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Hero?
What a magnificent word.
More often than praising the heroic deeds, people remember how the "Hero" met their end.
"Iron Fist" Garp has died, going to rest in the sea with the dignity worthy of a "Marine Hero"!
When the news spread, the whole world was shocked!
…
"So… what about the files I have here?"
"Just pretend it never happened..." Rowen puffed on his cigar, his tone calm: "That old asshole didn't disappoint us in the end. As for those mistakes, let the living not blame the dead."
Masked Zero remained silent.
This was against protocol!
But he knew Rowen didn't care. Zero could hear the resoluteness in Rowen's voice, a will of steel burning in molten lava, impervious to denial.
Right now, it was best to do as he said.
"Well… I'm currently without rank or office, why bother worrying about this?" Zero smirked and nodded.
"I understand. The funeral will be held in five days. If you're free, come and see him off."
"I will… Admiral Soryu (Azure Dragon)."
"Hm?"
"Take care of yourself!"
"Heh! No need for the obvious!"
…
New World, aboard [The Red Force].
The Red Hair Pirates were no longer their usual boisterous selves; only a deathly silence and heavy atmosphere remained.
The last battle had dealt a huge blow to Shanks. Though he hadn't been utterly defeated, the deaths of comrades like Beckman left him deeply shaken.
Cradling a bottle of liquor, Shanks sat on the deck, expressionless as he looked at the news report.
"Legend Falls, Hero is Immortal!"
"Drink less, Captain. This is not the time for us to exit the stage."
Hearing the voice beside him, Shanks was startled: "Ah, I know. Beck… Yasopp."
Both fell silent at Shanks' slip, and after a moment, Shanks took the bottle in hand and drank deeply. Then he looked into the distance and smiled.
"Farewell, Garp San."
"And then…"
Bang!!!
A heaven-shaking surge of Haoshoku Haki burst into the sky, dimming the world. Yasopp looked on in disbelief at the not-so-tall figure and whispered:
"Could it be, Captain, you...?!"
Shanks cracked a smile, turning to him: "Thanks to that kid, I finally understand what I've been getting wrong all along."
"What?"
"Inheriting a will isn't just about the next generation fearlessly taking the torch, it requires the predecessors to lay a solid foundation, carry the burden, and light the way!"
"I've been too passive, blindly placing my hopes only on Luffy, my supposed successor."
"So…?"
Yasopp nervously swallowed.
This Haoshoku Haki was different from Shanks' usual vibrant, domineering, and lazy aura, it carried the melancholy of a setting sun and an autumn desert wind. But no doubt, this man was… growing stronger!
"So…" Shanks grinned, grasped his famed blade Griffin, and smiled at the crew drawn by the Haoshoku tremor.
"Little ones, how about one last crazy ride with me?!"
"Yeahhhh!!!"
Looking at the newly radiant Shanks, [The Red Force] crew fell silent for a moment, then erupted in a roaring cheer.
…
New World, Unknown Sea.
[The Sunny] drifted in the endless sea. Nami angrily waved a newspaper as she climbed to the bow and said,
"Luffy, what are you standing there dumbfounded for? Give orders!"
"Even if it's too late in time, at least we can see him off from afar!"
"Nonsense! I told you, this ship doesn't go backward!" On the uniquely styled sunflower lion figurehead, Luffy's impatient voice rang out.
Just as Nami was about to smack her captain awake, she suddenly heard Luffy, voice, trembling with emotion, say:
"Because… That damn old man… taught me just like this!!"
"I…"
Nami immediately lost her anger, leaning on the rail, biting her lip.
Yeah.
Garp is dead, and the one most heartbroken is none other than Luffy.
Who was she to try and persuade him otherwise?
"So I will definitely find it, the ONE PIECE! I'll make my name resound through the seas!"
"Understood, guys!"
Luffy pressed his hat down over his face and raised his fist, shouting.
Seeing this, Zoro grinned: "Don't steal my lines, Captain. That's my goal too."
"Don't worry, Luffy, I'll make sure you become Pirate King! That's a vow made by your brave sea warrior, Usopp!"
"Me too, me too! Though I don't know what I can do, just leave the injuries to me."
"Let this super [The Sunny] I built lend you a helping hand, Captain!"
"I don't have a choice, because you said you'll only eat the meals I make."
"Heh heh heh, Luffy-san, I've already felt your determination. Please trust us!"
"Everyone…"
Hearing this, Luffy's shoulders trembled as he quietly said,
"Thank you!"
Robin stepped forward and patted Nami's shoulder. Nami's eyes reddened, and she hugged Robin, quietly sobbing.
While comforting Nami, Robin's expression grew serious: "But… this matter is full of holes."
"The newspaper only said that to protect innocent civilians, Garp San willingly let himself be controlled by the Gold Emperor to his death... But why did he go to cause trouble for the Gold Emperor in the first place?"
"Many major forces on the seas know that the Gold Emperor is an ally of the Marine Thunder God. After all, besides being a Marine, the Soryu is also one of the most influential tycoons in the world."
"If it weren't a matter of principle, Luffy, knowing your grandfather's character, he shouldn't have acted against the Gold Emperor."
"Ah, that's right. I noticed that too, Robin."
Luffy's voice grew cold as he said, "No matter what it is, I will find out the truth!"
…
Sea Calendar, Year 1522, December 17.
The legendary figure of the previous era, the "Marine Hero" Garp, was schemed against and killed by the "Gold Emperor" to protect more than 106,000 slaves in Golden City.
As the news broke, the whole world was shaken!
Countless civilians looked at the news in disbelief, unable to accept that this was real.
The legendary Monkey D. Garp, known as the "Marine Hero" who once cornered the Pirate King Roger multiple times, had fallen to an enemy's conspiracy?
For a moment, the Four Seas were stunned!
…
Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office.
"Answer me, Rowen! How did Tesoro learn about the destruction of the Celestial Dragons?!" Akainu's eyes were filled with murderous intent as he stared unblinkingly at the figure seated across from him.
Molten lava seemed to pour from his body, threatening to erupt at any moment. The atmosphere grew unbearably tense, no one had ever seen Akainu this furious.
Rowen remained silent for a long time, then crushed out his cigar.
"I told him…"
"I didn't expect his hatred for the Celestial Dragons to reach this level, spreading beyond the Celestial Dragons themselves to the world they rule…"
"So he wanted to spread this news to overthrow the world, and Garp discovered it and appeared to stop him… You think I'd believe that?!" Akainu angrily interrupted him, throwing a stack of documents: "Look at this!"
"This is evidence of your conspiracy with Tesoro to assassinate the Celestial Dragons. It happened just before or after Garp and Tesoro's deaths. Don't you think that's too much of a coincidence?!"
After a moment of contemplation, Rowen shook his head.
"I'd say the same to you, Fleet Admiral. Don't you think that's too much of a coincidence?"
"…I don't want to say more about that old asshole. I'm willing to accept any punishment!"
"CP0 has confirmed that the battle scars there were left by you and Garp. Do you believe I won't lock you up in Impel Down?"
"I believe it, but I have a clear conscience!"
"You…!!"
"Calm down, Akainu. Rowen has a point."
Advisor Tsuru couldn't help but speak up: "Besides, if there are things he doesn't want to talk about, we shouldn't press him."
"Everyone has their secrets, don't they?"
After a pause, Akainu somewhat calmed down and waved his hand.
"You must stay at Headquarters for now. Do not leave without my order, or else... you will be charged with treason!"
"Do you have any objections?"
Rowen gave a bitter smile and said simply,
"I do not. This is what I deserve."
(Author's note: Sorry for the huge brain explosion this chapter caused, but this is the protagonist background that Oda had set long ago, so it had to be written out… After this, it's pure pirate storyline, maybe some extras later, we'll see.)
(End of Chapter)