Chapter 19: Shock at Marineford
Two days later. Marineford, Marine Headquarters Docks.
Roy had intentionally limited the ship's warp-jumps, letting Ace experience the feeling of a real sea voyage. Ace, who had never felt the thrill of battling the wind and waves on a massive warship, had loved every second of it.
Finally, the familiar silhouette of the fortress came into view, gleaming in the sunset.
Garp stood at the bow, staring at the home he knew so well, and was uncharacteristically silent.
His fists clenched, then slowly unclenched, as if he was psyching himself up.
"Old Man."
Roy walked up beside him and clapped him on the shoulder, offering a small smile. "Don't worry. We'll face this together."
Garp started, then burst out laughing. "Bwahahaha! When have I ever been scared!"
But his laugh was heavier than usual.
Ace stood behind them, staring up at the massive fortress of Justice, his eyes a mix of curiosity, nervousness, and a deep-seated anxiety. "So this is... Marineford..."
The news that Garp had brought back his "grandson" spread like wildfire. Whispers erupted from every corner of the base.
"Did you hear? Vice Admiral Garp brought a kid back..."
"What? His grandson? Seriously?!"
"Wait... then, does that mean the kid's father is—"
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, the only ones present were those who knew the truth: Sengoku, Tsuru, Zephyr, and Roy.
The atmosphere was so thick you could cut it with a knife.
Sengoku had his hands braced on his desk, veins bulging on his forehead, his eyes burning with rage behind his glasses. "GARP! DO YOU HAVE ANY IDEA WHAT YOU'VE DONE?!"
Garp, for the first time, wasn't smiling. He stood with his arms crossed, his gaze firm and silent.
Roy started to step forward, but Zephyr put out a hand to stop him, shaking his head. Not yet.
After a long, heavy silence, Garp finally spoke, his voice low and powerful. "Sengoku. I know... I know my original decision was a mistake."
Sengoku froze, stunned by the rare, serious admission from his old friend.
Garp looked him straight in the eye. "But the boy is innocent!"
"And that's exactly why I've made up my mind. I'm bringing him here, to Marineford. I'm going to raise him the Marine way!"
Sengoku's anger wavered, but his frown remained. "But Garp, if his identity gets out... do you know the chaos it would cause?!"
Garp's voice was grim. "Then we'll make sure it doesn't get out!"
Sengoku's eyes widened. "You—"
It was then that Roy finally stepped forward, his voice calm and steady. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku. I will sponsor him. I will vouch for Ace."
The room went dead silent.
Sengoku stared at him, shocked. "Roy, do you understand what you're saying?!"
Roy nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I do. But I believe he is innocent. Please, rest assured. I will personally take responsibility for his training and ensure he becomes a true Marine."
Sengoku was quiet for a long time, his eyes moving between Garp, Roy, Zephyr, and Tsuru.
Vice Admiral Tsuru finally spoke, her voice soft. "The boy is innocent."
Zephyr, his arms crossed, snorted. "Hmph. I hate complications... but a child shouldn't have to carry his father's burden."
Sengoku looked at the faces of his oldest friends and comrades. His anger finally began to drain away. He sank back into his chair, took off his glasses, and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "...You're all giving me a massive headache..."
Garp's face split into a grin, but it was one of rare, genuine seriousness. "Thanks, Sengoku."
Sengoku glared at him. "Don't celebrate yet! This stays in this room. Top secret. No one outside of the five of us finds out. Understood?!"
They all nodded.
Sengoku put his glasses back on, his sharp gaze landing on Roy. "Since you're sponsoring him, his training and supervision are your responsibility."
Roy snapped to attention. "Sir!"
Sengoku then turned back to Garp. "And you! Keep your mouth shut! Don't go around shouting that he's your grandson!"
Garp laughed. "Bwahahaha! Don't worry, don't worry! I know what I'm doing!"
Veins pulsed on Sengoku's forehead as he slammed his desk. "THE HELL YOU DO!!"
The tense atmosphere finally broke.
Walking out into the hallway, Garp let out a huge sigh of relief and clapped Roy on the shoulder. "Thanks, brat."
Roy shook his head. "I just did what was right."
Zephyr walked up beside them, his arms crossed. "You two... you just love making my life difficult, don't you?" But the corner of his mouth was turned up, and his eyes were warm.
"Well," Tsuru said with a small smile. "Now we just need to figure out where to put the boy."
Roy nodded. "He'll stay with me. We'll start with basic training and go from there."
Garp grinned. "Great! Then he's all yours! I've gotta head back to the East Blue. It's about time I picked up Luffy, too!"
Roy raised an eyebrow. "What, are you trying to collect the whole set of 'problem children'?"
Zephyr put his face in his hand. "Garp, so help me, behave!"
Garp just waved them off as he walked away. "Bwahahaha! Don't worry! I know what I'm doing!"
The rest of them just stared. ("He absolutely does not.")
That evening, in Roy's private quarters.
(Note: Roy's achievements, rank, and potential had already earned him his own private quarters.)
Ace was sitting on a chair by the window, his arms wrapped around his knees, his head down. He looked like a small, lost animal. His eyes were fixed on the orange sunset, his expression complicated.
"What's on your mind?"
Roy walked in, holding a steaming cup of hot milk.
Ace flinched, then took the cup, muttering, "...Can I... Can I really become a Marine?"
Roy sat down near him. "That's up to you."
Ace's knuckles turned white as he gripped the cup. "But... if they find out whose son I am..."
Roy looked out at the fading light, his voice calm and firm. "Who your father was doesn't define you, Ace."
"What matters is the man you choose to become."
Ace stared at him, a small light returning to his eyes.
Roy stood up and ruffled his hair. "Get some rest. Training starts tomorrow."
Ace's eyes were red, but he bit his lip and nodded.
Just as Roy reached the door, he heard a determined voice behind him. "Roy!"
Roy turned. "Yeah?"
Ace took a deep breath, his gaze so intense it could cut steel. "I'm going to be stronger than you!"
Roy smiled, his expression softening. "I'll be waiting."
As the door closed, Ace stared at the empty space where Roy had been. A small smile, the first real one, touched his lips. For the first time, his eyes had a sense of direction.