Chapter 114: The Tides of the Era
Marine Headquarters - Vice Admiral Roy's Office
The setting sun bathed the room in gold, casting long shadows on the floor.
Roy gently placed the receiver back on the Den Den Mushi, his gaze lingering on the horizon, a small smile on his face.
"With Shusui in hand, that kid Zoro... should be satisfied for now."
At the table, Garp was crunching loudly on a rice cracker, washing it down with hot tea. "Three-Sword Style? The Moss-head brat has big dreams! Bwahahaha!"
Roy chuckled but didn't reply, walking to the window to stare out at the port.
Garp put down his tea, his smile fading. He looked at Roy with a deep, serious gaze. "Roy... aren't you moving a little too fast?"
The air in the room stilled.
Roy paused, his back to the old man. "What do you mean, Old Man?"
Garp's eyes were sharp as a hawk's. "Luffy, Kuina, even Ace... The fruits you've prepared for them aren't ordinary."
"Mythical Zoans don't grow on trees. You're acting like... like you've planned all of this from the start."
He paused, his expression complicated. "You aren't just raising the 'Next Generation' of Marines anymore... Your stance is a little too obvious."
Garp walked over to the window, lowering his voice. "The Navy can't be too aggressive. At least... not right now."
Roy was silent for a long time before sighing. "That's why I didn't force Instructor Zephyr to eat that fruit."
He turned to face Garp, his eyes tired but sharp. "Honestly? The Vampire Fruit's endurance and vitality would be perfect for him."
"But if he ate it, he wouldn't just be a 'strong veteran Marine.' He would become a 'symbol of resistance against the old order.'"
"If that happened, our stance would be undeniable—so undeniable that we'd be 'purged' immediately."
Garp looked at him deeply, his face dark, and nodded slowly. "So you realized it too."
Just then, a lazy voice drifted from the sofa. "Ara rara... I didn't mean to eavesdrop on such a serious conversation."
Kuzan (Aokiji) was suddenly sitting up, taking off his sleeping mask and scratching his head. He looked lazy, but his eyes were colder than the sunset outside.
He walked over, standing beside them, his tall frame blocking half the light.
"Senior Brother," Roy smiled faintly. "What do you think?"
Kuzan stared out the window for a long time before speaking, the wind ruffling his coat. "The World Government won't allow the Marines to have too much 'high-end combat power.'"
His voice was low, chilling.
"Especially power that refuses to kneel before the 'Divine Throne.'"
Garp snorted. "Those old geezers only care about 'balance'! They're better at manipulating people than pirates are."
Roy looked out at the sea, as if seeing the storm on the horizon. "So—we need to grow 'reasonably.'"
He looked at Kuzan. "Your 'laziness'... that's a form of camouflage too, isn't it?"
Kuzan didn't answer, just sighed. "Ara rara..." It was as good as a yes.
He turned to leave. Hand on the doorknob, he stopped and spoke without looking back. "Roy, be careful... 'They' have already noticed you."
The door clicked shut.
Silence filled the room. Garp patted Roy on the shoulder, motioning for him to sit.
Roy smiled, pouring fresh tea for both of them.
Garp ran a rough finger over the rim of his cup, staring at Roy. "Why are you doing this?"
"Is there anything... that can actually threaten you right now?"
Roy looked into his tea, seeing his own reflection. "Old man, you feel it too, don't you?"
"The era... it's about to go wild."
Garp frowned, slamming his cup down. "Stop speaking in riddles! Spit it out!"
Roy smiled, tapping the table as if placing a piece on a chessboard. "The map of the New World is set. Whitebeard, Big Mom, Kaido—the Three Emperors stand in a stalemate."
"The Beast Pirates are expanding. Totland is consuming islands. Whitebeard's commanders are getting more active."
"But that's not all!"
Roy looked up, his eyes sharp. "Soon, a fourth Emperor will emerge."
Garp's face changed. "You mean... Red-Haired Shanks?"
Roy didn't answer directly. He swirled his tea. "Starting this year, rookie pirates with terrifying potential will spring up like weeds—"
"Supernovas, the Worst Generation, underground syndicates, traitors, avengers... The seas are going to change."
"A storm is coming. And it's going to sweep the entire world."
Garp fell silent, his face heavy. He stared at Roy, his voice low. "Do you... know something?"
Roy looked down, avoiding the question.
Garp sighed, leaning back in his chair, looking every bit the weary veteran. "Fine! Do what you want! As long as we old geezers are still here—"
"Even if the sky falls, we'll hold it up!"
He took a sip of tea, his eyes regaining their hawk-like glint. "Sengoku has noticed it too, actually."
"Don't underestimate him. He looks calm, but that man has more schemes in his head than the two of us combined."
Roy smiled. "I've never underestimated the Fleet Admiral."
"It's just... he thinks about the big picture."
"I only want to ensure one thing—"
Roy looked out the window at the training ground, where Luffy, Ace, Kuina, and Law were sparring in the sunset.
"I just want those brats to have the power to protect themselves before the great flood of the era arrives."
Garp stared, then burst out laughing. "Bwahahaha! Zephyr looks like a stone statue, but his blood hasn't cooled down a bit, has it?!"
"That fruit you showed him... it really shook him up..."
Roy grinned mischievously. "Don't worry. I'm not letting Instructor Zephyr retire anytime soon."
Garp blinked, then realized what he meant. He pointed a finger at Roy. "You brat! You were holding out on us?!"
Roy just smiled and raised his tea cup in a toast.
Garp shook his head, chuckling. He looked out at the "Justice" flag flapping in the wind.
The orange sunset lit up his weathered face, illuminating old memories. He exhaled slowly, a familiar, yet long-absent fire rekindling in his eyes.
"It's been a while... since I felt this kind of heat."
His fist clenched unconsciously. He saw himself, Zephyr, and Sengoku in their youth, fighting side-by-side amidst cannon fire and roaring waves.
"I'm actually... looking forward to it."
Roy watched Garp's expression and smirked. He leaned in close, whispering conspiratorially.
"Hey, Old Man. If there was a fruit... that could make your 'Fist Bone' one hundred times stronger..."
"Would you eat it? Or not?"
Garp froze. "One hundred times stronger? Seriously?"
Then he realized what he was saying and glared at Roy. "Are you trying to trick me into eating a Devil Fruit?!"
But Roy just crossed his arms, grinning. "What? I thought you hated them? Are you hesitating?"
Garp sputtered. "If my fist was a hundred times stronger, I could one-shot Kaido... Wait, that actually sounds kinda good..."
He slapped his own forehead. "Damn your mind games!!"
He swung a massive fist at Roy, his laughter booming. "Garp the Fist doesn't need a fruit to be strong!!!"
Roy dodged, laughing. "Oho? Then why did you hesitate just now~?"
"Shut up, brat!!!"
The sound of their laughter echoed through the office, two generations of Marine legends bickering as the sun went down.
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