Just as Luna and her crew were heading toward the nearest town.
Of course, they wouldn't return to Syrup Village the way they came; they were definitely heading to a new, unexplored town.
Meanwhile, on Garp's side.
Their warship sailed on, coordinated by the Navigator, helmsman, and other professional ability users.
The Shipwright was responsible for repairing the damage sustained in the previous battle, with others assisting, while the medical personnel tended to the injured.
The Marines were busy traveling and working simultaneously.
Garp was currently sitting in his warship's office, sighing and looking as if he had aged several years, feeling weak and powerless.
"Tell me, are the Marines really that incompetent?" He looked at Koby and Helmeppo beside him, two young Marines he had previously thought he could still train.
However, after witnessing the strength of Luna's group, especially Luna's unsolvable Ability and her critical, disgusted assessment of the Marines, Garp once again felt uncertain about the future of the Marines.
He truly didn't know what the right path was anymore.
"I don't know yet. I'm too weak; I don't even count as a regular Marine soldier," Helmeppo said, feeling somewhat disheartened.
Having gone through the previous series of events, he was no longer the arrogant young master who terrorized Shells Town and oppressed the populace by relying on his father's infamy.
But after experiencing this battle today, he understood just how poor his strength was. At the same time, after hearing Luna's words, his faith in the Marines was shaken. Was that true? Were the Marines really like that?
"Mr. Garp, I think if the Marines' performance over the years really is as Luna described, then perhaps in the eyes of many people on the sea, the Marines truly are... However, if you genuinely hope for a new path for the Marines, change is necessary," Koby suddenly said.
Having gone through the incidents involving Alvida and Luffy, Koby had already seen certain things. Now, hearing Mr. Garp's question and combining it with Luna's previous statements, Koby voiced his own opinion.
"Change."
Hearing this, Garp gave a wry smile, because within the Marines, this was simply impossible. There were many factions within the Marines, such as those who genuinely served those guys like dogs, and a large number of stubborn and conservative factions. How could change ever happen?
"Forget it, we'll see later." Garp didn't want to think about it anymore; it gave him a headache. At the same time, he truly understood Luna's perspective: as long as one has justice in their heart, doesn't forget their true nature, and is recognized by the world, then what does it matter if they become a Pirate?
Suddenly, the door opened, and Borsalino walked in from outside.
"What's the situation?" Garp asked without turning his head. He was still suffering from a headache and had his eyes closed.
"It's alright. Those two Little girls are still lacking in strength, and their Devil Fruit development is still poor, so we suffered no casualties this time. However, there were severe injuries, unconsciousness, and minor injuries, but thankfully, the warship has sufficient supplies. Everyone is out of danger and recovering well. We just need to restock a little later."
Borsalino immediately reported the situation on the warship.
"I see. That's a relief then." Garp finally felt a little ease upon hearing this not-so-bad piece of good news.
But he had thought too soon. The transponder snail next to him suddenly rang, slowly morphing into the appearance of an old friend he knew very well.
"Oh dear, I've been out for so long, that old bastard Sengoku finally called."
Garp naturally recognized him instantly. The transponder snail had taken the appearance of his old comrade, his old partner Sengoku, the current Fleet Admiral. He spoke with a mix of wryness and helplessness.
But he was right; having been away for so long, the old guy certainly should have come to bother him.
He first waved his hand, instructing Borsalino to take Koby and Helmeppo away, and then answered the call.
Soon, an angry roar immediately came from the mouth of the transponder snail.
"Garp, how long until you finally return? Your vacation is over! Did it really take you this long just to pick up a small, disgraced Marine Colonel on your way?"
On the other end, Sengoku, in his office at Marineford, was furious.
After all, he had so many things on his plate that he couldn't handle them all: the current Four Emperors, the Shichibukai, and a whole host of other major problems.
Yet, this old guy had gone back to the East Blue to enjoy himself. How could Sengoku let him off? How could he not immediately start yelling the moment the call was answered?
"Well, what if I told you that I spent the last few days chasing a small Pirate Crew, even initiating an entire East Blue mobilization, and although we finally cornered them, we were ultimately repelled? Would you believe me?" Garp had already covered his ears when Sengoku started cursing, but he could still hear him.
Feeling truly embarrassed, and having been struck by this recent defeat, he spoke with a tone of helplessness and bitterness.
However, Sengoku on the other end was stunned. Once he reacted, he was furious, trembling with anger.
He immediately cursed again.
"Are you kidding me, Garp? That's the East Blue! What kind of small Pirate Crew requires you to do something like that? And you actually chose to retreat voluntarily? What nonsense! Couldn't you come up with a more plausible excuse?"
"Sengoku, I'm not joking with you," Garp, on his end of the transponder snail, said immediately, sounding serious and earnest.
"Hmm?" Seeing the expression on Garp's face via the transponder snail, Sengoku, who was capable of becoming the Fleet Admiral and was once known as the 'Tactician,' naturally had an exceptional mind.
He realized something was wrong and quickly asked.
"What exactly happened?"
"The situation is this..." Garp immediately recounted the entire sequence of events, excluding his final conversation with Luna and the discussion he just had with Koby and Helmeppo.
He told him everything. As for why he omitted those two conversations, well, Sengoku was exactly the stubborn and conservative type Garp had mentioned earlier. For the sake of those who supposedly rule the world, anyone who doubts the government, even a comrade, would become a target of attack, such was his extreme loyalty. Those who disobey government orders are not Marines—this rigid ideology was his guiding principle.
Therefore, there was no need to mention them; Garp certainly didn't want to hear Sengoku lecture him again with a long speech based on his concept of justice.
But merely recounting the other details instantly shocked and surprised Sengoku on the other side.
Leaving aside the fact that such an unusual rookie Pirate Crew had appeared on the sea—well, actually, it didn't sound that strange: a sisterhood Pirate Crew, a Pirate Crew composed of a group of young Little girls.
But the problem was, what the hell were these six current members?
A female swordswoman and a female Scientist who could suppress Borsalino—Garp knew Borsalino's strength, so these two likely possessed the strength of a Reserve Admiral.
There were also three female Ability Users who had eaten three separate Mythical Zoan Devil Fruits. The legendary Devil Fruits of the Snow Woman and the Angel had appeared on the sea again, and there was also a special humanoid lightning creature named Raiyuu, the'Sniper of the Thunder God.'
Their strength could easily match a Marine Branch Vice Admiral, or even a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral.
But the most outrageous one was the female Captain: she ignored all attacks, touched the untouchable Void, possessed Haoshoku, had learned to coat it, and could unleash Admiral/Emperor-level destructive energy.
This was definitely Admiral/Emperor-level strength, at least Admiral level.
Especially that Void Ability—it was simply too unsolvable.
"Forget about the other girls for now. Tell me, you couldn't handle that Little girl named Luna either?"
Sengoku was no longer calm and immediately asked. He couldn't believe that Garp, with his peak physical technique and the sea's top-tier Armament Haki, couldn't injure her.
"Sengoku, I made it clear earlier. The Void Demon God Gliza form—that kind of Ability seems to be immune to Haki, so I estimate that Haoshoku wouldn't work either," Garp sighed and said.
"Not necessarily. We must try seawater, Sea Stone—the two major weaknesses of a Devil Fruit User—and energy damage, or the Abilities of other Devil Fruit Users. Garp, do you understand how devastating it is for us that such an unsolvable Ability has appeared among the Pirates? I truly cannot believe she is immune to all attacks, do you understand?"
Sengoku said, sounding exasperated on the other end, because he clearly understood that Luna was now a massive threat to the Marines, a super ticking time bomb.
"I think it's better not to confront them for now. It wouldn't be good if we cornered them. They will definitely enter the Grand Line; we can just let the Pirates and Bounty Hunters test the waters for us," Garp immediately suggested. After all, if Luna were truly pushed too far, her Ability would certainly result in tremendous losses for the Marines.
"I understand. That is the best approach. Come back immediately. I will discuss this with Tsuru later and issue appropriate bounties for this group of Little girls."
Sengoku immediately agreed to Garp's idea from the other end.
Their conversation concluded.
Garp led his subordinates to continue their return toward Marineford.
Meanwhile, at Marineford, Sengoku sought out Staff Officer Tsuru, the Marine strategist and an elder who was Garp and Sengoku's contemporary.
After their discussion, Tsuru was initially very surprised upon hearing about the current Pink Hat Pirates, and then she, too, felt cautious about this rookie Pirate Crew, as they were already significant enough to warrant the Marines' focused attention.
Soon, these two Marine elders drafted the bounties for the six members of the Pink Hat Pirates.
It wouldn't be long before they were distributed across the sea for everyone to see.
On the other side, Luna, in her own bedroom aboard their pirate ship, was looking at a new virtual panel.
It belonged to Shino Asada.
[Name: Shino Asada]
[Age: 18]
[Gender: Female]
[Occupation: Sniper]
[Strength: Vice Admiral Class]
[Weapon: hécate Anti-Material Sniper Rifle]
[Ability: Ray Fruit, Super Sniping Ability.]