Garp and Dragon's Final Conversation

Although Garp believed that with Zefa and Sengoku at Marineford, capturing the Golden Lion would not be a problem, there were still hundreds of thousands of civilians at Marineford. He had to return to protect them.

"All right, got it. I'll head back immediately."

After saying that, Garp hung up the Den Den Mushi. Looking at Dragon before him, he was reluctant to part. "It seems this meeting of ours can only end here. Are you going to take me back?"

Dragon was still worried. They had only just met, yet Garp had attacked without a word, never giving him a chance to explain himself. At this rate, Garp would definitely capture him and take him back.

Seeing his father laugh heartily, Dragon was momentarily baffled. Taking him back had indeed been Garp's original intention, but Garp's words now left Dragon unable to make sense of things. He knew his father too well. Ever since he was young, Garp had wholeheartedly trained him to become a Marine. After the God Valley incident, Dragon had gone through a long period of conflict and made his choice. Back then, he had hated the Celestial Dragons deeply, so he told Garp what he intended to do. Yet even then, Garp had refused to support Dragon's plan and had given him a harsh beating.

But in the end, Dragon had still defected from the Marines, preparing to fight the Celestial Dragons alone.

It was not as though Garp had only wanted to capture him for a day or two. So what did those words mean today?

Had he changed his mind?

Unable to figure it out, Dragon finally asked, "What exactly do you mean?"

In the end, Dragon could not suppress his curiosity any longer. Garp fell silent, took a deep breath, and said, "Someone told me that he admires you very much. He said you're brave, that you've done something no one else dared to do."

No matter how Dragon thought about it, he could not figure out who would say something like that. Borsalino and Sakazuki were absolutely impossible, but who else could it be?

Seeing Dragon's confusion, Garp said, "Stop thinking about it. You don't know him. He's a Marine junior I think highly of, and he's only nineteen this year."

Dragon was even more puzzled by this junior Garp mentioned. A Marine under twenty years old? How was that possible?

Besides, not just anyone knew about his affairs. How could such a young Marine possibly know?

And judging by Garp's tone, he seemed to think highly of this junior. "He's also the one who made me understand everything. I came here this time just to see you and give you a beating, that's all."

Dragon did not know what to say in response to Garp's words. He had come looking for him just to beat him up? But who exactly was the person who had made this stubborn old man see reason? Dragon was intensely curious. Someone who could persuade his father, and who was not even twenty years old... "Can you tell me his name?"

Dragon could not help but ask.

Garp did not hide anything and answered directly, "His name is Mu Chen, Adrian."

Mu Chen... Adrian. Dragon committed the name Mu Chen to memory. If he got the chance, he truly wanted to have a talk with him.

"All right, I'm leaving."

With that, Garp turned and walked away.

Watching Garp's retreating figure, Dragon felt an indescribable bitterness in his heart. He remembered how his father had taught him from childhood how to become a righteous Marine, how to be a kind person. Dragon had never dared forget any of it. Yet now, he and his father had become opponents. If Garp let him go this time, what about next time?

Thinking of that, Dragon felt another surge of sorrow, and the corners of his eyes slowly grew wet.

Then Dragon dropped to his knees behind Garp.

"Father, I'm sorry. I've disappointed you, but I..." Dragon wanted to say more, yet no words would come. How could he speak of fighting the Celestial Dragons? He did not want to put his father in a difficult position, but keeping silent hurt him too much.

Hearing the movement, Garp stopped, but he did not turn around. His eyes suddenly stung.

"If you believe what you're doing is right, then carry on without wavering. That's what I have to give you. It's also what that kid asked me to tell you."

After saying that, Garp no longer wanted to remain there. Tears were already streaming uncontrollably down his face.

Dragon was his son. In the future, Garp might even be ordered to capture him. The thought of a father and son turning against each other was simply unbearable. But it had already happened, and there was no avoiding it. People all had their own justice in their hearts.

Hearing Garp's words, Dragon was utterly shocked. He had never expected those words to come from his father's mouth. Though Mu Chen had been the one to say them, it was no simple thing for his father to acknowledge them.

"Father..." He could no longer endure it. He slammed his head hard against the ground as tears poured from his eyes.

Of course, Garp sensed Dragon's movements and heard his sobbing, but he could not turn around. He did not dare to turn around, because he feared he would be unable to stop himself from taking Dragon back. Even if it meant locking him away, he did not want his son to become an enemy of the world. But he could not do that.

"Hahaha! From now on, the bond between us as father and son ends here. I'll let you go this time, but next time, I won't settle for merely giving you a beating."

As soon as he finished speaking, Garp leaped back onto his warship in two quick bounds. Though his words sounded carefree and merciless, not everyone could understand the pain in his heart.

Meanwhile, Dragon cried even more freely. He knew this was his father's final piece of advice. It sounded heartless, but he understood that Garp was telling him to be careful from now on. No one would protect him anymore; he would have to walk the road ahead alone.

"Father, take care of yourself. Stay safe!"

Dragon and Garp silently offered each other their blessings in their hearts.

"Vice Admiral Garp, is it really all right to let Dragon go like this?"