The name seemed to strike Garp like a stone to the chest. For once, the old man's booming confidence faltered. His eyes narrowed, studying Tessal more carefully, as if searching for proof of what he'd just heard.
"Albert…" Garp muttered, voice losing its usual thunder. "So you're that man's boy." He let out a low grunt, almost thoughtful, almost troubled.
Ace blinked, taken aback. "You… actually know him?"
"'Know him,' huh…" Garp's jaw tightened. "Your father's not just some tinkerer. Albert's one of the sharpest minds the Navy's ever pulled in. His machines have saved lives—and nearly blown up half the damn base more than once." For a moment, the hint of a grin tugged at his mouth, but it vanished as quickly as it came.
Tessal's chest swelled with pride. "Then you do know him! He's not just some scientist—he's brilliant! He told me someday his work would change the world!"
But Garp didn't return the boy's excitement. Instead, his gaze grew heavy, unreadable. "Brat… if Albert's your father, then you being here is a bigger problem than you realize."
That caught everyone off guard.
"What do you mean by that?" Ace demanded, stepping in front of Tessal defensively.
Luffy tilted his head again, his curiosity piqued. "Yeah, Gramps, why's it a problem? Tessal's nice!"
Garp folded his arms, shadow swallowing the boy whole. "Because the Navy doesn't take kindly to their assets going missing… and if they find out Albert's son is running around these seas, you'd better believe there'll be hell to pay."
The silence stretched, heavy as an anchor. Tessal shifted uneasily under Garp's gaze, the pride in his voice dimming into doubt.
"W-what do you mean, 'hell to pay'?" Tessal asked, his fists tightening again.
Garp let out a long, rumbling sigh, his grin gone. "Kid, the Navy doesn't like loose ends. You may think you're just Albert's son, but to them you're leverage. A weakness. If word got out you're here, pirates and Marines alike would come sniffing after you."
Ace's jaw clenched, anger flaring in his eyes. "So what—you're saying they'd use him? He's just a kid!"
"That's exactly why," Garp said, his tone sharper than before. He looked at Tessal, his stare like iron. "The Navy doesn't fight fair. And the world outside these woods is even worse."
Luffy frowned, unusually quiet. He didn't fully understand, but the tension in his grandfather's voice made his stomach twist.
Tessal swallowed, his fear battling stubborn defiance. "Then… then I'll fight back! I'm not gonna let anyone use me like that!"
Garp studied him for a long moment, then finally let out a low chuckle. It wasn't mocking, but grim—like a man laughing at a storm he couldn't stop. "Hmph. You've got guts, I'll give you that. Reminds me too damn much of your old man."
Straightening to his full, towering height, Garp crossed his arms with finality. "Fine then. If you're gonna be dragged into this world whether you like it or not, I won't leave you defenseless. I'll make sure you can stand on your own feet… strong enough that not even the Navy can use you."
Ace blinked, stunned. "Wait—you're gonna train him?!"
A wolfish grin finally cracked Garp's face again, but this time it was edged with something heavier. "Not just train him. I'll hammer this boy into iron. Because if he's Albert's son, then the storms coming his way won't wait for him to grow up."
Tessal's heart pounded. Fear, pride, and a flicker of hope tangled in his chest. He didn't know if he was ready—but he could see in Garp's eyes that choice no longer mattered.