A Parent's Pride
Marineford Harbor
The morning sun shines on the vast harbor, and the shimmering sea reflects the vibrant colors of the flags, Hunting Roar as if paying homage to the visitors.
The entire dock was filled with an unusually enthusiastic atmosphere. The soldiers marched steadily, shouts rose and fell, and although they maintained their military discipline, the excitement in their eyes was hard to hide.
At the forefront of the welcoming procession, the New Generation, led by Roy, were already lined up neatly.
Law, Ace, Luffy, Sanji, Usopp, Nami, Nojiko, and others stood in a line, their clothes impeccably tailored, their eyes burning with intensity.
Even the usually carefree Ace and Luffy were unusually serious at this moment, their backs ramrod straight.
"It turns out that Vice Admiral Roy's parents are coming..."
"It's such a privilege to see them in person!"
"This is the family that could produce Navy War God!"
The soldiers guarding the Harbor spoke in hushed tones, their voices filled with excitement and awe.
In their eyes, Roy was already a "Navy War God," and now that the parents of this God of War were about to visit Marine Headquarters, it was undoubtedly a momentous event worthy of being recorded in history.
On the distant horizon, the sea breeze swelled as a massive, distinctive Dog-Head Warship sped towards them.
The ship's hull was as large as a mountain, and the sound of it cutting through the waves was like thunder. The sense of oppression grew stronger as the distance closed.
When the bow of the ship came into clear view, the entire audience held their breath.
At the very front of the deck, two imposing figures stood like pillars supporting the sky.
One man, with a hearty smile and arms crossed, exuded an undeniable aura of Haki and heroism—it was none other than Vice Admiral Garp, the Navy Hero!
The other man stood solemnly upright, his face stern and his aura steady as iron. He was none other than the Navy's "Black Arm" Chief Instructor— Zephyr!
The two men stood like pillars supporting the sky, like boulders suppressing the sea; just their presence alone made countless soldiers hold their breath.
Behind them, a middle-aged couple stood quietly.
The man had broad shoulders and a thick back; his temples were streaked with gray, but his gaze was steady and piercing.
The woman was elegant, and her eyes revealed the gentleness and wisdom that comes with age.
They were Rock and Airin.
The two gazed at the approaching Harbor, at the imposing Marine Headquarters — Marineford.
Marineford
This world-renowned fortress, this harbor that bears countless glories and tears, finally came into their view.
For a moment, they froze slightly.
"This... is this the legendary Marine Headquarters, Marineford?" Airin murmured softly, a complex and proud light gleaming in her eyes.
The Warship slowly entered the harbor, and the deafening crash of its falling iron chains shook the dock.
Immediately, the Harbor's horn sounded, and the resounding roar soared into the sky.
Thousands of soldiers shouted in unison, their voices forming a deafening roar, "Welcome back, Vice Admiral Garp! Instructor Zephyr is back in force!!"
"Welcome, Mr. Rock! Welcome, Ms. Airin!!"
At that moment, the world seemed to tremble, and even the sea breeze carried this shock and passion, echoing for a long time in the sky Marineford.
Roy and the New Generation stepped forward together to meet the slowly descending Gangplank of the Warship.
The scene was solemn yet passionate. The atmosphere above the dock seemed to solidify into an invisible force, pressing down on everyone's hearts while simultaneously making their blood boil.
As Garp and Zephyr walked steadily side by side, a middle-aged couple finally appeared before the crowd.
Roy stood ramrod straight at the very front.
He was dressed in a neat and crisp Marine Vice Admiral uniform, the Coat of Justice on his shoulders Hunting Roar in the wind.
The "Navy War God," who usually commands respect across the seas and strikes fear into the hearts of his enemies, felt a sudden tremor in his heart and a rare hint of sadness welled up in his eyes when he saw those two familiar figures.
"Mom... Dad..."
The moment Airin saw her son, tears instantly blurred her vision.
Ignoring Garp and Zephyr beside her, she practically ran forward and rushed to Roy, embracing him tightly.
Roy!
Sobbing softly, she clung tightly to her son's arm, as if afraid that if she let go, he would be gone again.
Roy froze for a moment, then hugged his mother tightly, a deep, indescribable sorrow welling up in his chest.
This is a side of him that he never allowed himself to show on the Battlefield or in the vortex of politics.
Rock then stepped forward, a hearty smile on his face.
Unlike his wife, he didn't shed tears. Instead, he raised his Iron Fist and slammed it into Roy's arm.
"Good lad!!" The voice was loud and clear, filled with boundless pride.
"I heard you're now the Navy's God of War? Haha, no wonder you're my son, Rock!!"
This scene left thousands of naval soldiers on the dock holding their breath.
They were used to Vice Admiral Roy's iron-fisted and ruthless nature, but they had never seen him so genuine and ordinary.
A touch of warmth suddenly appeared in the solemn occasion, and a heartwarming feeling that brought tears to people's eyes filled the solemn atmosphere.
"Grandpa Rock! Grandma Airin!!"
"You've finally arrived!!"
Luffy and Ace, who could no longer contain themselves, charged forward.
The two men were dressed in crisp, full naval uniforms, their hats pulled down neatly, completely unlike their usual carefree demeanor, and instead exuding a dashing and heroic air.
Airin stared at them, stunned for a moment, then smiled through her tears, opening her arms to embrace her two grandsons on either side.
"Luffy... Ace... you've both grown up! You're both dignified Marine warriors now!!"
Luffy and Ace felt a little awkward being hugged, their ears instantly turning red, but they couldn't help but smile as brightly as two children.
Nami and Nojiko stood to the side, secretly covering their mouths and giggling.
Seeing the two brothers so unusually serious, and blushing with embarrassment at their grandmother's praise, the two men's eyes brimmed with satisfaction and envy.
The grand welcoming ceremony reached its climax at this moment.
The entire navy in the Harbor shouted in unison, their slogans deafening, wave after wave of sound.
Countless soldiers gazed with burning eyes, not only at Garp and Zephyr, but also at the couple and their son.
--They wanted Rock and Airin to see it with their own eyes:
"Your son is not only your pride, but also the backbone of our navy, a banner that the entire era looks up to!"
Rock and Airin exchanged a glance, their hearts churning with emotions they could barely contain.
They truly felt that what their son carried far exceeded the glory of a family; it represented the future and hope of the entire navy.
Airin's eyes were brimming with tears, but her voice was incredibly firm. "Roy... we are so proud of you."
Rock laughed heartily, his eyes gleaming. "Good! Now that our sons and grandsons have embarked on this path, what do we, as husband and wife, have to worry about?"
"This is the future of the Navy!"
On the Harbor, applause and shouts swept across the land like a raging storm.
At this moment, the pride of parents, the glory of children, and the passion of soldiers intertwined, creating a scene worthy of being etched in history.