Two years later, at the Marine Headquarters supply department.
"Someone, go inform Corporal Ryu that the Sea-Prism Stone he requested has arrived!" The supply officer counted the inventory while addressing a nearby sailor.
"Yes, sir! It seems the Corporal wants to transform the prison on the general's ship into a Sea-Prism facility, right? I heard he brought back a Devil Fruit user from his last mission, soaking him in seawater. Some said it was inhumane, so his request was approved." The sailor inquired, bowing respectfully.
The officer shot him a glance and said softly, "Stop snooping, and get on with your tasks!"
"It's finally here!" Ryu, awakened from his training by the notification from the supply department, stretched and smiled.
"Corporal! The Sea-Prism Stone you requested has arrived. Would you like us to help install it?" a communications officer respectfully approached Ryu.
"Thanks, but I haven't had any missions lately, so I've become lazy. Just put everything on the ship for me!" Ryu replied, nodding with a smile.
"Understood! I'll take my leave then!" The communications officer bowed and left Ryu's small yard.
Now, Ryu's residence had transformed into an independent little courtyard, a place he had exchanged his contributions for.
"Hey~ Ryu, it's already noon; why haven't you cooked yet?" Garp bellowed as he entered.
Since Ryu got his own courtyard and began cooking, Garp had taken to showing up precisely at mealtime, claiming Ryu's solitary meals were too lonely, so he came to keep him company.
"Yeah, yeah, I'll get to it!" Ryu was too lazy to argue; Garp's audacity was impressive, showcasing their family's strong genes, much like Luffy in the anime.
"How's it going, Ryu? How did the girl I introduced you to turn out? Not bad, right?" Garp followed Ryu into the kitchen, asking with a sly grin.
"Are you even serious? I almost got beaten to death!" Ryu's expression darkened, clearly annoyed.
Garp, feeling guilty for imposing on Ryu for meals, had tried to set him up with a beautiful, kind, and strong girlfriend. The first introduction was to Hina, the officer from Ryu's first voyage. Beautiful, yes, but everyone in the Navy knew about Tina's relationship with Smoker. Even though they weren't together now, Ryu would never steal someone else's love.
After that misstep, Garp tried again, introducing another woman who frightened Ryu away with just her introduction.
Gion, a Vice Admiral at Marine Headquarters. Yes, you read that right—she was a potential future admiral and was currently a peer of Garp. She was also the sister of the Chief of Staff, Tsuru, who was not her biological sister but shared a sisterly bond.
Ryu suspected Garp hadn't shown up for a few days because Tsuru had probably given him a good scolding. Since she was a contemporary of Garp and the current Fleet Admiral Sengoku, if she stepped in, Garp would have no choice but to comply.
"Ha ha, I thought Gion was quite capable and beautiful!" Garp said with an air of self-importance.
"She's impressive, at least I can't beat her now!" Ryu rolled his eyes in response.
Both were highly admired figures in the Marine Headquarters; if Ryu dared to act out of line, he would surely face the wrath of their admirers. For instance, fellow Vice Admiral Tokikake was among GIon's suitors. With Ryu's current strength, a confrontation with Tokikake would likely end in defeat.
"By the way, did the Fleet Admiral approve my request for a post in the Grand Line? And could you please not pick your nose in the kitchen?" Ryu asked, glancing disapprovingly at Garp, who was digging away.
"Hmm? You submitted another request?" Garp exclaimed, suddenly serious.
"Yes! I seriously suspect you've been badmouthing me to the Fleet Admiral to keep me here cooking for you! So I snuck in and submitted my own request!" Ryu replied calmly, eyeing Garp's flustered expression.
"What? Not me! I didn't do anything!" Garp protested, but his face betrayed him.
If Ryu were stronger, he would definitely give this shameless old man a good beating.
"Kid, don't be so impulsive. What's the point of being stationed out there? It's much better to relax here at headquarters!" Garp said, flicking away a booger.
Seeing this, Ryu's forehead twitched in irritation, and he snapped, "Get out of my kitchen before I throw you out!"
"Oh, young people these days don't respect their elders!" Garp shrugged and left the kitchen, feigning innocence.
In truth, Ryu's training at Marine Headquarters over the past two years had benefited greatly from Garp's help. His physical skills had improved significantly, and while Garp never insisted on being called "Master," Ryu had long regarded him as such.
"Why are you making the same stir-fried chicken and Mapo tofu again? What happened to that sauerkraut fish you made last time? That's what I, as an old man, prefer!" Garp complained as Ryu served the food.
"Could you at least stop eating while you're complaining? It really undermines your point!" Ryu said, bringing over a third dish while watching Garp chow down messily.
"Ha ha, you'd be wasting your talent if you didn't become a chef! This food is delicious! After Sengoku had it once, he couldn't stop thinking about it, but he won't come over to eat out of pride!" Garp chuckled, sipping the drink Ryu handed him.
"The Fleet Admiral is a role model for the whole army; he's not the same as you!" After two years at Headquarters, Ryu's view of Sengoku and the Navy had changed dramatically.
During his missions, he hadn't been without failures; once, his superior was killed by pirates, and only timely reinforcements and his awakening of Haki saved him from dying at their hands.
Slowly, Ryu understood what the Navy meant to the world and why Garp hated the Celestial Dragons so much that he refused to become an admiral but stayed in the Marine. He realized why so many justice-minded officers continued in the Marine even after learning hidden truths about the World Government.
Because the world cannot exist without the Marines! The anime is told from Luffy's perspective, making it easy to side with the pirates. But in reality, Ryu felt it was more appropriate to call adventurers like Luffy and Ace rather than pirates.
Pirates are ruthless thieves who disregard others for their own gain, like Doflamingo and Crocodile.
"In a few days, I'll be on leave. Want to come back to East Blue with me? You're from East Blue too, right?" Garp asked casually after downing a cup.
"Hmm? You're going back to East Blue?" Ryu asked, bringing in the last dish of sauerkraut fish.
Knowing Garp loved sauerkraut fish, Ryu had naturally prepared in advance. Even if Garp could be unreliable at times, he had personally trained Ryu's physical skills, so Ryu held a deep respect for him.
"Yes. My little grandson has reached the age to set sail, and I'm a bit worried; I want to go see him." Garp nodded.
"Are you talking about Luffy? He's finally reached sailing age!" Ryu remarked, surprised.
After the Navy's failed invitation to Ace to become a Warlord, and then Ace joining the Whitebeard Pirates as their second division commander, Ryu realized that Luffy would set sail soon.
"Exactly! I can't let him set sail as a pirate! If it weren't for Shanks tempting young Luffy, he wouldn't be clamoring to become the Pirate King!" Garp's tone turned serious at the mention of Shanks, and an aura of authority leaked out.
Ryu smiled and refilled Garp's cup, unaffected by Garp's imposing presence; he was no longer that naive kid who first set sail.
"Since that's the case, I'll accompany you! I want to meet the little Luffy you always talk about. Besides, I'm practically his older brother now, right?" Ryu laughed, pouring himself a large cup.
"Ha ha!" Garp laughed heartily, downing the drink Ryu poured him, then silently began to eat, tacitly acknowledging Ryu's claim of being Luffy's brother.
Ryu sensed Garp was reminded of Ace. Recently, during a mission, he had run into Ace. Although they were on opposing sides, they had shared a warm reunion, reminiscing like old friends.
........
Started editing the chapters now for an easier read^^
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