That heavily raised right hand never became an iron fist of judgment.
Under Lorne's calm yet burning gaze, Garp's palm paused in midair. All his fury, struggle, and pain finally dissolved into an immensely heavy sigh.
"Ah..."
That hand, powerful enough to shatter mountains, slowly descended and landed heavily on Lorne's shoulder.
The force cracked the ground beneath Lorne's feet once more, but he did not budge, silently bearing the complex emotions of the Marine hero.
"You... hopeless little bastard." Garp's voice was terribly hoarse. He released his grip, seemingly drained of all his strength, and turned his back on Lorne to gaze out at the endless ruins shrouded in moonlight.
"I won't join you, and I will never betray the word 'Justice' on my back."
At that moment, Garp's retreating figure looked utterly forlorn.
"But..." His tone shifted, his voice carrying an unquestionable resolve. "My fists exist to protect unarmed civilians! I don't care what you do in the future, or how big a storm you stir up against the World Government. There's one line you must never cross!"
He whipped his head around, those fierce eyes locking onto Lorne again, his gaze as sharp as a blade.
"Don't lay a hand on civilians! Not a single one! If you dare let innocent people bleed because of you, I don't care how strong you become or which corner of the New World you're in. I'll drag you back myself and throw you into the deepest cell in Impel Down!"
This was his bottom line, and the conviction he had upheld all his life as Garp the Hero of the Marines.
Lorne met his gaze without the slightest evasion. He nodded slowly, his tone more solemn than ever before.
"My mother is an ordinary civilian too," he said. "Protecting people