(Garp's Vivre Card was updated, confirming that he possessed Conqueror's Haki.)
"Grandpa! Why are you here?!"
After his initial shock, Luffy quickly connected the dots. "Don't tell me! You're here to save Ace too?!"
"Uh... I..." Garp opened his mouth, but no words came out.
Seeing the faint hope in his grandson's eyes, he did not know how to respond. After a moment of silence, he finally sighed and spoke in a powerless voice:
"Ace is inside. Go see him one last time. I'll give you some time."
"One last time..."
Luffy stared blankly at him, seemingly unable to believe those words had come from Garp's mouth.
"What are you saying, Grandpa?! Ace is going to be executed! He's going to die!"
Anxiety, confusion, and anger surged through him. Luffy clenched his fists tightly and demanded an answer.
"I have my own position. Don't force me, Luffy." Garp gritted his teeth and spoke quietly, turning his head away from the gaze that tore at his heart.
He was a Marine. Luffy and Ace were pirates. That was the path they had chosen.
He should have known this day would come.
The entire prison fell silent, and the onlookers did not even dare breathe.
"I'm definitely going to save Ace." After saying that, Luffy fell silent. He gave Garp one deep look before running farther inside.
Only the patter of his sandals echoed through the dark corridor.
Nami cautiously spoke up. "Um... can we go through too?"
"Hm?" Garp solemnly swept his gaze across them.
His imposing presence made their hearts leap into their throats, and cold sweat unconsciously ran down their foreheads.
"Hahaha, just kidding." Nami immediately chickened out, waving her hands with an awkward laugh as an idea formed in her mind.
This was not the time to fight.