Laskey lowered his red sunglasses slightly, eyeing Michael as he descended from the sky.
"Who are you?"
"Marine Headquarters Lieutenant Commander, Michael!" Michael glanced at the CP squad and sneered.
"World Government agent? Your quality is truly lacking."
With just one sentence, Michael had provoked the anger of every CP agent present.
"You're just a mere Marine Lieutenant Commander. What gives you the right to talk so much?" Laskey scoffed.
Just a Headquarters Lieutenant Commander—even that Onigumo over there wouldn't dare speak to the CP organization in such a mocking tone.
Michael merely clicked his tongue.
The next instant, Laskey was sent flying.
Yet Michael remained standing with his hands in his pockets.
However, Laskey didn't crash to the ground—instead, he was caught by a massive hand.
It was the old man Garp.
"Michael! Why did you attack right away?"
"Good heavens, old man Garp, I didn't lift a finger!"
"Right! But you used your wings!" Garp was both exasperated and amused.
Who knew wings could be used like that?
"Can't help it. Admiral Sengoku put you in charge of this operation, yet these CP agent dared to disrespect you! With my temper, how could I let that slide?" Michael spread his hands, shamelessly spinning his words.
"WHAT!? This bastard actually dared to disrespect me, a Vice Admiral!?"
Laskey was stunned.
When had he ever disrespected Vice Admiral Garp!? He wouldn't dare even if he had a hundred lives to spare!
But Garp didn't give Laskey a chance to explain, tossing him straight into the distant sea.
Wiping his hands, Garp walked over to Michael with a satisfied expression.
"Good thing you were here, or this old man would've been bullied by those CP agent."
"No problem at all. As long as you're alright, Vice Admiral Garp."
The CP agent immediately fell into formation, lining up from CP1 to CP9.
These shrewd agents could clearly see that Garp and Michael were deliberately messing with them.
But what could they do?
The relationship between the Marine and CP had never been great. Undermining each other was practically routine.
But… were these two even bother to pretend!?
They didn't even bother making up a proper excuse!
Was this the Marines!? They were more unreasonable than pirates!
Of course, they kept those thoughts to themselves.
Even if they looked down on the Marine, they wouldn't dare disrespect the Marine hero!
That would be suicide!
"Vice Admiral Garp, you've arrived." Onigumo stepped forward, saluting sharply.
Though they were both Vice Admirals, the difference in their status was immense.
Colleagues in name, superiors in reality.
Moreover, he had already received word that this operation was under the full command of the Marine hero, Garp.
"Listen up, everyone!" Garp booming voice suddenly echoed across the coastline. Not only the Marine and CP agent, but even the civilians nearby were startled.
"We are searching for the Pirate King widow! This mission is under my command! Remember—no harm is to come to civilians! Anyone who violates this will be expelled from the Marine!"
As he spoke, he made sure to glare pointedly at Onigumo and his direct subordinates.
No further words were needed—the message was clear.
At this moment, Onigumo felt his back drenched in cold sweat.
He had indeed planned to conduct a violent search initially.
After all, the entire Baterilla Island was no small place. In his view, sacrificing some civilians was necessary to achieve the goal as quickly as possible.
But after the Marine hero Garp spoke those words earlier, even he had no choice but to comply obediently.
He still wanted to keep his position in the Marine, after all.
"I asked you a question! Are you all mute?" Michael stepped forward, barking orders while borrowing Garp authority.
"YES, SIR!" The Marine soldiers and CP agents snapped to attention, responding loudly.
"CP agents will take responsibility for the southern part of Baterilla Island and the coastal waters!"
"The Marine will handle the remaining areas!"
"Pair up in teams of two! Begin the mission!"
As soon as Garp finished speaking, Laskey came running back from the nearby shoreline.
"Vice Admiral Garp! Please wait a moment!"
"I think… it would be better to mix Marine soldiers and CP agents into joint teams for the search!"
Garp didn't even bother looking at Laskey, simply waving his hand to signal everyone to move out.
Laskey wanted to say more, but he noticed his CP subordinates had already split into pairs and scattered.
Garp too, strode off toward the center of Baterilla Island.
Meanwhile, Michael walked past Laskey with a smirk and said.
"Stop humiliating yourself."
"Lapdog."
Michael didn't lower his voice or have any particular motive.
He was simply petty.
The Celestial Dragons had provoked him and now anything related to them fell within the scope of his malice.
"Huh, I didn't expect the CP to be so obedient."
"Of course, have you forgotten what rank you hold?" Michael rolled his eyes and continued "By sending the CP agents to search the south and coastal areas, we won't have to worry about anything when heading to the location Roger told us about."
If Garp made any suspicious moves, the CP agents would surely notice and try to monitor him.
But the Marine wouldn't find it strange.
Because Garp was already known for doing things his own way—this was common knowledge within the Marine.
"Let's go, old man Garp. Time to fulfill our promise."
With that, Michael walked side by side with Garp into a secluded path.
The Marine hadn't searched this area yet.
"Based on Roger description, I calculated that there should still be some time before the birth." Michael spoke as they walked.
Currently, Portgas D. Rouge was only eight months pregnant.
In the original timeline, she had forcibly delayed the birth for nearly 20 months before finally delivering Ace.
Such a thing was practically impossible—normally, it would require the assistance of a doctor on the level of Dr. Kureha or a special Devil Fruit user. But since the original story never mentioned it, they had to assume it didn't happen.
Which meant that this world power truly decide by sheer will.
Following the path to its end, Michael and Garp arrived at a cliffside on Baterilla Island.
A rather luxurious estate stood there.
Without bothering to knock, Michael stepped forward and pushed the door open.
The next moment, a massive axe came swinging straight at him.
Though it was a sudden ambush, Michael remained utterly unshaken...
This man was strong—yet he hadn't gone for a killing blow.
In an instant, Michael angelic wings unfurled and with a single graceful flap, he swiftly retreated backward.
Then, lifting his gaze once more, Michael got a clear look at the axe-wielder appearance.
His towering physique was no less imposing than Garp and with those round sunglasses on his face and the twin axes in his hands, his identity was unmistakable...
The former third-in-command of the Roger Pirates—Scopper Gaban.