"Yo, old man, how have you been lately?"
...
The first half of the Grand Line, Paradise,
On a battleship,
Marines were nervously standing guard and patrolling. Occasionally, members of CP dressed in suits passed among them. Amid all of them, one figure was leisurely lying flat under a parasol,
Next to the recliner, there was also a den-den mushi with a smiling expression.
On the other side, old Keek was sitting at his office desk,
"Not bad. With that brat staying by my side, I feel like I'm getting a bit younger~"
These days, in order to get old Keek's support to set sail, Monkey D. Luffy had always endured all the old man's demands without complaint, properly acting like a grandson,
And old Keek had been somewhat influenced by Luffy's spirit of risking everything for his companions, along with that endless energy of his,
Truthfully, he also felt a bit sympathetic.
He was exactly that kind of old man — sharp-tongued but soft-hearted. Otherwise, back then he wouldn't have picked Orin up and brought him home,
And for someone like old Keek, who admired the qualities of the strong, he indeed enjoyed raising monsters with great potential,
Luffy couldn't compare to Orin's absurdity, but his carefree nature and creed of "companions above all else" made Keek see many shadows of strong people in him,
His hands were itching.
"It's fine. I really approve of this kid. However… If it affects your matters, then forget it."
But speaking of that, he admired Luffy, yes, but if there were any conflict with his grandson, he would unconditionally take Orin's side,
After all, the opposing side had been wiped out by his grandson Orin.
"No… old man, as long as you're happy. I don't have any grudges against them anyway."
After all, more than half of that whole crew had something to do with him,
Even if they'd once said something about defeating him… have you ever seen an adult care about a kid getting mad?
There really weren't many things in this world worthy of Orin's anger or memory anymore,
If there had to be something,
Maybe it would be ruining his fun?
"I see… then I'm relieved."
Old Keek nodded. This way he had nothing to worry about.
He wasn't going to help Luffy solve everything, because after all, Luffy carried Orin's mark, but helping with a small favor was no big deal,
Like helping Luffy leave the country.
"By the way… I've been reading the newspaper lately. Is that incident at Marine Headquarters true?"
Changing the subject, old Keek recalled the newspaper and spoke with a heavy tone.
"Yeah, it's true."
"Then Newgate, he…"
"Most likely will die in this war."
"I see…"
Keek didn't say anything more, only nodded, his expression filled with emotion and reminiscence,
It really seemed like the era of their generation… was over…
He didn't chat more with Orin, because the other looked like he was heading to attend some meeting, so Keek reluctantly hung up the den-den mushi,
His short body jumped straight down from the chair,
Keek clasped his hands behind his back and headed toward another part of the royal palace.
There, Luffy was endlessly stuffing food into his mouth,
Noticing Keek's presence, he finally looked up,
"Oh!! Old man, is there anything else you want me to do???"
To set sail, Luffy had really worked like an ox for a long time, and old Keek truly approved of this kid now,
"Before that, take a look at this newspaper."
The old man flung the paper to Luffy, who picked it up curiously,
And his expression instantly changed,
"Fire Fist Ace Will Soon Be Publicly Executed at Marine Headquarters"
"Ace!!!"
"Yeah, who would've thought Roger's son would be captured by the Marines…"
"No!!! I definitely have to save him!!!"
Luffy immediately jumped up, but old Keek smacked him on the head with his cane,
"Idiot!!! Impel Down isn't somewhere anyone can just enter! Who do you think you are!!!"
"Then… what should I do…"
"The old man will help you!!!"
Though small in size, at this moment old Keek radiated immense presence,
Hands folded behind his back,
This was the confidence of a "King."
"Eh!!! Really!!!"
Luffy's eyes sparkled with worship, but then he grew doubtful,
"But… old man, you're just a king, right? Will the Marines really follow your orders?"
"Who do you think I am!!!"
Old Keek finally found a chance to show off, but this brat actually questioned him — he blew up in anger immediately,
"Guards, connect me to a World Government official with the den-den mushi!!!"
"Yes!!!"
Very quickly, a den-den mushi was brought over, and the other side answered right away,
"Hm? Who is this?!!!"
Spandine, who had gradually stepped down from his position yet still held considerable influence, received a call from a den-den mushi he hadn't remembered in a long time, and for a moment he couldn't recall who it belonged to,
"I am Keek of Duramos!!!"
Then came a round of negotiation. Keek earned visitation permission to Impel Down under the reason that he wanted to see the son of his enemy,
And of course Spandine knew how important old Keek was in the world's power balance, so he was willing to give face.
After all, it was just visitation permission — he still had that much authority.
"That's that!!!"
After finishing, old Keek hung up the call, looking so imposing that Luffy's eyes sparkled again,
"So awesome!!!"
"Of course! After all, my grandson is Orin!!!"
"Eh?!!!"
Luffy froze in shock, and also felt uneasy in his heart,
…
Elsewhere,
Marine Headquarters was urgently summoning all the Shichibukai.
"What's going on!!!"
"The Shichibukai aren't all here yet? We're facing Whitebeard here!!!"
"Those arrogant pirate bastards!!!"
Faced with the Fleet Admiral's fury, the lower-ranked soldiers could only tremble,
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the Vice Admirals have already gone to invite them. Most have agreed to come. Except… Jinbe the "Fish-Man" clearly refused!"
Hearing that name, Sengoku frowned,
"It's because Whitebeard protects half of Fish-Man Island, isn't it? Then throw him into Impel Down to reflect for a while — Orin-sama is also involved in this!!!"
In front of subordinates and outsiders, Sengoku was smart enough to call Orin "Orin-sama."
But he wasn't fully counting on these pirates anyway — the main reliance was the Marines themselves,
Over a hundred thousand troops, plus numerous officers and firepower!!!
…
Meanwhile, on the battleship heading for Amazon Lily, an uninvited guest suddenly appeared,
"Y-You… You're Orin-sama!!!"
"Relax, I'm just hitching a ride~"