That day, Arima's ship was sailing toward the East Blue when the weather suddenly turned violent.
A fierce storm rose, waves towering high as the Konoha Senju was tossed around like a leaf in the ocean, seemingly on the verge of being flipped over and shattered against the crashing surf.
Arima had no choice but to muster all his strength, while everyone else worked together, bracing the ship as they struggled toward the nearest island.
The crew's predicament was partly due to their skinny navigator, whose knowledge of sailing was rather shallow. He hadn't been able to predict the sudden change in weather.
Before the might of nature, human power was still minuscule.
When the sea revealed its true force, people often felt a mix of fear and awe at the rare, overwhelming spectacle, a reverence for the ocean etched deeply into their hearts.
Fortunately, luck favored Arima and his companions. After smashing through one wave after another, they finally reached the port of a nearby island, deciding to dock and rest for the night.
But as soon as they secured the ship, they saw a large group of Marines gathered on the dock.
At their head stood an elderly man in his sixties, his hair short and white, yet his spirit sharp and vigorous.
While Arima and his family observed the Marines with interest, Vice Admiral Garp had already fixed his gaze on the young man standing at the front of the group.
Unfazed, Arima calmly led his family down the gangplank.
Just as he passed by, the old man stepped forward and blocked his path.
"You're Arima of Konoha, aren't you?!"
Standing firm in their way, Garp studied the youth before him with a level, steady gaze.
"Monkey D. Garp, Vice Admiral of the Marines, one of the Navy's strongest forces. I've long heard of your name. May I ask why you've stopped us?"
"Bwahaha! Not bad, brat. Even knowing how much I despise pirates, you stand in front of me.
Good! Though you caused no small amount of trouble back in Kano, I can tell you still carry a sense of justice. You'd make fine Marine material! Come, join me in carrying out justice!"
Garp's voice brimmed with anticipation. To him, Arima's rejection of piracy and his disdain for their actions aligned well with the Marines' sense of justice.
"No. In the end, the Marines serve the World Government and, above all, the Celestial Dragons. I won't live under those shackles."
Arima refused decisively.
"You should think it over. The benefits are good, and officers of Vice Admiral rank and above aren't bound too tightly…"
But Arima cut him off:
"And if the World Government one day ordered me to slaughter innocent civilians on an island, what then?
What choice should I make in that moment? Our paths are different, and we cannot walk together. Thank you for your kindness… but farewell, Vice Admiral Garp!"
With another firm refusal, Arima turned and led his family away from the port, hurrying into town to find lodging.
The storm was still harsh, and little Arata and Yuna were far too young to withstand the cold for long.
Watching their retreating figures, Garp's expression dimmed.
He murmured to himself, "So that's it… you must've already crossed paths with that rascal Shanks. Ohara… in the end, that was the Navy's mistake."
"Vice Admiral, should we report this matter to Headquarters?"
His adjutant hunched under the rain, stepping up beside him. In his view, such a dangerous man should be left for Headquarters to handle.
Garp shook his head. "No need. With me here, no one dares act recklessly. Stay out of their business, understood?!"
"Yes, sir!"
The adjutant saluted sharply, following the Vice Admiral back to their post. He admired Garp more than anyone, and with the man's terrifying strength, obedience came naturally.
That night, while wind and rain battered the world outside, peace and warmth filled the small home within, a sharp contrast that Arima cherished as he spent the quiet evening with his family.
The next morning, the rain still fell lightly, but the sea breeze had calmed and the waves subdued. It seemed they could set sail again soon.
Still half-asleep, Arima was stirred awake by footsteps downstairs.
Gently slipping from Tsunade's embrace, he kissed her softly before getting up.
Tsunade too had noticed the sounds below, but with Arima at her side, she had no worries. She simply stayed in bed, fast asleep after their closeness the night before.
Arima descended the stairs to find Garp sitting at the dining table, snoring with his head tilted back.
Taking a seat across from him, Arima snapped his fingers, jolting the old man awake.
"Mm… hah… ah! Oh, Arima, you're here!"
Still speaking, Garp shoved donuts into his mouth.
"Vice Admiral, what brings you here so early in the morning?"
"Nothing much. I never bother with trivial work, always leave it to the subordinates! That's the privilege of being a Vice Admiral. So, have you changed your mind?"
"Don't bother. My decision is final. …But since I've met the Navy's hero in person, how about tasting some sake from my homeland?"
From the Kamui space, Arima pulled out a jar of fine sake, one of the few Tsunade had brought from the shinobi world, and now almost gone.
"You're a mysterious one, brat… but never mind that. Good booze is all I need!"
Garp didn't press Arima about his origins. He could tell the young man's will was firm, and had no interest in forcing the matter.
Pouring a cup, Arima slid it across the table and asked, "So what's your real purpose here?"
"Nothing complicated. I just want to spar with you!"
Garp spoke as if it were the most casual thing in the world.
"A spar I don't mind. But I'll only use taijutsu. What I really want is to see the Marines' Rokushiki."
"No need to scheme. I'll just give you the training notes outright. I was going to use them to tempt you into joining the Navy anyway!"
Without hesitation, Garp pulled a notebook from his coat and handed it over.
Arima blinked, caught off guard by the man's straightforwardness, staring in silence for a few seconds.
"Won't the higher-ups blame you for this?"
"They can't control me. Besides, Rokushiki isn't exactly a secret. Plenty of officers have learned parts of it. Anyone determined enough could uncover the methods.
For you, it would just mean more effort. I might as well hand it to you directly. When the Navy is in trouble someday, you can lend me a hand. That's enough."
Garp calmly picked at his nose, unconcerned with Arima's worries.
"Then I thank you. I'll remember this favor. As long as it doesn't go against my principles, I'll gladly help the Marines."
"Good! You're a straightforward kid too. Come on, there's an abandoned training ground behind the mountain. Let's test each other there."
Nodding, Arima tucked away the notebook and followed. He was eager to gauge just how wide the gap was between himself and the strongest of this world's warriors.
Whether he could measure up, or fall short, remained to be seen.
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