Chapter 6 – Grandpa Garp Returns
"Captain! Bad news! A Marine ship has appeared—and just like you predicted, there's a giant dog-head emblem on the bow! That means... it's your grandpa! He's really here!"
The round-bodied Tuan Tuan came crashing in like a cannonball, kicking up a cloud of dust. His chubby face was full of panic.
Pop! A snot bubble burst on Luffy's face as he shot awake, looking around with horror.
"Wha—?! Grandpa's back?! ∑(〃０Ο０) No way… seriously?!"
"Ugh, that stinky old man! Why now?!"
Ace grumbled, clearly annoyed. Garp's arrival meant only one thing—Ash would have to leave, and their Haki training would be put on hold.
"Haha! Looks like it's my time to go. Ace, Luffy, I'm off! See you in the Second half of the Grand Line! ∩_∩"
Ash laughed, waved to them, and leapt aboard the Smile. He wasn't yet strong enough to face Garp's "Fist of Love" head-on, so it was best to run for now. There'd be more than enough chances to meet again in the future.
"I'll definitely head to the Grand Line one day, Ash! Wait for me!" Luffy shouted with sparkling eyes.
---
Half an hour later...
Marine Vice Admiral Garp stormed up to Dadan's house with a stern expression. Without warning, he kicked the door open.
"Yo, Dadan! Got a few things to ask you!"
After a few exchanges and some useful information, he headed straight for the secret hideout where Ace and Luffy usually sparred.
"LUFFY! WHERE'S YOUR BIG BROTHER ASH?!"
Garp's voice boomed across the forest. He appeared right between the two boys mid-fight.
"Hehe, Grandpa, you're late. Ash already left! ꉂ(ˊᗜˋ*)"
Luffy grinned, earning himself a swift Bang! on the head.
"Owww! Grandpa, that hurts!"
Even though he'd tried using Armament Haki to shield himself, Garp's punch still broke through.
Was that just an illusion?! Luffy thought. His Haki was still too weak to block the old man's punches.
"So? What was Ash doing here anyway?"
"He came to teach me how to—mmph!"
Ace quickly clamped a hand over Luffy's mouth.
"He just came to check in on Luffy… on behalf of Dad. Then he headed back out to sea."
Ace spoke quickly. If Garp found out about their secret Haki training before they even set sail, he'd crush their pirate dreams in the cradle.
"Hmph. Every one of you is nothing but trouble," Garp muttered darkly. "Luffy, whatever you do, you better not become a pirate!"
"Tch! I'm not gonna be a Pirate but The King of the pirates, Grandpa!"
Luffy jumped up to challenge him. The two stood face to face, sparks flying as fists began to fly.
"I made a promise to Shanks!"
"Shanks again! You never listen to your own grandfather!"
Bang! Bang!
The sounds of their "family bonding" echoed over the hills. The fight between the Hero of the Marines and the future Pirate King was underway once more.
---
Out at sea, standing at the bow of the Smile, Monkey D. Ash breathed in the salty breeze.
The Smile Pirates had officially set sail.
Their destination? The New World.
It was time to recruit more strong allies, build power, and rise to the very top of the Grand Line.
The Smile glided across the vast East Blue, steady and confident.
---
The next morning…
In a quiet stretch of sea, Tuan Tuan's voice rang out.
"Captain! There's someone floating in the water!"
Ash paused mid-exercise and squinted at the waves. Sure enough, a person was drifting nearby.
"Bring us closer."
The Smile shifted course. Ash jumped lightly to the water's edge, grabbed the half-submerged figure by the collar, and pulled him aboard.
Ash's eyes widened.
"...Gin?!"
The man lay unconscious, battered by the sea. But there was no mistaking that face.
He was a legend—a loyal warrior once known from the Baratie Arc.
"Ack—cough! Water… water…"
Tuan Tuan rushed to get fresh water.
Gin gulped the water down like a starving beast. His body shook, but a smile formed on his parched lips.
"Thank you… for saving me."
"You're welcome," Ash replied calmly. "What's your name?"
"I'm Gin. I set out from a small town a few days ago, but our ship was ambushed by pirates. After fighting them off, I jumped overboard… but no ship passed by. I drifted until I passed out."
"My name is Ash—Monkey D. Ash. Captain of the Smile Pirates. We're heading to the Grand Line. Since fate brought us together... Gin, how about joining us?"
Gin blinked, surprised by the offer. But looking into Ash's calm, confident eyes, he nodded.
"Then please take care of me, Captain."
"And me! I'm Vice-Captain Tuan Tuan!"
The panda waddled up proudly.
"A talking bear?!"
"Pff, you've never seen a talking panda before? Get used to it."
"Alright, enough chatter," Ash laughed. "We're crewmates now!"
"And crewmates celebrate! Tuan Tuan, break out the sea beast meat!"
"On it, Boss!"
---
Smoke rose from the galley of the Smile as laughter echoed across the deck. The three new companions feasted together—especially Gin, who hadn't eaten in days. Tears welled up in his eyes as he laughed through bites.
That meal meant everything to him.
From that moment on, Gin swore loyalty to Ash. Even if asked to give up his life, he would do so without hesitation.
---
To be continued…