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In Marineford, the Marines completely forgot their duties and responsibilities temporarily and became engrossed in reading manga at that moment.
What they were witnessing in this volume made them swallow in shock.
Even if they hadn't seen much of the bloody scenes in the war, the monumental scenes in the Summit War made them shrink their necks like chickens after thinking about a similar scenario and an upcoming similar war they might have to participate in.
Watching Admiral Akainu deal with the deserter almost made them wet their pants, most of them, the cowards among them, imagined themselves in the same situation as the deserter from the battlefield.
Death at the hands of Admiral Akainu, what a painful and pitiful death... They all had families, and if they were in the same situation, they might consider fleeing the battlefield.
But having a madman like Akainu as an admiral behind you, that would make them think a thousand times before retreating in fear.
"Damn it, why didn't I become a hunter... Why did I insist on joining this unnatural side... Why did I become a marine!"
"Shut up, someone might hear you, man, if you don't fear for yourself, don't you fear for your family?"
"And... I also regret joining the Marines..."
...
'Garp...'
Unaware of the thoughts of the ordinary Marines at that moment, Sengoku fell into contemplation.
Seeing Garp say these words renewed the feeling of pity in Sengoku's heart.
Despite everything that happened, Garp is still his friend deep in his heart.
•———•———•———•———•
Chapter's Events:
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"Gramps..."
Ace noticed his grandfather's arrival and him sitting beside him.
"What are you doing here, Garp? Do you have a complaint about my strategy?"
Sengoku narrowed his eyes as he watched Garp sitting there.
"No... those are pirates we're up against... I have no pity for them..."
Garp's response was clear and straightforward.
"Well, then..." Sengoku relaxed after hearing that.
"Oh, be quiet! I can at least... Stay here, can I!?"
Memories of Luffy and Ace's childhood flashed through Garp's mind.
"I have no pity for these knaves..."
"But I can't say the same for family…!!!"
"What do you expect me to do!!?"
"Damn you, Ace…!!! Why did you not live as I wanted you to!!?"
Tears welled up in the old man Garp's eyes, he struggled with the last words, tinged with regret and sadness.
"Gramps…!!!"
Seeing the tears of the old man deepened Ace's already deep wounds.
(Listen up, the two of you are going to be fine marine soldiers!!!)
These were the words Garp had always said to him and Luffy.
"If you try anything at this point, I will show no mercy, even for you, Garp."
Sengoku threatened.
"Hmph. If I meant to try anything, I would have done it long ago!!!"
Garp snorted in annoyance.
•———•———•———•———•
The winds were unusually strong in the Sorbet Kingdom in the South Blue, as if a storm was brewing.
However, most of the peaceful kingdom's residents didn't feel the bleak and violent atmosphere outside, as they enjoyed the warmth and tranquility inside the indestructible art store.
The art store was already known for being unaffected by the natural disasters around it, maintaining a warm and peaceful atmosphere inside at all times.
The beautiful and delicate store's goddesses moved between the tables, serving meals and drinks to customers who had big smiles on their faces.
Unlike the smiling customers, Garp, with his still black hair and beard, had a gloomy expression because of the manga events.
"Damn it... just do something and save your grandson already, why cry like a child!?"
"If that damn Sengoku dares to stand in your way, just kick his butt, it's not like it's the first time you've done it anyway."
Angred, the memories from his youth flashed through Garp's mind, when his day wouldn't go well if he didn't kick Sengoku's butt at least once a day. If not for Tsuru sometimes intervening to prevent him from beating him up even more, he would have sent him to the hospital.
Dragon looked at his sorrowful father and shook his head with regret. "It's not like he'll listen to you... don't you see that? He's already made up his mind..."
"He said if he wanted to do something, he would have already done it a long time ago, which means the old geezer in the manga has completely surrendered to his fake justice."
With a mocking smile on his face, Dragon continued, opening his arms as if welcoming his father for the first time.
"This father sitting there next to his grandson without the ability to do anything but cry, I've always hated him after being a big admirer..."
"This is the famous and legendary Marine hero... the world will now know that he's just an empty shell, unable to even save his grandson, hehe~ what irony..."
"But this fate has given you another chance, father, you are now the father I always wanted."
"The Revolutionary Monkey D. Garp..."
Garp looked at his son, who seemed proud of him in this moment, nodded, and smiled. His hand formed a dark black fist that made Dragon tremble instinctively.
"Lucky for ya, we're inside, or else you would have tasted the punch of love once again... this time its taste will be unmatched, Buwahahaha!"
(Author's note: People inside the art store cannot be harmed.)
...
"When... when will it be!? Hiihaa! When will we reach this war! Come on, faster!"
Ivankov was eager to see their ship arrive at the battlefield, which had already crossed through the Gates of Justice for some mysterious reason.
"The moment of arrival is a crucial turning point in this war..." Crocodile spoke with a rough voice, trying to imitate his anime counterpart, unfortunately, being still young, he hadn't developed that wonderful voice yet.
"N-fufufu... indeed, you're right, because I, Ivankov-sama, queen of Kamabakka and miracle maker, am on that ship!"
Ivankov proudly praised himself.
"Trash like you can change what's between your legs from negative to positive, it won't have any impact on the war, the reason for the turning point in such a war is my arrival, Sir Crocodile of course."
"That's if your arrogant counterpart removes the idea of targeting Whitebeard's head," Little Bonney said with clear annoyance in her voice.
"Hmm? Come here, little girl, make me older, I want to kick this annoying bastard's ass."
...
"Family is indeed something else..."
In Baterilla, Roger echoed Garp's words in the manga with a slow pace.
"Sorry, man, seems like my counterpart caused you a big setback... taking care of Ace wasn't something you had to do... now that he's grown up and become part of your family... this emotional agony you're feeling now is the price for taking care of my son all these years."
A tear fell from both Roger's and Rouge's eyes in astonishment... Garp crying in the manga for Ace made them feel like their hearts were breaking.
It had affected them deeply; this man had taken excellent care of their child, going to great lengths to protect him and prevent him from becoming a pirate just to survive... He also considered Ace his family.
"We can't ask for much... Garp." They said.
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Upcoming chapter titles (spoilers):
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Chapter 703: Marine Strategy. Luffy's Big Entry!
Chapter 704: Strawhat Luffy is here!
Chapter 705: Reactions from Everywhere.
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