A silent understanding passed between them.
After a moment, just as Kuzan finished his beer, Garp was the first to break the silence, still picking his nose. "You've already seen that brat, haven't you?" he asked with a smirk. "Where is he? Did you catch him?"
"'Brat?' I'm not sure who you mean, Garp-san." Kuzan played dumb, gesturing to Makino for another round. "Are you talking about Captain Dante Ashford? I think he has great potential, but he was being wasted out here in the East Blue. I sent him to the Grand Line for a secret mission. I was even planning to recommend him to the higher-ups. Anyway, why are you asking about him? Are you close with him?"
"Bwahaha! Not at all," Garp played dumb right back, tilting his head. "Never heard of him. Don't know any kid named Dante!"
'Same old Garp-san,' Kuzan thought with an internal sigh. He didn't press the issue, simply thanking Makino for the fresh beer and taking a slow sip.
He set the mug down, his eyes flickering.
'A Shichibukai, huh?' he mused silently. 'I wonder if that kid will still keep his powers hidden... He should be reaching Alabasta soon.'
Just as the thought crossed his mind...
*Peru Peru... Peru Peru...*
The Den Den Mushi on the counter began to ring. Kuzan picked it up with practiced ease.
"Moshi moshi," he said in his usual lazy tone. "What is it? If it's nothing, I'm hanging up."
"Try to be serious for once, Kuzan!"
"Oh, my. Fleet Admiral Sengoku?" Kuzan's lazy expression tightened. "Is there another mission?" he asked, a headache already forming.
"Is that Sengoku?" Garp leaned in curiously, then instantly slapped on a serious look. "Don't tell him I'm here!"
Before Kuzan could say a word...
"I CAN HEAR YOUR VOICE!" the Den Den Mushi roared. "GARP, YOU BASTARD! HOW DARE YOU HANG UP ON ME?"
"Bwahaha! So you found me out?"
"YOU IDIOT! YOUR VACATION IS OVER! AND ANOTHER THING," the Sengoku Den Den Mushi bellowed, "I ATE ALL YOUR RICE CRACKERS! DON'T EXPECT ME TO RESTOCK THEM FOR YOU!"
"It's fine, I'll just eat yours!"
'This frustrating idiot,' Sengoku fumed on the other end.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku," Kuzan interjected, ignoring Garp, who was now casually picking his nose again. He was worried the two would argue forever. "You were calling about a mission?"
"Oh, right. I nearly forgot, thanks to that idiot Garp!" The Den Den Mushi seemed to collect itself, taking a deep breath. Its expression turned serious, radiating the authority of the Fleet Admiral.
"This is an official Marine Headquarters mission order for Admiral Aokiji and Vice Admiral Garp," it stated, its eyes narrowed. "The Shichibukai Sir Crocodile's plot against the Alabasta Kingdom has been exposed. He was defeated by a passing crew, the Mock Pirates. Proceed to Alabasta immediately and bring Crocodile back to Marine Headquarters. At the same time, you are to arrest the leader of the East Blue's Mock Pirates!"
After issuing the order, a hint of emotion crossed its face, and it said wistfully,
"I can't believe the Mock Pirates are already on the Grand Line. It seems both you and I underestimated that man's strength, Garp. To defeat a Shichibukai right after entering... That man is dangerous. Far more dangerous than the Super Rookie, Portgas D. Ace."
His tone hardened again. "You two will capture him this time. We cannot allow him to run free."
A moment of silence passed.
"What's wrong with you two?" the Sengoku Den Den Mushi asked, frowning. "Did you not hear me?"
"...Bwahaha."
"...Hahaha."
The two men laughed awkwardly before quickly straightening up. "We heard you! Loud and clear!"
"Honestly, you two give me such a headache," Sengoku sighed. As long as the mission got done, he didn't care to probe any further. "Now I have to get back to work! You two get moving! Especially you, Garp! Get your ass back here right now!"
"Yes, sir!"
"Alright, alright."
*Click.*
The call ended. Kuzan and Garp exchanged another look.
"Kuzan," Garp said, already back to his carefree self, picking his nose and sipping his beer. "I'll leave the rest to you!"
He knew the old man was planning to slack off again.
Kuzan shot a speechless look at the old man. He knew Garp was planning to slack off again, but he didn't bother arguing. He just lowered his head and stared at the Den Den Mushi in his hand, letting out a long sigh.
"Dante," he muttered. 'I didn't expect him to resolve it so quickly. But... did he not even have to make a move himself?'
He stretched comfortably in his seat. "Well, that's a shame," he said to no one in particular. "I just sat down, and it looks like I have to get busy again."
===============
Dear Readers and Fans,
For those eager to dive into next chapters earlier before others, I invite you to join us on Patreon. By becoming our Patron, you not only gain access to exclusive advanced chapters but also help us continue this endeavour and expand it further.
https://www.pat reon.com/8Ashes8
(no space)
You can read upto 7 Chapters in advance.