45: Chapter 45 Peace in the East China Sea, Doubts at Headquarters

One month later.

The jurisdiction of the East Blue 18th Branch had completely changed in appearance.

This expanse of sea from Cocoyasi Village back to the base used to be a perilous place where pirates swarmed, and merchant ships passing through had to grip their knives tightly, terrified that a group of people would rush out from the side to plunder their goods.

Now, however, the sea surface was completely calm; let alone pirate ships, even a suspicious-looking fishing boat was rarely seen.

The reason was very simple — no one dared to come.

The news of the Krieg Pirates fleet being completely wiped out had spread all over the East Blue months ago.

Five thousand people and fifty warships hadn't even lasted three days in the hands of Lin Han of the 18th Branch.

When the news first spread, quite a few people scoffed, saying the Marine was bragging and gilding their own faces.

But once the news that the Arlong Pirates had also been wiped out spread, everyone shut their mouths.

Don Krieg could be dismissed; he was just an ordinary human pirate.

Arlong was a Fishman, a tough character with a 20 million bounty, and even he fell at that branch, so it couldn't possibly be made up either.

Just like that, the pirate dens within the jurisdiction silenced themselves at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Some weighed anchor overnight and scurried off to other sea areas to make a living.

Others directly disbanded and went ashore to find odd jobs to make a living.

There were still a few who refused to give up, peeking around at the boundary line, and before they could make up their minds, they saw the patrol ship of the 18th Branch swaying over leisurely, so frightened that they turned their boat around and fled.

The rumors became more and more bizarre.

In the town's tavern, the drinkers gathered together to chat idly, saying all sorts of things.

Someone patted the table and said that the Rear Admiral was two zhang tall, with a blue face and fangs, capable of swallowing an entire small boat in one bite.

Someone nearby immediately chimed in, babbling about some Marineford secret weapon that could flatten an island with a wave of the hand.

There was also a red-nosed man who had drunk too much, mysteriously saying that he was the illegitimate son of a legendary great pirate who came to the Marine to redeem himself for his mistakes.

A table of people bickered noisily, each version more outrageous than the last, except for one thing that no one refuted — the 18th Branch must absolutely not be touched.

Meanwhile, that Rear Admiral at the center of the rumors was currently lying on a rattan chair in the base's courtyard soaking up the sun, with a cup of herbal tea placed beside his hand.

The days were unimaginably comfortable.

Ah — comfortable.

Lin Han stretched, placed the teacup on the nearby low table, and changed into an even more slouching posture.

Sunlight leaked through the gaps in the leaves, mottledly falling onto his face, warm and cozy, and drowsiness kept surging up.

After dealing with Arlong, life returned to its previous leisurely rhythm.

Sleeping until waking up naturally in the morning, drinking tea and sunbathing in the courtyard, continuing to lie down after lunch, occasionally giving Kuina a few pointers on sword practice, and returning to the room to sleep just as dusk fell.

With no pirates making trouble, no emergency tasks, and even the annoying reports pushed entirely onto the adjutant with the reason that your writing style is better than mine.

This kind of life wouldn't be traded even for an immortal's existence.

At the base gate, two sentries stood leaning on their rifles, their cap brims pulled low, their eyes fixed on the distant sea surface.

Their uniforms were crisp, their equipment neat, and compared to a few months ago, their spirit was like a completely different person.

"Hey, what's going on lately, you can't even catch a glimpse of a pirate shadow," the sentry on the left muttered, his hand brushing against his cap brim.

"Nonsense, who would dare to come."

The one on the right rolled his eyes. "Don Krieg and Arlong both fell right here; would those small fry still dare to come and throw away their lives?"

"That's true... But this is pretty good, at least we don't have to fight and kill."

"Ain't that the truth."

"I heard the brothers in the neighboring jurisdiction are dying of envy; they have pirates making a fuss every other day and live in daily anxiety."

"Look at us, it's like a vacation."

"Hehe, who made us run into such a good commanding officer."

The two looked at each other and chuckled secretly.

In fact, it wasn't just the base that changed; life throughout the entire jurisdiction was heading for the better.

Without pirate harassment, fishermen dared to venture out to sea with peace of mind, dried fish lined up row after row by the dock, and when the wind blew, it was full of salty fragrance.

Out-of-town merchants were also willing to run this shipping route, knowing it was safe; unfamiliar faces gradually increased in the market, and the shouting and peddling went on from morning till night.

Quite a few villages that had been abandoned due to pirates forcing them out had people moving back in succession.

New adobe houses were built, wasteland was plowed back into fields, and from the schoolhouse at the head of the village came the sound of children reading books once again.

The entire jurisdiction exuded a sense of vitality.

Marineford, Fleet Admiral's office.

Sengoku sat behind his desk, his brows knitted into a knot, staring at the report in his hand for a long time.

That was the statistical report on pirate activities in the East Blue for this month.

Normally, such reports came every month, and the contents were much the same: where was attacked, where a new pirate group popped up, how many ships and cargo were lost, and a quick glance would make it pass.

But this report made him feel doubtful and uneasy in his heart.

"Strange..."

Sengoku put down the report, rubbed his glabella, "Why is the East Blue so quiet lately? Pirate activities have decreased by eighty percent?"

The staff officer standing nearby stepped forward, his tone respectful.

"Yes, Fleet Admiral. According to intelligence, pirate activity in the East Blue has indeed dropped significantly recently, especially in the 18th Branch jurisdiction, which has had no record of pirate attacks for two consecutive months."

"The 18th Branch?"

Sengoku raised his eyes, his gaze carrying contemplation, "Is that... Rear Admiral Lin Han's branch?"

"Yes. Intelligence shows that over the past few months, Rear Admiral Lin Han successively defeated the Krieg Pirates and the Arlong Pirates, and these two victories shocked the pirates throughout the East Blue."

"Currently, the 18th Branch jurisdiction is already one of the safest sea areas in the East Blue."

Sengoku leaned back against the chair back, his fingers gently tapping on the desktop, not speaking.

"A Rear Admiral fights two battles and can make eighty percent of the pirates in the entire East Blue shrink back?"

"This matter sounds a bit incredible."

"It's not to say a Rear Admiral doesn't have this strength, but this level of deterrence usually requires a Vice Admiral or above to achieve."

"A young man who was just promoted to Rear Admiral not long ago can have such a huge influence?"

"Either his strength far exceeds expectations, or the intelligence is watered down and there are other hidden reasons."

"A Rear Admiral can have such a huge influence?"

Sengoku slowly opened his mouth, voicing the doubts in his heart.

The staff officer opened his mouth and was just about to answer when the office door was abruptly pushed open.

Crunch, crunch —

The sound of chewing came in first.

A burly old man draped in a Marine coat walked in with large strides, gripping a bag of rice crackers in his hand and stuffing them into his mouth.

His hair was gray, medals hung on his chest, and a rascally smile hung on his face—it was none other than Monkey D. Garp.

"Oh? That little fellow is that impressive?"

Garp chewed on the rice crackers, sat carelessly on the sofa, crumbs falling all over his pants, "Interesting, I should go take a look when I have time."

Sengoku glanced at him and said unhappily.

"Why did you enter without knocking again? Also, stop eating things in the office!"

"Aiya, don't be so petty."

Garp waved his hand, completely unconcerned, "I heard that an interesting young man appeared in the East Blue, and I specifically came over to ask.

How about it, do you want me to go inspect a round?"

Sengoku shook his head without even thinking.

"No, if you go, you'll only cause trouble. You have other missions recently."

He pondered for a moment and turned to the staff officer.

"Send Borsalino. He happens to be executing a mission near the East Blue, so he can drop by the 18th Branch to take a look and evaluate that Lin Han's true level."

The staff officer stood at attention and saluted. "Yes, Fleet Admiral!"

Hearing Kizaru's name, Garp raised an eyebrow and grinned.

"Oh? Sending Borsalino? That would be interesting."

He picked up a rice cracker and bit down, making a crisp crunch.

"That little fellow is probably going to have a headache."

Far away at the 18th Branch, Lin Han had no idea yet that an inspection from Marineford was drifting toward him.

He was still lying on the rattan chair, holding a freshly refilled cup of hot tea, squinting his eyes to watch the clouds drifting leisurely in the sky.

The wind swept over the floral fragrance in the courtyard, feeling cool and refreshing.

He took a sip of tea and sighed contentedly.

"This life is truly too comfortable..."

He shrank further into the rattan chair, closed his eyes, and muttered.

"Don't let anyone come disturb me."

The leaves rustled, and the heat from the teacup slowly drifted upward.

The courtyard was quiet, with only the cicadas chirping one after another.