"It's not a big request. I just eat a lot now, so please arrange a special kitchen for me, Grandpa Sengoku," Chiba said.
Sengoku, expecting something more significant, felt slightly disappointed. "Is that all...?" He had hoped for a request that would deepen their bond. "Of course, I'll arrange that for you. If you need anything else, just ask."
"No, that will be all for now. Thank you, Grandpa Sengoku. If there's nothing else, I'll go back to my lab to continue my research on the liquid medicine."
"Alright, but remember to take care of yourself and rest when needed. Don't overwork, okay?"
"Yes, I'll keep that in mind," Chiba replied before exiting.
As Chiba left, Sengoku let out a sigh. There's still a distance between us, he thought. We've only met three times, and it's too early to expect complete trust or familiarity. But he knew he couldn't rush things.
Garp, observing Sengoku's expression, couldn't help but smirk. "Be honest, Sengoku. You're eager to make Chiba a Vice Admiral because you want him to become an Admiral and eventually succeed you as Marine Marshal, don't you?"
Sengoku met Garp's gaze directly. He knew his old comrade too well to hide his intentions. "You're not wrong. Chiba is committed to the Marines, has extraordinary talent, and has already accomplished two major feats. I'm confident he'll achieve much more. He's worthy of becoming Marine Marshal."
Garp scoffed. "You're just afraid he'll leave, so you want to build a team around him and use the promise of the Marine Marshal position to tie him down."
Sengoku, knowing his motives were transparent to Garp, nodded. "That's exactly what I'm doing."
Garp's face turned stern. "And you don't feel any shame for it?"
Sengoku's expression darkened. "Garp, don't you want Chiba to stay in the Marines? If he leaves, where will he go? To his father, to join the Revolutionary Army? Or follow his brothers and become a pirate?"
"With Chiba's immense talent, neither the Marines nor the World Government will allow him to leave. If he insists on leaving, the consequences will be severe—something I'm sure you don't want to see."
"Old friend, I may be using a few tricks, but it's for Chiba's own good. If he's calling me 'Grandpa,' it's not for nothing."
Garp remained silent for a moment. "Chiba is like me—he doesn't care about power or politics. Why not let him stay a Vice Admiral for life?"
Sengoku sighed. "If he had your strength, then maybe. But do you really think that's possible?"
Garp fell silent again. It was true that he once stood at the pinnacle of strength in the seas. Chiba was brilliant, but his physical prowess and potential weren't close to matching his own.
Sengoku patted Garp's shoulder. "I've already thought this through. We'll give Chiba a strong team. Aokiji is also your apprentice; he can support Chiba when needed. We can also bring Kizaru into his circle. That way, Chiba's rise to Marine Marshal becomes a certainty."
"At that point, no one will be able to touch him."
"And as for the day-to-day responsibilities of the Marshal, his team can handle them. He won't need to worry much about the tedious aspects of leadership."
"Wouldn't it be nice for him to have a long, peaceful career and eventually retire in comfort?"
Garp, hearing this, remained silent once more. Sengoku's words held truth. But he knew the life of a Marine Marshal wasn't always as peaceful as Sengoku made it sound. They were children of the sea, and the allure of the vast, unpredictable ocean was part of their very essence. Being confined to Marineford, even with the title of Marshal, was like being a canary in a golden cage.
Garp had experienced the thrill of the open sea, the battles, the freedom. He didn't want Chiba to be shackled by duty and responsibilities.
With a sigh, Garp left Sengoku's office and made his way to Chiba's lab.
"Grandpa, what brings you here?" Chiba asked, setting down the document he had been working on.
Garp glanced at Hina, who quickly understood the hint. "I'll go make some coffee for Vice Admiral Garp," she said before exiting the room and closing the door behind her.
Chiba smirked. "Grandpa, what do you need to tell me that you had to send Hina away?"
Garp looked at Chiba with a serious expression. "You brat, are you planning to spend the rest of your life cooped up in this lab?"