Early the next day of the Straw Hats' arrival in the Grand Line, Navy base 45 was swelled to rise early and prepare for the day. Vice Admiral Garp would be here within the hour. The Marines went into overdrive tidying the base up, as well as preparing for the strategy of transporting Axe-Hand to Garp's ship. A huge concern was of him escaping on the walk through Shells Town and savaging Marines or civilians.
Yet Coby was just energetic. He had spent the entire week sweeping the floors, yet he went into overdrive today, sweeping the entire two first floors before Captain Ripper had the base assemble. The Vice Admiral's flagship was on the horizon and would be arriving soon. There was a retinue of Marines led by Ripper that would greet the Vice Admiral's entourage at the dock. The others would remain at base, making sure Morgan was kept safe and locked up.
"Coby, why don't you come with us?" Ripper said. "Remember me saying I'd like you to meet this Vice Admiral?"
"Yessir! I'd love any chance to meet Garp the Fist," Coby said, brimming over with excitement that this day had finally come. A real Navy hero! I can't believe it! He accompanied the small group that marched through town to the docks. Even from here, Coby could just barely make out Garp's signature dog's head figurehead. The stories were told to scared young children that if pirates or the spirit of Gold Roger ever invaded their village at night, it would be Garp the Fist that arrived to fight them off.
The Marines of 45 helped Garp Squad tie up to the dockyard, as well as cordoning off the area so the crowd from Shells Town wouldn't swell over and swarm the Vice Admiral. "Just stand to the side, Coby, you're good," Ripper told him as he stepped forward. Garp Squad lowered the gangplank to the dock and down came the tallest man Coby had ever seen: Vice Admiral Garp, accompanied by Bogard as always and a retinue of his toughest Marines.
"Captain Ripper, I presume?" Garp bellowed, extending a hand to shake the new commanding officer's. "It's an honor to meet you. I tell ya, you're a real upgrade from the last guy Sengoku had stationed here."
"Vice Admiral, the honor is all mine," Ripper said, sounding more like a little schoolboy in that sentence than the commanding officer of a Navy Base. "I remember studying some of your battles in the academy. What nerves I did have that were rattling around are gone seeing you in person."
"Oh, don't bother flattering me, it doesn't work," Garp said, though he blushed all the same. He waved to the crowd from Shells Town who were screaming for him, screaming his name, thanking him for his decades of service. "Thank you! Thank you all! Settle down, I'm just a man!" Coby felt familiarity when Garp said that last sentence, though he wasn't sure why or from where.
"Alright," Garp said, shrugging. "Guess we gotta get this over with. It's never fun locking up an old colleague, but of all of them to lock up, I'm sure glad it's Axe-Hand." He and Ripper began walking off together, and the Marines parted the crowd to form a gap for them to head up to the base. Coby followed on Ripper's heels and noticed that even though this was Ripper's island, Garp led the way. He does pull rank on him, though, Coby thought. Coby then felt the eyes of the strange man next to Garp on him, studying him as he stared at Garp's back. Coby stared straight ahead.
Once the retinue of Marines from 45 and Garp Squad were past the main throng of the onlookers, well up the hill toward the base, Ripper grabbed Coby's shoulder and gently guided him to take a few more steps forward into view. "Sir Vice Admiral, this is Coby. He's our newest recruit. I wanted you to meet him."
Garp kept walking but slowed down to turn at the waist to face Coby, smiling widely at him. He extended a hand, shaking Coby's as they walked. "How do ya do, son? We're damn glad to have ya, damn glad!"
He faced back forward, pocketing his hand again, and the Marines arrived back at 45's door. Ripper's XO held the door for everybody, saluting cordially to Garp. Coby noticed it wasn't just Ripper that had a childlike glee at meeting Garp the Fist, nor just himself; much of 45 felt in awe of having a Navy legend who barely ever left the Grand Line here.
"I'll have my men prepare Axe-Hand. We kept him locked up until you arrived. We couldn't risk a break out," Ripper explained, nodding toward a large group of Marines on stand by in the corner, who saluted to attention and walked off to go deal with extracting Morgan. "Could I have a quick word in private, sir?"
Garp raised a brow. "I tell you the truth, Captain, I'm on a time crunch. I was supposed to be back in the Grand Line yesterday, but with everything going on in Loguetown, I got held up."
"I understand, sir," Ripper said, gesturing to a room off from the main entrance. "This is our meeting room. No one will hear us through those doors." He held the door for Garp, but felt uncomfortable as Bogard entered. Garp realized he hadn't explained that and said over his shoulder, "Oh, that's Bogard. He's with me, not the Navy. He can be trusted."
Bogard did not wait for Ripper's permission, entering past him all the same. Coby watched as Ripper shut the door behind him. It must have been nothing to Garp, but Coby felt like he didn't want to use his hand ever again. Vice Admiral Garp! I can't believe this!
Inside the meeting room, Garp sat at the head of the table, picking his nose as Bogard stood post at the door. Ripper walked over and took the seat he had occupied when he'd been Morgan's executive officer. "I'm sorry for this, Vice Admiral, but I actually had a story and a request. I'll make both brief.
"Surely, you know the reason for Morgan's arrest and demotion, correct?"
Garp nodded, grunting. "I was part of the group who passed judgment. I heard everything." He was wondering where this was going, already suspecting Luffy had something to do with it. He recalled the straw hatted individual that had defeated that dastardly pirate captain Morgan hated so much.
"Well, there was a group there who were a massive help to that entire day. If not for them, many people would have died more than already did. Some at the hands of the Black Cat Pirates. Some at the hands of Axe-Hand." Garp noticed Ripper was shaking at this point. "They are now led by the pirate Straw Hat, the same person who introduced me to Coby."
Garp furrowed his brow. He does have something to do with it, but this is a very different direction than I anticipated, he thought as Ripper continued. "Sir, this boy has had a hard life. He was abandoned by his parents and made a life for himself in his village all the same. He took to fishing. Then, the Iron Mace Pirates took him captive as a cabin boy for two years when he was fourteen. He would have been killed if he had revolted. But apparently, Straw Hat and his First Mate saved Coby. And even though they're pirates and he's a Marine, they are the closest of friends."
Garp nodded slowly. "Where are you going with this, Captain?"
"I know how deep the Navy's intelligence can go. He's avoided scrutiny so far because he's so far down on the totem pole, but he dreams of being a great Navy officer - and who am I to hold him back from that?" Ripper said, shaking his head dejectedly. "I don't think his affiliation with pirates means he should be ejected from the Navy five years from now once he's finally got a hope of making captain. I don't think someone like me could prevent that."
Indeed, Garp thought, rubbing his chin pensively. "So you want me to be that person?"
"I want you to train him to be the Navy officer, or Admiral, he could become," Ripper said truthfully. He took a deep breath. "Please forgive me if I've spoken out of turn, sir, I just -."
"Calm down, Captain Ripper," Garp said jovially. He leaned forward. "I would happy to take this young Coby under my ward. After all, any friend of my grandson is a friend of mine - if they're in the Navy, of course!" He guffawed at that alone.
His . . . grandson? And maybe Ripper had a vague memory of hearing that Luffy's full name was Monkey D. Luffy one time; it was common knowledge what Garp's full name was. Yet he hadn't connected the dots until Garp had for him. No way, he thought, wondering what sort of connection that could be.
There was a knock at the door. Ripper's new executive popped his head in and said, "Axe-Hand is ready for departure, Captain. Vice Admiral. Sir." He addressed each of the three men quite cordially with the same nod.
"Consider it done, Captain," Garp reiterated, rising first and walking to exit the room. He left as the XO held it open for him and Bogard; Ripper was the last to rise and leave, somewhat in a daze over what he had just casually been divulged. He's the highest bounty in the East Blue now! Ripper thought contemplatively as he returned to the entryway where the entire retinue was posted up, gathered around the disgraced Axe-Hand, in black and white, chains, and a hobble.
"Well, Axe-Hand," Garp said, pocketing his hands and standing a good head above Morgan. "Looks like you've fallen to disgrace after all. A shame for a cadet like yourself."
"Quiet, old man," Morgan grumbled. "My jaw works fine once more. I'd blame it on your senility, but I know now you never had the true gumption to be a Navy hero."
"And you did?" Garp tossed back, waving his hand at the troop of men holding Morgan in place by chains extending off his own shackles. "Get him to my ship."
"45! To your posts!" Ripper called, and the main host of the base ran out of the front door to line the streets, holding the commoners back so Morgan could not get close to them in any way. Ripper had this planned out since the call for Morgan to be locked up in the Navy prison. Garp actually nodded, impressed by the care to detail and safety for the town.
He led the way out of Navy Base 45, with Ripper behind him leading the men who carted Morgan along dutifully, chains pulled taught as Morgan was allowed to walk over his old wardenship one last time. Garp reflected on the decision to lock up such a seasoned Marine, one of the few left in the East Blue. And now the other has joined the many like him in the Grand Line, Garp thought almost vengefully. He wondered why he hadn't just declined the captain's request, but he figured it was better this way.
It never did to hold people back, so it read best for Garp to pardon Smoker and allow him to pursue little Luffy. Smoker had left the same day Garp Squad had, and by now, he was likely nearing Reverse Mountain. Pitiful. We couldn't even offer him a ship capable of crossing the Calm Belt, Garp thought in reproach of the World Government, even though logic dictated right after that pursuing the Straw Hats over Reverse Mountain would lead to them faster.
All distractions, Garp thought as they made their way further into Shells Town. The crowd of people began to gather, and they threw their rotten produce at Morgan as he passed, splattering some of the Marines' boots in the process. Ripper is a good man, but Morgan is a strong man, Garp thought, happy to look around at the civility of Shells Town now but scared for how long it could possibly last. In truth, he was scared for his entire home sea. The East Blue had been a strange sea to monitor, with no true moniker fitting it. The pirates here were weaker; yet there was a bounty cap at 25 to hide the true notoriety of the pirates bred here. Garp had long fought against it, but Sengoku had been the major advocate for such a thing after Roger's days.
Fullbody is fine. He needs some war in his blood, Garp thought as he considered the major players left in the East. Puding is an upjumped fool worthy of only ruling that little isle. Ripper, good man, needs seasoning. Nezumi is a snake; can't be trusted. No . . . this sea is in danger. Garp could only wonder from who. He was glad too to see Morgan get drenched by rotten tomatoes, even though his vote had been to pardon Morgan and simply demote him and move him to a more controllable place in the East - potentially under Smoker. All plans, gone to ruin. Thanks, Luffy.
The Marines finally reached the dock and Morgan was carted up to enter the brig deep in the flagship's bowels. Garp and Bogard waited on the dock as much of Garp Squad returned to their ship to prepare for the long journey back to Enies Lobby and then back to Marineford. Garp stared back over Shells Town, relieved at least to be leaving them in capable hands for the time being. I have a feeling I will be back here sooner than I'd like, Garp realized. Perhaps then he would visit Fooshia again.
Among the main retunie of Marines bound for Garp's ship had been Coby, who now stood sheepishly by as he wondered if he should partake in the farewells. Garp looked him over, considering his supposed friendship with Luffy once more. In another life, Luffy may have looked just like you, Garp thought, specifically thinking of his sheepish attitude and stance. He pointed to the chore boy. "So this Coby is worth his salt?" he asked Ripper.
"He isn't now, but his potential is," Ripper said. "Under the tutelage of someone like you, he could be something huge for this world." Ripper beamed at his small protege who inspected the scene around him without much thought for how to conduct himself now. He has no idea we're talking about his future.
"Coby!" Garp bellowed at Ripper's high esteem, and Coby spun around. "I hear you're a fine soldier." He waved an arm up the gangplank of his ship after the last of his men had marched back up to man it. "Care to make a name of yourself and train in the Holy Land?"
Coby's eyes wavered; he doubled back between staring at Garp and Ripper straight in the ey, unblinking but shaking all over. "What?" he said simply.
Ripper smiled and nodded. "No time for theatrics, my boy. I recommended you myself. I know you can go far, given the right path. 45 is far from that path. Do you really want to chase new heights?" He hesitated a moment before asking the next question even though the only people who could hear were himself, Coby, Garp, and Bogard. "Do you really want to meet your friends again one day?"
Coby began to tear up at those words, moved already by Ripper's recommendation and even more by his consideration. He wiped his tears away before anyone from afar could notice he was crying and nodded, saluting his superiors. "If it is alright with the esteemed Vice Admiral . . . I would honor my Captain's recommendation and pursue my dream to become an influential Naval officer! Thank you, Vice Admiral Garp! I am honored!"
Coby saluted proudly, standing at the firmest attention he'd ever stood at for the moment. Garp couldn't help but laugh, walking over to where Coby stood and clapping him on the shoulder as he faced Shells Town one last time. "Save your honor for battle. In the meantime, I'd love to hear stories about my grandson while you keep my ship clean."
Coby didn't know what he meant at first, but staring up at the wide, beaming grin Garp sent back down at the new enlistment, Coby suddenly recalled that nostalgia from earlier and relived seeing Luffy smile for the first time after defeating an opponent. He then recalled their full names the same way Ripper had earlier and considered himself the biggest fool to ever exist as he pursed his lips together. This is Luffy carrying your legacy for you again, said the harmful little voice inside his head as he bowed his head.
Coby vowed now to let that be expressed and he raised his head, smiling. "I'll be honored all the same, Vice Admiral." Coby turned and saluted the force of 45 Marines that stood as a barrier between the onlookers from Shells and the dock. He saluted them. "My friends! It seems I'm off to the Grand Line sooner than expected!" He threatened to tear up but he vowed not to. "I was so excited to learn so much more from you . . . but it seems like this is goodbye."
The Marines of 45 stopped with their traffic control if they were doing such a thing and faced Coby full on, saluting him. Rumors spread fast at 45 because they were closer than many other Navy bases; they had welcomed Coby all the same despite his pirate connections. "You be safe, Coby!" someone called from the crowd of saluting Marines. "We can't wait to hear from you next! So don't forget about us!" someone else called.
Coby turned to face Ripper, still threatening to tear up. And the dams broke as he looked up at the captain who he had gladly pledged his service to, even in the form of the same sort of chores he was doing under Alvida. Without prompting or warning, a few of the closer Marines from 45 including the XO surrounded Coby and the captain, body blocking them from view of the Shells Town citizens looking at the procession.
Ripper smiled down at Coby. "Do good things, Coby. I know you will."
And Coby leaped forward, wrapping his arms around Ripper. Ripper allowed the moment to betray Navy code and placed a hand around Coby's head, smiling simply as he shut his eyes to keep from crying himself. Coby cried against his chest, hugging him tight, and although Garp easily looked on, Ripper could not care less. "I'm proud of you, son. You'll be a natural on the Grand Line! Give 45's best regards to Luffy, even if it earns us a reprimanding from HQ!"
"I will, sir!" Coby sputtered. "I'll meet them again!"
And within the next three minutes, Garp's flagship was departing from Shells Town with Coby in tow, as well as Axe-Hand in the brig. He stared at his old dominion shrink in the distance, his old subordinates gathered on the docks not to see him off, but to see some stripling that he knew had hurt his son. His jaw flexed with pain; he would not be going to Impel Down.
Above deck, Coby stared off the stern of the ship as Shells Town disappeared in the background. It felt like sunset to him even though morning was barely wearing on; it wasn't even 10:00 yet. The others on Garp Squad were readily at their duties, or on extra-guard duty for Morgan underneath, or else already in relaxation mode in the cabin or on deck. Coby was all alone.
Until he heard footsteps behind him; Garp and Bogard approached, though Bogard hung back by the stars, leaning against the railing while Garp stood next to Coby. They both leaned against the railing, at vastly different heights on their shoulders. "You're an emotional lad, huh?" Garp asked simply.
"Yes, sir," Coby admitted, bowing his head. "It seems I am."
Garp scoffed warmly. "Well good! The Navy needs more men like you. Between you and me, I don't find Ripper to be strong enough to assume 45. But he has, and I know he'll do the best he can. But you are a lot like him." Coby looked up at Garp with hurt eyes, expecting a reprimanding and perhaps torture moving ahead on this voyage. "You are also young. You have a lot of growth ahead." He clapped a hand around Coby's shoulder. "Don't worry about the voyage ahead. Train hard, and the battles ahead will be nothing by comparison."
Does he really mean that? If he were really Luffy's grandfather, that was reason enough to believe his strength eclipsed that of men and giants, yet he was also a Navy hero and a decorated veteran of many wars against some of the greatest powers in the world. Yet his grasp was warm, not threatening or intimidating or warning. That was emphasized as Garp added, "And I mean what I said about telling me some stories about Luffy. I haven't seen him in a while."
"Really?" Coby gasped, surprised. "How are you related?"
"I'm his grandfather!" Garp exclaimed, figuring the greyer hair was a dead giveaway. "Well, actually, I saw him recently after he was departing Loguetown. He actually had nothing to do with the destruction there, by the way!" Garp said, well aware of the slandering being done to both crews' names in regards to the destruction of Loguetown.
"I had no doubt in my mind. Luffy would never destroy anything related to Roger," Coby said confidently as Garp spun around to lean his rear against the rail instead.
That was a strike of lightning from blue skies, if the rumors are to be believed, Garp thought angrily, unsure what to make of such a rumor. He hated to think that either Luffy or Buggy the Clown would destroy Roger's Scaffold; he frankly couldn't believe it if it were either of them.
"There are many dangers ahead of us, Coby. I don't just mean in terms of where we're going," Garp said as he pushed off the railing. "I'm glad to have met you. Keep doing what you're good at for now - this ship needs a good cleaning."
Coby was disappointed at the order placed ahead of him, but he relented and set to work - but not until Shells Town was well out of sight behind them and the day wore on steadily. At some point into the afternoon, it felt like a completely new day. Coby could focus on his tasks clearly; he already missed Ripper and 45, but the times were changing and it was his time to move on.
Later in the morning, the Straw Hats woke and gathered themselves. The Log Pose was well and set now, and after breakfast, they would depart for the next destination their Pose pointed them to. In addition to another of Sanji's meals that Crocus was most excited for, they left him with some of their newly acquired food and alcohol from Loguetown that Sanji and Nami had gathered for him to enjoy.
"Your help thus far has been payment enough for anything I have provided you," Crocus said warmly, spreading his arms wide as the Straw Hats had finally loaded their things up and were ready to depart. "All I can ask at this point is to stay safe on your journeys ahead."
"Of course, Crocus! We're glad to have to met you, too," Luffy declared, shaking Crocus' hand warmly. "Listen, if there's any way to, let us know if you all need anything. We'll return however possible." He looked up at Laboon. "That goes double for you. Otherwise, I'll see you when I next come down that mountain."
Laboon roared; their agreement had been that Laboon might join them one day, when either the survivors of his crew descended Reverse Mountain or Luffy had again after scouring the Grand Line for them. The others beside Luffy and Crocus hadn't heard the conversation, yet they had come to believe it in whatever way was most comfortable for them. Zoro especially was skeptical of such an exchange, but even he couldn't deny the strange ways in which Laboon was receptive to their conversations. There's something more intelligent about this whale, alright, Zoro was well enough to admit as he waved goodbye to his great big eye that studied the Straw Hats as they embarked again onto the Going Merry.
"Crocus! We can't thank you enough for the supplies!" Nami called from the deck as Sanji lifted the gangplank. "I hope we meet again!"
"Oh, I know we will! Thank you for the delicious food, young man!" Crocus said, waving to Sanji specifically. "With you, this crew won't face any hardship. Something tells me." He laughed widely as he said so to the crew as the Merry pushed off from the cape.
"Your hospitality meant a lot. We'll remember it moving forward into this sea," Zoro called, raising a fist toward the old man in the air. He didn't know what it meant, but he raised one back in simple response.
"Good luck finding the One Piece! I know you can do it!" Crocus called to the Straw Hats as they set out; and Laboon bellowed into a moaning, guttural cry that pierced everyone's ears. They smacked their hands over the sides of their heads to protect their hearing, but all of them smiled and laughed; this cry was not mournful for once. There was almost a laugh to the bellow of Laboon's cries as he flapped about in the water, though not so much to shake the Merry about violently.
"Well, where could this Log Pose be taking us next?" Sanji wondered, manning the helm as the five Straw Hats gathered around it minutes after they were far from Twin Capes. They sighed as they faced ahead at the wide open sea in front of them. In truth, it looked little else like any other stretch they had met in the East Blue.
"Who cares?! We have nothing to worry about now. There are different rules on this sea," Luffy exclaimed, gripping the sides of the railing in front of the helm. "Wherever we're bound, let's find some tough opponents and good friends. And whatever clues we can to find the One Piece!"
"Aye aye!" Usopp cried, proud and strong. The others joined in for a chorus of "Aye"s that swelled Luffy's ambition all the more. It was strengthening to have a backing crew behind him. They might only be five, but to Luffy, they felt like a troop of ten thousand moving strong against whatever the Grand Line had to offer. It made him wonder who else would become their friends in the days ahead.