"Who's calling?"
"It's the boss. He wants to know what I'm doing."
"What does he want now? Forget him, I'm on vacation." Garp, already settled at the bar, boomed cheerfully. "Besides, my grandson threw this banquet for me. I'm not about to miss it!"
"Garp-san... Luffy worked hard to save that money," the bar owner, Makino, said with a helpless look. "He was saving up to buy a ship. You can't just spend it all."
Makino didn't know what to do with him.
When Garp had first asked to use the money Luffy had earned and left with her for safekeeping, she'd put her foot down. It was Luffy's money, she had told him, and without Luffy's permission, she wouldn't hand it over, even to his grandfather.
The result of that was, as usual, Luffy returning home only to be met with a 'Fist of Love' from his grandfather.
When Garp had then demanded Luffy treat his dear old grandpa to a drink, Luffy had shot him down flat, insisting the money was for his ship.
But after another 'Fist of Love', Garp had changed his tune, asking if Luffy wanted to throw a big banquet to celebrate getting paid, with barbecue and drinks for everyone. Instantly, a bruised and swollen Luffy had agreed without a moment's hesitation.
Makino suspected he'd only caved because Garp's fists were too heavy, but since Luffy had consented, there wasn't much she could say.
Besides, she thought, watching Luffy happily jumping on a table and doing some bizarre dance with the villagers, 'Maybe he really does love parties this much.'
"I'm a Marine!" Garp leaned back against the bar, a mug in one hand while he picked his nose with the other. "How can I stand by and watch my own grandson save up for a pirate ship?" he declared with a shameless grin. "He's better off using that money to buy his grandpa a drink!"
Makino was left speechless.
Before she could find the words to argue, another sound cut through the noise.
*Purupurupuru... purupurupuru...*
A Den Den Mushi was ringing. This time, it was Garp's.
Garp answered it while taking a swig from his mug, not even needing to look to know who it was. "Sengoku, what's up? I'm on vacation!"
"Why is it so loud over there?" the Sengoku Den Den Mushi grumbled, its face a perfect replica of a scowl. "Could you keep it down?"
"Bwahaha, we're having a banquet!" Garp ignored his friend's irritation, laughing proudly. "My grandson earned some money and is throwing me a party."
"Your grandson?" The Den Den Mushi paused, as if remembering something. Its expression softened slightly. "Never mind that. Your vacation is over. Get back here, now. And you remember your mission, don't you?"
"Mission? What mission?"
"You idiot! That corrupt Marine captain, Morgan!" Hearing Garp's response, the Den Den Mushi's face darkened again. "When you come back, I want you to bring him back for trial!"
"Oh, right, that guy. Don't worry, of course I remember!"
"That doesn't reassure me in the slightest!" the Sengoku Den Den Mushi snapped. "Don't you dare forget. And get back here immediately!"
"I know, I know. You're such a killjoy, Sengoku," Garp said dismissively, still picking his nose. "I'm in the middle of a party!"
As he spoke, an idea seemed to strike him. He slung an arm around Mock, who was sitting next to him.
"By the way, East Blue is getting pretty interesting. When's your next vacation, Sengoku? I'll bring you out here to relax! This kid here says he'll treat you!"
"That's right! Any friend of Boss Garp is a friend of mine," Mock said enthusiastically, raising his mug with one hand and patting his chest with the other. "Whenever you're on vacation, Boss Sengoku, it's my treat!"
"Alright, alright, thank you," the Den Den Mushi replied politely, not knowing who was speaking but assuming it was one of Garp's old friends from home. It then turned its irritable gaze back to Garp. "Do you think I have as much free time as you? The next time I get a vacation will probably be when I retire."
"Bwahaha, well, we can relax together then. This kid's paying!"
"You old coot, you're shameless. Don't take people's offers for granted, thank him properly!" Sengoku complained, then sighed. "Nevermind that. Don't forget the mission, and get back here. I have other things to do, so I'm hanging up!"
*Beep, beep...*
The call disconnected. Garp casually put the Den Den Mushi away and went back to his drink. "Sengoku," he grumbled good-naturedly. "Such a killjoy."
"Was that the friend you were talking about, Boss Garp?"
"That's right, an old buddy of mine for decades. So it's settled. You're treating!"
"No problem. You can count on me!"
"Bwahaha!" Hearing Mock's generous offer, Garp let out a hearty laugh and raised his mug. "Let's keep drinking!"
"To Boss Garp!" Mock happily raised his mug as well, then threw an arm around Bogard, who was giving him a strange look. "Bogard, my man, what's wrong? You stopped drinking."
"It's... nothing." Bogard muttered.
"Let's toast!"
"Cheers!"
As the group continued their celebration, Buggy, who had been dancing in the crowd, sidled over with a grin. "Boss Garp, did you get some good news?"
Seeing how easily Mock was chatting with the Vice Admiral, Buggy felt a surge of jealousy. 'I've been dancing with his grandson, showing off my best circus moves to win the old man's favor,' he thought, 'but apparently, all I had to do was sit here and drink with him!'
"Please, allow me to toast you as well!"
"Bwahaha, Roger's old apprentice sure knows how to liven up a party." Garp didn't seem to mind the sycophant. He laughed, slapped Buggy on the shoulder, and downed his drink before looking at him and booming, "Get ready. We're leaving tomorrow morning!"
Buggy froze.
'I've finally done it! All my groveling these past few days had finally paid off!' He quickly puffed out his chest. "Yes! I'm ready, Boss Garp!"
"Bwahaha, no need to be so tense. For tonight, just enjoy the banquet!" With another loud laugh, Garp turned to Makino behind the bar. "Makino, how much money does that brat have left?"
"There's still some, Garp-san." Hearing him finally ask about the money, Makino felt a wave of relief, thinking the old man was at last starting to worry about the bill. "Luffy's a hard worker at the construction site. He can do the work of ten men, so he gets paid well. You don't have to worry."
She smiled, looking out at the happy crowd.
"Since it's come to this, please, as his grandfather, enjoy the banquet!"
However Garp has other plans, he wasn't going to let Luffy have a single berry for his pirate journey...
"Oh, there's still money left? Good." Garp nodded in satisfaction. "Use the rest to buy me some booze. I'm taking it with me tomorrow!"
At his words, her smile vanished. "Garp-san!"
"Luffy!" Garp shouted over the crowd. "Can Grandpa have some more to drink?"
"No problem!" Luffy called back.
"See?" Garp said with a shameless grin, picking his nose. "The kid's fine with it." He raised his mug again. "Everyone, don't hold back! My grandson's treating today, so drink up!"
With the exception of a weary-looking Makino, everyone else raised their mugs in unison.
Buggy raised his highest of all.
He had finally earned the old man's trust.
The day he would conquer East Blue and realize his dream was just around the corner! He took a deep breath and shouted, "Cheers!"
--**--**
The next day.
Buggy stared at the receding shoreline of the Goa Kingdom, where Mock stood waving, and fell silent.
He turned his head and looked quizzically at Garp, who was standing beside him. "Boss Garp, why isn't Captain Mock on board?"
"Him? He's got his own ship. He can leave whenever he wants," Garp said wistfully, picking his nose. "Besides, why would he follow me?"
"So... what about me?" Buggy asked feeling uneasy.
"You're coming with me, aren't you?"
"But isn't Captain Mock coming with you, too?"
"Who ever said he was coming with me?" Garp looked at Buggy, confused. "This is the first I'm hearing of it."
A cold knot of dread formed in Buggy's stomach. He hesitated, then forced himself to ask, "Can I ask where exactly we're headed?"
"Marine Headquarters! Didn't you want to be a Marine, kid?"
Buggy's world came crashing down. He finally understood. "Who said I wanted to be a Marine?!" he shrieked. "Let me off this ship! I want to be a pirate like Mock!"
*Thump!*
Another fist came down.
"Bwahaha!" Watching Buggy scream and flail, Garp let out a booming laugh, a wide, knowing grin spreading across his face. "Too late for that, Red-Nose brat!"
===============
Dear Readers and Fans,
For those eager to dive into next chapters earlier before others, I invite you to join us on Patreon. By becoming our Patron, you not only gain access to exclusive advanced chapters but also help us continue this endeavour and expand it further.
https://www.pat reon.com/8Ashes8
(no space)
You can read upto 7 Chapters in advance.