"Luffy, you little brat, what your grandpa taught you is the best!" Garp yelled, though his concern was evident. From the way Luffy talked, it sounded like he was getting along well with those pirates, which at least assured Garp that Shanks wasn't some vicious criminal. But still, what was Shanks doing in the East Blue, attacking government ships over and over? The higher-ups were becoming increasingly unhappy with him!
And those uncultured pirates—what could they possibly teach his grandson that was any good? Garp grumbled, hoping Luffy wouldn't get too influenced. His Luffy was supposed to be a Marine!
Nearby, Sengoku had latched onto one key point: Luffy had already awakened his Conqueror's Haki. Such talent—no surprise coming from the Monkey family. Dragon was the same…
The thought chilled Sengoku. If Luffy chose the wrong path, all that accumulated power and potential across three generations could set the entire world ablaze. Sengoku couldn't imagine the chaos if Luffy veered into piracy.
The Navy… the Revolutionary Army… pirates. Three generations of kings—that would be too much.
Sengoku's estimation of Luffy's importance soared. They had to find a way to bring him back.
"A block of iron that just gets beaten up isn't cool at all. I want something more awesome! I know about things like Devil Fruits and Haki—they're super cool. Grandpa, I want that kind of power!" Luffy said, his innocent tone masking a genuine longing for something extraordinary. After all, every kid loves things that make them feel powerful.
"Luffy, those things are way too advanced for you right now," Garp lectured. "Why don't you just focus on practicing iron body techniques? Getting hit isn't a bad thing—it teaches you how to fight back!"
Luffy shook his head, unrelenting. "No way, Grandpa! I want to train in Haki! I heard there's an island full of ladies in the Calm Belt, and they all know Haki!"
"Hmph. Those weaklings on Amazon Lily? Even with Haki, they're still no match for a real fighter," Garp scoffed, recalling the women on that island.
"I want to learn! I want to learn! I want to learn!" Luffy's protest grew louder, forcing Garp to pull the receiver back from his ear.
"Haki is too weak if you learn it too soon! Come join the Navy, Luffy. There are plenty of cool moves here…"
"Then how about a Devil Fruit, Grandpa? I heard that if I eat one, I'll become super powerful."
Garp's face twisted in frustration. "Luffy, you idiot! If you eat one, you won't be able to swim anymore!"
"So what? I don't know how to swim now anyway."
"Ungrateful brat! Your grandpa hasn't taught you enough, huh? Not like Shanks, who's already taught you Conqueror's Haki…"
"Grrr! It's infuriating!" Garp clenched his rice cracker in anger, crushing it into powder.
"Shanks… that name sounds familiar?" The Marines around Luffy murmured to themselves, trying to remember who Shanks was. Since Shanks wasn't yet an Emperor, he didn't have a well-known reputation—just a former apprentice on the Roger Pirates, someone who hadn't made major waves on his own.
"Hey, Luffy," another voice broke in as the Den Den Mushi morphed, taking on the face of a bespectacled man. Sengoku had seized the receiver from Garp.
"Luffy, your grandpa only kept you from learning Haki because it's for your own good. Sure, the people on Amazon Lily know it, but they're still weak. Weak Haki is pointless," Sengoku said in a calm, reassuring tone.
"I just want a cool, mystical power! I don't care if it's weak. Even if it's only good for stunning fish, I'd still be happy."
"All right, all right. We'll make sure you learn it. And, Luffy, keep this Den Den Mushi. We'll stay in touch. Make sure you have my and your grandpa's numbers, then pass the phone back to the Marine next to you."
"Okay!" Luffy replied, his attitude shifting to one of polite obedience. He handed the Den Den Mushi to the nearby soldier, who could hardly believe he was holding it. Speaking directly to Sengoku? He was so nervous he could barely form words.
"Listen up, all of you!" Sengoku's stern voice commanded over the line. "Not a word of today's conversation leaves this room. I'll be speaking with your base commander directly. You're to forget everything that happened here."
Sengoku marked the base's location on his map. Shanks, what exactly are you looking for in the East Blue? He gathered up all the reports he could find about Shanks' recent movements, noting his seemingly random journey through the East Blue, disrupting government ships and seizing treasure and Devil Fruits.
That man is drawing too much attention, Sengoku thought. Perhaps… Luffy could keep an eye on him for us.
"Hey, Sengoku, don't corrupt my grandson!" Garp bellowed beside him. "I've got my own plans for him!"
"Honestly, Garp, you have no idea how to raise kids. Luffy's still young and curious. Letting him explore his interests now doesn't hurt; he could very well be a prodigy."
"Like you're any better with kids, Sengoku! I already raised a son!" Garp pointed out.
"…"
Sengoku looked at Garp with a deadpan expression. Let's not talk about that "son," shall we? The most wanted man alive, surpassing even the Emperors in threat level? Yes, you did a great job there.
"Have you ever told him about his father?" Sengoku asked.
"Maybe…? I don't remember," Garp replied, scratching his head.
Sengoku sighed deeply. "Honestly, Garp… no wonder you can't raise kids."
"Sir!" The Marines around Luffy saluted the Den Den Mushi, visibly moved by their interaction with Sengoku. With deep reverence, they removed the Marine insignia from the Den Den Mushi, restoring it to its standard form before handing it to Luffy.
Luffy looked at the respectful Marines around him, taking the small, cool Den Den Mushi in his hands, feeling its unusual soft and cool texture.
"Hey," he said, testing his newfound authority.
"Yes! Luffy-sama, what are your orders?" The Marines snapped to attention.
"I've got too much to carry. Get me a cart for all this," Luffy said, gesturing to his shopping bags. He decided to see if these Marines would actually obey him.
Already regarding him as Garp's successor, the Marines rushed off to fulfill his request.
So this is what power feels like… Not bad at all, Luffy thought, a mischie
vous smile spreading across his face, looking every bit the part of a future "D."
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