The morning sun glistened over the waves as Vice Admiral Garp's imposing ship docked at Cocoyashi Village. Behind it, a second ship held its position, flanking the first like a silent shadow. On the dock, Genzo and the villagers stood in tense silence, their eyes fixed on the Marines descending the ramp.
Garp was the first to step off the ship, his towering frame and cheerful demeanor clashing with the unease in the air. Behind him followed Gion, Bogart, Lieutenant Asta, and a handful of Marine officers. The villagers' gazes ranged from wary to outright hostile. Some clutched farming tools as if ready to defend themselves.
The air grew heavier with each step the Marines took. Garp, ever oblivious to tension, grinned widely as he scanned the faces before him. In contrast, Gion and Bogart moved with practiced vigilance, their eyes taking in every detail of the villagers' expressions. Asta, trailing slightly behind, sighed inwardly.
"This is bad," Asta thought. "The Vice Admiral won't like this atmosphere."
A Tense Exchange
Summoning his courage, Genzo took a step forward, his shoulders stiff. He couldn't shake the feeling that he had seen this large man before, though he couldn't place where.
"What business could you have in our village?" Genzo asked, his voice steady but laced with unease.
Garp chuckled, scratching the back of his head. "Oh, nothing much. Just thought I'd enjoy the beautiful scenery!"
Genzo's eyes twitched at the response, while Gion and Bogart almost stumbled in disbelief. Asta barely managed to keep his composure, silently willing the Vice Admiral to be more serious.
"Two ships just to enjoy the scenery? Who does he think he's fooling?" Genzo thought, but he merely replied, "Do as you please. Just don't cause any trouble."
Turning on his heel, Genzo began walking back toward the village, signaling the other villagers to follow.
The Villagers' Voices
The villagers murmured among themselves as they trailed after Genzo.
"Are we really letting them in?"
"Shouldn't we stop them? What if they're like the last ones?"
"We've suffered enough. Atharva's efforts would be meaningless if they're the same."
The last comment made Garp pause. He raised an eyebrow, glancing at Gion, who also appeared intrigued. Bogart, ever stoic, kept his face neutral, but his ears sharpened at the mention of Atharva's name.
"Interesting," Garp muttered, stroking his chin. "They hold that man in high regard. So he's left quite the impression here."
Asta, however, remained lost in his own thoughts, staring at the villagers. Their mixture of fear and defiance weighed heavily on him. The corruption in the Marines had scarred these people deeply, and he knew their distrust wasn't baseless.
Garp's Decision
Seeing the villagers reluctant to fully trust them, Genzo turned back and addressed them firmly. "I think these Marines are different. Let's go. We have work to do. Atharva wanted us to rebuild and develop the village. We can't waste time standing around."
The villagers hesitated but ultimately nodded, dispersing to their tasks.
Garp laughed heartily. "You've got a strong leader here," he said, watching Genzo walk away. "Alright, Bogart. Only you, Gion, Asta, and two officers come with me. The rest stay on the ship."
Bogart nodded and vanished in a blur of movement, reappearing moments later to issue Garp's orders. The remaining Marines remained on the ships, while the smaller group followed Garp toward the village.
Into the Village
As they walked deeper into the village, the sound of work filled the air. The rhythmic pounding of hammers, the shouts of workers coordinating efforts, and the hum of progress grew louder with each step. Garp, Gion, Bogart, Asta, and the two officers quickened their pace, curiosity piqued by the activity.
When they reached the heart of the village, they stopped in their tracks.
The sight before them was astonishing.
Fields that had once been barren were now teeming with crops. Newly constructed homes lined the streets, their walls freshly painted and roofs reinforced. Villagers bustled about, building what appeared to be the framework for a school. A small shrine stood at the center, its intricate carvings depicting what Gion recognized as a depiction of Lord Ganesha, surrounded by offerings of fruits and flowers.
Even Garp's usually jovial expression turned serious. "Well, I'll be damned," he muttered. "They've been busy."
Gion's eyes widened in disbelief. "This… this isn't just a village recovering. This is a village transforming."
Bogart remained silent, his gaze sweeping over the industrious scene. Asta, however, couldn't hide his shock. "This… was all inspired by him? By Atharva?"
The villagers, initially hesitant, continued their work despite the presence of the Marines. Their determination seemed unshaken, their efforts a testament to the hope Atharva had left behind.
Garp's grin returned, but this time it was different—less playful, more thoughtful. He crossed his arms and said, "Looks like this Atharva fella didn't just save them. He gave them something to fight for."
To Be Continued...