After passing through the Calm Belt, the Goa Kingdom soon came into view.
It had to be said—the Seastone warship was incredibly convenient.
Without it, reaching the East Blue would've been a huge pain.
"Major Ain, we'll be arriving at the Goa Kingdom shortly. Should I inform Major General Karl?" a marine asked.
"I'll go tell him myself, Nelson," Ain replied.
"Roger!"
When Ain pushed open the lounge door, she froze.
An old man and a young man were sprawled out on the sofa without a shred of decorum, snoring louder than the other as if competing.
Ain covered her forehead helplessly and coughed softly.
Pop—
Garp's snot bubble burst.
"Huh? I fell asleep again?" he asked groggily.
"Vice Admiral Garp, we're about to reach the Goa Kingdom. I came to notify you," Ain said politely.
Garp stretched lazily and yawned.
"Thanks, little Ain. I should head back to my own ship now."
Then his gaze shifted—to Karl's snack cabinet.
Before Ain could react, Garp hoisted the entire cabinet onto his shoulder.
"Vice Admiral Garp?!"
"Shh! Don't wake the kid," Garp said, already walking away at speed.
Ain scratched her head.
The Marine Hero Garp… seems a bit different from what I imagined…
She turned back toward Karl, about to wake him—
—and Karl immediately opened his eyes, cursing under his breath.
"Damn that old geezer! Taking snacks is one thing, but carrying off the whole cabinet?! That's just cruel!"
Ain burst out laughing.
"Then why didn't you stop him?"
Karl replied righteously,
"Because I can't beat him! If I could, I'd have kicked him on the spot!"
"…We've arrived, right?"
Ain smiled and nodded.
"Yes. They say the Goa Kingdom is known as the most beautiful country in the East Blue."
"How about we take a look around?"
"Can we not go?"
"Nope."
Karl sighed, buckled Shusui and Raimei at his waist, and waved off Raven—a mature sword that knew how to move on its own.
"Let's go."
Ain's eyes curved into happy crescents as she followed him out.
After anchoring at the port, Karl and Ain disembarked.
To the left, Garp was already there—having brought only a handful of marines.
"Kid, come with me," Garp said.
Karl and Ain exchanged a glance and followed.
"Listen," Garp began,
"Don't be fooled by how shiny this place looks. In truth… tsk, how do I put it—never mind. You'll see."
The streets were spotless. Nobles walked by in elegant attire, and even commoners looked clean and well-kept. Anyone would think this place was wonderful.
"See that wall?" Garp asked.
"It's pretty tall. So?"
Garp's expression turned serious.
"Behind that wall lies another world—one completely opposite to this."
"Terminal of Uncertainty?" Karl murmured.
Garp froze.
"How do you know?"
"I didn't. But it's written right there. And I can read," Karl replied calmly.
Ain snorted in laughter.
Garp's lips twitched. He let out an indignant snort and stopped talking to Karl entirely.
"AAAAAH! It's him! It's really him! The world's most handsome man—Karl!!!"
A shrill scream shattered the street's calm.
A gorgeously dressed noblewoman clutched her face, cheeks flushed, staring at Karl with sparkling eyes.
The next second, she rushed over.
"Karl-sama! I—I'm your fan! You're even more handsome in person than in the papers! Could I get your autograph?"
Her expression changed as she realized she had nothing on her.
"Aaaaaah!"
Another scream—then another.
More than a dozen women surged forward.
Karl gulped.
"Vice Admiral Garp! Weren't you going to see your grandson? Let's go—now!"
Garp glanced at Karl indifferently, lifted his pinky, and leisurely picked his nose.
"Everyone, please calm down," Karl said loudly.
"I appreciate the enthusiasm, but I'm a Marine on duty. Please don't interfere with official work!"
Ain snorted internally.
Work?
He spent his days drinking tea, reading newspapers, and polishing swords. The real work was done by her, Smoker, and Nelson.
But the fans didn't care.
Long legs. Slim waist. A devastatingly handsome face in uniform.
Who wouldn't go crazy?
Instead of backing off, they crowded closer—hands reaching, lips puckering—
Karl's face changed instantly.
He bolted.
Terrifying!
These women looked like they wanted to devour him whole!
Garp laughed heartily and led Ain away from the pristine streets toward Mount Colubo on the city outskirts.
Ever since learning of Luffy's pirate ambitions, Garp had stopped letting him stay in Foosha Village, instead handing him over to the bandit Dadan—along with his other grandson.
Letting mountain bandits raise your grandkids—only Garp could pull that off.
On a forest path:
"Whew… finally ditched them," Karl said, relieved.
"World's most handsome man, huh?" Garp teased.
Karl sighed.
"You think I asked for this? Blame those irresponsible reporters!"
"Looks to me like you're enjoying it."
Karl fell silent.
With the 'Heartbreaker' buff, how could I not?
Would you say no?
"M-Marines are here!!!"
"What? Is it that old man Garp again?!"
Ace froze. Grandpa again?!
Luffy froze too.
Oh no. Grandpa's here!
The two boys turned and ran—
Too late.
"Hahahaha! You two brats sure grew fast! Luffy, did you behave while I was gone?"
Luffy grinned.
"Of course! I've been training hard to become the Pirate King! Right, Ace?!"
Ace sighed, having just finished furiously signaling Luffy to shut up.
"So… you want to be a pirate, huh?!" Garp roared.
BAM!
One punch.
A massive bump swelled on Luffy's head as he howled and rolled on the ground.
"OW OW OW! Stupid grandpa! I'll never become a Marine!"
"I'm gonna be the Pirate King!"
Garp's chest heaved. His fist clenched tighter… and tighter.
"You little bastard—today, I'm going to educate you properly!"
Watching Luffy get pummeled, Karl thought—
Now that's one hell of a teaching style.
◇ I'll be dropping one bonus chapters for every 10 reviews. comment
◇ One bonus chapter will be released for every 100 Power Stones.
◇ You can read 60 chapter ahead on P@treon if you're interested: patreon.com/SwipeSage