a grandfather worries and this marine cannot be stopped.
ace knew the old man was coming. he knew before he saw the dog's sails. he knew before the lookout rang the alarm.
it had been three months. three months of no calls, letters or sign of him. and the last thing ace had told him was that he was challenging whitebeard. and then silence.
three months and the old man was blind with worry.
ace looked out to the sea where a marine battle ship sailed. its sails were tattered and the dog head was split down the middle.
ace shook his head and walked to pops' chair, where the commanders were deciding on what to do when the vice admiral got close.
whitebeard turned his attention to the youngest, watching as the boy climbed his chair and the man himself, to whisper in his ear.
whitebeard nodded at the request, the boy rarely asked for anything and it was the least he could do. for the boy and for the continued existence of the moby dick.
'let him board, he'll be of no trouble. this time at least.'
marco opened his mouth to protest but the sight of his brother fiddling with his treasured hat atop their father's shoulder quickly closed it. he wondered what they had talked about. their father had never been a fan of the man that was monkey d. garp. but he'd hold his tongue. for now.
'you heard pops! hold your fire and stand by!'
izo placed his gun back into the folds of his kimono and signaled for the others to do the same. something was going on and he was willing to put his defenses down to find out what.
the ship anchored besides them, marines littered the railing and gawked at the pirates. they looked like they had barely been promoted from chore boys to recruits.
that was interesting, izo thought, most recruits were trained in the east blue, so what were all these green sailors doing so far from home.
'WHERE IS HE!,' the shout rumbled both ships as thundering footsteps grew closer.
the recruits stumbled over each other, creating a clear path to the railing. they held onto each other as a blurry shape leaped over the railing, nearly capsizing the great moby dick at impact.
ace used his father as a springboard and latched onto the rampaging marine.
'you went overboard, shitty gramps.'
garp grabbed the boy and looked him over, eyes searching for the tiniest of scratches.
ace smiled at him and garp relaxed.
'newgate didn't hurt you? or do i have to go back on my word,' garp turned to sneer at the large man, not even glancing at the tense commanders around him.
ace flicked his grandfather's head, 'even if he did, its not your place, gramps.'
garp grumbled at the boy's words. he was their only grandparent, he felt that he was allowed to worry. and beat the large yonko if harm had come to his grandson.
it was only right.