Takumi knew enough about Garp to understand one thing: this guy wouldn't just casually invite someone to join the Marines unless he saw something exceptional in them.
But today was the first time they'd met. They hadn't even exchanged more than a few words.
And yet, Garp had told him to "think it over."
What exactly was there to think about?
Takumi didn't mince words: "No need to think. I'm not interested."
"Ha ha ha!" Garp laughed heartily. "You're not planning to join Shanks' crew, are you?"
Shanks?
Takumi shot him a surprised look.
How did Garp know he was acquainted with Shanks?
Was it that phone call last time? Did Shanks tell him?
No, that didn't add up.
Shanks wasn't the kind of person to do that. The more likely scenario was that this old fox had figured it out on his own.
Typical Garp...
Takumi didn't directly answer Garp's question and instead said calmly, "I'm just a traveler."
"Really?" Garp paused for a moment, then burst into laughter, pounding the table. "Ha ha ha, a traveler, you say? You're just a kid! What kind of future does that hold? Joining the Marines is much better. I've got two grandsons—one a bit younger than you, the other around your age. You three could join the Marines together, uphold justice, and keep the seas safe!"
Garp was referring to his grandsons, Luffy—his biological grandson—and Ace, the son of the former Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. Very few knew about Ace's lineage.
Garp had always wanted both Luffy and Ace to become Marines, but they ended up as infamous pirates, much to Garp's frustration.
But no matter what Garp said, Takumi wasn't about to change his mind.
"Not interested," Takumi replied as he placed the money for his meal on the table.
Without another word, he headed for the spiral staircase leading to the second floor.
As he approached, a couple of chefs carrying trays of food crossed his path.
Noticing Takumi's intent to go upstairs, they immediately moved to stop him.
"Hey, kid, you're heading the wrong way. The exit's over there," one said.
"The upstairs is off-limits—just kitchens and private rooms. If you want to order more food, just shout," the other added.
Takumi had no patience for this.
Perfect time to test out Shunpo.
In the blink of an eye, he moved swiftly past the chefs, who were left standing there, confused.
"Where did the kid go?" one asked, bewildered.
"No idea. He was right here, and then… gone," the other replied.
Takumi's movement didn't go unnoticed by Garp. Though he had his doubts about Takumi's abilities, that burst of speed caught his eye. He slowed down, savoring his dessert as he watched.
This kid was something else.
"Interesting… very interesting," Garp muttered with a grin as he continued eating.
Within seconds, Takumi reached the room where Zeff was working on the accounts.
Sensing someone at the door, Zeff looked up.
It was a kid he had never seen before.
"This isn't a place for you, kid. Get back downstairs," Zeff said, returning his focus to his work.
A moment passed, and when Takumi didn't move, Zeff slammed his pen down in frustration.
"Hey, didn't you hear me?"
As he spoke, Zeff's thick mustache twitched comically. Despite his current occupation, Zeff was once a ruthless pirate. After surviving a harrowing ordeal with Sanji that nearly starved them to death, he decided to open a sea restaurant. While his demeanor softened over the years, his temper remained fiery.
Takumi stood silently, still saying nothing.
Suddenly, the sound of hurried footsteps echoed down the hallway.
Sanji spotted Takumi standing outside Zeff's room from a distance.
"That's the guy from the restaurant. What's he doing here?" Sanji thought to himself, puzzled, as he quickened his pace. He reached out to push Takumi aside but was surprised when Takumi sidestepped so quickly that he couldn't touch him.
"What a weirdo," Sanji muttered under his breath before shouting at Zeff, "Old geezer! When are you going to teach me how to cook? I'm sick of doing all the grunt work!"
Zeff frowned, getting up from his desk.
"Brat!" Zeff shouted, swinging his prosthetic leg at Sanji, sending him flying down the hallway. "With that attitude, you're not even close to being ready! Get back to work!"
Zeff's leg was lost in the same incident that had nearly cost them their lives—he had sacrificed it to save Sanji.
"Damn it!" Sanji growled as he picked himself up from the floor, frustration boiling over. "When am I going to be good enough to learn how to cook?"
"Hey!" Zeff ignored Sanji and turned his attention to Takumi. Without hesitation, he launched a kick at him. "And you! Had enough of the show? Get back to the restaurant!"
As Zeff's prosthetic leg shot toward him, Takumi swiftly used Shunpo, easily dodging the attack.
Zeff's eyes narrowed in surprise, but he quickly pressed on, launching a series of attacks.
Takumi continued to evade using Shunpo.
At level 1, Shunpo was just enough to avoid getting hit. If Zeff had put a bit more effort into it, he might have actually landed a blow.
Zeff wasn't called "Red-Leg" for nothing—his leg skills were top-notch.
"Oh? You've got some moves, kid!" Zeff smirked, his aura intensifying as he increased his speed.
Takumi didn't want to fight, but being pushed to this point left him no choice.
Seeing that he couldn't dodge Zeff's next attack, Takumi decided it was time to change tactics. He activated his Armament Haki, hardening his hand just as Zeff's kick came in.
He caught Zeff's prosthetic leg mid-attack and, using the force of Zeff's momentum, spun him around before hurling him into the nearby wall.
With a loud crash, Zeff smashed through a wooden partition and landed back inside his room.
Sanji, watching from a distance, couldn't believe his eyes. "No way… The old man got taken down by a kid my age?"
"Damn it!" Zeff grumbled as he climbed out of the debris, glaring at Takumi. "Kid, you wrecked my ship!"
Takumi shrugged. "Self-defense. Not my problem."
"Self-defense, my foot! You're paying for the damage!" Zeff snapped.
Takumi remained unfazed. "How much?"
Zeff's eyes narrowed as he spat out the amount, "Ten thousand Berries!"