Special Mission!
Naval Soldiers Dissatisfied With The Arrangement
"By the way, since this mission is relatively simple..."
"I'm assigning you to lead the operation personally."
"You can treat this as practice."
"Let's say—take one hundred men. That should be enough."
Garp, wearing his usual carefree smile, spoke as if this task was just another stroll through the Grand Line. What he didn't realize, however, was that Bai Yu had already uncovered the hidden truths behind the mission.
Lead the team personally? And only with one hundred soldiers?
The moment the words left Garp's mouth, Bai Yu almost felt a vein pop. He had an impulse to storm forward and throw a punch at Garp, just like Luffy always did.
But this wasn't the time.
Because of Garp's special status, most of the marines stationed at this branch were fresh recruits or low-ranked officers awaiting proper training. The few veterans present weren't exactly powerhouses either—just old sailors riding the waves of their former glories.
"You're not coming with us?" Bai Yu asked, trying to keep his voice steady and his fists at bay.
"Of course I'm going," Garp replied casually, "Just that I've got something else to handle first."
"Maybe… two or three days after you arrive."
He said it as if it were the most natural thing in the world.
"…"
Bai Yu was rendered speechless.
Garp chuckled at Bai Yu's stunned silence, then clapped him on the shoulder.
"If you think you can't handle it, just stay here and study under me."
"No shame in knowing your limits."
[Ding! Special Mission Detected—Alabasta Unrest]
[Reminder: After the host personally leads the team to assist in quelling the uprising in Alabasta, generous system rewards will be granted]
Right then, a mechanical voice rang inside Bai Yu's mind.
A special system quest had been triggered.
Assist in quelling the civil unrest in Alabasta?
Bai Yu's eyes gleamed. Special missions always came with lavish rewards. With that alone, there was no way he'd back down.
"Who says I'm afraid?" Bai Yu said decisively.
"I accept the mission."
With Garp's tempting offer and the system's reward at stake, Bai Yu had more than enough reason to head out.
"Hahaha! That's the spirit!" Garp let out a hearty laugh.
"Then let's not waste time. You can pick your men. The ship's ready and waiting at the port."
Bai Yu's firm answer surprised even Garp, who hadn't expected the boy to respond so quickly. But the fearless look in Bai Yu's eyes was just the kind of attitude Garp admired most.
Shortly after—
Bai Yu stood at the port with twenty marine soldiers of his own selection, ready to board a small naval warship.
Before setting foot on the ship, he gave his team a final once-over.
They were all solid—physically fit, disciplined, and alert. But in terms of rank and experience, the team was painfully green.
Three corporals, two sergeants, one senior sergeant.
No warrant officers. No lieutenants. Just barely above standard grunts.
The Navy's rank structure was as follows:
Enlisted levels—Private Third Class, Private Second Class, Private First Class.
Non-commissioned officers—Junior Sergeant, Sergeant, Senior Sergeant.
Commissioned officers—Second Lieutenant, Lieutenant, First Lieutenant.
Field officers—Lieutenant Commander, Commander, Captain.
Flag officers—Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral, Admiral, and the Fleet Admiral at the top.
Bai Yu's unit barely passed muster.
"It's better than nothing," he muttered to himself.
Then he barked out the order. "Everyone, board the ship. We sail immediately!"
"Sail ho! Destination: Alabasta!"
Under Bai Yu's command, the warship hoisted anchor and left the marine base's harbor.
High above, on the rooftop of a nearby building, Garp stood watching the departing vessel. His sharp eyes glinted in the fading light.
"Alabasta… and the weapon of the gods…"
"Kid, just don't die out there."
By nightfall, the warship was already well away from the marine base.
According to the navigator, they'd reach Alabasta in two days if the currents stayed favorable.
Until then, Bai Yu remained on deck, training nonstop. His sword cut through the air in rhythmic patterns as he practiced his basic techniques.
His goal was simple: max out the proficiency of all his current skills before they made landfall.
Huff… huff… huff…
With beads of sweat dripping from his chin, Bai Yu kept swinging his sword with perfect form.
Tap tap…
Just then, footsteps echoed from the cabin.
A marine sergeant approached at a brisk pace, stopping at Bai Yu's side.
"Commander Bai Yu," the sergeant hesitated, then continued, "What's our battle strategy for the upcoming operation?"
Bai Yu paused mid-swing.
Commander?
Technically, he had no rank. But with Garp's authority backing him, no one dared question it.
Still, the question caught him off guard. He hadn't exactly developed a clear plan yet.
"Well…" Bai Yu sheathed his sword, coughed lightly, and turned the question around.
"Do you have any suggestions?"
The sergeant nodded seriously.
"Yes, sir. I've already discussed it with the others."
"Since we'll arrive in Alabasta in two days, we propose making contact with the local garrison first to assess the situation."
"Once we understand the terrain and factions involved, we can make tactical adjustments accordingly."
As he spoke, the sergeant even began sketching a crude map on a scrap of paper.
Tap tap…
Before Bai Yu could respond, more footsteps echoed.
Several sergeants and corporals emerged from below deck, their expressions stern.
"Bai Yu," one of them said flatly. "We've all agreed… You should hand command over to the sergeant."
What?
They wanted him to step down?
Bai Yu blinked in disbelief. Then he understood.
In their eyes, he was just a rookie—unranked, untested, and unqualified to lead a squad of marines into a war-torn kingdom like Alabasta.
By contrast, the sergeant they suggested at least had battlefield experience.
"This assignment was given by Vice Admiral Garp himself," Bai Yu said coldly.
"You think I want to drag you all along?"
His words were biting, but true. This wasn't a team he had chosen willingly. And he didn't care much for the egos aboard this ship.
Still, Bai Yu wasn't unreasonable.
"I get where you're coming from," he said after a pause. "So here's the deal."
"We'll settle this the old-fashioned way."
"You want command? Beat me in a duel."
"If you win, I'll step down. You take charge of everything."
"But if you lose… you'll follow my orders without question."
Whoosh!
His declaration sent murmurs across the deck.
All eyes turned to the sergeant, waiting for his answer.