Chapter 136
**Chapter 136**
When Dragon learned he would be **escorting the Heavenly Tribute**, Garp expected some kind of reaction.
But to his surprise, his son remained **calm**, only responding with a quiet—
"Okay. I got it."
The **more composed** Dragon seemed, the **more uneasy** Garp felt.
Still, there was little he could do. His son had always been difficult to manage—**the Monkey family's bloodline was simply too rebellious.**
Honestly, Garp himself was already an **anomaly**—a loyal Marine in a clan known for defying authority.
Trying to control his **descendants**? That was a completely different challenge.
---
A month passed swiftly.
The **World Government's ship** arrived to collect the **Heavenly Tribute**.
Carl boarded with **Lucia and Ginny**, stepping onto the grand **government vessel**.
The official in charge was an old acquaintance—none other than **Spandam**, Carl's number one **lackey**.
The moment Spandam **laid eyes** on Carl, he practically **squealed with excitement**.
"Lucky—no, **Admiral Black Dragon!**" Spandam cried. "I'm so glad to see you again!"
Under the watchful eyes of the **Navy officers** and the **suited government agents**, Carl shook hands with Spandam, his smile polite but unreadable.
Spandam **immediately launched into his usual flattery**, rambling on about Carl's **greatness, power, and wisdom**.
Carl let him talk.
That was, until Garp and Dragon arrived.
The moment they stepped aboard, **Spandam's enthusiasm visibly faded.**
His greeting to Garp was **perfunctory**, nothing more than a shallow formality.
Then, as if desperate to **escape**, he quickly **scurried back** to Carl's side, continuing his ridiculous **praise-fest**.
Garp, watching this **obvious shift**, merely smirked.
He turned to Dragon.
"See that, kid?" he said, voice laced with amusement. "That's the face of **government officials**. Get used to dealing with their kind—it's unavoidable."
Dragon hummed in response, though a **flash of disgust** flickered in his eyes.
His gaze drifted toward the **open sea**, his thoughts dark and restless.
*"Is there any point in a world ruled by people like this?"*
---
The journey itself was **uneventful**.
The only real tension came from the strained **atmosphere** between Garp and Dragon, who spent most of their time in their **quarters**, only occasionally stepping onto the deck.
Even the **pirates** who dared approach them were a joke.
Most were **inexperienced fools**, unaware that the **Heavenly Tribute's escort** included a **Marine Admiral, a Vice Admiral, and one of the most dangerous rising figures in the Navy**.
Lucia and Ginny handled **most of the fights**, earning themselves **military commendations** along the way.
Carl?
He didn't **even lift a finger**.
And Spandam?
He **hid like a rat** during every skirmish, only rushing out afterward to shower **Lucia and Ginny** with exaggerated praise, promising to **report their achievements** to the higher-ups.
But the two women were **indifferent** to his flattery, choosing instead to spend their free time with Carl.
---
As the ship **sailed forward**, various **kingdoms** along the route **voluntarily** handed over **rare treasures**—including **two Devil Fruits**.
Unfortunately, after careful examination, they were identified as **ordinary Zoan types**.
Carl instructed Spandam, "Send them to **Vegapunk** when we reach Mary Geoise."
Spandam, eager to **please**, immediately agreed.
Meanwhile, the **tribute collection** continued, filling up **one-third of the ship's massive cargo hold**.
The sheer **scale of wealth** taken from these nations was **staggering**.
One country alone—**Dressrosa**—had contributed **wealth equivalent to ten entire nations**.
Yet, there were **also those** who **couldn't afford** the Heavenly Tribute.
Carl, while not a **cruel** man, held **no sympathy** for them.
He left it to **Spandam** to handle, knowing full well that **Dragon was watching**—and that it was **only fueling his growing contempt** for the World Government.
Several times, Dragon's fists clenched in anger.
He **wanted** to intervene.
He **wanted** to stop it.
But each time, Garp held him back.
Carl, standing at a distance, simply observed in **silence**.
He knew—**Dragon's patience wouldn't last forever.**
---
As the ship approached the **East Blue**, both **Garp and Dragon** felt **no joy** at returning home.
This wasn't a **homecoming**.
This was a mission for the **Celestial Dragons**—a duty that brought them **no pride** in front of their fellow East Blue natives.
Instead of stepping forward, **they shrank away**, spending even more time in their **quarters**, avoiding unnecessary **interaction**.
But Carl?
He wasn't going to let them **hide forever.**
---
One day, as usual, Garp and Dragon sat in their cabin, passing the time with a game of **military chess**.
Then—
**Knock. Knock. Knock.**
Dragon lazily got up and swung the door open.
His **expression instantly darkened.**
Standing outside was **Spandam**—the **last** person he wanted to see.
Without a word, Dragon **turned around**, walked back inside, and **flopped onto his bed**, ignoring him completely.
Garp, equally disinterested, **picked his nose**, pretending not to see Spandam at all.
From the other side of the room, he asked lazily,
"Oi, Dragon. Who's at the door?"
Dragon didn't even look up.
"Nobody."
Garp smirked. "Huh. Guess I was hearing things."
Spandam's **face turned red with rage.**
He clenched his fists, barely holding back his temper.
Outside of the Celestial Dragons, **even kings** addressed him as **Lord Spandam**.
Yet here were these two—**mocking him to his face**.
Gritting his teeth, he growled,
"How **dare** you speak to me like that?! Do you know **who I represent**?!"
Garp?
He simply **flicked his booger**—sending it flying **right onto Spandam's pristine white collar**.
Dragon?
He glanced up, **eyes cold as ice**.
"I don't care," he said flatly.
"Say one more word—**and I'll throw you overboard.**"