Garen tirelessly played the Knight of Justice before the children, subtly instilling his ideals in them and helping them build a proper outlook on life, while his dazzling and luxurious armor became his ultimate weapon for winning their affection.
Even when Garen spoke dry, preachy words, the children would gather around him eagerly, listening intently and committing those simple, straightforward sentences to memory as if they were priceless treasures.
Just as Garen, the "king of the children," was getting into the flow of his speech, he suddenly noticed something strange:
Among the children gathered around him to listen, there seemed to be an odd one mixed in.
Compared to the other still-green children, this fellow was clearly far beyond the acceptable age limit.
He looked to be around fifteen or sixteen, with refined features and sharp contours. He wore a simple straw hat and a plain red vest. He was not especially tall, but his proportions were perfect, and his lean, solid muscles were strong without looking bulky.
His hands, feet, and face were covered in fresh bruises, yet those seemingly serious injuries did nothing to dampen the young man's ever-spirited vigor.
Of course, Garen knew who this boy was:
Monkey D. Luffy, son of the Revolutionary Army's leader, grandson of the Marine hero, heir to the Pirate King, descendant of The D Clan, the one chosen by Red Hair, Straw Hat.
In short, he was an incredibly badass figure.
Faced with such an incredibly badass figure, Garen immediately felt quite a bit of fear.
It was not because Garen was cowardly, but because—
A bizarre creature with its jaw hanging several inches open, eyes shining with searchlight-bright golden beams, and glistening drool nearly dripping onto its own legs had eagerly leaned right in front of him.
Garen could not