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

Chapter 98 The Navy's Dilemma

Meanwhile, in Mary Geoise, the Five Elders and others began plotting against Garp and Bane.

Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters, Garp and Bane are meeting.

At the gates of the Marine Headquarters, the fortress of justice, Garp put his arm around Bane's shoulder and laughed heartily, "I've been waiting for you! Now I can finally relax."

"Huh? What are you worried about?" Bane asked, somewhat puzzled.

He had a feeling that Garp was unusually enthusiastic this time, completely different from when they met in the East Blue. Back then, Garp was also very easygoing and enthusiastic, but somehow, he was still lacking.

This time, it felt like Garp was treating him like one of his own.

"Sigh, there are many things you don't know, but in short, your timely arrival at our Marine Headquarters this time has truly been a great help to this old man," Garp said with a sigh.

Although he had wanted to help Ace get away with it and create an opportunity for him, he didn't know how to do it.

It was Sengoku, his old comrade-in-arms, who, after understanding the situation, provided an effective operational plan. And it was at this moment that Bane, who was originally dispensable, suddenly became Garp's darling.

With him here, Ace won't have to be executed so soon!

How could Garp not be happy?

Following behind Bane, Yi Xiao watched Garp and Bane acting like best buddies and began to doubt himself.

No, didn't Bane tell him on the way that he had only met Garp once? How come this meeting feels completely different? You could say they're sworn brothers!

Is Brother Bane suddenly becoming modest?

Just as they were about to enter the fortress of justice, Garp seemed to remember something and quickly said, "Sorry, sorry, I got carried away and almost forgot something. Sengoku wants to see you right now."

As he spoke, he looked somewhat embarrassed at Bane's other friends.

Smoker was a complete idiot, totally oblivious to Garp's embarrassment. Luckily, there was Tina, who was much smarter than Smoker. Seeing this, she stepped forward and said, "Perfect timing! What you're talking about must be very boring. Tina thinks it's pointless. Nami, Fubuki, shall I show you around our headquarters?"

Upon hearing this, Yixiao and the others naturally understood the meaning behind it. They didn't feel there was anything wrong with it. After all, they weren't real marines, nor were they any big shots at the moment. Could they expect the busy Admiral of the Navy to personally receive them?

That's too outrageous, so the group all expressed their desire to take a tour of the Marine Headquarters and asked Tina to lead the way.

Soon, Yixiao and the others left with Smoker and Tina.

Garp breathed a sigh of relief and said, "It's not that I'm talking about Sengoku, but the matter we're going to discuss later is indeed very important."

"It's nothing," Bane waved his hand, not minding at all.

Seeing that Bane didn't seem dissatisfied, Garp chuckled and led Bane away, saying, "Although it was just a brief encounter, I can sense that some of your companions are quite formidable. That Mr. Yixiao from earlier must have been very strong, right?"

"That's true. It's no exaggeration to say that based on his strength alone, he could easily be a Marine Admiral," Bane said without any hesitation.

Since they're already here, they definitely need to demonstrate their value so that the Navy will take them seriously!

This is not the time to hide your talents.

"And my junior brother Zoro is no ordinary person either," Bane said after following Garp into the elevator.

"Oh? How so?" Garp asked, slightly curious.

He had met Zoro and Nami before, and at that time, including Bane, they were just newcomers with some strength in his eyes.

"We went to Skypiea before and made some gains. Now Zoro is a Logia-type Rumble-Rumble Fruit user. You should understand the value of this ability. If we give him a little more time, this sea will once again welcome a top-level expert," Bane said.

"The Rumble-Rumble Fruit!?" Garp immediately took it seriously and said, "That's true. Putting everything else aside, this ability alone is enough for him to be a vice admiral in our navy."

Since the three admirals of the Navy are all powerful Logia-type Devil Fruit users, there has been a kind of Logia-type worship within the Navy for many years. Garp, as a top leader of the Navy, does not worship Logia-type users, but he certainly understands the importance of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit.

That's one of the most powerful Devil Fruit abilities, even among all of them!

In particular, he had met Zoro, so he knew even better that this guy truly possessed the talent to turn potential into strength!

"And then there's Fubuki, whom I just introduced to you. She ate the power of Crocodile, the former Shichibukai, and is now the second generation of the Sand-Sand Fruit." Bane dropped another bombshell.

Garp wasn't too surprised to hear this. After all, when he learned that Crocodile had been killed, he had already guessed that Bane would definitely not let go of the Sand-Sand Fruit. He just didn't expect that the ability had already been inherited by someone else.

"Including you, tsk tsk, your small team of less than ten people already has three Logia-type Devil Fruit users and a top-tier expert. This level is unbelievable even to this old man," Garp clicked his tongue.

Garp could already imagine that in a short time, given two years to grow, this team would be enough to establish its own influence on the high seas and hold a pivotal position.

Fortunately, Bane and his group wanted to join the Navy.

Thinking of this, Garp couldn't help but laugh and said, "It's good, it's good. You promising newcomers are all preparing to join our Navy. To be honest, I really thought that our Navy's new generation was a bit lacking in talent, but now I can rest assured."

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

It wasn't just Garp who felt this way; in fact, many high-ranking naval officers shared this concern.

It can be said that the Navy is currently in a very strong era. The older generation of Navy leaders such as Sengoku and Garp are still in charge, and the three admirals are also recognized as powerful figures, with Gion and Kake as two admiral candidates.

And a host of elite vice admirals who form the backbone of the navy.

Therefore, the Navy is now known as the "master of the seas". Don't be fooled by the arrogant appearance of the Four Emperors. When it comes to hard power, the Navy completely crushes them.

However, the higher-ups could also see that the future of the Navy was not looking good, because among the younger generation, at least for now, there were no outstanding pillars like Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan.

If this problem is not solved, it is very likely that in another one or two decades, the navy will decline from its peak and enter a very awkward situation.

It was at this moment that Bane and his group appeared: three Logia-type users, all of whom were extremely powerful Logia-type users, plus a top expert, and three young people whose talents were not yet apparent, but who were undoubtedly capable.

If the Navy can recruit and train them to become truly trustworthy members of its own ranks.

The problems of generational gap that the navy has been facing will be resolved in one go!

So as soon as he stepped out of the elevator, Garp made up his mind that he had to treat Bane and his group well and not be careless. This was not only about the war that would follow, but also about the future of the Navy!

"We're here." Karp led Bane to the door of an office.

He was about to push the door open and go in, but then he remembered that Bane was with him, so he stopped and knocked on the door very politely, saying, "Marshal Sengoku, we've arrived."

Bane found Karp's posture somewhat amusing. "You're putting on an act, aren't you?"

Then, a very calm voice came from inside the door and said, "Come in."

Without a doubt, that voice belonged to Fleet Admiral Sengoku of the Marine Headquarters!

(End of this chapter)