Aboard the Oro Jackson, the newly recruited apprentices, Shanks and Buggy, roamed the ship, filled with excitement as if they were in a brand-new world brimming with adventures.
The moment they spotted a Marine ship appearing on the horizon, their enthusiasm ignited, and they shouted at the top of their lungs, "Wow! A new battle with the Marines! This is going to be so much fun!" Their eyes sparkled with excitement as they imagined the opportunity to prove themselves in front of Roger's crew.
However, Rayleigh, who was quietly observing their childish reactions, stepped in to calm them down. He approached with a firm smile and directed a stern look at them, saying, "Calm down, there's no fight here. This isn't the battle you think it is."
He added while patting Shanks on the shoulder, "Garp and Roger have a different kind of relationship, not just the usual enmity between Marines and pirates. This isn't what you imagine."
Shanks and Buggy didn't fully understand Rayleigh's words, but they managed to calm down and continued to sneak glances at the approaching ship, wondering silently about the kind of relationship that didn't seem like the typical rivalry.
Everyone had heard of the infamous hostility between the Marines and pirates, usually characterized by relentless clashes. But the relationship between Garp and Roger was unique. It wasn't just about battles; it was a kind of rivalry filled with deep respect.
Roger appeared on the deck of his ship with a wide and radiant smile that seemed to erase all the fatigue of the long seas from his face. His presence was commanding, his bravery and strength reflected in his relaxed and confident stance, with his sharp, gleaming eyes.
Roger was the kind of pirate who possessed a heart unafraid of the unknown and a spirit thirsting for freedom. When he saw Garp from afar, he raised his hand in a friendly wave with that smile that looked like it was greeting an old friend.
Garp, who had just stepped out of the mess hall, found his soldiers lined up respectfully. He smiled and said loudly,
"There's no need for all these formalities. I'm just going to have a chat with Roger, and we'll set sail shortly!"
Meanwhile, Peter observed the scene from afar, unable to take his eyes off Roger.
This was the man who symbolized freedom and dreams, someone you wouldn't meet every day. To Peter, Roger was more of a legend than a mere human, a living icon standing before him now.
The ships drew closer until they were side by side. Garp leaped gracefully onto Roger's ship, greeted immediately by smiles and welcomes as if he were one of them.
Roger's crew was known for their friendly and cheerful spirit, with no hesitation in showing kindness to their captain's friend, despite the supposed enmity between pirates and Marines.
It wasn't a formal meeting filled with hostility but rather a friendly encounter between two men who knew each other well and held mutual respect.
Roger invited Garp into one of the rooms on the ship, where they sat and spoke privately, surrounded by an atmosphere of comfort as if two old friends were catching up after a long time apart. Meanwhile, Peter remained on deck.
Garp emerged from the room after half an hour, smiling as usual, and waved to Roger with a mischievous grin, saying, "Roger, we'll meet again soon... but next time, try to have your little crew toughen up! I don't want to worry about them being blown away by the wind in our next battle!"
Roger laughed heartily and replied with a playful tone, "Yeah, just make sure your sailors keep their helmets on! I've heard Garp's fist sends pirates flying faster than the sea breeze!"
Both of them burst into loud laughter, leaving the crew amazed and smiling, as such moments between two captains who only meet on the battlefield made any encounter between them unforgettable.
Garp grinned when he saw Peter standing there on Roger's ship, saying in a tone mixed with sarcasm and admiration, "Ah, it's you, you rascal. What do you want now?"
Peter responded with a calm smile, "As I told you before, Sir Garp, I'll be leaving soon. And it seems our paths diverge here... if Captain Roger accepts me as an apprentice on his ship." Then he bowed respectfully to both Garp and Roger, as if saluting two legends of the sea.
Garp watched him with a sly look, then said while shaking his head, "You know, Peter, you're overdoing the politeness! This isn't a royal theater, relax!"
Roger stared at Peter for a few moments as if weighing the audacity and spirit of challenge within this young man standing before him.
At just 21 years old, Peter appeared more mature than a mere apprentice, yet he also carried that look that showed an unbreakable spirit. Suddenly, Roger let out his usual booming laughter, while his crew exchanged looks of confusion and curiosity, silently wondering:
"Will he accept him? Or will he turn him away?"
Garp, sensing Peter's burning desire to join Roger's crew, decided to give him a small push. He leaned over to Roger and whispered in his ear, sharing everything;
about the chaos Peter had caused in Mariejois, the punch that took down a Celestial Dragon, his bravery, and the spirit that refused to submit to the enslavement of those arrogant beings.
The more Roger heard, the more his admiration for Peter grew, impressed by the courage of this young man who wouldn't accept injustice.
After Garp finished speaking, Roger laughed once more and addressed Peter in a challenging tone, "Alright, you can join my crew.
As an apprentice or whatever you want, but only if you prove you've got some fighting skills!" Roger laughed and patted Peter on the shoulder, wishing him luck before cheerfully bidding Garp farewell, leaving the air filled with laughter and smiles.
Peter stood there, stunned and overjoyed as if his dream had come true. Finally, he was part of the future Pirate King's crew.
Everyone welcomed him warmly; Rayleigh with his wise smile, Gaban with an encouraging grin, and even the little ones, Shanks and Buggy, ran over with childlike excitement, bombarding him with questions.
The ship's doctor also patted him on the shoulder encouragingly, and every member of Roger's crew welcomed him as if he had been one of them for ages.
Meanwhile, Garp returned to his ship, where some soldiers watched Peter bidding them farewell with a smile. They waved back at him, a hint of sadness on their faces;
Peter had quickly won their hearts and become a part of their daily lives. But deep down, they wished him the best in his new journey and soon began chanting his name as a final goodbye.
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