Marine Headquarters in Shock

Two days later, at the Marine Headquarters docks in Marineford.

Roy had deliberately limited how often he teleported the ship, giving Ace a chance to experience a warship sailing across the sea. The thrill of battling the wind and waves had Ace shouting with excitement.

At last, the familiar outline of the harbor came into view.

Above the harbor, the magnificent fortress glittered gold in the setting sun.

Garp stood at the bow, looking at the familiar sight of Marineford. For once, he fell silent.

His fists tightened slightly, then slowly relaxed, as though he were steeling himself.

"Old man."

Roy walked over, gave him a gentle pat on the shoulder, and said with a smile, "Don't worry. We'll face this together."

Garp paused, then burst out laughing. "Hahaha! When have I ever been afraid?"

But his laughter held more complexity and heaviness than usual.

Ace stood behind them, looking up at the fortress that symbolized justice. His eyes flickered with curiosity, nervousness, and a trace of unease. "So this is... Marine Headquarters..."

The news of the "grandson" Garp had brought back instantly caused an uproar.

From officers to soldiers, everyone was whispering:

"Have you heard? Vice Admiral Garp brought back a kid..."

"What? His grandson? Is that true?!"

"Could that kid's father be—"

In the office at the heart of headquarters, Sengoku, Vice Admiral Tsuru, Zephyr, and Roy, a few of those in the know, had gathered.

The atmosphere was stifling.

Sengoku braced both hands on his desk, veins bulging on his forehead and anger blazing in his eyes behind his glasses. "Garp! Do you know what you're doing?!"

For once, Garp wasn't grinning. He stood with his arms crossed, his gaze resolute and silent.

Roy was about to step forward and explain, but Zephyr reached out to stop him, shaking his head slightly to tell him not to interfere yet.

After a long silence, Garp finally spoke, his voice low and forceful. "Sengoku, I know the decision I made back then was wrong."

Sengoku froze for a moment, not expecting the usually carefree Garp to admit his mistake so directly.

Garp looked Sengoku straight in the eye, his voice firm. "But the child is innocent!"

"That's exactly why I made up my mind to bring him back to the Marines and raise him the Marine way!"

Sengoku's anger eased a little, but his brow remained tightly furrowed. "But Garp, if his identity gets out, do you know how much upheaval it'll cause the Marines?!"

"Then don't let it get out!" Garp said in a low voice.

Sengoku's eyes widened. "You—"

Just then, Roy finally stepped forward, his voice calm but firm. "Admiral Sengoku, I'm willing to vouch for Ace."

The entire office fell deathly silent.

Sengoku looked at Roy in shock. "Roy, do you know what this means?!"

Roy nodded, his gaze showing no sign of retreat. "I do. But I believe he's innocent."

"Please rest assured. I'll teach him well and help him become a true Marine."

Sengoku was silent for a long time, his gaze moving back and forth between Garp, Roy, Zephyr, and Vice Admiral Tsuru.

Vice Admiral Tsuru folded her hands and spoke softly. "The child is innocent, indeed."

Zephyr crossed his arms and snorted, but his words carried a rare seriousness. "I may hate trouble, but a child shouldn't have to answer for his father's sins."

Sengoku looked at the familiar faces, and the anger in his heart finally began to subside. He slowly sat back down, took off his glasses, and rubbed the bridge of his nose. "...You've really given me a difficult problem..."

Garp grinned, but there was an unprecedented seriousness in his smile. "Thanks, Sengoku."

Sengoku glared at him and snapped, "Don't celebrate too soon! This must be kept strictly confidential. No one beyond the five people here can know about it!"

The others nodded, their expressions solemn.

Sengoku put his glasses back on and looked intently at Roy. "Since you're vouching for him, Ace's training and supervision will be your responsibility."

Roy stood at attention and gave a textbook salute. "Yes, sir!"

Sengoku turned to Garp, his expression darkening. "Garp, you'd better rein yourself in! Don't go around shouting that he's your grandson!"

Garp roared with laughter. "Hahaha! Don't worry, don't worry! I know what I'm doing!"

The veins on Sengoku's forehead bulged again. Furious, he slammed the desk. "Like hell you do!!!"

Everyone in the office was caught between laughter and exasperation, and the tension eased somewhat.

After they left Sengoku's office, their footsteps echoed distinctly through the empty corridor.

Garp let out a long breath and patted Roy on the shoulder. "Brat, thanks."

Roy shook his head, his gaze steady. "I just did what I had to."

Zephyr walked over, crossed his arms, and snorted. "You two never do anything but cause me trouble!"

Yet the eyes hidden behind his sunglasses held a rare trace of relief and warmth.

Vice Admiral Tsuru smiled faintly, her tone gentle. "All right. Now we need to think carefully about where to settle the child."

Roy nodded. "I'm planning to have him stay with me. We'll start with basic training and take it one step at a time."

Garp broke into a wide grin. "Then I'll leave him to you! I still need to make a trip to the East Blue. It's about time I brought Luffy back too!"

Roy raised an eyebrow and teased, "Are you trying to collect the whole set of problem children?"

Zephyr pressed a hand to his forehead and sighed irritably. "Garp, know when to stop!"

Garp laughed, waved, and strode away. "Don't worry, don't worry! I know what I'm doing!"

Everyone: "..." (We don't believe you for a second!)

That evening, in the residential area of Marineford's barracks.

(Roy's achievements had long since been enough to earn him a promotion to Rear Admiral. On top of that, everyone in the Marines knew his potential, and further promotions were inevitable, so he had been assigned a detached residence long ago.)

The setting sun dyed the sky outside the window a warm orange.

Ace sat on a wooden chair by the window, his arms wrapped around his knees and his head hanging low, like a lost little animal.

He gazed through the window at the distant setting sun, his eyes full of complicated emotions.

"What are you thinking about?"

Roy walked into the room carrying a cup of steaming milk and asked softly.

Ace paused, took the milk, and muttered, "...Can I really become a Marine?"

Roy sat down beside him, resting his elbows on his knees. "That depends on you."

Ace tightened his grip on the cup, his lips trembling slightly. "But... if they find out whose son I am..."

Roy looked at the rosy glow outside the window, his voice calm but resolute. "Whose son you are doesn't determine what kind of person you'll become."

"What matters is what kind of person you want to become!"

Ace stared at him, a light slowly appearing in his eyes.

Roy stood and reached out to ruffle his hair. "Get some rest. Training starts tomorrow."

Ace's eyes reddened slightly. Biting his lip, he nodded silently.

Just as Roy was heading for the door, a determined shout suddenly came from behind him. "Roy!"

Roy turned around and looked at him gently. "Hmm?"

Ace took a deep breath, his gaze so resolute it seemed capable of piercing wind and waves. "I'll definitely become stronger than you!"

Roy smiled, his lips curving gently. "I'll be waiting."

The moment the door closed, Ace watched his retreating figure grow more distant. The corners of his mouth quietly lifted, and for the first time, his eyes held a sense of direction.