First Real Battle

On the deck of the Dog-Head Warship, the sea breeze blew against them, carrying a salty tang.

Roy stood at the bow, his fingers unconsciously tightening around the railing as his gaze cut like a blade through the churning horizon.

"Old man Garp," he said suddenly, his voice rising above the roar of the waves, "can you make this ship go any faster?"

Garp paused with a Senbei halfway into his mouth, crumbs showering down onto his coat.

"Hm?" The old man turned with his cheeks puffed out, puzzlement etched into his wrinkles. "The warship's already going full speed. What's wrong?"

Roy looked toward the horizon, where ominous dark clouds were churning.

"Every minute we waste," he said, his throat bobbing, "civilians could be swallowed up by pirate cannon fire."

Garp slowed his chewing and narrowed his eyes, studying the serious look on the face of the boy who was always grinning foolishly.

The bag of Senbei crackled in his grip. Suddenly, the old man burst out laughing, startling the seagulls on the mast into flight.

"That's my boy!"

He yanked off his coat and tossed it to his adjutant, the muscles beneath his floral shirt bulging into exaggerated curves. "Then let me show you how I used to chase Roger all over the place!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the deck planks groaned under the strain. He turned around, bent his knees slightly and drew back his right fist, veins bulging!

"Hang on tight, brats!"

"Boom!!!"

The blast from Garp's fist slammed into the stern of the Dog-Head Warship. The terrifying impact sent the entire vessel shooting forward like a cannonball, carving a massive wake through the sea. The wind howled in the soldiers' ears, nearly tearing their eardrums apart!

"Waaah! Vice Admiral Garp! The ship's going to fall apart!!"

"Cover your ears, quick!!"

The Marine soldiers clung to the railing, their faces deathly pale.

But Garp's laughter boomed like thunder. "Relax! My warship was specially built. It's plenty sturdy!"

Roy stood at the bow, his black hair whipping in the gale. His Observation Haki had already spread to its limit—the screams, cries and crackle of flames in the Oykot Kingdom five kilometers away all reached his ears clearly.

Those were cries of despair, nothing like the cold-blooded scenes the training camp's "simulated pirate suppression" could teach.

So this is... what real pirates are like? The idealized version in the anime really was a lie...

Killing intent rose from deep within him. Roy's pupils contracted, and his fists slowly clenched.

Garp walked up beside him and raised a large hand, seemingly intending to pat him on the shoulder. After all, a twelve-year-old facing a real, bloody battlefield for the first time was bound to be shaken.

But Roy's gaze was colder than the cutting wind.

"Old man Garp, I'll go on ahead."

Before he had finished speaking—

"Whoosh!"

He vanished from the spot in an instant!

Garp's hand froze in midair. He stared for a moment, then the corners of his mouth rose in a hearty smile. "This brat's already a qualified warrior."

He turned, his eyes sharp. "Full speed ahead! Prepare to suppress the pirates!"

The Oykot Kingdom, on a burning street.

Houses on both sides of the street blazed fiercely. Charred wooden beams snapped, releasing choking smoke and dust.

"Hahaha! Kill all these pieces of trash!"

"Don't spare the women or children either!"

The pirates brandished their blades, their eyes savage. Civilian corpses lay scattered across the street, blood flowing in rivers. The sharp stench of iron stung Roy's nose.

"Whoosh!"

A dark figure flashed past. A pirate froze, a thin stream of blood spraying from his throat as he fell, terror in his eyes.

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

"Where?! I can't see anyone—ah!"

"Whoosh!"

Roy moved like a ghost, striking with precision every time he appeared. A Flash Shigan pierced a throat; a Flash brought him behind another pirate, and his Armament Haki-coated fist smashed the back of the man's head.

Blood splashed across his cold face, but Roy paid it no mind.

These scum... they don't deserve to be called human!

His pupils narrowed slightly, and his frigid killing intent became Armament Haki that coated his fist. "Flash Chain Shigan!"

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

Three thunderclaps seemed to explode in the air. Three pirates fell instantly, without even having time to scream.

In the distance, a pirate holding a blade stared wide-eyed and trembled. "M-monster..."

The next second, Roy flashed into view, afterimages filling the battlefield like the judgment of the grim reaper.

In the firelight, the street reflected his retreating figure, like a solitary hunter.

He slowly let out a stale breath, his gaze chillingly cold.

Suddenly, his Observation Haki picked up the faint sound of a baby crying.

Roy's pupils contracted.

That sound...?!

At the street corner, beneath the ruins, a blood-soaked Bellemere sat with her back against the rubble, both arms wrapped tightly around two little girls—short-haired Nojiko and the infant Nami.

Her Marine uniform was soaked through with blood, and her left arm was twisted at a strange angle, but her eyes remained resolute. "Don't be afraid..."

Three pirates approached with cold smiles. "What a touching scene. Too bad... you're all going to die!"

Bellemere gritted her teeth and summoned the last of her strength to raise her pistol—

"Bang!"

One pirate fell at the shot, but the other two were already charging with their blades raised!

"Die!"

Steel flashed, and frigid killing intent rushed toward her.

Bellemere closed her eyes and hugged the two children tightly to her chest.

"Clang—!!"

An explosive metallic crash rang out, sending sparks flying!

Bellemere's eyes flew open. A tall, black-haired boy had caught the descending blade in one hand, Armament Haki covering his arm and the blade.

"This is as far as you go."

The boy's tone was even, yet it carried an unquestionable pressure.

"Whoosh! Whoosh!"

Two afterimages flashed past. With two sharp cracks, the pirates' necks were precisely severed by knife-hand strikes almost simultaneously, and blood sprayed out.

Roy turned to the dying Bellemere and the two little girls, their faces streaked with tears. His voice softened somewhat. "It's all right now."

Bellemere managed a faint smile. "Th... thank you..."

Her consciousness gradually faded, and her body went limp.

Roy quickly crouched down and checked her injuries with both hands—

Severe blood loss, broken ribs, a fractured left arm... but she can still be saved!

Without hesitation, he tore off his shirt and quickly bandaged her to stop the bleeding. He reassured Nojiko in a low voice, "Don't be afraid. I'm a Marine. You'll be all right."

Nojiko clung tightly to the unconscious Bellemere, tears streaming down her face.

Roy patted her head and gave her a reassuring smile and nod. "Don't worry."

He looked up toward the end of the street, his eyes turning cold.

I have to find the medical team!

The Marine warship under Garp's command finally arrived. At the harbor, pirate corpses were piled into a mountain like garbage.

Roy knelt on one knee beside Bellemere, his hands still gripping the bloodstained bandage, with the two children clinging tightly to their mother beside him.

Garp strode over, frowning. "How is she?"

Without looking up, Roy replied calmly, "She's lost too much blood. She needs a transfusion immediately."

Seeing how badly Bellemere was hurt, Garp's eyes sharpened. "Medical team! Hurry!"

The Marine doctors rushed over and lifted Bellemere onto a stretcher.

Nojiko followed behind the stretcher with Nami in her arms, tears wetting her face.

Roy was just about to stand when Garp suddenly placed a hand on his shoulder.

"Well done, kid."

His voice was unusually serious. "Your first real battle, and you saved a fellow Marine and civilians... just what I'd expect from my disciple."

Roy shook his head, his eyes showing a trace of self-reproach. "I wasn't fast enough... if I'd been a little faster..."

Garp laughed heartily and gave his black hair a vigorous rub. "Don't be greedy! Being able to do all that at twelve already makes you much better than I was back then!"

Garp left Roy's hair a mess. Roy smiled helplessly, but his gaze involuntarily followed Bellemere and the two children as she was carried away.

Nami and Nojiko... will the course of their fate change?

Night fell, and the fires gradually died out.

In the temporary medical tent, Bellemere was out of danger.

Nojiko and Nami leaned over the bedside, gripping her hand tightly, their little bodies huddled together.

Roy stood in the doorway, watching the scene quietly, his gaze shifting slightly.

Garp walked over, munching on a Senbei. "What, can't bear to leave?"

Roy spoke softly. "What will happen to them... after this?"

Garp shrugged, a hint of warmth in his expression. "That Marine woman is a key member of the local garrison. She'll probably continue serving once she's recovered. As for those two brats..."

He glanced at Nojiko, whose eyes were red from crying, and suddenly grinned. "How about you adopt them?"

Roy was speechless. "I'm only twelve myself..."

Garp grinned like a chipmunk. "I'm joking! Don't worry, I've already made arrangements. Once Bellemere recovers, the family can move into the Marine family quarters."

Roy nodded and let out a long breath. He turned toward the door. "I'll go clear out the remaining pirates nearby."

Garp watched him go, his gaze profound, and said softly, "That boy..."