"How much longer until we reach Lubu Island?"
Bastille emerged from the ship's cabin and asked the helmsman.
"We should arrive in about ten minutes," the navigator replied quickly.
Bastille, who was patrolling and capturing pirates, had received a plea for help from the people of Lubu Island, which was currently being plundered and burned by pirates.
As such, they were proceeding at full speed.
Ten minutes later.
Bastille's warship was approaching the port of Lubu Island.
"Sir, look over there. It's pirate ships."
"However, one of the ships seems to be full of defeated pirates."
"And there seems to be a unit maintaining order at the port."
As they neared the port, Bastille and his crew soon spotted several pirate ships docked at the harbor, along with the previously stolen navy vessel.
But what puzzled Bastille was that the apparent pirates had been dealt with and were now being escorted onto one of the pirate ships.
And at the port, there was a unit that appeared to be highly disciplined and was maintaining order.
They showed no fear or panic at their approach.
The people of Lubu Island, who had been persecuted by pirates, had gathered at the port and were lining the way, showing great gratitude.
What was going on?
Kenjiro came onto the deck, saw the approaching warship, and spotted Bastille. A smile immediately spread across his face.
"Genbu Navy is here."
"We've already eliminated the pirates here. You can return."
Kenjiro's clear voice rang out, causing Bastille's expression to shift slightly.
Although he had already guessed the purpose of the Genbu Navy's presence, seeing the Genbu Navy members doing this still felt incredible.
"The East Blue belongs to us, the Navy," Bastille said sternly, staring at Kenjiro.
"Ours?" Kenjiro asked, a playful smile appearing on his face. "The East Blue belongs to those who live in these waters, to the people here."
"Not to you, and not to us."
Kenjiro was inherently a kind person, and his past experiences had led him to act as a savior, eradicating evil and injustice.
Therefore, he was a strong, kind man whose warmth was not outwardly displayed.
Violence was merely his means of eliminating evil.
Although the current pirate world was not as dire as his previous world, with pirates causing havoc everywhere, justice was still needed to maintain order.
And now was the time for him to fully utilize his strength and ideals.
Bastille's expression changed again, realizing he had spoken out of turn. He snorted, "The East Blue is our domain, protected by the Navy."
"We are all protecting the people of these waters, but you are too slow," Kenjiro replied calmly.
"Also, your efficiency is lacking, and you are short-handed."
"By the time you arrive, Lubu Island might be a scene of carnage."
"Nonsense!" Bastille retorted angrily, upset by Kenjiro's disparagement of the Navy.
They had worked very hard to protect the people of this sea.
"Do you want to fight?"
"If so, I'll give you a punch as a second meeting gift."
He assumed a stance, radiating immense power, and coiled his right fist.
Feeling the formidable aura, Bastille instantly recalled the events of the previous day.
"Retreat!"
At the same time, Bastille was ready to unleash his full power.
The warship quickly turned and sped away.
Kenjiro did not pursue. After the warship had moved far away, he unleashed the punch he had been charging.
Boom!
Terrifying power erupted instantly.
Having prepared himself, Bastille, witnessing the attack closing in, immediately gave up.
He couldn't win.
Loguetown.
Naval Base.
Urgent voices echoed in the office.
The door opened, and Momonosuke strode in.
"Bastille, is something wrong?" Momonosuke asked seriously.
"Vice Admiral Momonosuke, we're in trouble," Bastille said gravely, watching the departing warship from a nearby island.
"What is it?" Momonosuke raised an eyebrow. Bastille was his most capable subordinate in the East Blue and a classmate who graduated in the same batch.
In the East Blue, apart from a few exceptional individuals, no one had been able to threaten him and Bastille.
However, for Bastille to say this, it must be a significant matter.
"The Genbu Navy base is in the East Blue," Bastille said with a hint of helplessness.
Upon hearing this, Momonosuke's expression changed drastically.
News of the Genbu Navy had already spread throughout the world.
They were renowned, known to all.
However, no one had known the location of the Genbu Navy base until now.
It was unexpected that the Genbu Navy base was in the East Blue.
As the highest-ranking officer stationed in the East Blue, Momonosuke had already received some intelligence.
Specifically, the Genbu Navy was not a secret plan of the Five Elders, nor was it secretly built by Marine Headquarters.
It was a wild navy.
They were here to steal their business.
"Did you clash?" Momonosuke asked hesitantly.
Bastille offered a bitter smile at Momonosuke's question.
He looked at the frightened marines behind him and the holes in the warship, recalling his recent confrontation with Kenjiro, and was still filled with awe.
"We met, and we even exchanged blows."
Momonosuke's heart sank upon hearing Bastille's bitter smile.
"We lost. The warship was punched through, and our men are currently stranded on a small island."
"Additionally, the Wolf Hunter Pirates and the Black Poker Pirates were also wiped out by the Genbu Navy."
"We encountered them yesterday."
Momonosuke already knew about Bastille's pursuit of the Wolf Hunter Pirates yesterday.
He hadn't expected that the Genbu Navy was the one who had intervened at that time.
"Vice Admiral Momonosuke, this matter must be reported. I can assure you that the opponent possesses strength comparable to a Vice Admiral," Bastille said, thinking of Kenjiro's terror. He then added, thinking of Vice Admiral Garp, "In fact, I suspect they possess Admiral-level strength."
Bastille, still a Commodore at this time, had not yet reached his post-year combat power or gained significant seniority. His strength had not yet reached Vice Admiral level, so he could not fully grasp the terror of Admiral-level strength.
Therefore, he could not accurately judge Kenjiro's power.
Momonosuke nodded heavily. After a brief period of thought, he made a decision. "I will report this matter."
"I will arrange for someone to meet you. Put the Genbu Navy matter aside for now."
"Eliminate the pirates and stabilize the current situation in the East Blue, then we will consider the Genbu Navy."
The East Blue was still in chaos, and it needed to be suppressed quickly, which was the very purpose of the Navy.
Therefore, even though he knew the Genbu Navy was affecting his position and the Navy's control over the East Blue, he had to prioritize suppressing the pirates.
"Yes, Admiral Momonosuke!"
Bastille responded, hung up the Den Den Mushi, and then looked into the distance.