Barbecue at Headquarters

Marineford Harbor

The next morning, sunlight shone on the mirror-like calm sea.

With a slight ripple in space, a Warship silently appeared at the Marine Headquarters Harbor.

This is Zephyr's personal battleship returning from its Internship Mission, but it arrived two full days ahead of schedule.

"Boom!!"

The Warship had just appeared in the Harbor when a figure soared into the air from the depths of Marine Headquarters, landing heavily on the deck with a sonic boom and a burst of fury, shaking the entire warship!

"Luffy!! Ace!! Where are you two?!"

Garp roared as he boarded the ship, his face filled with anxiety. His fists were clenched, and his Haki was released in a burst, instantly enveloping the entire Warship, making him look like an angry beast.

Just as the naval soldiers were in shock and confusion, a familiar figure suddenly appeared beside the old man.

"Grandpa, don't get agitated."

Roy reached out and firmly placed his hand on Garp's shoulder, his tone calm yet reassuring. "The two kids are exhausted and sleeping soundly."

Garp recognized Roy, his tense muscles relaxed slightly, and he let out a long sigh of relief, "Roy... so you were here too, that's good."

The anxiety and anger in his eyes finally subsided, and a rare look of relief appeared on his old face.

"Sorry," he scratched his head, giving an awkward smile, "I just got back when I received news of the attack on the West Blue Internship Mission... When I heard that those two rascals were in trouble, I almost blew the building up."

"I understand," Roy smiled, his tone as gentle as ever, "After all, he's your grandson."

Marineford Roy Residence

As soon as the Warship arrived at the port, Roy immediately used Teleportation to take the unconscious Ace and Luffy directly back to their familiar Residence.

The courtyard was peaceful in the early morning, with birds singing sweetly, and sunlight filtering through the eaves onto the stone bricks and flowers.

Upon hearing that the two were injured, Nami and Nojiko immediately dropped what they were doing and rushed back to take care of them.

"Those two idiots... are messing around again!"

Nami complained softly as she gently tucked Luffy in, her gaze fixed on the sleeping boy's face, her eyes filled with worry and heartache.

After checking Ace's injuries, Nojiko breathed a sigh of relief, "It's alright, just exhaustion. He'll be fine after he wakes up and eats something to replenish his strength."

The two sisters stood on either side of the bed, saying nothing more, simply keeping each other company.

In the courtyard, sunlight shone on the steaming tea set on the table, where three figures sat around it.

The delicate aroma of tea rises in the gentle breeze, blending perfectly with the early summer morning.

Garp silently gazed at the two sleeping brothers in the room, a rare gentleness appearing on his usually smiling face.

"Old friend..." he said softly, his voice a little hoarse, "It's good that you're here."

Zephyr remained silent for a moment, his hand holding the teacup trembling slightly.

"I should be the one apologizing to you," he said, his eyes slightly heavy. "If I hadn't taken them out..."

Don't give me that!

Garp snorted coldly, waving his large hand sharply to interrupt without any politeness, "That's called training, not leading the wrong way."

Birds must endure wind and rain before they can learn to fly.

He tilted his head back and took a sip of tea, his eyes regaining that old man's heroic spirit. "My two grandsons aren't flowers grown in a greenhouse!"

Zephyr paused for a moment, then chuckled and shook his head, "You old codger, you're quite open-minded."

Roy poured more tea for the two of them and said softly, "This mission did exceed expectations, but they performed very well!"

He looked at Garp and said seriously, "Especially Ace!"

He paused, his gaze carrying a profound meaning, "At the crucial moment... he Awakening Conqueror's Haki."

"Puff--!"

Just as Garp was tilting his head back to drink his tea, he spat out a mouthful of hot tea a long way!

"What?!"

Garp's eyes widened, his mouth agape, "You mean... Conqueror's Haki?! Really?!"

Zephyr couldn't help but sneer, "What, don't you have any idea what your grandson's background is like?"

Garp froze for a moment, then suddenly threw his head back and burst into loud, raucous laughter. "Haha!! As expected of my grandson!! A born king!!"

The old man's laughter echoed softly throughout the courtyard.

Inside, Luffy groggily rolled over and mumbled, "So noisy... Grandpa's so annoying..."

All three were taken aback for a moment, then burst out laughing at the same time.

The aroma of tea filled the air, and the cups clinked gently in the morning light, producing a crisp sound.

At this moment, warmth is as vast as the sea, and tranquility reigns.

Evening at Roy's Residence

The afterglow of the setting sun spilled into the courtyard, casting dappled shadows, and a gentle breeze carrying the salty scent of the sea brushed past the window.

Inside the room, the two brothers, who had been asleep all day, opened their eyes almost simultaneously.

"Ugh... I'm so hungry..."

Luffy rubbed his stomach, sat up with a look of utter despair, his hair a mess like a bird's nest.

"Me too..."

Ace rubbed his temples, leaning weakly against the headboard. His face was still a little pale, but his strength had recovered to about 70-80%.

The two locked eyes for a second, and their perfect understanding exploded.

"Meat, come on!"

"Bang!!"

One person punched them both in the head simultaneously.

Nami was so angry her hair stood on end. "You two! You just woke up and you're already making such a racket! Do you know how worried everyone was about you?!"

"Ouch! Nami! Don't hit my face!" Luffy covered his head and ran away.

"Sorry, we... we're really hungry." Ace rubbed his stomach and gave an awkward laugh.

Nojiko sighed and handed over two cups of hot milk, "Have something to eat first. Grandpa Garp has already gone out to 'find meat' for you."

"... Grandpa?!" Ace and Luffy instantly became alert, and the two brothers were stunned.

"He... he's not going to take us to the deep mountains for special training again, is he?" Ace asked, his face filled with fear.

"You said we'd have a meal, but it turned out to be some kind of wild boar hunting exercise to test your reaction speed?"

"Not this time." A relaxed voice came from the doorway.

Roy leaned against the doorframe, smiling, and said, "He said he'd get you some 'real, decent meat'."

The two brothers were completely bewildered.

Marineford Harbor

"Boom--!"

The entire Marine Headquarters suddenly shook violently, almost as if an earthquake had struck!

"What's going on?! The alarm didn't go off!"

"Look at the Harbor!!"

As everyone rushed to the shore, a truly breathtaking scene unfolded before their eyes.

Garp returned from the distant sea, laughing heartily. He carried a Sea Kings, whose size was comparable to a battleship, on his shoulder. Its muscles were like iron, and every step it took caused the Harbor floor tiles to crack!

"Haha!! My grandson wants to eat meat? Then eat to your heart's content!!"

The Sea Kings was covered in blood, yet it still exuded an aura of power that almost blocked out the entire sunset, casting a huge shadow!

"This... this is a deep-sea-class Sea Kings, isn't it?!"

"Vice Admiral Garp actually knocked it back from the seabed with his bare hands?!"

The naval officers and soldiers were dumbfounded, speechless with shock.

On the other side of the Harbor, Roy and Roy stood on the ship's mast, gazing at the scene, both silently rubbing their foreheads.

"He really is that 'reckless' Garp..."

"I'll cut the meat."

Luo had silently drawn his long sword from his waist, his face still as indifferent as ever.

With the help of Law's Op-Op Fruit and Roy's Teleportation ability, the entire Sea Kings was quickly Cut and distributed, and all the Marine soldiers and their families in Marineford received fresh Sea Kings meat!

"Hey, did you hear? Vice Admiral Garp took down a Sea Kings!"

"That's so grand!"

My child is in for a treat today!

The entire Marine Headquarters erupted in an unprecedented Barbecue frenzy!

Roy's Residence - Courtyard

As night deepened, several giant ovens rose in the courtyard, their flames and smoke mingling, filling the air with enticing aromas.

With the combined assistance of the Op-Op Fruit and Teleportation ability, the Sea Kings was precisely dissected and processed, with the most valuable parts transported back to Roy's mansion.

Luffy and Ace, as if resurrected, gathered around the grill, their eyes sparkling. "Meat!!"

"It smells so good!!"

"You two, eat slowly!"

Nojiko and Nami reluctantly wiped the grease from their mouths.

Garp sat in the center, tilting his head back smugly and taking a swig of sake. "Eat! Eat as much as you want! I promise you'll eat your fill today!"

Zephyr sat to the side, put down his wine glass, and sighed softly, "Now that's more like a victory celebration."

Luo calmly grilled a large piece of Sea Kings ribs, the blade flashing, his movements elegant and swift.

Binz was in charge of flipping the meat, Ain was cutting the side dishes, Kuina quietly sipped her tea, occasionally casting a glance and a smile.

Zoro, with a large bump on his head (from seeing Zephyr and the others drinking and wanting to drink with them but getting beaten up by Kuina), leaned against a pillar with his drink in hand. "After I finish this, I'm going to practice my sword."

"Stop practicing."

Ace, chewing on a large bone, mumbled, "Today... is a day worth celebrating."

"Yes."

Luffy holds up the piece of meat, "Everyone's here! I'm so happy, so blessed!!"

"Cheers--!"

The firelight illuminated everyone's faces, and laughter, clinking glasses, and the sizzling of Barbecue blended into the warmest symphony in the air above Marineford.

That night, the entire Marine Headquarters was immersed in an unprecedented warmth and reunion.

The boys grow through battle, and true family and friendship quietly take root and spread during this Barbecue feast.