Garp: Ace, You Rascal, Make Sure to Cherish Yourself!

He and Sakazuki had never gotten along well.

He and Garp had spoken privately many times and both felt that Sakazuki's style of doing things was too extreme.

In contrast, they preferred Kuzan's more mild-mannered nature.

But now, looking at Sakazuki's straight back, at the man who could barely stand yet still clenched his last drop of strength into his fist, he had to admit one thing— Sakazuki might be extreme, might be ruthless, but he was Marine Admiral.

Marine Admiral upholds Absolute Justice.

This alone is enough to earn everyone's admiration.

Sengoku gave a wry smile, then looked at Natsu.

"Heh, that brat Sakazuki has already made the decision for us."

As soon as he finished speaking, his expression changed.

The shrewdness and weighing of pros and cons had faded from his eyes, leaving only a clean and straightforward perspective.

"I am the Fleet Admiral. How can I allow Admiral to die in battle while the Fleet Admiral lives on?"

The crane stood beside him, its expression calm.

She leaned on a cane, her back slightly hunched, but her eyes remained clear and bright.

"I've lived for seventy or eighty years, I've had enough." Her voice was calm and unhurried, as if she were discussing something very ordinary. "Natsu, perhaps you are indeed right. But... when the World Government was first established, it was probably just like you."

She paused, then said, "I hope you can change this sea."

Garp stood beside the two of them, saying nothing.

He didn't speak, but his position said it all.

He stood between the Sengoku and the crane, with the Sengoku on his left and the crane on his right.

The three stood side by side, just as they had many years ago when they walked side by side down the corridor of the Marine Headquarters building.

Yaoyu frowned, but still spoke.

"Garp," his voice was lower than usual, "Our previous promises still stand. As friends, we don't want Ace to suffer."

The Yakumi stood beside him, expressionless, but he still responded to the conversation.

"Although that guy who talks a lot of nonsense is really annoying, we're willing to give you a chance because of your attitude and because of that old man Whitebeard."

Garp paused for a moment.

"Huh? Ace?"

His expression slowly changed from a dazed look to a cheerful, slightly silly smile.

That smile Taichi from his usual carefree demeanor in the navy; it was softer and warmer.

"Oh! Thank you so much."

Both the Yaoyu and the Yakumi the medicine brought a sense of relief.

Both of their shoulders relaxed by an inch, almost imperceptibly.

They were arrogant and usually didn't like anyone, but Ace got along well with them.

They didn't want to see Ace grieve because of Garp's death.

Their proud natures left them unsure how to persuade him, but thankfully Garp took the initiative to offer a way out.

But just as they were about to breathe a sigh of relief, Garp's voice rang out again.

"Um... you two, could you please pass on a message for Ace and me?"

Both the Yaoyu and the Yakumi caused them to pause in surprise.

Garp scratched the back of his head, smiling a little embarrassedly, but there was something complex in that smile: apology, relief, and a kind of ease as if he had finally said something he had been holding back for a long time.

"Hahaha, I'm a Marine too." His voice was still loud, but beneath that loudness was a very subtle, unsteady quality.

"Although I despise the title of 'Naval Hero,' I have been the idol of marines for so many years, how could I let this title be tarnished?"

He paused.

"So, I'd like to ask you two to pass on a message to Ace for me."

His smile was still on his face, but his eyes had already begun to light up.

That kind of brightness wasn't the brightness of joy; it was the brightness reflected in the Dusk, caused by tears welling up in the eyes.

"Ace, I'm so sorry that I couldn't protect you during the Summit War. I must have been a terrible grandfather."

The first tear slid down his cheek, but he didn't wipe it away.

"But... I'm really glad you've made new friends and didn't let that bastard Roger ruin your life..."

The second drop, the third drop.

His smile was still on his face, but he couldn't stop the tears from flowing.

"Ace! You bastard! You better live well for me! This is proof that I'm stronger than that bastard Roger!"

His voice faltered slightly at the word "stronger," but he quickly recovered.

"If there's a next life... I'll never be bound again. I'll be your and Luffy's most reliable support. Ace! Live well for yourself! Take good care of yourself. Don't let Dadan worry about you... she really... cares about you..."

He paused for a few moments after saying that.

His tears were still falling, but he didn't make a sound.

He just stood there, fists clenched, shoulders trembling slightly, but the smile still on his face.

The Yaoyu didn't speak.

His lips moved slightly, as if he wanted to say something.

But the words stuck in his throat.

His Mangekyō Sharingan spun quietly, watching Garp's face, which was soaked with tears yet still smiling.

The Yakumi was too strong.

He looked away, towards the distant sea that was darkening.

His expression remained blank, but his gaze was unfocused.

He just stared in that direction, quietly, without saying a word.

Neither of them spoke again.

Akainu made the first move.

He pulled his right fist back, forcing out the last bit of magma from between his knuckles. It was dark red, thick like mud, and clung Crooked to his fist.

He didn't shout or gather his strength; he just charged straight up.

Borsalino was to his side and slightly behind. A faint golden light particle flashed beneath his feet, and his figure transformed into a faint, almost invisible stream of light, cutting along the ground toward Ban's left wing.

Sengoku clasped his hands together, and a phantom Buddha Form flashed behind him for a moment—a golden, broken outline with only half a Buddha's light remaining.

The crane's cane struck the ground, and ripples from the tip of the cane spread outwards, Wash-Wash Fruit.

Garp walked at the very back, his Conqueror's Haki surging around him, dark red electricity crackling in the Dusk. His steps were slow, but with each step, the pebbles beneath his feet sank into the ground.

Madara stood Susanoo's eyebrows, his Six-Tomoe Rinne Sharingan slowly rotating once.

He didn't move.

He simply unleashed the power of the Kotoamatsukami's pupils.