Naval Meeting on Caesar's Intentions
Upon receiving the latest intelligence, Steel Bone Kong couldn't help but look somber. Without hesitation, he called for an emergency meeting to address the situation surrounding Caesar.
This meeting aimed to discuss Caesar's objective.
"The captain of the Caesar Pirates, Caesar! A remnant of the Rocks Pirates! One of the most troublesome figures for the World Government!"
"He vanished for months, yet now reports indicate that he has resurfaced on a small island in the North Blue! What is his purpose?"
Sitting at the head of the table, Steel Bone Kong held a dossier in his hands and spoke gravely to his fellow officers.
"We don't know yet. Our intelligence personnel scoured the island immediately but found nothing out of the ordinary..."
After Kong finished speaking, Sengoku, seated beside him, sifted through the gathered reports before addressing the room.
"However, we did receive information from a young marine who encountered Caesar on that island—Polusalino."
"According to Polusalino's account, Caesar appeared just as he stumbled upon an unusual fruit. Before Polusalino could react, Caesar took possession of it. He then attempted to recruit Polusalino, but Polusalino declined. Shortly after, Caesar left."
"Other than that, we have no further details..."
Seated in the room, Vice Admiral Garp, munching on a handful of senbei, scoffed at the report.
"Hah! Maybe Caesar's just hunting for strong recruits! The guy's been gathering powerful allies these past years... hell, he even tried to get my son to join him!"
With a mouthful of senbei, Garp spoke bitterly. However, his words drew immediate disapproval from Tsuru, who shook her head.
"Garp, that explanation is too simplistic. Even if he's searching for new crew members, why would he disappear for months and then resurface in the North Blue?"
Caught off guard by her logic, Garp paused, eating a few more senbei before sinking into thought.
"Then… what exactly is Caesar's objective?"
As the discussion continued, Steel Bone Kong let out a weary sigh.
No one in the room could determine Caesar's true purpose.
Even the fact that Caesar had seized a Devil Fruit went largely unnoticed, dismissed as an insignificant incident. Since Polusalino hadn't recognized the fruit's identity and no one had checked the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia, the Navy remained unaware that Caesar had just acquired the Logia-type Pika Pika no Mi (Glint-Glint Fruit).
The meeting concluded with the decision to continue tracking Caesar's movements. Intelligence operatives were ordered to report immediately upon finding any new trace of him.
---
Caesar's Journey to the East Blue
Having left the North Blue, Caesar arrived at Windmill Village in the East Blue.
His reason for coming? He suddenly recalled Monkey D. Dragon, a man one or two years younger than him.
Deciding on a detour, Caesar set foot in Windmill Village, eager to find Dragon.
However, he soon learned that Dragon was no longer there.
After inquiring around town, Caesar discovered that Dragon had been taken away by Garp long ago and hadn't returned since.
It didn't take long for Caesar to put the pieces together.
"So that's it… Garp must've panicked after our last encounter and took Dragon straight to Marine Headquarters to train him personally. Hah! The old man's making sure his son doesn't end up a pirate, huh?"
Realizing Dragon was out of reach, Caesar lost interest in staying and left Windmill Village with a smirk.
However, Caesar was unaware that his inquiries had already drawn Garp's attention all the way from Marineford.
Even though the Navy had no stationed forces in Windmill Village, Garp's connections in his hometown ensured that word of Caesar's questioning reached him immediately.
While Garp didn't yet know who had been asking about Dragon, he already had a strong suspicion.
Without wasting time, he issued orders to intelligence officers, instructing them to monitor East Blue closely—especially around Windmill Village.
Then, with a simple nod to Steel Bone Kong, Garp boarded his personal warship and set sail for the East Blue.
---
Caesar's Search for the Mera Mera no Mi (Flame-Flame Fruit)
Unaware of the events unfolding behind him, Caesar had already left Windmill Village and traveled to Shimotsuki Village, where he paid a visit to Shimotsuki Kozaburo.
After a pleasant meal and an exchange of words, Caesar departed once more.
However, the real reason for his visit to East Blue wasn't Dragon, nor Kozaburo.
He had another objective.
Caesar had disguised himself and discreetly gathered information about a mysterious island shrouded by treacherous currents.
This island had a peculiar trait—anyone who drifted too close was ensnared by powerful whirlpools, making escape nearly impossible. As a result, fish and sea beasts avoided the waters, leaving the island eerily isolated.
Though beautiful, the island was an inescapable prison.
Rumors suggested that this very island was where Portgas D. Ace would one day obtain the Mera Mera no Mi (Flame-Flame Fruit).
That was Caesar's true objective—he sought to claim the fruit before fate could hand it to Ace.
"The Mera Mera no Mi has always been underrated, but in reality, it's an incredibly powerful Logia-type fruit."
While some mocked it as inferior to Akainu's Magu Magu no Mi (Magma-Magma Fruit), Caesar knew better.
The Flame-Flame Fruit was still a rare and powerful ability—one he wouldn't pass up if he had the chance to claim it.
Unfortunately, fate didn't favor him.
After searching the island extensively, Caesar found no trace of the fruit.
"Tch. Either I'm too early… or it hasn't drifted here yet."
Frustrated but unwilling to leave empty-handed, Caesar continued scouring the island.
---
Garp's Arrival – The Clash Begins!
Just as Caesar was about to abandon his search and depart, a large warship loomed over the horizon.
A dog-headed battleship swiftly approached the island.
Standing tall at the bow was Vice Admiral Garp, hands on his hips, his signature grin stretching across his face.
"Hahahaha! Caesar! I knew it was you! You're not escaping this time!"
From the sky, Caesar's expression darkened as he hovered midair, arms crossed.
"Tch. How the hell did you find me so fast?"
Garp laughed heartily, arms flexing as he cracked his knuckles.
"Pffft-hahahaha! Caesar, you sneaky bastard, trying to lure my son into piracy?!"
"Nice try, but I took him to Marineford! He's in MY hands now, getting trained to be a fine Marine!"
Garp's eyes twinkled with mischief.
"Oh, and as for how I found you? Turns out some old friends in Windmill Village like to talk!"
Caesar's face twitched.
"Damn it… even with a disguise, I still got sniffed out by a bunch of villagers?!"
Garp grinned wider.
"You're not getting away this time, Caesar! All hands—prepare to fire!"
With a loud "YES, SIR!", the marines sprang into action, loading the warship's cannons.
And then—Garp himself grabbed a cannonball with his bare hands.
"Let's see how you handle this!"
With a mighty swing, Garp hurled the cannonball at Caesar like a baseball, launching it faster than any traditional artillery.
As the sky filled with an onslaught of projectiles, Caesar narrowed his eyes, readying his powers.
The battle was about to begin!
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