Chapter 256: Volume 2 – Chapter 158: Comrades or Enemies

"Be patient, Garp."

Looking at Garp, who had calmed down slightly but was still pacing anxiously, Kong sighed and spoke.

Garp stopped in his tracks and asked urgently,

"Old man Kong, do you think Daren can get there before Sakazuki and Borsalino?"

If Sakazuki found Dragon first, things would spiral out of control.

Kong didn't seem worried. There was the same calm and firmness in his expression as always.

He pondered for a moment, then slowly shook his head under Garp's expectant gaze and said hoarsely,

"That kid Daren knows the situation in the North Blue better than any of us."

"Although Sakazuki and Borsalino have both served in the North Blue, don't forget—when it comes to who really holds control over those waters, it's Daren. He's the 'King of the North Blue.'"

"He won't let you down."

Hearing Kong's judgment, Garp finally let out a long sigh of relief.

"That's good… that's good."

He repeated the words under his breath.

When it came to his own son's life, he no longer looked like the bold, hot-blooded Marine hero of the past. Now, he was cautious, uneasy.

"But... are you ready?"

Kong suddenly asked.

Garp was taken aback. He looked at Kong in confusion, only to meet his solemn gaze.

"From today on, your son will become the World Government's... and even our Marines' greatest enemy."

"No, that kid Dragon has a strong sense of justice. He would never turn against the Marines—"

"That has nothing to do with his personal will!"

Kong cut him off coldly.

"No matter what he wants in the future, from the moment he killed a Celestial Dragon, he stepped onto a road of no return!"

"He will inevitably stand against the World Government—and against us!"

"There's no doubt about it. Even if you ignore his power and talent, Dragon knows too much about our Marines and the government."

"He knows our personnel, our combat capabilities, fleet deployments, base layouts, intel networks, and even the encryption methods for our military Den Den Mushi communications..."

"And now, his 'defection' is a foregone conclusion. When the time comes, the World Government will likely place an unprecedented bounty on his head."

"Your son will become the most dangerous criminal in the world!"

"So, Garp... are you ready to face that?"

Kong's sharp questioning made Garp's face pale.

His own son... would become his enemy?

That thought echoed in his mind like a nightmare.

He stood in place for a long time, struggling internally, before taking a deep breath. He clenched his fists and gritted his teeth.

"I... I'm ready, Fleet Admiral Kong."

"Good."

Kong smiled with satisfaction.

He reached out, picked up the military Den Den Mushi, and dialed a number.

"Brrruu... Brrruu..."

As the call rang, Kong stood from his seat and walked toward the door.

As he passed by Garp, he paused briefly, placed a hand on Garp's shoulder, and said quietly,

"Now, think about what you want to say to Dragon. Daren will pass it along."

With that, he walked out of the office, leaving Garp the space for a final farewell.

"Buru!"

At that moment, the Den Den Mushi connected.

"Fleet Admiral Kong, this is Daren."

A low voice came from the other end, with the sound of fierce wind howling in the background.

Garp stared at the Den Den Mushi, his steps heavy as he walked over slowly.

"Daren... it's me."

He said hoarsely.

There was a clear pause.

A second later, Daren's voice came through again.

Only this time, the background wind had vanished—leaving a quiet, solemn silence.

"Vice Admiral Garp, I'm listening."

Garp's lips trembled. His eyes were blank as tears streamed down his face.

Then, he suddenly grinned and said,

"Tell that kid... to live."

…

Dragon's hands were still trembling.

Even though more than half a day had passed since the incident, the blood on his hands hadn't dried, and the trembling hadn't stopped.

The military uniform and cape he had once worn with pride were gone, replaced by a military-green hooded coat that covered most of his face.

He forced himself to recall the reconnaissance and counter-recon tactics he'd learned at the naval academy, wiping all traces of his presence as best he could. He slipped aboard a nondescript merchant ship and quietly arrived on this island.

Staying in these waters wasn't an option.

Given the reach of the World Government, it was only a matter of time before they tracked him down.

As a former core commander of Marine Headquarters, and with his unique identity and background, Dragon knew all too well how the CP dogs under the World Government operated.

Those vicious, violent beasts had an unerring nose for blood.

He had to find a way to reach the Grand Line—maybe even the New World!

Only in those vast, chaotic seas could he find the slightest chance to catch his breath in the face of endless pursuit—and maybe, just maybe, a sliver of hope.

His thoughts were in disarray, tangled like a knotted mess of thread.

He walked down the bustling commercial street in a daze, overwhelmed by the noise, the crowds, the heat.

He instinctively pulled the hood of his coat tighter, as if the faint sunlight was too much to bear.

He could still remember the stench of blood.

The reek of sweat, hard liquor, and gunpowder mixed with screams, crashing sounds, cries, and guttural laughter.

Just thinking about that moment—when the fury surged through him—made his heart clench.

There was no hesitation between the decision and the action.

And then it was over.

That hideous, arrogant face twisted into fear and desperate pleading before the man's head burst open like a watermelon right in front of him.

What did it feel like?

Dragon still couldn't make sense of it.

He licked his cracked lips, tightened the hood around his face, and found a small roadside tavern. Lowering his voice, he ordered a bottle of wine from the owner.

He sat down at a table under the shade of a tree.

"Just you?"

The owner brought over the wine with a smile, seemingly unfazed by someone wrapped in a heavy coat on such a sweltering day.

Dragon was about to nod, but the words came out on their own.

"Two glasses, please. Thank you."

The owner chuckled, set down two glasses, and walked away.

Dragon sat quietly, staring at the deep green wine before him, lost in thought.

He didn't drink.

It felt like he was waiting.

Waiting for someone.

Maybe to say a few words. Maybe to say a final goodbye.

Anyone would do.

He waited patiently.

One minute.

Five minutes.

Ten.

Half an hour...

He sat quietly beneath the tree, his heart filled with unease and anxiety.

It was as if an invisible curtain had fallen, cutting him off from the noisy, bustling street around him.

An hour passed.

Then, suddenly, a voice broke the silence in front of him.

"A wine this strong shouldn't be drunk alone."

Dragon let out a long breath.

That hour had felt like waiting for fate to hand down its verdict.

And now, the moment had come.

"I didn't expect the first Marine to find me would be you."

He looked up at the man who had leisurely picked up the bottle of "Sherry" and offered a genuine smile.

His eyes were slightly red.

Daren poured the wine into both glasses, then looked up and met Dragon's gaze, smiling.

"The North Blue is my territory, after all."