Marineford- Admiral's office
Sengoku's jaw hung open as he stared at Renji in disbelief. "So THIS is how you ended up in the New World and crossed paths with Whitebeard?"
The Fleet Admiral couldn't help feeling envious of Renji's absurdly eventful adventures while he'd been stuck pushing paperwork.
"Yep," Renji shrugged, scratching his cheek. "Never expected a routine patrol to turn into such a mess. Lucky I'm tough—otherwise, you'd be visiting my grave right now."
Anyone else would've died ten times over dealing with what he'd faced. Thank god it was Whitebeard—had it been Kaido or Big Mom, things wouldn't have ended so peacefully.
"Did you forget?!" Sengoku slammed his desk, veins bulging. "I ordered you to inspect World Government affiliates in the South Blue! Who told you to go near the Calm Belt?!"
Renji flinched, eyes darting side to side—but no excuses came to mind.
"What's that scheming look for? One more disobedience, and I'm transferring you to the New World!" Sengoku threatened.
Renji's eyes lit up. "Wait, that sounds amazing—"
He could just retire on some remote island! Easy life!
"YOU—!!!"
"Hahaha! Can't force a man's ambitions, Sengoku!" Garp laughed through a mouthful of rice crackers, playing mediator.
He'd been enjoying the show until Renji flashed him their secret code—two fingers meaning two warehouses of gourmet treats from Sorbet Kingdom. For that payoff, Garp was willing to intervene.
"Stay out of this!" Sengoku snapped. "And don't think I didn't see that signal!" He turned to Renji. "Whatever you promised Garp—I want the same deal!"
Renji gave him a deadpan look. Wow. The Fleet Admiral's blackmailing me now.
"Get out of my office," Sengoku sighed, waving them off like flies.
"Wait!" Renji interjected. "Vice Admiral Mardo at G-5 says they're out of funds and manpower. Asked me to pass it along."
"We've received his report. Headquarters will handle it," Sengoku dismissed.
"Move it, kid!" Garp grabbed Renji's arm and dragged him out before more chaos could erupt.
"But I wanted to negotiate those two warehouses—" Renji whined, glancing back.
Garp's grip tightened dangerously. "Trying to back out?" His Fist of Love itched to remind Renji of their deal.
"No no no! Wouldn't dream of it!"
Outside Marineford's grand gates, a crowd had gathered under the noon sun.
Commander T Bone stood resplendent in the light, holding an exquisite ring—his hundredth proposal gift for Hina.
"Hina... will you marry me?"
She turned, fingers twitching toward her sword hilt. Not this again.
"T Bone. A hundred rejections wasn't clear enough?" Her smile was polite, but her eyes screamed leave me alone.
Undeterred, he stepped closer. "I'll keep asking—two hundred times, three hundred—until you say yes."
"What I need isn't stubborn love, but freedom," Hina countered, maintaining distance.
The surrounding Marines watched in pity.
"Commander T Bone's down bad..."
"Marineford's untouchable flower strikes again..."
T Bone dramatically covered his face—then peeked through his fingers. "I'LL NEVER GIVE UP!"
The crowd erupted in cheers.
"We believe in you, sir!"
Garp shoved through the spectators, dragging Renji along. "Hah! Failed again, T Bone?"
"Old man, must you drag me into your gossip?!" Renji complained.
"Renji?!"
Before he could react, a fragrant blur tackled him—
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