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"Damn it, Ace! I almost lost another family member!" After enduring Garp's punch, Ace was met with a powerful, unyielding hug, the old man's choked sobs and unshed tears a testament to his relief.
At that moment, Ace's remaining strength finally gave way, and he collapsed weakly into Garp's embrace, gazing up at the sky.
Images flashed through his mind: Garp, Luffy, Sabo…
Despite the twists and turns of fate, he had found warmth and belonging. For the first time, he regretted his recklessness.
Garp had first met Sabo when Ace was seven years old. During a visit to Foosha Village and Mt. Corvo, he encountered the young boy who had befriended his grandson. Delighted by Ace's first real friend, Garp had welcomed Sabo into their lives. Sabo's polite demeanor had further endeared him to the old Marine.
Garp immediately incorporated Sabo into his rigorous training regime. Learning that the three boys had become close, even forming a bond of brotherhood, filled Garp's heart with warmth. He treated Sabo as another grandson. However, their happiness was short-lived. Shortly after Garp returned to Marine Headquarters, tragedy struck. A Celestial Dragon visited Goa Kingdom.
News spread of a child being attacked at sea. Garp was enraged when he learned that the victim was Sabo. Consumed by fury, he nearly stormed into Mary Geoise to confront the Celestial Dragon responsible for harming his honorary grandson, had Sengoku and Tsuru not intervened.
"Damn it, Ace! You pass right by your grandpa's workplace and don't even bother to visit!" Garp grumbled before departing, sounding like a lonely old man.
"Could I even go there?" Ace retorted. "I'm a pirate, and that's Marine Headquarters!"
After lecturing Ace, Garp, along with Ian and Issho, left Sabaody Archipelago. He believed he had taught his grandson a lesson. But was that truly the case? Of course not. Young people rarely learned from their mistakes.
They often mistook recklessness for growth, seeking out stronger opponents without truly understanding the consequences of their actions.
Aboard the warship, passing through the Gates of Justice, Issho was struck by the sheer scale of the structure. Though blind, he could sense the immense barrier that separated the two halves of the Grand Line.
The resources and manpower required to construct such a feat of engineering were staggering. This barrier had protected the World Government from countless pirates and criminals.
Garp grunted, a subtle tension filling the air. "Thank you for your assistance. Compared to you, that Kid Ace is a real handful."
Ian chuckled and shook his head. "Don't worry about Ace. We all make mistakes. Not everyone is lucky enough to have someone come to their rescue. You understand, Garp-san. Unless we overthrow the World Government, nothing will truly change."
"..." Even Garp, known for his thick skin, was taken aback by Ian's words. Even at his most rebellious, he had never considered overthrowing the World Government. He knew Ian wasn't just making empty threats. He truly believed it was possible.
"Speaking of Luffy, he should be nearing the age to set sail." Ian changed the subject, a subtle smile playing on his lips.
However, the mention of Luffy's name sent Garp into a fit of frustration. "That damn Brat?!"
"No, I need to take another leave and go back to East Blue to teach him a lesson!" Garp exclaimed, his voice laced with exasperation. Ian winced, offering a silent prayer for Luffy's well-being. But Garp's anger quickly subsided.
This was the second time he had helped Ace, and the second time he had engaged in a deeper conversation with Garp.
Perhaps there would be a third, a fourth…
"You're right. The Marines are striving for justice, but the World Government, those corrupt bastards… they're rotten to the core. That's why Dragon left. With his talent for Haki and the power of the Wind-Wind Fruit, he could have surpassed even Aokiji and Kizaru, perhaps even becoming Fleet Admiral. I understand his sense of justice now. This world needs a change."
"That's why your decision to become a Warlord was the right one, Issho. You're not bound by their rules." Garp addressed Fujitora.
"It's no different. I'm pursuing justice in a different way." Fujitora replied.
Ian gazed out at the vast expanse of the ocean, a complex emotion flickering in his green eyes. He shook his head and murmured, "With me in this world, the tragedies that shouldn't happen… won't happen. You can rest assured."
Upon returning to Marine Headquarters, they immediately reported to Sengoku. Doflamingo, bound in seastone shackles and unconscious, lay sprawled on the harbor, subjected to the jeers and insults of the Marines. Only now, with his powers neutralized, did these recruits dare to express their contempt.
Their admiration for Ian grew. While they had received reports of his exploits, witnessing Doflamingo's capture firsthand solidified his reputation. Tashigi, accompanied by her pet dog, basked in the envious gazes of her fellow female Marines.
"You've certainly caused quite a stir. It'll take a while for things to settle down. The enemies you'll face next will be even more formidable. Only the Yonko remain." Garp remarked to Ian during their journey.
"I wouldn't have it any other way. I've been waiting for this." Ian replied with a confident grin.
He had emerged from his battle with Doflamingo practically unscathed. Individuals in this world possessed remarkable resilience. Even ordinary humans could recover quickly from sword wounds, let alone Ian, with his 51% fusion rate and enhanced Hierro.
He could now withstand direct blows from Big Mom's iron skin and Kaido's immense durability. However, defeating them would require his second Resurrección and a 60% fusion rate. After all, they both possessed hidden reserves of power.
He now had a clearer understanding of his own strength. Having defeated Doflamingo in a fair, one-on-one fight, he had reached the level of a near-Admiral.
Ian had officially entered the upper echelons of power in this world. Though still at the bottom of that hierarchy.
"Do you have any idea what you've done?!" Sengoku roared as they entered his office.
Ian feigned ignorance. "What do you mean? I eliminated a treacherous pirate who, like Crocodile, sought an ancient weapon and even usurped a kingdom. By killing him, I've brought peace to the sea. Perhaps those five old geezers will even thank me for removing such a troublesome threat."
Sengoku bellowed in frustration. "Don't play dumb! Do you understand the gravity of a Celestial Dragon dying under the Marines' noses? I don't believe for a second that you weren't aware of the situation. You deliberately delayed your arrival, allowing Doflamingo to kill him!"
"Otherwise, why did you conveniently rescue Fire Fist Ace at the same time?" Sengoku gritted his teeth. While he, too, despised the Celestial Dragons, he was a staunch supporter of the World Government and would not tolerate any defiance against their authority.
The deaths of other individuals were one thing, but Doflamingo was a Warlord and a former Celestial Dragon. This was a complicated matter, and they were still awaiting a response from the World Government.
Ian casually cleaned his ears, his expression indifferent. "Have you become so comfortable as a lapdog of the Celestial Dragons? I won't tolerate such injustice. The Marines, in my eyes, are guardians of order in the sea, not servants of those conceited fools. If this is the kind of justice the Marines uphold, then I'll take Doflamingo's place as a Warlord and defect."
"You insolent Kid!" Akainu, who had been silently observing, suddenly erupted in fury..
"One Warlord less is no great loss. We can easily find a replacement." Akainu's cold declaration stunned Ian. He had almost misjudged his ally. He was curious about the source of Akainu's intense hatred for pirates.
"Have you all gone mad? I can't continue as Fleet Admiral if this is how you behave…"
Sengoku, channeling his frustration, erupted in a tirade. Akainu's response remained unchanged: "Then step down and let me take your place.".
Exhausted from their argument, Sengoku and Akainu sat in the office, massaging their temples.
"Well, it's come to this. We need to find a replacement for Doflamingo. He commited such heinous crimes. He deserves to die."
"I'll handle the World Government…"
Sengoku took a deep breath, his decision made. A cold glint flashed in his eyes. "Since things have escalated this far, we'll take advantage of the Donquixote Family's disarray. I'll dispatch Kizaru to eliminate them all."
"It's about time." Akainu interjected, curious about why Ian had refrained from killing Doflamingo himself.
It was because of his Celestial Dragon heritage, awaiting judgment from higher authorities. But this contradicted Ian's usual disregard for orders. Little did they know, danger was approaching.
With Doflamingo captured, the Donquixote Family, a festering wound on the world, had no reason to exist.
Kizaru was currently in the New World, not far from Dressrosa. He could certainly spare the time. The World Government's meager funding was a constant source of frustration. The gold offered by King Cobra of Alabasta had only partially alleviated their financial woes, preventing a catastrophic disaster.
But it was easy to imagine the apocalyptic scenario that would have unfolded. Garp remained silent, munching on his rice crackers. Sengoku turned his attention to Fujitora. Despite his imposing stature and numerous scars, his simple attire and blindness gave him the appearance of an ordinary middle-aged man.
"Are you sure about this recruit of yours? He seems… too compassionate." Sengoku expressed his doubts.
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