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[TIOP] Chapter : 69
🕑 Added 2025-03-13 12:55:42 +0000 UTCAs Jack neared Navy headquarters, a warship intercepted him. The officers on board relayed a message: the fleet admiral had summoned him and demanded his immediate return.
"Sengoku-san, I was just out making some pocket change. Did you really have to summon me so urgently?" Jack complained as he stepped into Sengoku’s office, a hint of dissatisfaction in his tone.
To maintain his cover, Jack had deliberately spent time capturing pirates on his way back. Everyone at Navy Headquarters knew of his habit of hunting pirates with bounties, so his activities wouldn't raise suspicion.
This time, with the pirates he had apprehended in Water 7, his total diamond count had surpassed 70,000—closing in on the 100,000 mark. However, he had refrained from using them in the lottery, choosing instead to focus on training once he returned to headquarters.
He understood that with Ace now secretly in Navy custody, Sengoku wouldn’t allow him to leave freely again. Whether he could strengthen himself—and by how much—depended entirely on the rewards he could obtain from those 70,000 diamonds.
After a brief conversation with Sengoku, Jack bid him farewell and left.
Sengoku’s method of keeping Jack at headquarters was straightforward. Previously, Jack had promoted Krav Maga among the navy, so Sengoku seized the opportunity to assign him the task of further spreading its practice. Jack didn’t object—he knew that something major was about to unfold in Marineford, so he was content to remain at headquarters for the time being.
The following day, Jack returned to the training grounds. In addition to teaching soldiers Krav Maga daily, he also dedicated time to refining his own strength.
Currently, his chakra training had reached an even higher level. Currently he has chakra levels close to low-kage level. And his control of chakra also reached low-kage level. He is able to better control the combined power of haki and chakra. Even his Armament Haki proficiency has also increased, but Emission still evaded him. However, observation haki was still at the lower level, similar to the priests in Skypiea.
Upon returning to headquarters the previous day, Jack had spent all 70,000 diamonds, buying things to increase his strength and getting ready for the upcoming battle. His strength and agility have increased to 290. He was just a few points away from reaching 300 in both, at which point he will be able to learn the advanced unarmed combat manual.
He no longer needed to exert his full strength with each strike. While this meant a reduction in raw power, it also eliminated the risk of exhausting himself after just a few attacks. Now, he could continue practicing advanced techniques without worrying about losing combat effectiveness—a small yet valuable gain.
He was also promoted to Rear Admiral as a recognition for his strength and his contributions in teaching Krav Maga.
Just as he was honing his strength, a marine approached and interrupted his training.
"Sir, Vice Admiral Garp has requested your presence!"
"I got it," Jack replied, slipping on his jacket before following the soldier to Garp’s office.
The room was as empty as ever—Garp was rarely in his office.
"Come with me," Garp said the moment Jack stepped inside, immediately turning to leave without further explanation.
Jack hesitated for a moment before following, confusion written on his face.
"Sensei, are we setting sail? But the fleet admiral has forbidden me from leaving headquarters," Jack said as they boarded Garp’s dog-head warship.
"And since when do you follow orders so obediently?" Garp scoffed with a grin.
Jack could only sigh helplessly. What kind of situation is this?
Before long, the warship passed through the Gate of Justice and arrived at the underwater prison, Impel Down. Garp led Jack straight to the lowest level. No one stopped them along the way, as if everything had already been arranged in advance.
"Sensei, why are we here?" Jack asked, though he had a strong suspicion about Garp’s intent.
"Don’t play dumb. I brought you to see Ace," Garp said, glaring at him.
"I still don't know anything about Ace being arrested! Don't drag me into this!" Jack shrugged, feigning innocence.
When Garp finally brought Jack to Ace, the latter was visibly surprised.
"Jack? What are you doing here?" Ace asked, bewildered.
"I should be the one asking you that! Could you be any less reckless? I told you not to chase after Teach, but you wouldn’t listen. I followed you across half the Grand Line and still couldn't put any form of caution in your thick skull!" Jack sighed in exasperation.
Before Ace could respond, Garp interjected, his face darkening.
"Quiet, you little brat!!"
"It was just a slip of the tongue!" Jack quickly backpedaled, rubbing the sore spot where Garp had smacked him.
After that, an awkward silence filled the cell. Garp remained quiet. Ace didn’t speak either. That left Jack standing there, glancing around uncomfortably.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Garp broke the silence.
"Kid, Ace is your brother. He’s been captured. And you’re not the least bit worried?"
"What’s the point of worrying?" Jack shook his head. "He wouldn’t listen to me, and now we’re here. Sengoku-san is obviously going to use Ace as bait to lure Whitebeard into battle. That way, the Navy can gain a stronger foothold in the New World. This is a major event—one that I have no business interfering in."
Garp studied Jack carefully, a flicker of surprise crossing his face. He was certain that no one from the high-level meeting had leaked this information. And yet, Jack already knew.
That, in itself, was a rather interesting revelation.
"How do you know that?" Garp asked after a moment of thought.
Jack scoffed. "Do I really need to think about it? It’s obvious. The moment I saw Ace, I put the pieces together."
Ace, still locked up, looked utterly confused. He had no idea what Jack was implying.
"What do you mean? Is the Navy planning to take action against Dad?" Ace asked in shock.
"Well, isn’t that obvious?" Jack sighed. "The New World has always been dominated by the Four Emperors, but the Navy has been itching to intervene. The problem is, the Emperor crews aren’t so easy to take down. That’s why Whitebeard, whose health is declining, has become the perfect target. And then you go and get yourself captured at a time like this? You practically delivered them the perfect excuse on a silver platter."
Ace, who had been relatively calm until now, suddenly thrashed against his restraints, his voice urgent.
"Jack! Please, do me a favor! Tell my dad not to come for me!" he pleaded desperately.
Jack turned his head slightly, his voice low. "You do remember I’m a Marine, right? This whole situation benefits the Navy."
His words stunned Ace into silence. Even Garp, who had known Jack for years, stared at him as if he were looking at a stranger.
"What are you both looking at me like that for?" Jack snapped, irritated. "Am I not a Marine?"
