How an Old Man Expressed His Love

Marine Headquarters, Marineford Harbor

As night fell, the first rays of golden light shone on the decks of the Warships in the Harbor.

As the Warship slowly docked, the soldiers, who had already received the news, had gathered at the pier, their eyes filled with excitement and anticipation.

"Have you heard? Those two brats wiped out the Arlong Pirates!"

"That's Arlong, the Fish-Man with a bounty of twenty million! That's the highest bounty in the East Blue!"

"These two are Vice Admiral Garp's grandsons and Instructor Zephyr's personal disciples! How could they not be strong?"

"With Rear Admiral Roy personally leading the team, those pirates in the East Blue Pirate should have been terrified by now!"

Just as the discussions were surging like a tidal wave—

"Bang!" The Bridge hatch opened, and three figures stepped out.

Roy stood at the very front, his Marine Cap pulled low, his cloak Hunting Roar in the morning breeze;

Ace, backpack slung over his shoulder, a smile playing on his lips;

Luffy the jerky his grandmother had prepared on his shoulder, and was chewing on the last Biscuit.

"Wow!!"

Like a firecracker exploding, the entire Harbor erupted in a thunderous roar of cheers.

Welcome back!

"Well done!!"

"Ace! Luffy! You are the pride of our Navy!!"

The soldiers raised their fists, and the young cadets were even moved to tears. The scene was so enthusiastic that even the New World war report couldn't steal the spotlight.

Luffy taken aback for a moment, but immediately put his hands on his hips and laughed wildly, "Hehe! I'm really strong! I beat a really big Fish-Man, and an octopus!"

Ace lowered his head slightly and scratched it, trying to keep a low profile, but the uncontrollable upward curve of his lips had already betrayed his pride at that moment.

Sudden--

"Hahaha!!"

A laugh that seemed capable of shattering the heavens rang out from the depths of the crowd.

"Hahaha! My grandson actually managed to wipe out a Pirate crew! I'm so happy!"

Boom!

Garp transformed into a sonic boom, bursting straight out from the crowd!

His nearly seventy-year-old body shot towards the three like a cannonball!

"Luffy!"

"Grandpa? Wait!"

Before Luffy react, Garp had already lifted him up!

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Garp's Iron Fist slammed mercilessly into Luffy's head, each punch carrying the power of love, instantly causing three large bumps to swell up on Luffy's head!

"Ouch! Grandpa! Why are you hitting me even though I fought Pirates?!" Luffy cried uncontrollably.

Garp laughed heartily and ruffled his hair again, "Because I'm so happy! Haha!"

Ace laughed so hard he almost fell over, "Hahaha, Luffy, you're really in a bad situation!"

"Hey, you're laughing pretty happily, kid."

Suddenly, he felt a chill down his spine as a huge shadow loomed over him, and a deep, steady voice suddenly sounded from behind him.

"... This is bad!"

Ace stiffened, turning his head rigidly to see Zephyr standing behind him, a slight smile playing on his lips behind his sunglasses.

Zephyr smiled slightly, his voice as gentle as a spring breeze. "Kid, how many days has it been since you trained?"

Ace's expression changed drastically. "Teacher Zephyr, I... we just finished a mission, we haven't... we haven't had time..."

Zephyr suddenly reached out and grabbed Ace. Ace tried to transform into his elemental form to escape, but a giant hand covered in Armament Haki grabbed his shoulder. "You still want to run away?"

"Wait, wait... Teacher, I was wrong!!"

Just as flames erupted from Ace's body, they were forcefully suppressed by Zephyr's massive hand, which was wrapped in Armament Haki, and the flames were extinguished with a hiss.

Ace struggled desperately, but was lifted up like a cat.

"Come on, let's go to the Training Ground. I'll train with you myself!"

"Help! Roy! Help me!!"

Ace was dragged away screaming, which caused the soldiers to burst into laughter.

"Even Roy wouldn't dare save you..."

Is this how the naval legends express "love"?

Marineford Sengoku Fleet Admiral's Office

Sunlight streamed in through the large floor-to-ceiling windows, bathing the desk piled high with documents in a golden glow.

Sengoku sat in his office chair, his brow furrowed, the secret report from the New World in his hand making his expression even more grave.

"Knock knock knock."

Without looking up, he replied, "Come in."

The door opened with a click, and Roy strode in, wearing a white Coat of Justice, his expression unchanged.

He placed a report steadily on the table.

"Satsuruso Kingdom, investigation complete," Roy stated succinctly. "No anomalies found."

Sengoku raised his head, his eyes slightly narrowed. "Red-Haired Shanks really was just passing by?"

"At least on the surface."

Roy replied calmly, "They acted according to the rules, purchased supplies, rested for three days, and then left port. There was neither conflict nor any unusual behavior."

"Tsk."

Sengoku frowned, his tone tinged with suspicion, "A great Pirate from the New World with a bounty exceeding one billion, lost an arm in the East Blue, yet left without a trace after resupplying? Isn't that a bit too well-behaved?"

He looked down and pulled out another log of Pirate movements, his eyes darkening slightly. "What do you think about the truth behind his arm?"

Roy shrugged. "Insufficient information to make a judgment."

Sengoku tapped his fingers lightly on the table a few times and gave him a deep look.

He finally sighed, sat back in his chair, and looked slightly tired. "You're right, we really don't have much energy left to investigate these truths right now."

He waved his hand and pushed the documents aside, revealing New World sea chart that had been hidden at the bottom of the table.

The map marks three rapidly expanding forces with red circles: Kaido's Pirate crew (at this time, they had just begun to cooperate with Doflamingo, had few Artificial Devil Fruits, and had not yet become the complete "Beasts Pirates"), Big Mom Pirates, Whitebeard Pirates.

"The situation in the New World is getting worse."

Sengoku's tone was low and somber, as if an invisible weight was pressing down on him. "The various Pirate crews are fighting each other for territory, and Golden Lion is hiding somewhere, almost suffocating the front lines. Our forces and defenses are already stretched thin."

Roy glanced down at the map, and the familiar yet dangerous names instantly sharpened his gaze.

"Fleet Admiral, do you mean you want me to go to the New World?"

Sengoku did not deny it, but said seriously, "Your mobility and combat strength are already top-tier among the current Marine Headquarters force."

"We need you as a flexible and mobile main force to support the front lines. Even if it's just for deterrence, it will be of great value."

Roy smiled, but a long-lost excitement welled up in his eyes.

"To contend with the world's strongest monsters? I'd like to test my current strength."

Sengoku, seeing the fighting spirit in his eyes, felt a slight twitch at the corner of his eye. "You brat, don't mistake reinforcements for an invitation to fight a great Pirate one-on-one!"

"I'll know what I'm doing," Roy said with a gentle smile.

Sengoku suddenly remembered something and added, "Oh right, not long ago, Doflamingo was recognized by the World Government as one of the Shichibukai."

Upon hearing this, Roy's eyes narrowed slightly.

"This is a reminder that I had a conflict with him before..."

He looked at Sengoku, his tone calm yet sharp. "If he does something that harms the entire kingdom, can his status Shichibukai protect him?"

Sengoku was taken aback, not expecting Roy to ask such a question.

He stared at Roy's serious expression, and although he was puzzled, he answered decisively, "If there is indeed evidence, I allow you to annihilate him."

Roy smiled, a hint of coldness in his smile, "That's good."

Sengoku gave him a deep look but didn't ask any further questions.

Just as the two were talking, a powerful Haki suddenly emanated from the direction of the Training Ground!

"Boom!"

The entire office building seemed to be slightly lifted; the window frames creaked, and several documents were shaken off the top of the bookshelves.

Sengoku frowned. "That Zephyr guy, why is he making such a commotion during training? Is he trying to tear down the Training Ground?!"

Roy closed his eyes slightly, his Observation Haki instantly activating. A moment later, he opened his eyes, a smile appearing on his face. "Ace, you actually used that move..."

"It must be Ace, I'll go check."

Sengoku nodded. "Go. I will arrange the transfer to the New World as soon as possible."

"Whoosh!"

Roy turned around, and his figure had already disappeared through the doorway.