Starting as a pirate, he rose to become the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society.

Chapter 15 If you cause trouble in the future, just don't mention your master.

East China Sea, the 153th Naval Branch Base.

Smoker, the Admiral of the East Blue, was sitting in the base commander's office, intending to select a suitable naval officer to succeed the commander of the 153rd Branch from a large pile of personnel files.

On the sofa not far in front of him, Garp was eating senbei and drinking tea, looking quite content.

After flipping through the documents for a while, Smoker rubbed his temples wearily and said, "Mr. Karp, are you planning to stay here and not leave? Didn't you say you were coming to visit your grandson?"

"You've come to visit your grandson, but I didn't say which grandson it was," Garp laughed heartily.

Smoker paused for a moment, then realized what he meant and said, "Fire Fist?"

Although not many people know this, it's not exactly a secret that Ace is Garp's adopted grandson. Most people in the Navy who have some connection with Garp know this.

Smoker was actually one of the people in the know.

"That's right, it's that bastard Ace." Garp's smile faded, and he said with a hint of gloom, "Back then, he accidentally ran off to become a pirate. I originally wanted to capture him myself, but by the time I had the time, that kid had somehow ended up on that old bastard Whitebeard's ship. Sengoku told me not to act rashly, so this matter has been delayed ever since."

Smoker had some reservations about Garp's words. If he remembered correctly, Fire Fist Ace was almost recruited as one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.

However, he wisely refrained from exposing Garp's words, instead asking, "Then why do you keep hanging around here? Do you think you can wait for that Fire Fist here?"

"It's highly likely!" Garp said in a deep voice, "Ace ran away from the New World this time to capture that kid named Bane. As we all know, Bane received Sachi's bounty from you, and he disappeared in the East Blue after leaving your Loguetown. So, if nothing unexpected happens, I suspect that kid will come here to inquire about information."

Smoker stroked his chin, then nodded in agreement, "That is indeed possible. After all, he's your grandson. It's not impossible that he, as a pirate, would dare to come to our Navy to inquire about information."

"Why do I feel like you're talking badly about me?" Garp glared at Smoker with some displeasure.

However, not bothering to argue with Smoker, Garp smiled again and said, "So I plan to stay with you for the time being. Later, spread the word that I've already left. That way, that kid won't dare to show his face. As long as he dares to appear before me, I will arrest him!"

"And then send them to Impel Down to serve their sentences?" Smoker joked.

Garp blushed, but still stubbornly insisted, "If he doesn't repent, then I won't bend the law for personal gain!"

"In other words, if he's willing to admit his mistake, you're going to protect him, right?" Smoker rolled his eyes at Karp.

"Well, our Navy has a system for recruiting pirates, so it can't be considered as protecting them, right? Ace is quite talented. If he's willing to join the Navy, reform himself, and atone for his sins, it would be a good thing, wouldn't it?" Garp said, a little embarrassed.

But actually, you know what, the Navy does have such a system of recruiting pirates. In the original story, some pirates were recruited, such as Django from the Black Cat Pirates, who later became a Navy member under Tina.

However, most great pirates would not accept such an offer of amnesty, so this system is just a way for smaller pirates to turn back. Not many people know about it, but it does exist.

If Garp were to take this approach, he could indeed clear Ace's name, and the Navy could even use it to greatly diminish the Whitebeard Pirates' arrogance.

Look, even the captain of your Whitebeard Pirates has turned over a new leaf and become a Marine. What are the rest of you still struggling for?

However, given Ace's feelings for the Whitebeard Pirates and his admiration for Newgate, he probably wouldn't do it the way Garp suggested, even if it meant his death.

Meanwhile, in Shimotsuki Village, Koushirou was standing at the port, bidding farewell to his two apprentices.

These two disciples are naturally Bane and Zoro.

Bann arrived in Shimotsuki Village last August, but now it's already February of the 1520th year of the Sea Calendar. In three more months, the Straw Hats will be ready to set sail.

However, it seems that the Straw Hat Pirates are about to suffer a serious loss of members. Roronoa Zoro, who was originally supposed to be Luffy's first crewmate, has now become Bane's junior apprentice. The two are preparing to set sail together, so it's impossible for him to join the Straw Hat Pirates.

Meanwhile, Usopp was also reported by Bane, and Kuro was directly killed by Smoker. Although Bane did not intend to recruit Usopp, he could not be sure whether Luffy would still team up with Usopp.

Of the Straw Hat Pirates members in the East Blue, only Sanji and Nami remain. As for Sanji, Bane only plans to make contact to see if he can get the contact information for Germa from him. After all, he still has RC cell injections. If possible, it's best to find a science expert to study these and see how to use them to maximize their benefits.

Of course, Germa is just one of the alternatives. If it really joins the Navy in the future, wouldn't the Navy's scientific forces be safer and more stable than Germa?

As for Sanji himself, Bane didn't really care. It wasn't that he looked down on Sanji's future strength or anything; to be fair, the guy did have some talent. It was just that Bane felt that he and Sanji would most likely clash in personality; the guy was too lecherous, which wouldn't do.

In a team, as long as there is one lecherous person, that person is Bane; the rest are all rivals!

Nami goes without saying. In this world, the most important person when traveling is the navigator, and without a doubt, Nami has the potential to become the best navigator in the world. Of course, Bane can't let her go!

As for whether Luffy can leave the East Blue after he kidnaps Nami and loses his navigator, Bane doesn't care. He likes to play the barrel drifting game, so he'll play it for a few more years.

It's estimated that Ace and Teach will find the East Blue soon, so Bane's current plan is to get Nami, then leave the East Blue, and while he's at it, go to Alabasta to see if he can take care of Crocodile, and then take the wise and beautiful Robin with him.

He felt that he needed a smart, quick-learning, and intelligent person by his side who could help him devise strategies and solve difficult problems at certain times. Clearly, Robin was a very suitable choice.

"It's a pity that if I were to kidnap Robin as well, it might be more troublesome for her to join the Navy in the future. But, let's just take it one step at a time," Bane thought to himself.

While he was thinking about these things, Koushirou was also patiently explaining things to Zoro again and again.

Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!

"I've already passed on all the advanced knowledge to your senior brother, Ban En."

"I'm the senior brother, Master!"

"You don't have much social experience, while your senior classmate has a great advantage in this area. When you're out and about, you must listen to him."

"Master, I'm the senior brother!"

"You've never been good with directions since you were little. It's alright in our Frostmoon Village, there's always someone who can lead you home. But from now on, when you're out in the world, you have to stick close to your senior brother Ban'en and not get lost and cause him trouble, understand?"

"I'm the senior brother!!!!"

Zoro was on the verge of a breakdown and finally boarded the ship ahead of schedule in a fit of rage.

After the boy boarded the ship, Koushirou looked at Bane with a smile and said, "Bane, your master has only one thing to tell you."

Bane was deeply moved upon hearing this. Look, what is trust? This is trust! This is his master trusting his abilities!

Therefore, with tears welling in his eyes and a slightly choked voice, Bane grasped Koushirou's hand and said, "Master, I will definitely remember your words!"

"Master knows you are a capable person, and can also see that you want to do great things on the sea," Koushirou said earnestly.

Bane thought to himself, "Master, you understand me!"

"Therefore, I only ask one thing of you: if you cause trouble in the future, just don't mention me," Koushirou said earnestly, patting Bane's hand.

Bane?

(End of this chapter)