Chapter 117: Nameless Island – "I’m Just a Vice Admiral"

The next stop was Ghost Island…

Though called an island, it was actually the world's largest pirate ship, known as Thriller Bark.

Takumi opened the system's navigation and stared at the route map with a deadpan expression.

He was incredibly far from Ghost Island right now… much farther than he had expected.

It seemed that when they descended from Sky Island, they hadn't landed back on the Grand Line but in another sea entirely.

Whatever. Better to find a nearby island first, grab a drink, and figure things out later!

Without thinking further, Takumi pointed toward the southwest and said, "Head that way."

Enel withdrew his gaze from the surroundings and quickly steered the ship in the direction Takumi had pointed, flying smoothly over the sea's surface.

After flying close to the water for about half an hour, a small island came into view. It was only about a hundred square meters wide, with a tall rock formation in the center, and a thin plume of smoke rising from the other side.

"This is a Blue Sea island? Pathetic," Enel scoffed, looking unimpressed.

As the ship flew past the nameless island, Takumi's expression shifted when he saw a man grilling fish by himself on the shore.

Small world.

"Whoa! A flying ship? Amazing!" The man, busy grilling fish, noticed the flying vessel and his eyes lit up.

Enel grinned mockingly. "Hah! What a clueless look! You said Blue Sea people were supposed to be strong, right? Well, let's see if they live up to the hype!"

With that, Enel transformed into a bolt of lightning and shot toward the man on the island, ready to strike.

"Wait, did I hear that right? That's Takumi's ship?" The man, who had been grilling fish, stood up in surprise and moved excitedly toward the shore.

"Die, you foolish Blue Sea dweller! Yahaha!" Enel cackled, his lightning body striking repeatedly at the target with blinding speed.

Yet, no matter how fast or fierce Enel's attacks were, the man dodged them with ease!

"This… this can't be happening!" Enel was in disbelief, continuing his relentless assault.

The man finally grew annoyed. "Noisy," he muttered. He wrapped his right hand in Haki, and just as Enel lunged again, he delivered a single, precise punch to the Thunder God's head.

With a loud BANG, Enel was sent crashing through the rocky surface of the nameless island, smashing it apart.

As Enel's limp body began to sink into the sea, the man grabbed his leg and casually tossed him backward, sending him hurtling into a large boulder in the island's center. Enel rolled down the rock and landed flat on his back, unconscious.

Enel's defeat didn't surprise Takumi in the least—after all, the fool had picked the wrong target.

Yes, the man grilling fish on this nameless island was none other than Vice Admiral Garp in civilian clothes.

What Takumi hadn't expected was that Garp's legendary fist would knock Enel out cold so easily.

He wasn't sure just how much of his strength Garp had used, but judging by this, Takumi still wasn't on par with him when it came to Haki.

"Huh? It really is you, Takumi! You've been missing for nearly four years! I thought you'd gone and gotten yourself killed somewhere! Hahaha!" Garp burst into hearty laughter as he recognized Takumi, motioning toward the fish. "Come on over! I just grilled up two fish; one's for you."

Takumi was about to refuse when Garp pulled out two bottles of liquor with a mischievous grin. "Got caught in a big storm and lost my ship, but I managed to save a couple of bottles. Care for a drink?"

Takumi's eyes gleamed, and he immediately leaped down from the ship onto the nameless island.

With Enel knocked out, the ship's propellers had stopped, but the wooden vessel floated gently on the sea surface.

"Haha, you always go for the good stuff, huh?" Garp chuckled, tossing one of the bottles to Takumi.

Takumi caught it, uncorked the bottle, and took a swig. The strong, familiar burn made him feel instantly refreshed.

"What's a drink without something to go with it?" Garp handed Takumi one of the grilled fish.

Takumi accepted it without hesitation and began eating and drinking.

Garp watched Takumi with a warm smile. "You've really grown, kid. Almost didn't recognize you. Looks like life's been treating you well these past few years. You're even taller than Ace now."

Takumi: "..."

"Oh, by the way." Garp glanced over at Enel's unconscious form, scratching his nose. "That guy, is he one of your crew?"

"More or less," Takumi replied casually.

"Haha, and here I thought you'd stay a lone wolf forever," Garp laughed, taking a bite of his fish. "By the way, your bounty? It's been revoked. After a lot of back-and-forth between me and Aokiji, we finally got it taken down. Don't go making us regret it by turning into a pirate for real."

Takumi raised an eyebrow, glancing at Garp.

Seeing the look, Garp shook his head in frustration. "Man, I told Akainu you weren't a pirate! But he didn't believe me! Even ran into Red-Haired Shanks, and the guy confirmed he had no ties with you. That's when Akainu finally agreed to drop it. But not before making me and Aokiji sign a whole bunch of paperwork! Honestly, I've met a lot of stubborn people, but Akainu? He's on another level! What's wrong with people these days, huh? Am I really that untrustworthy?"

Takumi silently continued eating his grilled fish.

Despite Garp's lightheartedness, Takumi knew that he was someone you could trust completely.

"Oh, one more thing." Garp seemed to remember something. "Kid, have you had any contact with Shanks while you've been off the radar?"

"No," Takumi answered flatly.

"Then you probably haven't heard, huh? That guy's one of the Four Emperors now." Garp frowned. "Can you believe it? The brat's grown strong enough to stand toe-to-toe with Whitebeard as one of the big four!"

Takumi continued drinking.

He wasn't at all surprised by Shanks' rise to power; the timing lined up perfectly.

Seeing Takumi's lack of reaction, Garp laughed again. "Hahaha! You're acting like you already knew that!"

Takumi: "..."

Well, I did already know…

At that moment, Enel began to stir, groaning in pain.

When he opened his eyes and saw Takumi sitting with Garp, casually chatting, his expression turned from confused to furious.

"Huh? Looks like the lightning guy's awake," Garp chuckled, glancing at Enel. "Sorry about earlier, haha! You recovered pretty quick, though. Not bad! No wonder Takumi picked you for his crew."

Enel scowled and demanded, "Who the hell are you?"

"Me?" Garp grinned, picking his nose casually. "Oh, I'm just a simple vice admiral. Nothing fancy."