"I'm not gonna sell you. I'll kill you instead."
Luffy growled at the bandit that had pinned him on the ground with one foot on his head. Where was Shanks? If he was here, then these bandits would be begging for their lives by now! He looked around and saw the mixed emotions on everyone's faces. They looked worried… scared… and uncertain of what to do. If only I was stronger! Then this wouldn't have to happen! I wouldn't have to put everyone else through this!
Luffy continued to struggle underneath Higuma, whose sword was carefully aimed at his head. Gritting his teeth in anger, he braced myself for the fatal blow that was to come. However, before Higuma could swing his sword down, an angry voice boomed through the streets of Foosha Village.
"What the hell are you doing…" the silhouette of a man began to shout. Could it be Shanks? , "… to my grandson!"
Luffy's jaw dropped in horror after spotting his grandfather, Monkey D. Garp, angrily storming down the street towards them. He struggled to get up even harder this time. However, not because of the bandits that now seemed like a minor threat. Instead, Luffy was desperately trying to get away from the smack down that his grandfather was surely about to give.
"Oh? Who's this now?" Higuma asked, unaware of the looming danger that was Garp. "Is that your grandpa coming to rescue you? How cute."
"You're damn right I am!" Garp threw his white coat with the word "Justice" on the ground. While rolling up his sleeves and then cracking his knuckles, he growled in a quiet, yet threatening voice, "Boy, you better be prepared because I'm about to whoop your ass like there's no tomorrow."
Finally taking his foot off of Luffy's head, Higuma turned his body towards Garp and took a few steps towards him. "I notice that you're a marine. So for a sea-bound geezer such as yourself, I'm sure that you are unaware of how dangerous bandits really are. Unfortunately for you though, the price for that is your head!"
They stood face to face, only inches apart from each other. However, even with the tension in the air, the surrounding villagers could easily tell that Garp was the stronger person, just by the atmosphere he was giving off.
The fight between Higuma and Garp began but it was already over before everyone else even realized it. In three seconds, Higuma had attempted to slash his sword at Garp, who quickly sidestepped it, grabbed Higuma's jacket collar, and then gave him one heck of a punch to the face that he would never forget. Higuma was now lying unconscious on the ground, while Garp was laughing about how easy the fight was.
"Bwahahaha!" Garp laughed, "You weak piece of trash, don't show your face here again!"
While the other bandits quickly carried Higuma away, the mayor asked, "Shouldn't you be arresting them, Garp?"
"If anyone asks, I'll just say they got away." he replied, to which the villagers dropped their jaws in response. "Actually, I think I have more important matters to attend to…" Garp muttered while spotting Luffy trying to quietly sneak away. "Where do you think you're going, Luffy?!"
Before Luffy had a chance to respond, Garp marched towards him and demanded, "Why the hell were you picking fights with bandits?! And to make it worse, why were you losing to them?!"
"But he's only a child, Garp!" defended Makino, "Don't blame him, there was nothing anyone could do about it. It was a good thing that you got here when you did."
"There's no excuses for Luffy! I didn't throw him in valleys and dangerous forests for nothing!" Everyone started sweating bullets, unsure about whether or not they should call social services. "Luffy, from now on, you're coming with me to train to become a marine!"
Luffy immediately became angry, "What?! Why the heck would I do that! You can't make me go! I want to be a pirate, just like Shanks!"
"Stop speaking such nonsense!" Garp shouted at him.
"It's not nonsense! If Shanks was here, then he would have defeated those bandits twice as fast as you!"
Garp sighed and bent down so he was face to face with Luffy, "But he wasn't here, Luffy. You have to realize that he's not always going to be here to help you. So what are you going to do then? Who's going to save you the next time you're in trouble and both Shanks and I aren't here?" Luffy became silent as he stared at the ground.
Garp continued, "And it's not just your life either. Everyone else in this village was in danger too! Do you want to grow up to be the kind of person who can't protect anyone, let alone yourself?!"
Everyone carefully watched Luffy as he continued to stare at the ground, thinking about what Garp just said. It was true that Luffy wanted to be just like Shanks, but he thought about how it was his grandfather who saved him today and not Shanks. And how during that time before he ate the Gomu Gomu no Mi, Shanks didn't even stand up for himself in front of the bandits. Finally, Luffy came to his decision and quietly said, "I'll go with you."
The villagers were stunned to hear this boy, who just recently was boasting about how he would become the Pirate King, agree to become a marine.
Garp let out a big grin and said, "Good! You finally have your priorities straight! Pack your bags because we're leaving now."
As the two of them walked away, Makino gently said, "Poor Luffy… It must have been a difficult decision for him…"
The mayor muttered, "Well, it's for the best. Who knows what kind of person he would have become if he was a pirate?" Makino didn't reply as she sadly watched Luffy's silhouette walk away, growing smaller and smaller.
Two Months Later
"Luffy, you better put on that suit or else I'm gonna give you my fist of love!" Garp barked while tying his tie.
"But it's too tight!" complained Luffy, who was furiously pulling at his collar, "Why do I have to wear this?!"
Garp sighed and turned away from his mirror to face Luffy, "Listen up because I'm only going to tell you this once. Lately, I've been keeping some things secret from you, but I'm going to tell you this now." With new interest in what Garp was about to say, Luffy stopped what he was doing to look at him.
"Right now, the World Government is unsure of what to do with you." After seeing the confused look on Luffy's face, Garp sighed and continued, "In the world right now, your father is starting to make himself known for going against the World Government. Whether it's for the best or not, I really don't know. However, what I do know is that your father's actions are stopping you from becoming a marine."
"What? Are those people stupid?" Luffy tilted his head, "What does dad have to do with anything? We're two different people!"
Garp smiled, enjoying Luffy's innocence from the real world around him. He bent down to help tie his tie and explained "I know that, Luffy. But the dimwits up there in the government seem to think differently! So that's why we have to dress up and go set their minds straight!" He looked at Luffy's face to notice that he had fallen fast asleep.
With a vein popping out of his forehead, Garp threw a punch at Luffy's head and growled, "Taste my fist of love, punk!" While Luffy shot straight up and rubbed the bump that was forming on head, Garp grumbled, "We better get going soon or we're going to be late."
Three hours later, Luffy and Garp arrived at their destination of Marineford. Walking through the long, narrow halls towards their meeting room, even Luffy was capable of understanding the serious tone that his grandfather was giving off.
"Hey gramps, what's wrong?" Luffy asked while tugging on Garp's shirt.
He looked at Luffy and sighed, "Nothing you need to worry about right now. When we walk in to that room, Luffy, I need you to promise me that you'll keep your mouth shut, okay?"
Not completely sure why his grandfather was asking him of this, Luffy only gave him a nod and said "Okay."
"Good." He replied. While nearing the end of the corridor, Garp could only think about all of the possible ways that the meeting could go wrong. In the worst case scenario, he thought, Luffy would be taken away and executed. He would either be labeled as a potential threat for the future, or an example for his father. Maybe even both…
Standing in front of the closed double doors, an average looking man wearing a marine uniform was waiting for them. After noticing their arrival, he took out his den den mushi and quietly spoke into it. A moment later, he looked up at Garp and said "They are ready for you. You two may enter."
Before taking another step, Garp took a deep breath, pushed open the doors, and then walked in. Luffy quietly followed behind him, and little did he know that some of the most powerful people in the world were sitting down at the "U" shaped table in front of him. On one side, sat the Fleet Admiral Sengoku, and Admiral Aokiji. On the other side, sat two of the Shichibukai, Dracule Mihawk and Bartholomew Kuma. Finally, at the end of the table was a single member of the Gorosei (whose name I don't know, so I'll just refer to him as "The Gorosei".)
Noticing the two walk in, Mihawk immediately stopped the argument that he was having with Sengoku about why he was needed at this meeting. Sengoku cleared his throat and said "Please, sit down."
Luffy and Garp sat down at the only seats available, which was at opposite sides of the table from each other. Garp sat next to Sengoku and Luffy sat next to Kuma. Right after sitting down, Luffy immediately started fidgeting in his seat before he noticed the palms of Kuma's hands.
"Can I see your weird paws?" Luffy asked him, forgetting about the promise he made to Garp. Luffy quickly stopped talking after noticing the daggers that Garp was staring into him. He gulped and sat completely still afterwards.
"We will now begin our meeting." The Gorosei announced, "Today, we will be deciding on the fate of Monkey D. Luffy. We will decide whether such a young boy will be allowed to join the marines, or be subjected to other… concerns…"
A low growl was heard by Sengoku from Garp, but feeling sympathy for Garp and Luffy, he chose to ignore it.
"First," The Gorosei continued, "We shall discuss the reasons why this young boy should not be allowed into the marines. Kuma, you may begin."
Kuma stood up from his seat and took out a piece of paper that he had hidden in his Bible. Reading the paper out loud in an emotionless voice, it was difficult to tell what he was thinking, "Monkey D. Luffy is only a child who is not ready to bare the burdens of the marines. His physical and mental state is currently not capable of handling the dangerous life that comes with joining a military force for the World Government. Furthermore, his father is none other than Dragon the Revolutionary." Luffy leaned forward after hearing his father's name for the first time.
He continued "Even though only a select group of people is currently aware of this fact, there is still the possibility that the truth may come out. If this becomes the case, than it is almost certain that the marines, possibly even the World Government, will lose their respect from citizens around the world."
"Well, those were certainly good points that you had, Kuma." The Gorosei smiled and turned his head towards Sengoku. "What do you think we should do in order to prevent this from happening, Fleet Admiral?"
Garp gritted his teeth at the obvious set up this was. They had planned this all along and weren't even going to give us a chance! He impatiently waited for the inevitable response that Sengoku was sure to give.
"In order to ensure the prevention of such a possible event…" Sengoku looked down at the table, his words heavy with regret, "I recommend… executing Monkey D. Luffy for the sake of… justice." He practically spat out the last words, baffled that he was even capable of saying them.
"Very well, whoever agrees, please raise your hand." Said The Gorosei.
Unaware of what the word "execute" even meant, Luffy curiously looked around the table to see that everyone except him and Garp had put their hands up.
"Sorry, kid." Mihawk muttered under his breath.
The Gorosei also looked around, satisfied by what he was seeing. "Then we have an answer-"
"Wait!" Garp stood up from his seat and slammed his fist against the table. "Don't give me those bullshit reasons and then sentence my grandson to death!" The Gorosei glared at him, but he continued to speak, "You and I both know very well that age is not an excuse when it comes to the World Government! Heck, people of the CP9 even begin training when they're toddlers!" The Gorosei was about to ask how Garp was even aware of the CP9, but he began to speak louder. "And especially don't go telling me that Luffy, himself, will be the reason for the World Government's downfall! I can promise you that won't be the case; in fact, it will be the complete opposite!"
Again, The Gorosei was about to speak, but this time, Sengoku spoke first. "How so?" He asked, prompting him to continue defending the child.
"If for some miracle, everyone were to find out about the identity of Luffy's father, then it would show them that even Dragon the Revolutionary's son is against him. It would not only give us more power against the Revolutionary Army, but it would also discourage Dragon."
"… And what do you think of this? Dragon is your son after all." Aokiji, who had been quiet the whole time, demanded.
"… I do not agree with my son's actions. If I did, than I would be a part of his army by now." Garp had looked directly at Luffy when he said those words, hoping that he was listening to this important conversation. But of course… he wasn't. Instead, he was staring intensely into his own hands, trying to make paw pads appear with sheer concentration.
"Now that I think about it, allowing that boy to work for the World Government as a marine does seem like a strategic plan…" Mihawk contemplated.
Sengoku added, "Yes, and if the day came, would even Dragon the Revolutionary be willing to fight against his own son?"
"Don't get ahead of yourselves now." Warned Aokiji, "There's always the possibility that Luffy could one day betray us and join his father's side instead."
"We must decide: is this a gamble that we are willing to take?" Asked Mihawk.
Kuma spoke in a clear and loud voice, "Yes, I am willing to bet my life on this boy." Everyone looked at him, utterly shocked at what they just heard. This man, who just moments ago was listing all of these reasons to go against Luffy, was now saying the complete opposite. Just what was he thinking?
"Well… if even Kuma here is willing to take the bet, then so am I." said Mihawk.
"I, as well." agreed Sengoku.
"Then I think there's nothing else to discuss now." Aokiji yawned, "I am curious to see how this boy will turn out."
"Yes, The Gorosei, it is clear of what we should do now. At this point, we need only your consent." Sengoku nodded.
The Gorosei sighed, clearly frustrated at how his perfectly planned meeting had turned out. He looked up and saw the eyes of everyone in the room on him, including Luffy. In a tight, quiet voice, The Gorosei declared "I hereby announce that Monkey D. Luffy is now a member of the marines starting today. The meeting is over. You may all leave now."
Not wanting to anger The Gorosei even more, Garp quickly grabbed Luffy and dragged him out of the room.
After closing the door behind him, Garp let out a shout of excitement and exclaimed, "We did it! Everything turned out great!"
"Does this mean I'm a marine now?" Luffy asked.
"Sure does, kid! Woo! One down, one to go!" he hollered.
"What do you mean?"
"Don't worry about it." he waved him off. "Let's just go home now and get you a brand new uniform!"
Outside of the building's entrance, Sengoku stopped them.
"Garp, what the hell were you trying to pull?" he asked.
Genuinely shocked by his question, Garp said "I was just trying to save this kid's life. Why are you so angry?"
He sighed, realizing that Garp really had no idea what he was talking about. "I meant that little outburst you had trying to defend Luffy. Don't get me wrong, it's great that you were able to save his life, but there are better ways of doing it then shouting at a member of the Gorosei! Your title as a marine hero can only go so far! I'm sure that even you understand that you shouldn't make an enemy of the leaders of our World Government."
"Everything's going to be fine, Sengoku! It's already been decided that Luffy's going to become one of us, so there's nothing to worry about!"
"I hope you're right, Garp, because if things end up terribly in the future, it's going to be yours and Luffy's head the government will be after. Just be careful from now on." With that, Sengoku turned around and left for his ship.
"Don't you worry about that." Garp muttered, "Luffy's going to be the best marine anyone has ever seen!"
A minute later, Garp took a deep breath and shouted at Sengoku's back, "HEY! DID YOU HEAR THAT, SENGOKU? I SAID THAT LUFFY'S GOING TO BE THE BEST DAMN MARINE THAT ANYONE HAS EVER SEEN! I PROMISE!"
Waving him off with the back of his hand, Sengoku only continued to walk away. However, what Garp couldn't see from where he was standing, was the smile that Sengoku had on his face.
Hey everyone, thanks for reading and I hope you enjoyed the first chapter! A few years ago, I had started another marine Luffy story but unfortunately, I never finished it. However, now that it's been a while, I'm attempting to try again and I will do my best to start and finish this story to the end! Please leave your reviews of what you thought of the first chapter and any suggestions that you may have! Thank you!