CHAPTER 54 — The Parting Warning
📅 23 July, S.C. 1510 — Early Morning
👦 Ren — Age 7
📍 Foosha Shore → Makino's Bar Roof → Forest Edge
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Ren didn't sleep much.
Garp's words echoed in his dreams:
"Smart kids make enemies."
"Strength is the only shield you get."
"Your mind will shake the world."
When dawn came, Ren stepped outside with Zemo and quietly watched the ocean waves crash against the shore.
The horizon glowed faintly orange.
A heavy voice broke the silence.
"Oi. Brat."
Ren turned.
Garp stood a few meters behind him, cape fluttering slightly in the sea breeze.
But unlike yesterday—
He wasn't smiling.
He wasn't yelling.
He looked… almost solemn.
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PART 1 — THE REAL GOODBYE
Garp walked over and sat beside Ren.
The rock he chose cracked slightly under his weight.
Zemo stayed alert but calm, recognizing Garp no longer meant harm.
Ren asked softly:
"You're leaving?"
Garp nodded.
"Aye. Work never ends."
Silence stretched.
Then Garp said something unexpected.
"…I've been thinking about you."
Ren turned, surprised.
Garp scratched his beard.
"I came here to check on Luffy, but I ended up watching you.
You're more trouble than that brat will ever be."
Ren blinked.
"Is… that a compliment?"
Garp smirked.
"Depends."
Ren wasn't sure he liked that answer.
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PART 2 — THE THREE QUESTIONS
Garp suddenly jabbed Ren's chest with a finger.
"Brat, listen carefully.
I have three questions for you."
Ren nodded nervously.
Zemo observed closely.
Garp raised one thick finger.
"One: What exactly do you want to become?"
Ren opened his mouth, then closed it.
He'd always said:
scientist,
researcher,
someone who helps…
But now, the word felt bigger.
He answered quietly:
"…I want to understand everything.
Animals… plants… body… evolution…
this strange world…"
Garp nodded slowly.
"Good. But dangerous."
He raised a second finger.
"Two: What are you willing to give for that dream?"
Ren hesitated.
His hands curled into fists.
"…Anything."
Zemo licked his wrist, as if warning him.
Garp's eyes hardened.
"Be careful with that word, kid.
Giving everything means losing everything."
Ren swallowed.
Zemo pressed closer to him.
Ren whispered:
"…Then maybe not everything.
But I'll give what I can.
And I'll protect what I must."
Garp smiled slightly.
"That's better."
Then he raised a third finger.
"Three: What scares you the most?"
Ren froze.
Fear wasn't something he showed.
Not to Kiro.
Not to Makino.
Not even to himself.
But Garp's gaze demanded honesty.
Ren took a breath.
"…Being weak.
Not for me…
but for the people I want to protect."
Zemo leaned against him, warm and comforting.
Garp exhaled deeply.
"Then you're already ahead of most grown men I know."
---
PART 3 — THE HIDDEN ENEMY
Garp stood, towering over Ren and Zemo.
He stared out at the ocean.
"This world has monsters, brat.
Pirates… marines… nobles… beasts…
But the worst monsters?"
Ren looked up.
"Who?"
Garp's jaw clenched.
"The ones who want to control geniuses."
Ren's heart skipped.
Garp continued quietly:
"There are people who steal children like you.
People who turn minds like yours into weapons.
People who erase gifted kids from the world."
Ren felt cold.
Zemo growled softly.
Garp turned fully toward Ren.
"Never get caught.
Never be recruited.
Never be owned."
His voice dropped.
"If anyone tries to take you—
you run."
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PART 4 — A MESSAGE FOR MAKINO
Garp motioned toward Makino's bar.
"A woman like her…
she's the reason brats like you can stay human."
Ren blinked.
"Makino… keeps me human?"
Garp nodded.
"You understand too much for your age, brat.
That's a gift.
But people who understand too much…
break."
His tone softened.
"Makino will keep your heart safe.
Zemo will keep your body safe.
But you—"
He tapped Ren's forehead.
"—must keep your mind safe."
Ren nodded quietly.
"…I will."
---
PART 5 — GARPUAL GIFT
Garp pulled something out of his pocket.
A small item.
Wrapped in cloth.
"Take this."
Ren held out his hands, confused.
Garp placed the wrapped object carefully.
"For when you've grown enough to understand it.
Not now.
Not soon.
But someday."
Ren looked at the wrapped item.
"…What is it?"
Garp grinned.
"A reminder that even monsters can protect."
Ren didn't understand—yet.
But he would.
---
PART 6 — THE FINAL WORD
Garp walked toward his ship.
Villagers waved from afar, shouting:
"COME BACK ANYTIME, GARP!"
"DON'T BREAK THE DOCK AGAIN!"
"You owe me new crates!"
Garp ignored them.
At the edge of the pier, he turned one last time.
"Ren!"
Ren straightened.
Zemo growled softly.
Garp spoke with a rare seriousness:
"Your life will not be easy.
Your path will not be safe.
But remember this—"
The wind carried his voice.
"A weak genius is a target.
A strong genius becomes a legend."
Zemo barked once, sharp and decisive.
Ren's heart pounded.
He nodded firmly.
"I'll become strong.
In my own way."
Garp grinned.
"That's the spirit!"
The marines raised the anchor.
The ship pulled away.
Foosha returned to calm.
But Ren felt something change inside him—
A tiny flame lit.
Small.
But fierce.
Zemo nudged him gently.
Ren whispered:
"…We'll walk this path together."
Zemo's tail wagged once.
The future felt terrifying.
But for the first time—
Ren felt ready to face it.
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END OF CHAPTER 54