Being a double agent like Wood was bound to make enemies on both sides, but it also came with its own unique challenges. Typically, only the families of high-ranking officers were allowed to live in Marineford, and with Wood's naval identity being entirely hidden, Steia and Ain didn't technically qualify.
However, with the backing of Black Arm Zephyr, the Marine hero Garp, and the approval of Fleet Admiral Sengoku, moving Steia and Ain to Marineford seemed feasible.
"If we move to Marineford, would I be able to join the Navy?" Ain asked suddenly.
She had tried several times to get to Marine Headquarters through the local Navy branch but had always been turned away. Now, hearing that Garp could take them directly to Marineford, Ain's interest was piqued.
Even though she wasn't yet of age, Ain was no fool. She could tell from Garp's demeanor that he wasn't lying. Besides, if Garp really intended to harm them, Ain knew that no one here would be able to stop him.
Because of Wood's decision to join the Navy, Ain had spent some time researching its structure. Garp held the rank of Vice Admiral, and someone at that level could practically do as they pleased in the first half of the Grand Line. The highest-ranking officer at the local branch was just a captain, a rank that would be considered minor at Marine Headquarters.
When Garp heard Ain ask if she could join the Navy, he was overjoyed. He had been worried that because of Wood's situation, convincing Ain to join the Navy might be difficult. But to his surprise, she had brought it up herself.
Ain's desire to join the Navy had only just occurred to her. Before, she had simply wanted to go to Marineford to ask the Fleet Admiral why her brother Wood had gone astray. But now, with Zephyr inviting them to live in Marineford and Garp's surprisingly respectful attitude, Ain found the whole situation rather suspicious.
Wood had been Zephyr's student, and if Wood had betrayed the Navy, wouldn't Zephyr view him as a disgrace? Why would he be concerned about the safety of Wood's family instead? And why would a Marine officer like Garp, who had every reason to hold a grudge against them, be so polite?
Moreover, despite Wood now being a pirate, Garp referred to him in a familiar and almost affectionate manner. Everything about this situation felt off to Ain, making her think that there must be more to the story behind her brother's fall from grace.
She knew that as a nobody, no one would tell her the truth outright. If she wanted answers, she'd have to find them herself.
If joining the Navy was her way to Marineford, then she would do it. She'd work her way up through the ranks, and one day, she'd uncover the real reason behind her brother's betrayal.
"If you want to join the Navy, the usual way is through the annual recruitment process," Garp explained. "But if you want to join outside of that, you'd need a recommendation from a senior officer. If you're serious about this, I can recommend you.
"But how about you become my student? What do you say?"
Garp was clearly impressed by the spirit Ain had shown, and he saw great potential in her. As a Vice Admiral and a man known for repeatedly cornering the Pirate King, Roger, Garp felt confident that taking on a civilian girl as his student was well within his rights.
However, Garp's reputation as a "Marine Hero" didn't seem to sway Ain. She politely declined his offer, expressing instead her desire to become Admiral Zephyr's student, as he was the teacher of the brother she admired so much.
Ain's ultimate goal was to uncover the truth behind Wood's fall from grace, and she believed that Zephyr, as Wood's teacher, would hold key information. Zephyr's concern for Wood's family, despite his student becoming a pirate, was particularly strange.
To learn what Zephyr knew, Ain thought the quickest way was to become his student. She suspected that Garp might also know something, but Zephyr seemed like a more direct source.
As Ain weighed her options, Garp felt a wave of disappointment. He hadn't expected this. He thought he could get ahead of Zephyr and take Ain as his own student, but instead, she had chosen Zephyr over him.
Garp had to admit that Zephyr was indeed a formidable warrior, but if it came down to a fight, Garp was confident he could come out on top. As for rank—well, Garp was only a Vice Admiral, but he was sure he had more clout at Marine Headquarters than Zephyr.
Besides, Zephyr already had plenty of students, while Garp had never officially taken on a student before. By any measure, it seemed Ain would have more opportunities under his tutelage.
But Ain seemed determined to follow in her brother's footsteps and study under Zephyr. Garp couldn't help but feel frustrated. He had gone out of his way, only to end up as a glorified errand boy, running around to find another promising student for Zephyr.
Feeling downcast, Garp returned to his hometown of Foosha Village in the East Blue. With no outlet for his frustration, he decided to train his grandsons, Luffy and Ace, even harder.
Garp had high hopes for both boys. With their bloodlines, Garp was certain they were destined to become powerful figures on the seas. On this visit to Foosha Village, Garp had even considered taking Ace and Luffy to Marineford to train them personally.
But their identities were far too sensitive. Ace was the son of the Pirate King, Roger, and Luffy was the son of the Revolutionary leader, Dragon. Bringing those two to Marineford might be more trouble than even Garp could handle.
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P/S: If you are interested, you can read up to chapter 320+ at p@treon.com/Betek and change @ to a