Chapter 21: The Path Ahead
Receiving Garp's praise stirred a genuine flicker of pride in Satoru's chest. This man was a living legend, the pinnacle of known strength in the world. While age might diminish him in decades to come, the current Monkey D. Garp was a force of nature, a pair of iron fists that haunted the dreams of pirates everywhere.
"But ability alone isn't enough," Garp rumbled, his expression turning serious. "A strong defense is worthless if you can't land a decisive blow."
"Of course I have offensive means," Satoru replied, meeting the Vice Admiral's gaze. "Would you like to test one? Though, be careful. You might get hurt."
Oh?
A wide, intrigued grin spread across Garp's face. How long had it been since someone spoke to him with such fearless confidence? Hurt me? Alright, kid. Let's see you try.
"You sound mighty sure of yourself. In that case, let's see it. Show me how you plan to leave a mark on this old man."
"Then you'd better brace yourself," Satoru warned. "Don't make excuses about your injuries later."
Cursed Energy began to swirl and condense in Satoru's palm, focusing into a volatile, hyper-dense point.
"Black Flash."
He didn't charge. He simply thrust his fist forward from where he stood. The air itself seemed to tear as the compressed, amplified energy shot toward Garp in a straight, devastating line.
Hmm! Even before impact, Garp's instincts screamed. The power in that projectile was no joke.
"Tekkai!" (Iron Body!)
Garp didn't dodge. He stood firm, muscles hardening like granite with the Navy's Six Powers technique. For added measure, a layer of pitch-black Armament Haki flared across his torso.
DING!
A sound like a massive bell being struck echoed across the clearing. Satoru's Black Flash collided with Garp's fortified body.
A shockwave of force blasted out from Garp's back, kicking up dust and flattening grass. The Vice Admiral's feet dug trenches in the earth, but he didn't budge an inch.
"Now that's some power, kid," Garp grunted, letting the Tekkai and Haki fade. He rubbed the spot on his chest where the blow had landed. It throbbed. The force had been a single, terrifyingly concentrated eruption. He wondered if Satoru could make every attack carry that multiplier. If so... the potential was staggering. If Garp's own legendary punches were amplified dozens of times over... even Whitebeard would feel it.
"It's got my blood pumping again," Garp admitted, a fierce light in his eyes. The punch had stirred the embers of his battle spirit. Satoru was still far from being a true opponent, but the seed was there. That defensive ability was bizarre, but Garp was confident that, given time, he could find its weakness.
"I'm thinking it might be time to take you to Marineford," Garp said, his voice thoughtful. "With proper training, in a few years, you'd have strength to shake the seas."
He saw Admiral-level potential in Satoru. As long as the boy didn't follow Dragon's path of rebellion, a future seat among the Navy's highest ranks seemed assured. Absolute defense paired with overwhelming offensive power? It was the blueprint for a nightmare for any pirate.
"I think I'm ready to leave here, too," Satoru agreed, nodding.
"Good! Then you'll sail back with me this time!"
Satoru felt a thrum of anticipation. Life at Navy Headquarters promised to be far more stimulating than the peaceful routine of Windmill Village.
"But first," Garp's expression darkened again, "I'm staying a while. Need to beat some sense into that idiot grandson of mine."
Just thinking about Luffy's pirate dream made his teeth grind.
"That... might be difficult," Satoru offered carefully.
"Hmph! Difficult or not, I'll do it! My son's already a lost cause! I won't let my grandson follow him down that path!" Garp declared, his resolve ironclad. "I will hammer him into the finest Marine ever to wear the uniform!"
Or the pirate with the most Marine-like background, Satoru quipped silently.
"But seriously, what the hell happened while I was gone?" Garp groaned, running a hand through his hair. "He's not my sweet, obedient grandson anymore!"
Satoru recounted the events—Shanks's arrival, the formation of Luffy's dream, the bandit incident, and the sacrifice of Shanks's arm to save Luffy from the Sea King.
Garp listened, his initial anger at Shanks cooling into something more complex upon hearing about the lost arm. He hadn't expected that level of sacrifice for a child he'd just met. It spoke volumes about the depth of Shanks's belief in Luffy.
"Even if you gambled an arm on him, Shanks," Garp muttered to the wind, "I won't let you win. I'll turn him into a Marine that'll make you regret it."
"We'll see," Satoru said simply.
What followed were days of what could only be described as "Garp's Special Corrections." He tied Luffy to a weather balloon and let him drift into the stratosphere. He threw him into bottomless ravines. He left him alone overnight in jungles teeming with nocturnal predators.
He really is his grandfather, Satoru observed, equal parts horrified and impressed. He wouldn't wish that "parenting" on anyone.
Yet, Luffy's spirit proved unbreakable. He emerged from each ordeal bruised, battered, but shouting louder than ever about becoming the Pirate King. The declaration nearly gave Garp an aneurysm.
"Satoru," Garp said one evening, looking uncharacteristically thoughtful. "No training tomorrow. Come with me. I'm taking you to meet someone."
"Okay."
(End of Chapter)
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