Luffy shook his head and grumbled, "No, I didn't kill it. How many times do I have to tell you, Gramps?"
Garp simply ignored Luffy's protests, slapping his back with a hearty laugh that nearly sent Luffy sprawling. "Hahaha… that's my grandson! You'll make a fine marine one day!"
Luffy's face contorted as he struggled to absorb the force of the pat, his teeth gritted in pain.
'Seriously? Are you trying to break your grandson's spine?' He thought, holding back a wince.
Despite the discomfort, Luffy managed to continue his conversation with Garp, adapting quickly to the bizarre reality he found himself in. It hadn't been long since his soul had been whisked into this world by a higher power, finding himself now as the grandson of this formidable old man with a goatee.
Garp, for his part, had noticed subtle changes in Luffy's demeanor but dismissed them, chalking it up to his imagination or the whims of a child's mind. The idea that his grandson's soul had been swapped with another was too far-fetched even for him to consider.
The pair enjoyed a hearty lunch, laughter, and banter filling the air as they ate their fill.
Garp laughed heartily, "Bwahaha… well done, Luffy! Not only did you survive in this jungle, but you managed to take down a beast on your first try. It's through this kind of training that you'll become a true marine."
"Yes, Grandpa," Luffy responded quickly, knowing full well that any hint of defiance might earn him a painful "fist of love." He nodded obediently, even if his plans were far from what his grandfather envisioned.
Deep down, Luffy was plotting. Joining the Marines, even temporarily, would provide him with invaluable resources and access to sensitive information. He knew that as the grandson of the "Marine Hero," he would be treated with a level of respect and privilege that few others could dream of.
It was the perfect stepping stone for what he really intended—to someday leave and carve his path as a pirate.
Garp's eyes widened slightly at Luffy's unusually cooperative response. This was out of character for the normally headstrong boy. Still, he grinned, placing a broad, proud hand on Luffy's shoulder.
"Looks like you're finally coming around, eh? Maybe you'll even surpass me one day!" He said with a booming laugh.
Luffy forced a smile, silently suppressing the sneer that threatened to show. The World Government and its higher-ups disgusted him, but for now, playing along was part of his strategy.
Once their stomachs were full, the pair began making their way out of the forest, exchanging stories along the way.
"So, what was the toughest thing you faced in there?" Garp asked, curious.
Luffy's mind raced, but he quickly came up with a plausible answer.
"Uh, there was this giant snake with eyes that glowed in the dark. It was fast, but I dodged and managed to knock it out," He said, putting on an air of excitement.
Garp chuckled, eyes glistening with amusement. "A giant snake, huh? Bwahaha… you're really shaping up to be fearless!"
"Yeah," Luffy said, trying to hide the boredom in his voice as he kept up the story. "It was nothing I couldn't handle."
They emerged from the edge of the jungle to see Garp's warship waiting at the shore. Its iconic figurehead—a massive dog's head holding a bone—loomed proudly over the water, flanked by bone-shaped booms and red-roofed doghouse-style cabins.
"Woah," Luffy muttered, even though he'd seen the ship before. Its size and unique design never failed to impress him.
Garp glanced at his grandson and grinned. "Come on, brat. Time to head back."
The two stepped into a small boat docked at the shore, and Garp, with surprising agility for his age, began to row them toward the warship. The rhythmic splash of the oars against the water was the only sound for a few moments until they were close enough for one of the sailors to toss down a rope ladder.
"Welcome back, Vice Admiral!" A sailor called out before spotting Luffy. "And good to see you too, Mr. Luffy!"
Luffy grinned, waving as he grabbed the ladder. "Thanks!"
As Garp and Luffy climbed up the side of the ship, a group of marines scrambled to haul the small boat on board and secure it.
Garp's voice boomed across the deck as soon as he set foot on it. "Alright, men! Now that I've picked up my grandson, set course for Foosha Village!"
"Understood, Vice Admiral!" A sailor responded, saluting smartly before shouting orders to the rest of the crew. "Prepare to set sail! All hands to their stations!"
The marines moved with the efficiency of a well-oiled machine, adjusting sails, securing ropes, and double-checking navigation charts. Luffy stood at the rail, watching the activity with a thoughtful expression as the ship's anchor was raised, and the vessel began to cut through the waves.
"So, brat," Garp said, sidling up next to him. "Ready for some more training when we get back?"
Luffy's eyes narrowed slightly, masking a smirk. "Yeah, Gramps. I'm ready for anything."
As the ship sailed toward Foosha Village, Luffy's thoughts churned with plans of his own. For now, he would play the role of the obedient grandson—but soon enough, he would forge a path that would shake the world...
Garp had just wrapped up a quick conversation with Bogard, his ever-reliable right-hand man. When he glanced over at Luffy, the sight of his grandson watching the sailors with such keen interest brought a proud smile to the old man's face.
'Bwahaha… maybe he has finally started to think the Marines are cool. Just wait, Luffy. I will train you to be an Admiral yet!' Garp thought, his chest swelling with pride.
Luffy, meanwhile, was observing every detail, mentally recording how the sailors worked with precise coordination. He wasn't interested in their discipline for the reasons Garp assumed—he was gathering knowledge for his own future plans.
"Grandpa!" Luffy's voice cut through Garp's musings, filled with genuine excitement. "Teach me some of those cool techniques the Marines use! I want to beat that tiger on my own, not just by luck next time."
Garp blinked a few times, surprised by Luffy's sudden enthusiasm. Then, his booming laughter rang out, shaking the deck. Folding his arms over his broad chest, he beamed at his grandson. "Bwahahaha… Good! That's what I like to hear! You want to rely on your own strength, huh? Great! I'll train you myself until you're strong enough to be an Admiral one day."
Luffy's excitement dimmed a little as he rolled his eyes, his face twitching slightly. "Grandpa, don't treat me like a fool. All you ever do is throw me into jungles or toss me down cliffs. If you really want me to join the Marines, teach me something useful. Otherwise, I'm not joining."
To punctuate his defiance, Luffy stuck out his tongue and crossed his arms, looking every bit the stubborn child.
Garp's eyes widened in disbelief before his brows knitted together in mock rage. Without warning, he gifted Luffy a sharp fist of love, knocking a yelp out of him. "What did you say, brat? You dare refuse? I'll give you another one if you keep this up!"
Luffy gritted his teeth, rubbing his head where the blow landed.
"Hmph! No matter how many times you try that, I'm not agreeing unless you teach me real techniques," He declared, sticking out his tongue again, defiantly.
Garp sighed, letting his hand fall as a grin crept across his weathered face. The kid was as tough as nails, just like him.
"Alright, fine. You win this round, brat. Since you're so eager, I'll have Bogard train you. We're taking a detour to the Grand Line before heading back to Foosha Village," Garp said, his voice booming. He turned to his aide. "Bogard, he's in your hands. Teach him well."
"Yes, Sir." Bogard's response was formal, and he saluted Garp before turning to Luffy with an expression that betrayed only a hint of curiosity. He'd overheard the exchange and was intrigued by this young boy's boldness. "Come, Luffy. I'll show you your room, and you'll rest today. Training starts tomorrow at first light."
Luffy shook his head stubbornly. "No need, Bogard! Let's skip the resting part and start training now. I'm not tired, and I want to learn."
Bogard paused, the corners of his mouth almost twitching into a smile. His eyes narrowed slightly in appraisal. 'Is he serious? He is just a kid, but that fire in his eyes… Maybe Mr. Garp was right about him.'
"Very well," Bogard said, motioning for Luffy to follow. "If you're that eager, come with me. We'll start with something simple to test your current abilities."
Luffy's eyes sparkled with excitement. "Awesome! I'm ready, Bogard! Don't hold back on me."
The seasoned marine led Luffy to a spacious area on the deck, a section used by officers for training drills. The salty sea air carried the rhythmic sound of the waves, and the sun cast a golden glow over the polished wood.
A few sailors paused in their work to watch, curiosity piqued at seeing Garp's grandson about to train with Bogard.
"Alright, Luffy," Bogard said, unsheathing his practice sword. His voice was calm but carried a tone of warning. "Show me what you've got."
Luffy dropped into a fighting stance, a grin splitting his face as his fists clenched. "Don't say I didn't warn you, Bogard. I'm tougher than I look!"
Bogard's lips pressed into a thin line as he shifted into position, prepared to gauge the boy's potential. Around them, the sailors muttered excitedly, exchanging bets and laughs.
Garp, watching from a distance with arms crossed, couldn't help the proud chuckle that rumbled in his chest.
'Show me what you're made of, brat.'
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