It was a bright and sunny morning, the sea sparkling and waves gently lapping against the shore.
Golden sunlight spilled onto the ocean, like a golden ribbon, shimmering with a warm glow.
The sea was tranquil, with only the occasional cry of seagulls echoing through the air and across the water.
A gentle sea breeze blew, carrying a hint of salty freshness, invigorating and pleasant.
In the distance, an orange-red glow appeared on the horizon where the sky met the sea, gradually coloring the entire sky.
The colorful morning glow was like a vibrant oil painting, illuminating the entire sea in a dazzling display.
It was a day full of beauty, and Ye Fan was in a very good mood.
It definitely wasn't because of what happened last night.
Ye Fan had gained another kin.
A free meal delivered to his doorstep last night was not to be refused; it was no big deal for Ye Fan.
Of course, Ye Fan wasn't stingy; just like with Nojiko, he gave a drop of his essence blood.
The other party had undergone a complete transformation, and her current strength was enough to end the rebellion.
Ye Fan and his group were currently at sea, having left Alabasta.
Nami and the others didn't know why Ye Fan had suddenly decided to leave; hadn't they agreed to help deal with the rebels?
Why had they left so early in the morning?
Before leaving, Ye Fan had asked Vivi if she wanted to come with him, but the answer was the same: she was the princess of this country and could not leave.
She also told Ye Fan that what happened last night was just a dream and he shouldn't dwell on it.
This was within Ye Fan's expectations; after all, even after everything she had experienced with the Straw Hat, she hadn't left them.
He and she were just a one-night stand; it would be strange if she were to leave with him.
Their fate hadn't arrived yet, but there would be other opportunities.
New World.
Marineford Marine Headquarters.
What happened in Alabasta had already reached Marine Headquarters.
This time, it wasn't announced by Brandnew but directly in the hands of Fleet Admiral Sengoku.
Sengoku, with his frog-eye glasses, his long beard tied into a braid, and a gull-shaped ornament on his hat, looked at the documents in his hand, truly feeling a headache.
His expression couldn't help but frown; another formidable monster had appeared.
"What's wrong?"
Beside him, a tall, broad-chested, muscular old man with a full head of short, graying hair was eating snacks.
Seeing his good friend make such an expression was rare, and it clearly indicated something major had happened.
Sengoku handed the documents to Garp, letting him read them himself.
He, meanwhile, prepared to discuss it with others, to make preparations in advance, and not allow the other party to develop further.
After all, the other party didn't have a hero for a grandfather to intervene.
Garp looked at the information: Austrovsky D. Ye Fan had a brief skirmish with Blackbeard's crew in Alabasta.
He was unharmed, and Blackbeard Teach led his subordinates in retreat, taking a large amount of treasure from Alabasta.
At the thought of that brat, Garp's expression also became serious.
He knew the power of the Dark-Dark Fruit, and he had heard about Blackbeard staying on Whitebeard's ship for so long and recently killing the Fourth Division Commander and defecting.
The other party was also no simple person, yet even such a person was defeated.
What was the true identity of this brat named Ye Fan?
The other party had no relation to him, Garp, so...
"Crunch!"
"Crunch!"
If it had nothing to do with him, then why bother? He ate his snacks heartily, as it had no connection to him.
The other party wasn't his grandson.
In contrast to Garp's indifference, Sengoku had found Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu.
He was preparing to discuss who to send.
The three had different personalities. Akainu, with many tattoos, wearing a dark red suit, a Marine cap, black leather gloves, and a Marine Admiral's coat draped over his shoulders, showed a disdainful expression.
Kizaru, wearing sunglasses, with stubble on his face, tall and thin, dressed in a yellow and white striped suit, stroked his chin, finding it quite interesting.
And the tall, casually dressed Aokiji, in a white suit vest and dark blue shirt, remained as lazy as ever.
For him, it was better to sleep, though he did show some interest upon learning that Ye Fan possessed ice abilities.
"Which of you three will go deal with this?"
Sengoku looked at the three. For the three Admirals of Marine Headquarters to personally intervene showed their recognition of Ye Fan's strength.
"That brat is not simple; Blackbeard with the Dark-Dark Fruit was defeated."
This statement made all three pause, as, being Marine Admirals, they knew much more than ordinary people.
The same applied to Devil Fruits; the Dark-Dark Fruit was recorded as a top-tier fruit.
It was even more powerful than the fruits of the three of them.
Sengoku observed their reactions, then continued, "Nico Robin, the Demon Child, is also on his ship. You must capture her alive."
After speaking, perhaps knowing the underlying reasons, Sengoku glanced at Aokiji.
"I'll take care of this. I will resolve it."
As he pushed open the door and walked out, Aokiji's voice finally sounded, clearly indicating that he would handle the matter.
The three inside the room, since someone had resolved the issue, had nothing more to do.
Kizaru would slack off whenever possible, not bothering unless there was a direct order.
Although Akainu wanted to go, the other party was just a brat, and it would be beneath him to go himself; better to let Aokiji go.
The three were from the same generation. Akainu had always looked down on Kizaru, considering only Aokiji his rival.
Since the matter was settled, Akainu left with a haughty expression, as if someone owed him a few hundred Berries.
Ye Fan was still unaware that he had been targeted.
And soon, Ye Fan's bounty was released, this time a staggering 500 million Berries.
All the events in Alabasta were attributed to him.
This bounty made Ye Fan's name spread throughout the world in an instant.
A great pirate with a 500 million Berry bounty was an existence the World Government could no longer conceal.
Unless they destroyed the entire country of Alabasta.
This was clearly impossible.