Finn stroked his chin and murmured softly, "Speaking of which, should we leave him with Bell-mère? She's also coming back to Marineford with us. She'll be living in the residential quarters..."
Bell-mère blinked in surprise, then pointed at herself. "Me? Is that... okay?"
One child was a burden. Two children were also a burden. Three children? Even more so.
Although Finn seemed to be speaking casually, assigning Bell-mère this "job" on a whim, she could sense his kindness behind the suggestion. Are you kidding? This was the Marine Hero Garp's grandson! Could just anyone raise him? If she could live in Marineford and raise Luffy, who would dare mess with her?
Bell-mère had come from a small village in the East Blue. When she went to Marineford, she'd have no connections, no reputation. Even with Finn looking after her, she wasn't sure to what extent he could help, and she felt embarrassed to keep relying on him. But if she adopted Luffy, she'd be tied to Garp, the Marine Hero. The two of them would quickly build a deep friendship. With that kind of relationship in the future, if Nami and Nojiko really wanted to join the Marines, they'd be third-generation insiders with powerful connections.
So Bell-mère was stunned for only a moment before she reacted. She didn't object.
Garp was also taken aback. He looked at Bell-mère. Along the way, he'd come to admire her greatly. He knew she was a very responsible mother. He hadn't thought of this arrangement before, but now that Finn had spoken, Garp realized it might actually work. What's more, as a Vice Admiral stationed at Marine Headquarters, he couldn't visit the East Blue often.
This time, he'd practically gotten into a fight with the Fleet Admiral just to get leave. But if Bell-mère could help take care of Luffy, it would be much more convenient, especially since she'd be living in Marineford. It would be far easier for him to see his grandson in the future.
"We can even bring Ace over," Finn said with a smile. "Wouldn't it be bad to always trouble Dadan? If Ace comes to Marineford, he'll be able to receive the cultural influence of the Marines from a young age. He'll definitely become an excellent Marine in the future. The same goes for little Luffy."
"But then Bell-mère would have to take care of four children at once," Gion said kindly from the side. "Can she handle it?"
Bell-mère flexed her arms, pretending to be strong, and said with a hearty laugh, "No problem! I'm full of energy."
"Don't worry. There are so many of us in Marineford to help," Finn said, picking up his wine glass and taking a sip. "Bell-mère won't be exhausted."
Mrs. Makino didn't mind any of this at all. She'd only been offering out of kindness. Now that Garp and the others had better arrangements, it would save her some trouble, wouldn't it? Did they really think she was doing it for the money?
Dragon hesitated for a moment. At that moment, Garp slammed his hand on the table. "If you're planning to let me take care of Luffy, then I'll definitely train him to be an excellent Marine. I'm telling you now, don't come up with any messed-up ideas!"
Dragon was silent for a while. He couldn't say what plans he had for Luffy's future. If Luffy joined the Marines... Thinking of this, he looked at Gion, then at Finn, and finally at Garp. His father and his friends were all there. There was no way Luffy would get into trouble, right? The Marines were the Marines...
As for whether father and son would one day fight each other because of their different positions and camps? Well, forget it. His father was the Marine Hero Garp. Dragon had gone out on his own to start a revolution. Would he really care about such things?
"Whatever you want," Dragon muttered.
Upon hearing this, Garp looked at Bell-mère again. Seeing that she looked completely fine with the arrangement, he nodded. "Then it's settled!"
Finn also laughed.
Perfect. They'd solved the problem of the Straw Hat Pirates right at the root. They'd send Luffy to Marineford. From now on, they'd cut off his fate with Shanks and wouldn't even give him a chance to wear the straw hat.
In that kind of environment, Finn didn't believe Luffy could still shout, "I'm the man who will become the Pirate King." From now on, he'd just be a good Marine!
As for Ace, Finn had been hesitant before. But after meeting Bell-mère, he'd made up his mind. It was better not to let that unfortunate child suffer. If he could help him, he would. What was so good about having that old man Whitebeard as a father? Why not come back to Marineford and be a good Marine in the future? Maybe they'd even give him a chance to take down Whitebeard and make a great contribution!
Come to think of it, that did seem a bit unfilial.
After the matter was settled, everyone started drinking again. Bell-mère was completely integrated into the circle now. In the future, Garp would have to rely on her quite a bit. While drinking, Finn began to think about the Straw Hat Pirates again.
As of now, Nico Robin was going to join the Marines. Nami probably wasn't going to escape that fate either. Luffy, this unlucky child, had no choice at all. If he didn't join the Marines, he'd be beaten to death. As an uncle who'd watched him grow up, how could Finn let him go astray? If Luffy tried to do something wrong, shouldn't he be punished with the iron fist of love? That's what a good elder would do!
That cute little thing Chopper probably had nothing to do with Finn, so he should just study medicine honestly in the Drum Kingdom. It would be good if he became a famous doctor in the future.
Forget about Brook. Moria had gone to join the Revolutionary Army. Brook would most likely be trapped in the Florian Triangle and wouldn't be able to get out. He might not even have a chance to appear. Just pretend he didn't exist. And if he was lucky enough to escape, he probably wouldn't meet Luffy and the others. He wouldn't continue being a pirate. Maybe he'd become a top musician. Wasn't that more promising than being a pirate?
As for Franky now still Cutty Flam, he was still working in Water 7 for Master Tom, who was researching the Sea Train. In the future, when the Sea Train technology matured, Finn would consider the situation to see if there was time and necessity to save Master Tom's life. After all, such talent was valuable. If he did, Franky probably wouldn't become a pirate. He'd just be a shipbuilder and benefit humanity.
Vinsmoke Sanji... let him be a chef in the East Blue. That was fine. After he took over the sea restaurant Baratie from Zeff, he could sail off to find All Blue. Going out to sea as a gourmet or chef to pursue his dream, wasn't that better than being a pirate?
Finally, there was Roronoa Zoro. But there was no need to worry about that guy. Finn admired him, actually. As soon as he went to sea, he became a pirate hunter, specializing in catching pirates for a living. It could be said he had a sense of justice. Of course, it was also because he had a terrible sense of direction.
However, judging from the fact that he'd initially rejected Luffy's invitation to become a pirate, Zoro had wanted to take the right path at that time. It was only later that he'd been tricked by Axe-Hand Morgan in the East Blue and inexplicably forced by Luffy to become a pirate. Therefore, as long as Zoro was given some guidance after he went to sea, there was a high probability he could be recruited into the Marines.
Wasn't that wonderful?
With his talent in swordsmanship and his hard work, he might become a Marine Admiral in the future. At the very least, he could be an Admiral Candidate. From this perspective, wouldn't the Straw Hat Pirates, the worst destabilizing factor of the Worst Generation, be finished in a dozen years?
Thinking of this, Finn became more cheerful.
Originally, they'd come to Windmill Village for vacation. It was just a coincidence that they'd encountered this matter with Dragon. After all the arrangements were made, Garp began to experience the joy of being a grandfather. He also brought Ace over from Dadan's and spent the whole day fussing over Ace, Luffy, Nojiko, and Nami.
Dragon was in a terrible mood because his wife had recently passed away. In addition, the Revolutionary Army hadn't planned any major actions throughout the year and was waiting for the World Government to make its move. Therefore, he had nothing urgent to do recently, which was equivalent to relaxing and relieving the grief in his heart.
But unfortunately, he didn't have many friends. He couldn't take his subordinates out to relax, right? It was already irresponsible for the leader of the Revolutionary Army to go out for a stroll. If he also took cadres away, then the Revolutionary Army should stop functioning and disband immediately.
Therefore, when Dragon met his friend Finn by chance in the remote little place of Windmill Village in the East Blue, he didn't plan to leave immediately. Instead, he stayed in Windmill Village with his friend to relieve his boredom.
Finn and Dragon were carrying small stools and sitting on the dock of Windmill Village. Each of them held a fishing rod. The sea breeze was gentle and the climate mild. Finn had to admit that, although Windmill Village was remote, it really was a paradise-like place, very suitable for a relaxing vacation. This place seemed removed from the world, so quiet and beautiful.
Not far away, on the beach, Gion, Hina, and Makino, all in swimsuits, were playing in the water and having a water fight. However, Gion and Hina were both Devil Fruit users, so it was the young Makino who had the upper hand.
Vice Admiral Garp was holding Luffy and chatting with Village Chief Slap nearby. If you looked closely, you could see he was holding a bottle in his hand, feeding Luffy.
"What a leisurely day," Finn said, taking out a cigar and offering one to Dragon.
Dragon glanced at Finn and actually reached out to take it.
"Hey, don't you never smoke? And didn't you say you'd quit drinking..." Finn teased.
Dragon had talked about quitting drinking. He'd also said he didn't smoke. But in the village tavern, he'd been drinking again. And now, he was accepting a cigar.
"It's just for this period of time. Let me indulge myself a little..." Dragon said in a slightly lonely tone.
Finn knew Dragon was in a bad mood, so he didn't try to tease him further. After lighting his cigar, he tossed the lighter to Dragon and slowly exhaled a puff of smoke. "If you continue to sink into despair, the Revolutionary Army will probably fall apart. Think about it carefully. It's not so bad."
"No, I won't sink into despair," Dragon said softly. "I just need more time to adjust my state. I will definitely let more people have a warm smile like hers."
Finn was silent for a while. He knew that after passing this hurdle, Dragon would only become stronger and more invulnerable. Without emotional constraints, his last flaw seemed to have disappeared.
"You won't always hang around with us, will you?" Finn asked with a smile. "I can see you're planning to leave in the next two days. Where are you going? If you want to relax, why not take me with you?"
"Take you?" Dragon looked surprised.
"Of course. Gion too. As long as your father isn't brought along," Finn said with another smile.
Upon hearing this, Dragon also laughed, and he seemed to be in a slightly better mood. After thinking for a moment, he said, "Originally, I was planning to visit a friend after entrusting Luffy's affairs to Mrs. Makino..."
"Who?" Finn exhaled a puff of smoke.
"You wouldn't know him even if I told you. He's not famous. He's just the owner of a kendo dojo in a small village in the East Blue." Dragon waved his hand dismissively.
"Hahahaha, that may not be the case," Finn laughed. "Let me guess. Could it be Koshiro of Shimotsuki Isshin-ryu?"
Dragon froze, then asked, "How did you know?"
"Because I'd originally planned to visit Koshiro myself, but your father disrupted my plans," Finn said, rolling his eyes.