[OP Marine Officer Luffy] Chapter 381- 385

Chapter 381: Sentomaru: "Take Care, Uncle!"

After bidding farewell to his beloved disciple, Kizaru shifted his focus back to Dragon. Although he was known for his easygoing demeanor, even someone like Kizaru had limits to his patience.

Dragon’s sudden intrusion had not only disrupted his day but also led to the loss of his friend and disciple. For the usually calm admiral, this was enough to spark genuine frustration.

Golden light flickered in Kizaru’s palm as he prepared to act. Behind his sunglasses, his usually unreadable eyes hinted at a rare moment of intensity. With a casual movement, he formed a lightsaber, its radiance filling the room.

“Brother Dragon, you really know how to cause trouble,” Kizaru remarked, his voice carrying a note of exasperation. “When I report back, I’ll be in quite the predicament.”

Dragon remained composed, calmly gathering the power of his Haki in his hands. Without turning to look at Vegapunk, he gave a simple command:
“You leave first. I’ll follow shortly.”

As Vegapunk nodded nervously, Dragon pushed his hands forward, unleashing a powerful gust of wind. The sudden tempest engulfed Kizaru, sweeping him off his feet and flinging him out of the room like a leaf in a storm.

Satisfied for the moment, Dragon glanced at Vegapunk, gave him a quick nod, and disappeared in pursuit of Kizaru.

“Borsalino…” Vegapunk muttered, his voice tinged with a mix of regret and resolve. However, he quickly shook off his hesitation and began working furiously at the control panel.

Meanwhile, Sentomaru stood silently nearby, his expression betraying his conflicted emotions. Sensing his unease, Vegapunk offered a reassuring smile.
“Don’t worry, Sentomaru. This isn’t goodbye forever. Once we’re safely away, I’ll design a special Den Den Mushi that can’t be intercepted. You’ll be able to talk to Kizaru every day if you want!”

Sentomaru wiped his eyes quickly, his pride not allowing him to fully admit his sadness.
“I-I’m not sad. Sometimes men have to part ways. As long as we’re still on the same sea, we’ll meet again someday!”

With newfound determination, Sentomaru joined Vegapunk in preparing the Punk Records for departure.

With a final press of a button, Vegapunk shouted, “It’s ready!”

The Punk Records came to life, its thrusters igniting with a brilliant burst of flames. Slowly, the massive structure began to lift off the ground.

Vegapunk activated another mechanism, releasing layers of white, cloud-like material beneath the Punk Records. These artificial "island clouds," modeled after the technology of Sky Island, helped reduce the strain on the thrusters while camouflaging the structure as a drifting cloud.

As the Punk Records rose higher and higher, Vegapunk couldn’t contain his emotions. He ran to the guardrail, gripping it tightly, and shouted:
“Goodbye, colleagues! Goodbye, Borsalino!”

Inspired by the doctor’s enthusiasm, Sentomaru joined him, yelling at the top of his lungs:
“Uncle, take care of yourself! Next time there’s a dangerous mission, let Admiral Kuzan or Admiral Sakazuki handle it instead!”

As the Punk Records vanished into the clouds, the researchers and Marines below could only watch in stunned silence. Most of them had no idea what had just transpired.

On the rooftop of one of the laboratories, Kizaru lay sprawled, staring up at the sky. Despite his usual carefree attitude, there was a rare glint of melancholy in his eyes.

Not far from him, Dragon stood silently, observing the scene.

“Does it have to be this way?” Dragon asked, his tone carrying a hint of regret. “Why not come with us, Borsalino?”

Kizaru didn’t answer immediately. After a moment, he closed his eyes and let out a frustrated sigh.
“Shut up. If you’re leaving, then leave already. Otherwise, I’ll leave you here.”

Dragon’s lips curled into a small smile, but he didn’t push further. Instead, he turned into a gust of wind and disappeared.

Kizaru raised his hand lazily, firing a laser into the empty air where Dragon had stood moments before. With his arm falling limply to his side, he muttered to himself, his voice heavy with rare vulnerability:
“Left behind again, huh? How cruel…”

Meanwhile, the Punk Records had not traveled far. Fearing that Dragon might lose track of them, Vegapunk had decided to keep the structure within range. It didn’t take long for Dragon to catch up, his arrival marked by a soft breeze brushing past the guardrail.

Vegapunk, who was busy checking the condition of his "brain," paused his work to greet Dragon.
“Finally caught up, huh? I hope you’re satisfied now,” Vegapunk said, his tone half-joking, half-irritated.

Dragon smiled faintly. “You’ve done well, Doctor.”

With a relieved sigh, Vegapunk put down his tools and approached Dragon. Despite his earlier nervousness, he managed to summon a stern expression.
“Listen, I’m fully aboard your pirate ship now. But don’t think for a second that you’re off the hook. If what you promised me turns out to be false, I don’t care if we’re friends—I’ll beat you to a pulp!”

Dragon chuckled at the threat, nodding solemnly. “Understood, Doctor. I’ll make sure to meet your expectations.”

Chapter 382: Honest and Reliable Battle Taomaru

Sentomaru followed Vegapunk silently, his head low and his steps heavy. The sadness of parting with his uncle, Kizaru, still lingered, clouding his thoughts.

Vegapunk, on the other hand, strode ahead with determination, grumbling about the situation. His movements were sharp and brisk, his irritation evident.

Dragon observed the duo, a small smile forming on his lips.
“Don’t worry, Doctor,” Dragon said reassuringly. “I won’t let you down. I’ve already prepared an island for you.”

As he spoke, Dragon pulled out an Eternal Pose from his coat and handed it to Vegapunk.
“Follow this needle. In three days, we’ll reach the destination.”

Vegapunk snorted, taking the Eternal Pose with an air of skepticism. However, the moment his eyes fell on the markings, his expression changed drastically.

“Wano Country?!” he exclaimed, his eyes widening in disbelief. “Isn’t that where your son is stationed? Why are we going there?”

The question escaped his lips before he could stop himself. He froze, realization dawning as he connected the dots. Slowly, he lifted his gaze to Dragon, his face a mixture of shock and disbelief.

“You and your son… You’re in this together? Of course! You’re father and son, it’s only natural you’d work as a family! How could I have been so stupid?!”

He slapped his forehead in frustration, recalling his earlier interactions with Luffy.
“That little brat! I gave him so many of my amazing inventions because of your connection! And now you’ve turned against me, you traitorous bastard! When I see him, I’m taking back everything I gave him!”

Vegapunk’s voice rose as he vented his irritation, pacing back and forth.

Sentomaru, caught off guard by the revelation, couldn’t help but interject.
“Doctor, weren’t all those inventions just your failed experiments? They were junk you didn’t need anymore. Why bother taking them back?”

Vegapunk froze, his jaw dropping in disbelief.
“Junk?! What do you know?! Those were creations of Vegapunk, the greatest genius in the world! Even if they’re scraps, they’re the most brilliant scraps ever created!”

Sentomaru tilted his head thoughtfully.
“But Doctor, even if it’s brilliant junk, isn’t it still junk?”

Vegapunk let out a strangled yell of frustration.
“You little brat! Are you trying to drive me mad too?! When I get the chance, I’m building a machine specifically to shut your mouth!”

“Really? I wasn’t trying to upset you, Doctor. I’m just being honest,” Sentomaru replied with an innocent expression.

Vegapunk’s patience finally snapped. He grabbed a nearby wrench and hurled it at Sentomaru, who yelped and ducked, instinctively covering his head as he ran for cover.

Dragon watched the chaotic exchange unfold, his amused smile widening.

“These two…” he murmured, shaking his head. His gaze shifted toward the horizon, and his expression turned contemplative.
“Luffy, let me see for myself what kind of man shares my resolve to change this world.”

Meanwhile, the Five Elders were anything but amused.

At Mary Geoise, Saint Saturn, the Elder overseeing the government’s scientific divisions, was livid. His voice echoed through the Den Den Mushi as he berated Sengoku.
“Sengoku! What in the world were you thinking?! You know how important Punk Hazard is to the government. Why did you transfer Borsalino and leave the island vulnerable?!”

On the other end of the line, Sengoku sighed deeply, rubbing his temples as he held the receiver.
“I take full responsibility, Saint Saturn,” Sengoku replied. “It was my decision, but I could never have anticipated that Dragon himself would target Punk Hazard to kidnap Dr. Vegapunk.”

“Humph! Do you think an apology will fix this mess?!” Saint Saturn roared. “Vegapunk is critical to several high-priority government projects! Without him, we’re facing delays that could cost us dearly!”

His anger was palpable, and Sengoku could feel the weight of the situation pressing down on him. If not for Sengoku’s years of loyalty and significant contributions to both the Marines and the World Government, Saint Saturn might have already pushed for his dismissal.

Taking a deep breath, Saint Saturn delivered his final warning.
“Listen carefully, Sengoku. I don’t care how you do it, but I expect Vegapunk back within a week. Send the admirals if you must, but this failure cannot stand. Do you understand?”

“Yes, I understand,” Sengoku replied solemnly.

With a cold snort, Saint Saturn ended the call, leaving Sengoku to stare at the silent receiver.

Letting out a heavy sigh, Sengoku set the Den Den Mushi aside and leaned back in his chair. He glanced around at the senior Marine officers gathered in his office.

“You all heard the Five Elders,” Sengoku began, his voice weary. “They’ve given us a week to retrieve Vegapunk. I need your opinions on how to handle this situation.”

The room fell silent.

Admiral Akainu crossed his legs and leaned back, sipping his tea as if the matter didn’t concern him. Beside him, Zephyr mirrored his calm demeanor.

The Admiral Candidate—Issho, Tokikake, Gion, and Momonga—along with the elite Vice Admirals, exchanged uneasy glances but said nothing.

Chapter 383: Warring States: "Insects! They Are All Insects!"

Looking at the group of officers before him, Sengoku felt an overwhelming wave of bitterness and frustration.

What were these people even good for? Were these so-called Marines just a bunch of useless, spineless cowards?

When the Fleet Admiral asked for their opinions, not a single one dared to speak up. They sat there silently, offering neither suggestions nor even a token remark.

Tired of the charade, Sengoku decided he wasn’t going to waste any more time with them. If they wanted to play dumb, then they would face the consequences.

“Sakazuki!” Sengoku barked, his voice sharp and commanding. “You’re to head to the New World immediately. Cooperate with Kuzan and Borsalino to track down Vegapunk’s location.”

He turned to the next group.
“Issho, Gion! You’re responsible for searching the first half of the Grand Line.”

Sengoku’s gaze swept across the rest of the room, his tone leaving no room for argument.
“Strawberry, Doberman, Momonga, Onigumo! Divide into teams and spread out across the four seas. Block all possible escape routes and gather every scrap of intelligence related to Vegapunk or the Revolutionary Army.”

His voice grew louder, filled with urgency.
“This mission is critical! I authorize you to mobilize all local forces, including Marine branches, allied nation armies, and CP agents. Leave no stone unturned. Even if you have to dig to the bottom of the ocean, find Vegapunk!”

The room echoed with a unified response:
“Yes, sir!”

No one dared to question Sengoku’s orders, his fiery anger leaving the room tense and silent. The officers, including Admiral Akainu, quickly departed, preparing to set sail.

Only Chief of Staff Tsuru and Chief Instructor Zephyr (Z) remained in the room. Unlike the others, they hadn’t been spared from Sengoku’s wrath.

“Still drinking tea, are you?!” Sengoku shouted, storming over to them. “At a time like this, when everything’s falling apart, you’re both sitting there sipping tea like nothing’s happened!”

Tsuru and Zephyr exchanged calm, unimpressed glances before turning back to their cups.

Sengoku grabbed the teapot from the table, pouring its steaming contents into his mouth without regard for the heat. He slammed the empty pot onto the table with a loud clang, glaring at the two.
“Drink it! I want to see how much tea you can drink while the world burns!”

The absurdity of Sengoku’s tantrum left Tsuru and Zephyr speechless. After a long pause, Tsuru finally broke the silence, her voice as calm and measured as ever.
“Sengoku, there’s no use getting worked up now. Sit down, calm yourself, and let’s discuss this rationally.”

Zephyr, unfazed, reached into his coat and pulled out a bag of senbei. He opened it and offered one to Sengoku.
“Tsuru’s right. You’ve given the orders. Now, all we can do is wait. But knowing Dragon, this operation was meticulously planned. If he acted personally, it means every detail has been accounted for. I hate to say it, but beyond capturing a few minor Revolutionary Army operatives, I don’t see this mission yielding much.”

Sengoku, who had just sat down, nearly jumped out of his seat again in frustration.
“Zephyr, do you think I don’t know that?! The Five Elders gave us one week—one week! If we fail, I’ll be out of this Fleet Admiral position!”

Tsuru raised an eyebrow, her tone remaining calm but pointed.
“Sengoku, if they wanted to remove you, they would have done so already. Their deadline is just a formality. Even if you fail, they’ll likely just reprimand you. There’s no need to lose sleep over it.”

Sengoku glared at her, his face dark with exasperation.
“Of course I know that! Do you think I earned the title of ‘The Strategist’ for nothing? But that doesn’t mean I’m not furious about the thought of being scolded like a child by those five old men!”

He stood up, pacing back and forth as he rubbed his temples. The idea of enduring the Five Elders’ wrath for the next week filled him with dread.

Meanwhile, Tsuru and Zephyr sat calmly, sipping tea and eating snacks, their serene demeanor a stark contrast to Sengoku’s frayed nerves.

Sengoku scowled at the sight.
“Tsuru, Zephyr, get out there and help find Vegapunk!”

Zephyr paused mid-bite, raising an eyebrow at Sengoku’s command.
“You want me to go? Sengoku, I’m the Chief Instructor of the Marine Academy. What happens to the recruits if I leave?”

“Take them with you!” Sengoku retorted without hesitation.

Zephyr blinked in surprise, then narrowed his eyes.
“Take them with me?”

Sengoku nodded firmly.
“Yes. You’ve been getting along well with Issho lately. Take him and your trainees on this mission. Consider it a hands-on training exercise. Let those brats learn what it’s like to be in the field.”

Zephyr opened his mouth to protest but quickly realized it was pointless. Sengoku was too stubborn to argue with.

“Fine,” Zephyr muttered, shaking his head. “You really know how to boss people around, old man.”

Chapter 384: Punching Bag, Nesting Doll

Zephyr sighed heavily, reluctantly accepting Sengoku’s orders. At his age, running errands across the seas was the last thing he wanted to do.

Grumbling under his breath, he muttered, “Fleet Admiral or not, give it two more years. Once I retire, I’d like to see how you plan to boss me around then, old man!”

While Zephyr complained internally, Tsuru was much more pragmatic. Understanding Sengoku’s temperament all too well, she stood up without a word and headed for the door.

“It’s been a while since I’ve been out,” Tsuru remarked calmly. “Might as well stretch my legs.”

Zephyr reluctantly followed her lead, but as he approached the door, he turned back. Spotting the bag of senbei on the table, he grabbed it without hesitation.
“What are you staring at? It’s mine!”

Sengoku’s eye twitched in disbelief.
“You… you asshole! If you fail to capture Dragon, don’t even think about coming back, old man!”

The only response Sengoku received was the bang of the door slamming shut.

Fuming, Sengoku paced back to his desk, his frustration bubbling over. He yanked open a drawer, pulled out another Den Den Mushi, and dialed furiously.

As soon as the call connected, he roared into the receiver:
“GARP! YOU BASTARD!!!”

On the other end, Garp’s voice carried its usual nonchalance.
“What now, Sengoku?!”

Sengoku then began to scold Garp and telling him of what Garp son had done

“LUFFY! YOU BASTARD!!!”

In his quarters, Luffy could hear Garp’s booming voice through the Den Den Mushi. He sighed heavily, muttering to himself, "Even here, I can’t catch a break…”

“Grandpa, what did I do this time—”

“SHUT UP, BRAT!” Garp’s voice cut him off mid-sentence, his tone sharper than usual.

Garp, still steaming from Sengoku’s tirade, took the opportunity to vent on his grandson.
“You little bastard! Why didn’t you answer my call earlier?! What if there had been urgent marine business? Do you even realize how serious dereliction of duty is?!”

Luffy rolled his eyes, unimpressed.
“Marine business? From you? I’d sooner believe the sun rises in the west than believe you’d call me for something important.”

Garp’s voice rose another octave.
“You cheeky little brat! Just because you’ve been promoted to Vice Admiral, you think you can sass your grandfather?! Let me remind you, no matter how high you climb, you’re still my grandson! Show some respect!”

Luffy glanced at the Den Den Mushi, which mimicked Garp’s angry expression. He sighed again, feeling as though he was being scolded for something completely irrelevant.

“Why does this feel so… familiar? He’s just like Master Zephyr, going on about respect and discipline…”

Deciding not to escalate things further, Luffy quickly apologized, offering a string of half-hearted assurances to placate his grandfather.

Satisfied with Luffy’s contrition, Garp finally shifted the conversation to the actual matter at hand.
“Listen, Luffy. Punk Hazard was attacked earlier today. The Revolutionary Army—led by your bastard of a father—broke in and kidnapped Vegapunk.”

Luffy froze for a moment, caught off guard by the news.
“Wait… what?! Vegapunk was captured?!”

Garp’s tone grew more serious.
“Sengoku has ordered all Marine branches to tighten security and search for any trace of Vegapunk or the Revolutionary Army. Kuzan and the others will be leading the effort personally. I expect you to cooperate with them and patrol your assigned area.”

Luffy suppressed the surge of joy rising in his chest. The news was better than he could have hoped for. The Revolutionary Army’s plans were proceeding smoothly, and his father had personally ensured Vegapunk’s capture.

Forcing himself to sound serious, Luffy replied:
“Understood, Grandpa. I’ll strengthen patrols and make sure not even a fly escapes our watch.”

Garp grunted approvingly.
“Good. You’re capable enough for this kind of task. But listen carefully—if you find any trace of Dragon, don’t act rashly. Call me immediately, and I’ll handle it myself. I haven’t seen that unfilial son in years, and my fists are itching to greet him.”

The sound of Garp gritting his teeth almost made Luffy laugh. He struggled to keep a straight face as he imagined the chaos that would ensue if his father and grandfather clashed.

“If only I weren’t working against the World Government, I’d love to watch that fight…” Luffy mused silently.

Chapter 385: Father's Approval

Luffy pondered deeply. Dragon was his biological father, after all, and he was about to send him one of the world's top talents. It was only natural to prepare for his arrival with care.

It’s better for me not to do anything reckless or immoral, he thought, shaking off the temptation of shortcuts that would compromise his principles.

After a brief conversation with Garp, Luffy hung up the Den Den Mushi. Contrary to his usual demeanor, the old man hadn’t mentioned Ace even once. Perhaps he’s finally given up and let it go, Luffy mused. Still, he committed Garp’s warnings to memory, knowing better than to underestimate his grandfather’s intentions.

The timing was convenient. Nami, Violet, and the others were currently out on Stormbreaker, tending to their respective duties. Meanwhile, several warships sent by Marine Headquarters over the past six months were actively patrolling the surrounding seas.

"Just keep the surface appearances clean," Luffy muttered to himself, leaning against the balcony. "Ordinary people need to see we’re doing our part. As for anything beyond that... Sorry, our G66 branch is still new. We’re short on manpower, our warships are incomplete, our funds are limited, and supplies are stretched thin. There’s no room to send additional support."

After issuing these directives, Luffy stepped into his bedroom to change. He discarded his old, lipstick-stained clothes into the laundry pile and donned a fresh outfit. Now that his old man has succeeded, the man should arrive within the next few days, he thought with growing anticipation. Before that, he needed to prepare to welcome Vegapunk and make sure the legendary scientist felt at home.

From his vantage point, Luffy observed the bustling activity below. The ships surrounding Onigashima moved purposefully, their crews executing tasks with military precision.

Three days later, as expected, the Punk Record "No. Flying Brain" broke through the clouds and descended over Wano Country. Aboard it, Vegapunk and his three companions gazed at the scene below in awe.

“This is incredible,” Vegapunk murmured, adjusting his glasses. “There were no islands here before. Did Luffy-kun use his ability to move this entire landmass from elsewhere?”

Standing nearby, Dragon and Sentomaru exchanged knowing glances. For ordinary people, the most familiar example of relocating islands was the Golden Lion, Shiki. Yet, Kaido’s Flame Clouds had also demonstrated the feasibility of such a feat. And now, Luffy had accomplished something similar.

Between Luffy, Koala with her Pink Dragon Fruit, and Nami with her Cloud-Cloud Fruit, the possibilities are endless. However, Koala’s capabilities were still developing, and Nami’s physical limitations meant she could only handle smaller islands for now. Even so, Alpha and Yamato had taken it upon themselves to rigorously train her over the past six months. With time and improved strength, Nami’s potential would undoubtedly grow.

As the Punk Record descended further, an island of remarkable size came into view—large enough to accommodate 20,000 to 30,000 people. Vegapunk was taken aback by the sight.

“This island… It’s impressive,” he said, marveling at the thriving settlement. “Through this, Luffy has not only provided Wano Country with a channel for external exchanges but also fostered economic circulation and ensured the people have enough to eat and wear. He’s surprisingly adept at governance.”

Hearing these words, Dragon couldn’t help but feel a swell of pride. His son’s achievements were undeniable. From the occasional updates he received through Robin and Koala, Dragon had gathered bits and pieces of Wano’s transformation. But witnessing Onigashima’s prosperity firsthand was a different experience altogether.

"Ah, this little devil," Dragon muttered, a grin spreading across his face. "People who don’t know him would think he’s already a king."

Meanwhile, aboard the Punk Record, Vegapunk glanced at Dragon, his curiosity piqued. “Hey, Dragon, stop daydreaming. Now that we’re here, isn’t it time to contact him? We can’t just hover in the sky forever.”

Dragon chuckled, waving off the comment. “No need to rush. Raise the Punk Record a bit higher—it’ll feel just like a real sky island.”

Without hesitation, Vegapunk complied. The ship climbed steadily, ascending past the White Sea at 7,000 meters, and then beyond the White-White Sea at 10,000 meters, entering the Sky Island’s domain. The thin air made Vegapunk stumble, forcing him to adapt quickly.

“Hah… Hah… The air here is challenging,” he gasped, wiping sweat from his brow. “Fortunately, I’ve been to Sky Island before. I’ll adjust soon enough.”

In stark contrast, Dragon and Sentomaru appeared unaffected by the altitude. Their attention was drawn to the artificial island not far away. Its bustling port, teeming with activity, immediately caught Dragon’s eye. At the forefront stood a young man, tall and imposing, waving in their direction.

“That’s him,” Dragon murmured, his heart swelling with paternal pride. He looks just like me when I was younger.

Turning to Vegapunk, who was still recovering, Dragon said, “Looks like they’re ready for us. Let’s go.”