As Garp's warship got closer, the pirates' hearts started pounding like crazy.
Everyone knew the Marine hero Garp, even though he was "just" a Vice Admiral, was a legend whose strength was easily on par with the Admirals.
Fight him? Absolutely not.
Escape? Probably impossible.
This was the guy who hunted the Pirate King, after all.
Finally, the dog-headed warship dropped anchor.
Even before they saw the man himself, an insane pressure washed over everyone on the beach.
At that moment, Gion stepped forward onto the bow.
Covered in bandages, she looked at Ray with a mysterious glint in her eyes.
"Hey, handsome! You hit way too hard. You almost flattened my chest." She winked. "But I can forgive you... as long as you're willing to take responsibility."
Ray frowned.
'This old woman doesn't play by the rules. Straight to flirting?' But seeing how badly injured she clearly was, he figured she wasn't much of a threat anymore.
When they made their escape later, they'd only need to worry about Garp.
Hearing Gion's flirting with Ray, Nami exploded.
"You shameless woman! Look how old you are! How dare you flirt with our Ray?! He's only 20! Act your age!"
Gion hated being called old.
She glared at Nami with pure murder in her eyes.
The sheer force of her aura made Nami shiver and hide behind Ray.
But even though she was scared, Nami kept right on cursing, unleashing a stream of insults that made Gion draw her sword, ready to fight despite her injuries.
Just then, a hoarse but powerful cough echoed across the water.
"Ahem. Gion, we're here to negotiate. They're holding a thousand of our soldiers and four prodigies hostage, remember?"
Appearing on the bow was the Marine hero himself—Garp.
Gion immediately understood.
Her flirting had just been a negotiation tactic.
With her plan ruined by Nami's outburst, it was time to get down to business. S
he stepped back behind Garp.
Garp looked at the pirates on the beach and unleashed his overwhelming presence.
The terrifying pressure made everyone except Ray and Buggy gasp for air.
A few of the weaker pirates fainted on the spot.
Seeing this, Ray became even more certain.
'This old man is definitely holding back.'
…
When Luffy saw Garp, his jaw dropped so wide you could probably fit Nami inside.
"Gr... Grandpa?!"
Hearing Luffy call Garp "Grandpa," everyone except Ray stared in shock, their mouths wide open.
Zoro looked completely bewildered.
"Luffy... the Marine hero Garp is your grandfather?"
Luffy shot Garp a disgusted look, then casually replied to Zoro.
"Hero? I guess. But he's my grandpa, so none of you attack him, okay?" He glanced nervously at Ray, worried he might actually fight his grandfather.
Ray remained calm on the outside but complained inwardly.
'Only an idiot would fight him now. The whole reason we took prisoners was to deal with this second wave. If it was someone like Akainu, he'd probably kill the hostages himself, and then we'd have to fight. But with Garp here? We can just negotiate.'
Ray was about to let Buggy handle the talks, but Garp spoke first.
"Luffy! Aren't you going to come greet your grandfather?"
Luffy stiffened but reluctantly started walking over.
Ray knew what Garp was up to but didn't stop him.
As Luffy walked, Buggy suddenly had a moment of 'genius'.
"Hiss— Luffy is Captain Roger's son, and Garp's grandson?! So... Captain Roger is Garp's son?! How is that possible?!" He started pacing and shouting.
"Ace is Roger's son, Luffy is Ace's brother, so Luffy is Roger's son... Luffy said Garp is his grandpa... so Garp is Roger's father?! The logic makes sense, but why is the conclusion wrong?!" Buggy roared, scratching his head frantically.
Ray couldn't stand it anymore.
"Perhaps," he said slowly, "Luffy isn't Ace's biological younger brother."
Buggy froze.
Then it hit him.
'Ace was born after Roger died... so how could he possibly have a biological younger brother...'
Buggy exploded.
He grabbed Ray by the collar. "Ray! You knew the truth all along, didn't you?! You were just watching me make a fool of myself?! I've been calling myself Luffy's older brother! Couldn't you have said something?!"
Ray actually felt a little bad for him and didn't fight back.
But the scene was hilarious.
Everyone—the Straw Hats, Buggy's crew—burst out laughing.
Buggy turned beet red and glared furiously at Luffy.
"You little—"
But before he could finish, he noticed something bad had happened.
Luffy had been captured by Garp.
By now, Garp had given Luffy two "Fists of Love," leaving him with huge lumps on his head, dangling from his grandpa's grip.
Garp laughed heartily. "Ray! Buggy! How about this? Now we Marines have a hostage too. Let's start negotiating fairly."
Buggy, Zoro, and the others frowned.
Big mistake.
Garp had just used Luffy to completely even the playing field.
The negotiations just got way harder.
…
The talks began.
The pirates demanded Luffy back in exchange for half the Marines.
Then they'd leave with the other half and release them later, with Garp promising not to chase.
demanded everyone be released at the same time, and he'd give the pirates a five-kilometer head start before chasing.
Neither side would budge.
The clueless Luffy finally realized his grandpa was using him as a bargaining chip and tried to resist.
The result? A few more "Fists of Love," leaving him barely conscious.
(This was exactly what Ray had expected, which was why he'd felt sorry for Luffy.)
So why wasn't Ray worried? Because he sensed someone else was about to arrive.
And knowing Garp's love for Luffy, this whole thing was probably just an act anyway.
…
As the negotiations stalled, Garp suddenly got "furious."
He shouted that he'd kill Luffy right now and then wipe out all the pirates.
Yelling about Marine dignity, his Fist of Love turned black, crackling with red lightning, ready to end Luffy's life.
This sudden turn startled everyone, even Ray.
'Is this old bastard really going to kill his own grandson for justice? Will that person make it in time?' Ray suddenly wasn't 100% sure anymore.
He gripped his sword.
Just then, a mature, steady voice echoed from high above.
"Father. If you kill Luffy, don't blame me for avenging my son."
As the voice faded, the weather instantly turned dark and stormy.
A figure in a dark green hooded cloak appeared beside Ray and the others.
Seeing this person, Gion's expression changed drastically.
She drew her sword, but Garp stopped her.
"Even if you weren't injured, you wouldn't be a match for him," Garp said grimly. "After all, this is that unfilial son of mine. The world's most wanted criminal, leader of the Revolutionary Army—Dragon!"
After saying this, Garp tossed the unconscious Luffy to Gion and walked toward Dragon.
Ray watched this unfold and, using his Observation Haki, foresaw the absolute chaos that was about to erupt on the west coast.
It was going to be a storm of nuclear proportions.
-----------------------------
Dang, why is the review section full of bots, im tired of deleting it.