"Besides coating and hardening, there are many other applications of Armament Haki," Garp said in a deep voice. "I won't go through them one by one. Just remember this, techniques may vary in difficulty, but there's no such thing as 'stronger' or 'weaker' among them in battle."
"In the end, no matter what you specialize in, you must raise your intensity! Only strength is the essence of Armament Haki, and that's what you should focus on improving!"
That much, Shanu had already understood.
Power could crush all technique, just like when he'd sparred with Kuina and Zoro before.
Swoosh, suddenly, the distant canopy rustled as birds scattered in fright.
Interrupted from his thoughts, Shanu raised his head and saw a figure wearing a brown wide-brimmed hat descending from the sky, stepping on Geppo.
Bogard?
He recognized the man instantly. Though he looked in his thirties, Bogard had been following Garp since the God Valley incident, at least a peer of Akainu's generation.
"Vice Admiral Garp," Bogard said with a frown. "Vice Admiral Yamakaji just sent word, he's already driven the Buggy Pirates out of the East Blue and is anchored at a nearby naval port. We're to depart at dawn tomorrow, so we need to move now."
"Why the rush?" Garp grumbled, digging at his ear. "Old man like me can't even rest a few days in peace?"
"Your leave is about to expire," Bogard said flatly. "And don't forget, sir, we hitched a ride this time. Your warship's still in repair back at headquarters. If we don't leave now, we'll have to swim across the Calm Belt tomorrow."
"...Er."
Garp froze.
Swimming across the Calm Belt wouldn't be impossible for him, but it sure would be exhausting.
And lounging on a sun-drenched deck was a lot more comfortable.
"Fine, fine," he sighed.
Just then, Luffy and Ace ran up. Garp reached out his big hand and roughly ruffled both their heads.
"I'm off! Remember to listen to Dadan! And when I come back next time, if you two still don't look like proper Marine recruits, see how I deal with you!"
"Who wants to be a Marine!" Luffy started to protest, but Ace quickly elbowed him.
Idiot, just let him leave in a good mood!
"Vice Admiral Garp," Shanu called out, stopping him just as he turned to go.
Clenching his fist, he focused on that faint trace of Armament aura. "Aren't you going to explain this?"
"Explain what?" Garp blinked.
"I'm not a kid you can fool that easily," Shanu said with a crooked grin. "You say you 'have high hopes' for me, fine. But we barely know each other. There's no reason you'd just hand over something this valuable the first time we meet."
"You didn't save Luffy from those mountain bandits last year?" Garp raised an eyebrow. "Old man's just repaying a debt of gratitude, isn't that normal?"
"That was all a misunderstanding. Don't tell me Luffy didn't explain?"
"So I can't hide it after all, huh?" Garp scratched the back of his head, looking embarrassed.
"All right then, I'll tell you the truth. Back when there was an open slot among the Seven Warlords, it was me who first suggested to Sengoku that we invite Jinbe the Fishman."
"I only thought that with Jinbe's character, he'd be a better choice than some pirate abusing legal authority to plunder. But I never expected what came next, the Sun Pirates' split, Arlong breaking away, and all that mess."
"The Conomi Islands suffered terrible casualties."
Garp sighed heavily. "If it weren't for a monster like you showing up, even Cocoyashi Village might not have survived. So when I first saw your photo in the paper, I felt some guilt. Meeting you in person only made it worse."
"No need for that," Shanu shook his head slightly. "Blame for Arlong ends with Jinbe at most. It's got nothing to do with you."
"Maybe so, but it still sticks in my chest," Garp admitted, then grinned and clapped Shanu on the shoulder. "Think of the Armament Haki as my way of making it up to you. Keep training, kid, make yourself stronger! With your potential, one day you'll be so strong that even long after you've left home, anyone with ill intent will hear your name, and run for their lives!"
You're plenty strong yourself, Shanu thought wryly. And famous enough.
But when that mountain bandit king Sig attacked Foosha Village, where were you then?
He didn't say it aloud. Instead, he stood with Luffy and Ace, watching Garp and Bogard walk away until their figures vanished into the forest.
"Finally! The old geezer's gone!" Luffy exhaled in relief, stretching out on the grass. Then he grinned and turned to Shanu.
"Hey, Shanu-nii! We're heading back to Dadan's. Wanna come? We'll throw a feast to celebrate!"
"It'll be midnight by the time we get there," Shanu said with a chuckle. "And I brought my crew along this time. There might not be enough room."
"Don't worry, there's plenty of empty rooms! You can even have Sabo's, no one's used it since…"
Luffy trailed off a little, then forced a bright smile. "Yeah! You can stay there tonight!"
Sabo's room, huh…
Shanu nodded, smiling warmly. "All right."
Later that night, at the dock.
As Bogard bought tickets for the transport ship to the naval port, he suddenly frowned at the yawning Garp.
"Vice Admiral, where's your dog-head hat?"
"Hmm?"
Garp blinked, instinctively patting his pockets, only to find them empty.
"That's odd." he muttered, patting himself down again. "I swear I picked it up after the fight and stuffed it away. Did it fall out?"
"You really are hopelessly scatterbrained…" Bogard sighed.
"Just me?" Garp shot him a glare. "You think you're so perfect? Tell me then, where's your hat?"
"It's right," Bogard reached up to touch his head, froze, and paled.
His hand met only air.
Wait… where's my hat?!
Did the sea breeze blow it away just now!?
That same night, At Dadan's hideout.
"Good stuff, all of it."
Leaning against Sabo's old bed, Shanu's cheeks were flushed from drink. He burped contentedly and opened his glowing system panel.
Line after line of notifications scrolled past, proof of his hard work.
[You have sacrificed: Garp's Dog-Head Hat, gained 4000 points]
[You have sacrificed: Bogard's Wide-Brimmed Hat, gained 200 points]
[You have sacrificed: Sabo's Old Coat, gained 150 points]
[You have sacrificed: Ace's Hidden Adult Magazine, gained 250 points]
[You have sacrificed: Dadan's Rare Wine, gained 50 points]
[You have sacrificed: Luffy's Fake Straw Hat, gained 3000 points]