Chapter 29: The Donquixote Family

"I'll handle it, Vice Admiral Garp."

Renji snapped out of his thoughts and gave a simple reply.

"Renji, there's one more thing I want to mention as a friend," Garp said, his expression turning serious.

Renji smiled. "Hahaha, this is the first time I've heard you call me a friend."

The age gap between him and Garp was almost 20 years, and Garp was a high-ranking vice admiral. Renji had always treated him as a senior.

"You brat, I'm being serious here!" Garp was exasperated.

Renji stopped smiling. "Go on."

Garp took a deep breath. "Four individuals with special identities were originally heading to the North Blue four days ago, but for some reason, they suddenly changed course and are now heading toward the South Blue."

Special identities... and Garp emphasized the word "humans." These were definitely not small-time figures...

"I'll keep an eye out," Renji nodded.

He was quite curious about the identities of these four people, but in his memory, nothing major seemed to have happened this year.

Wait... Renji frowned, as if suddenly remembering something...

"Could it be that incident...? If we follow the timeline, it's very possible..."

Dealing with matters involving the Celestial Dragons was not going to be easy...

The people of the South Blue were warm and hospitable, with simple and honest customs. Surely nothing bad would happen... right?

"Well, I've said my piece. Be prepared..."

In Garp's view, even if the Celestial Dragons entered Renji's territory, they wouldn't do anything too outrageous. His warning was mainly to keep Renji from getting involved.

He knew how much people in this world hated the Celestial Dragons and didn't want Renji to get caught up in that.

...

Four days ago, Holy Land Mary Geoise.

"What!? Are you insane, Donquixote Homing? How could someone of your status..."

"You'd rather give up your divine status to live as a commoner?"

A group of Celestial Dragons surrounded Donquixote Homing, their faces filled with confusion and anger.

Homing stood with his wife and children, facing the Celestial Dragons with a calm smile. "We've always been human."

The Celestial Dragons were furious. "Are you saying we're the same as you?"

"This is blasphemy! What do you take the Celestial Dragons for?!"

"You traitor! You've always been an outlier!"

"That's right! You traitor!"

No matter what the Celestial Dragons said, Homing remained unfazed. "It doesn't matter how you see me. I believe humanity is great."

"Living as a human will surely be a meaningful experience, one that will make my life more fulfilling."

"This is my belief."

Doflamingo, wearing sunglasses, showed no expression. He didn't understand why his father was so determined to leave this place. It was so perfect here.

Hearing Homing's words, the Celestial Dragons couldn't comprehend his reasoning. All they felt was pure betrayal.

"Do you even know what you're saying? You're so arrogant!"

"If you want to leave so badly, then get out of Mary Geoise!"

"..."

Three days ago, the edge of the North Blue.

"Vice Admiral Kuro, can you take us to the South Blue?" Homing asked, holding a newspaper with a smile on his face. This was why he admired humanity.

The headline read: The Spiritual Leader of the South Blue, Renji, Officially Promoted to Navy Headquarters Captain, Commanding the Entire South Blue!

"I can, but..." Kuro hesitated. "We haven't made any preparations there..."

"Your accommodations might need to be arranged on the spot."

Homing smiled. "That's fine. Any place will do."

"Then, Lord Homing, which island would you like to go to?" Kuro asked for his preference.

Homing glanced at the name on the newspaper. "Take us to Sorbert Kingdom."

Kuro was taken aback. That place felt familiar.

"It's the island Vice Admiral Garp visited before. The person in charge there seems quite interesting."

"Exactly, that's why I want to go there..." Homing gazed southward, a hint of anticipation in his eyes.

He really wanted to meet the respected Captain Renji of the South Blue.

...

"Hitsugaya! You brat, get over here!" Renji's loud voice echoed from the office.

Hitsugaya jumped up from his seat and rushed to Renji's office.

"Captain, what do you need?" Hitsugaya asked nervously, fearing that his worst worries were about to come true.

"Why so tense?" Renji gave him a sly smile. "Did you do something bad and are afraid I'll find out?"

Hitsugaya shook his head like a rattle drum, immediately denying everything. "I didn't! It's not me! I don't know anything!"

"Alright, relax. Treat this place like your own home," Renji said earnestly.

Hitsugaya nodded repeatedly, but in his heart, he thought Renji was full of it. At home, he just ate and slept. If he did that here, Renji would definitely beat him up.

"Recently, have the marines responsible for monitoring the South Blue reported any special ships entering the area?" Renji asked.

Hitsugaya was confused. Renji's question was too broad, and he wasn't sure what kind of ships Renji was referring to.

For the Navy, ships that required special attention included pirate ships, ships from allied kingdom monarchs, and World Government ships...

"What kind of special ships are you referring to?" Hitsugaya asked, needing clarification.

"World Government ships," Renji replied.

Hitsugaya thought for a moment. "Many World Government ships have entered the South Blue recently."

"Most of them are merchant ships procuring supplies for the Celestial Dragons, but those ships go directly to their destinations. Nothing particularly noteworthy."

"Is that so..." Renji stroked his chin.

Could Garp's information be wrong? Maybe those people weren't heading to the South Blue but were just passing through.

"Alright, that's all. You can go back to what you were doing," Renji waved his hand, dismissing Hitsugaya.

Hitsugaya was baffled. You called me here in such a hurry, and that's it?

Just as Hitsugaya was about to leave, hurried footsteps echoed in the hallway.

Soon, Kuzan appeared in front of the desk.

"Captain Renji, a World Government ship that didn't notify us in advance is about to dock at the coast of Sorbert Kingdom," Kuzan said, not even bothering to greet Hitsugaya.

Renji glanced at Hitsugaya, his eyes filled with a dangerous glint...

Hitsugaya: Captain, let me explain...!

...