On the deck of the dog-headed warship, the salty air whipped against their faces. Roy stood at the bow, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the ship's railing, his gaze as sharp as a blade cutting through the churning sea horizon.
"Old Man Garp," he said suddenly, his voice rising above the roar of the waves, "can you make this ship go any faster?"
Garp, who was stuffing rice crackers into his mouth, paused, crumbs scattering onto his cape. "Hm?" The old man turned his head, his cheeks puffed out, his wrinkled face full of confusion. "The ship is already at full speed. What's wrong?"
Roy looked towards the horizon, where ominous dark clouds were gathering.
"Every minute we delay," his throat tightened, "more civilians could be swallowed by pirate cannon fire."
Garp's chewing slowed. He narrowed his eyes, staring at the boy who usually had a goofy smile but now had a serious look in his eyes. The bag of rice crackers crinkled in his hand. Suddenly, the old man burst out laughing, a laugh so loud it sent the seagulls on the mast scattering in fright.
"Good kid!" He ripped off his cape and threw it to his subordinate, the muscles under his floral shirt bulging into exaggerated arcs. "Then let me show you how I used to chase Roger all over the seas!"
As he spoke, the deck planks groaned under the strain. He turned, bent his knees slightly, and drew back his right fist, veins popping!
"Hold on tight, kids!"
"BOOM!!!"
Garp's fist slammed into the stern of the dog-headed warship. The terrifying impact sent the entire vessel shooting forward like a cannonball. The sea was split open, leaving a massive wake. The wind roared into their ears, nearly tearing the soldiers' eardrums.
"Waaahhh! Vice Admiral Garp! The ship is going to fall apart!!"
"Cover your ears!!"
The Marine soldiers clung to the railings, their faces pale.
But Garp laughed like thunder. "Don't worry! My warship was specially built. It's very sturdy!"
Roy stood at the bow, his black hair flying in the wind, his Observation Haki already extended to its limit. Five kilometers away, in the Oykot Kingdom, the screams, the cries, the crackling of flames—all of it entered his ears with perfect clarity.
They were cries of despair, a cold-blooded scene that no "simulated pirate subjugation" in the training camp could ever teach.
(So this... is what real pirates are like? The idealized version in the anime was a lie...)
A murderous intent rose from the bottom of his heart. Roy's pupils constricted, his fists slowly tightening.
Garp walked over to him, raising a large hand as if to pat his shoulder. After all, it was a 12-year-old boy's first time facing a real, bloody battlefield. It was natural to be shaken.
But Roy's gaze was colder than a blade of wind.
"Old Man Garp, I'm going ahead!"
Before he finished speaking—
"Swish!"
His figure vanished from the spot.
Garp's hand froze in mid-air. He was stunned for a moment, then a wide, hearty smile spread across his face. "This kid... he's already a qualified warrior."
He turned his head, his eyes sharp. "Full speed ahead! Prepare to suppress the pirates!"
Oykot Kingdom, the burning streets.
The houses on both sides of the street were engulfed in flames, their charred wooden beams breaking and emitting a choking smoke.
"Hahaha! Kill all these weaklings!"
"Don't spare the women and children!"
The pirates brandished their swords, their eyes savage.
The streets were littered with the bodies of civilians, blood flowing like rivers. The pungent, metallic smell stung Roy's nose.
"Swish!"
A black shadow flashed by. A pirate froze instantly, a line of blood spraying from his throat as he fell to the ground with a look of terror.
"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"
"Where?! I can't see him—Ah!"
"Swish!"
Roy's figure moved like a phantom. Every appearance was accompanied by a precise punch. A "Teleport: Finger Pistol" pierced a throat; a "Teleport" flash to the back, and an Armament-coated fist shattered a skull.
Blood splattered on his cold face, but Roy paid it no mind.
(This pirate scum... they don't even deserve to be called human!)
His pupils shrank, his cold killing intent transforming into Armament Haki coating his fists. "Teleport: Barrage Finger Pistol!"
"BANG! BANG! BANG!"
Three thunderclaps seemed to sound in the air. Three pirates fell instantly, without even time to scream.
In the distance, a sword-wielding pirate's eyes widened, and he trembled. "M-Monster..."
The next second, Roy's figure flashed suddenly, afterimages spreading across the battlefield like the judgment of a death god.
Under the flames, his silhouette was cast on the street, like a lone hunter. He slowly exhaled, his eyes terrifyingly cold.
Suddenly, his Observation Haki caught the faint sound of a baby's cry.
Roy's pupils constricted.
*(That sound...?!)
At the corner of the street, under the rubble, a blood-soaked Bell-mère was leaning against the broken stones, her arms wrapped tightly around two little girls—the short-haired Nojiko and the infant Nami.
Her Marine uniform was soaked in blood, her left arm twisted at a grotesque angle, but her eyes were still firm. "Don't be afraid..."
Three pirates approached with cold smiles. "What a touching scene. Too bad... you all have to die!"
Bell-mère gritted her teeth and, with her last ounce of strength, raised her pistol—
"BANG!"
One pirate fell, but the remaining two were already charging with their swords raised.
"Die!"
The glint of a blade, the cold killing intent, rushed towards them.
Bell-mère closed her eyes, holding the two children tightly in her arms.
"CLANG—!!"
The explosive sound of metal on metal suddenly rang out, sparks flying!
Bell-mère's eyes shot open. A tall, black-haired boy was standing there, catching the descending blade with one hand, Armament Haki climbing up his arm.
"Your rampage ends here."
The boy's tone was flat, but it carried an undeniable authority.
"Swish! Swish!"
Two afterimages flashed. With two sharp CRACK sounds, the necks of the two pirates were precisely broken by a hand-chop at almost the same instant, blood spraying.
Roy turned and looked at the dying Bell-mère and the two tear-streaked little girls. His voice softened slightly. "It's alright now."
Bell-mère managed a weak smile. "Th... Thank you..." Her consciousness began to fade, and her body slumped.
Roy quickly knelt down, his hands swiftly checking her injuries. (Excessive blood loss, broken ribs, fractured left arm... but she can be saved!)
Without hesitation, he tore off his own shirt and quickly bandaged her wounds to stop the bleeding, comforting Nojiko in a low voice, "Don't be afraid. I'm a Marine. You'll be okay."
Nojiko clung to the unconscious Bell-mère, tears streaming down her face.
Roy patted her head and nodded with a smile. "Don't worry."
He looked up towards the end of the street, his eyes turning cold.
(I have to find the medical team!)
Garp's warship finally arrived. At the port, the bodies of pirates were piled up like trash.
Roy was half-kneeling beside Bell-mère, his hands still gripping the blood-soaked bandages. Beside him were the two children, clinging to their mother.
Garp strode over, frowning. "What's the situation?"
Without looking up, Roy said calmly, "She's lost a lot of blood. She needs a transfusion immediately."
Garp saw the Marine insignia on Bell-mère's chest, and his eyes instantly turned sharp. "Medical team! Now!"
The medics rushed over and placed Bell-mère on a stretcher. Nojiko, holding Nami, followed behind, her face wet with tears.
Just as Roy was about to stand up, Garp suddenly placed a hand on his shoulder.
"You did well, kid."
His voice was unusually serious. "Your first real battle, and you saved a comrade and civilians... You're worthy of being my disciple."
Roy shook his head, his eyes showing a hint of self-blame. "I wasn't fast enough... If I had been a little faster..."
Garp laughed heartily and vigorously ruffled his black hair. "Don't be greedy! To be able to do this at twelve, you're already better than I was back in the day!"
Roy's hair was a mess from the ruffling. He smiled helplessly, but his gaze couldn't help but follow the departing stretcher with Bell-mère and the two children.
(Nami and Nojiko... Will the course of their destiny be changed?)
Night fell, and the fires gradually died down. In the temporary medical tent, Bell-mère was out of danger. Nojiko, with Nami, was slumped by the bed, tightly holding her hand, their small bodies huddled together.
Roy stood at the entrance, watching this scene quietly, his expression stirred.
Garp walked over, munching on rice crackers. "What, can't bear to leave?"
Roy spoke softly. "What will happen to them... now?"
Garp shrugged, a hint of warmth in his expression. "That female Marine is a key member of the local garrison. After she recovers, she'll probably continue her service. As for those two little ones..." He glanced at the red-eyed Nojiko and suddenly grinned. "Why don't you adopt them?"
Roy was speechless. "I'm only 12 myself..."
Garp laughed like a chipmunk. "Just kidding! Don't worry, I've already made arrangements. Once Bell-mère recovers, her family can live in the Marine family residential area."
Roy nodded, letting out a long sigh of relief, and turned to walk out. "I'm going to clean up the remaining pirates nearby."
Garp watched his back, his gaze deep. He said softly, "This kid..."
-------
Enjoying the story? Support the author and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!
Find me at My : pat*eon*com/RuneA
I, Herta's Fiancé, the Universe's Number One Male Fist (56 Chapter)
Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Succubus in Sixth Street (164 Chapter)
Reborn in Type-Moon, My Sister is Aoko Aozaki (170 Chapter)
MyGO!! A Story Voiced by Me (60 Chapter)
BLEACH: Blade of Purification (50 Chapter)
Konoha: Starting the Game as Yoriichi (217 Chapter)
My Real Job is Spying on Konoha, but I'm Also its Hokage (60 Chapter)
The Pinnacle of the Navy! Starting from Being Captured by Garp (30 Chapter)
Watching Yu-Gi-Oh! short videos is making the veteran players lose...(30 Chapter)
If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.