Disclaimer: I don't own One Piece
Sailing to Safety
Although the stunt that Luffy and Robin managed to pull off put a brake on Sapdine's plans of blowing up Ohara sky high, it didn't stop the threat that was still looming over in the distance.
The next days on the island were quite hectic to say the least.
After Garp managed to scare the living daylights out of Sapdine, who the moment he woke up from being knocked out, demanded to buster call the island causing Garp to throw a glare at him shutting him up instantly; Garp then went to make a call with The Five Elder Stars.
These slimy old bags of bones as Garp saw them were the head of the world government. Their word was the law itself. Furthermore, whatever they saw fit to be justice was justice itself; that also included genocide of the entire island of Ohara.
Garp also wanted to include the fleet admiral Sengoku in this nice chat, then after that chat was over he was going to have a private chat with him about giving his ear to psychopathic individuals who gave him the idea that destroying an entire island was a normal thing, and for actually allowing this insanity to happen in the first place.
Since it was impossible to have all parties present at the island, they all set up transponder snails from their respective HQ with Sapdine and Garp talking from the latter's ship. Though Sapdine at first was highly against this call, he quickly backed down when Garp told him to stuff it not wanting to receive another one of the vice admiral's punishments.
Clover also demanded to be part of this conversation in order to keep an eye on things, and also to get the scholars' point of view through to the higher ups.
The resulting conference was a whirlwind of participants arguing, defending their own opinions, having a hard time keeping their cool, or losing it all together.
The stars were astonished that Garp appeared seemingly from the blue and interfered in their own affairs! They also wanted to sentence Sapdine to death for allowing two children to take away the buster call trigger from him. But if they were angry with Sapdine's incompetence, they were truly livid with the scholars of Ohara; they blamed the entire situation on Clover and his scholars for even thinking about approaching the ponoglyphs in the first place. If anything was to be told, it was that the stars were beyond upset.
Sapdine during the entire conference was going on and on about how he should be allowed to complete his investigation, and buster call the island should the need arise for it. He was by no means taking humiliation lightly, and buster calling this island making all the effort that kids put into saving it go to waste would sure make his day.
All this was hope of becoming a hero was burnt down when Clover confessed that he had a ponoglyph under the tree. So much for becoming a hero and all the glory he strived for was gone.
Clover admitted that he and his scholars had one and attempted to decipher, but weren't able to get other than a few sentences. A quick glance between him and Garp told the latter that there were more to it, but he decided to let it slide.
Garp then came up with a proposal that would please all the parties involved. He said that the scholars would burn all their research, in addition to giving the ponoglyph they had for Sapdine to take to Navy H.Q., the fate of the scholars at sea being a reminder and example for anyone who tries to go after the ponoglyphs. Given the fact that Sapdine attacked his grandson was sure giving him the upper hand in this conversation.
Clover wanted to object but looking at the alternative; this was nothing. He knew that this needed to end without any more bloodshed.
The stars turned off their snails to discuss the terms among themselves.
They were actually talking about whether they should wipe Ohara from the face of the earth just for being safe. They also discussed if they should strip Garp out of his rank and send him to the gallous. But once they imagined how that would work out, they scratched that idea.
'The hero of the marines stripped from his rank and suddenly executed.' This would most definitely cause an outrage that may threaten their rule; they knew how Garp helped people worldwide. They couldn't simply buster call the entire world even they knew the fallout of being kings without a kingdom.
Finally after much reluctance, they picked up and agreed to the terms.
However, this was only one of the things discussed. Overall the conference took about 6 days to be finally concluded.
During the week in which the conference was going on, the situation on Ohara wasn't any better than that on the ship. It was extremely nerve racking.
Both marines and agents were giving each other dirty looks, each holding the trigger of their guns close to their fingers in case the other side wanted to pull any stunt.
Given that the suspects in this case were numerous, and taking them to a marine base would waste time; a camp site was set for them around the tree to rest in until the negotiations with the 5 stars were finished. Robin took advantage of said arrangement and spent most of her time with her mom catching up with and being introduced to experiences she could only dream about. Luffy on the other hand, spent his time going from one tent to the other talking with everyone from the scholars who thanked them for protecting Robin to Saul who finally caved in and told him about his adventures and all the crooks he fought while he was still a marine. He even got properly introduced to Robin's mom, and told her where he came from and how he actually came to Ohara in the first place astonishing the woman about this marvelous story of his, though she was worried for said brother who went overboard.
The citizens of Ohara clearly scorned that they were almost destroyed were throwing all their hate towards the current suspects especially Robin and her mother causing the latter to be extra cautious.
After the final day of the conference was over everyone came out, Garp was walking happily for a job well done, Clover was a bit sad about the results of the conference but had no say in the subject if the island wanted to see the light of day tomorrow, and a very frustrated Sapdine who was muttering curses all the way.
When Garp gave the results of the conference, the scholars were up in arms refusing to burn their hard work; they saw it as a spit to their comrades who died at sea. However as soon as Clover told them that he accepted the terms all protests died down. They knew that he did for the best of the island, but it was still a punch to the gut if you asked them. But thinking about it they saw it was a slap to the hand compared to the other option on the table.
Then he turned towards Olivia causing all the scholars in the vicinity to grow uncomfortable. She was one of the most important subjects talked about with the 5 stars.
"Nico Olivia" Garp stated with a voice full of authority, "For your crimes of defying the world government, you're found guilty,"
This caused an outrage among the scholars who started screaming at Garp demanding that she be set free to take care of her daughter.
"Clover, are you going to allow this to happen?" said man merely stood silent.
Saul looked at Garp with a very disappointed look. He looked up to him, if anything his code of moral justice was formed thanks to Garp's ways, but now he lost all respect for the man.
Sapdine just there with a grumpy look on his face. All his agents began to wonder how he wasn't happy; the man loves to roll in other people's misery but now he seems sad.
"You're to be put under arrest…" Garp continued speaking causing Luffy to leash out.
"Grandpa, how could you do such a thing?" he began charging till Bogard grabbed him from the scruff of his clothes and lifted him, causing the boy to flail his arms demanding to be set down.
Robin on the other hand ran to Garp and started crying, "Please Mr. Garp, don't take Mommy away from me. I've waited for her to come for so long, please!"
Olivia's mind quickly formulated a plan to go to her boat with Robin and sail away.
"… Under my protection." This caused everyone's line of thought to shatter and look over to Garp.
"Your sentence is to be taken away to Dawn Island where you will be imprisoned for life in a house of my choosing. You're allowed to visit people and vice versa, in addition you can have a work to support yourself." He finished causing Olivia to smile at this fortunate turn of events.
"So tell me, are you still going to resist arrest?"
"No, I'll come happily with you." The woman said with a wide smile plastered on her face.
Robin, who didn't catch on to their deal, attached herself to her mother's clothes and begged her not to leave.
"No darling, I'm not going alone. We're going together to live there." As this information was given to Robin she looked up to Garp who gave a huge smile, the girl finally relaxed and started to cry from happiness.
Olivia then hugged her daughter and started to cry herself.
Luffy who was still oblivious to what was actually going on, finally managed to bite his way out from the hand that was holding him, and went over to Robin, "I don't get it. What's going on?"
Robin looked to her friend and said "Luffy, my momma and I are coming with you. We're going to the east blue to live with you."
This caused Luffy's eyes to widen and started to cheer happily, "Really! That's so awesome!"
After hearing this all the scholars started cheering, truly happy about the outcome of this situation.
Sapdine then made his way past Garp mumbling all the way toward the tree.
"So Sapdine, aren't you going to stick around for the party." Garp asked him
"No, I have a job to do." He replied back with a venomous tone not liking the outcome.
"Well then, see at HQ"
"Shut up, you damn old fool." The man grumbled under his breath.
As he walked away, he started to think about all the glory, all the fame he should have attained if this went his way. All his hard work was all for naught by two brats.
He turned his head and saw those happy faces causing him to get even more enraged
MONKEY D LUFFY and NICO ROBIN…
He was going to make them pay someday, he didn't care how or when, but his revenge will be a site to behold.
"Garp" Saul who had been quiet looked down at the vice admiral, and asked him "What's going to happen with me?"
Robin and Luffy looked at their giant friend concerned for him.
"Well, you're in luck Saul. I managed to convince the higher ups to let you off the hook. You can be whatever you want to be and go wherever you want to go."
"So, that's a no on going back into the marines." Saul stated more than asked.
"You're seriously asking" Garp replied back.
"It's not a problem, I think this is better. I think I can make some real good this way, helping the poor and weak which the marines and the government can't… or won't help" Saul said though the last part quietly.
"So, you aren't coming with us?" Robin asked him.
He looked down to her and said "Afraid, I can't little lady."
"But why?" Robin argued she wanted to go live on Dawn Island with her best friends.
"Come on, Robin. It's not like I don't want to, but it would be impossible." The giant told her although it didn't make easier for both parties.
"Robin, me not going with you doesn't mean I'm not your friend anymore. Remember this, that at whatever island I'm at or sea I'm sailing I'll always be your friend." He said. Seeing the girl is still sad, he added, "Besides, you going there with another friend aren't you?" he said as he pointed toward Luffy who was standing beside her his attention elsewhere making her blush.
"Yeah, I guess you are right." The girl spoke before moving forward and hugging Saul's nose and cried, "But I'm still going to miss you."
"I'm going to miss you too." the giant cried too.
"What's going on?" Luffy who finally snapped back into attention asked them.
"I was just saying goodbye to Saul." Robin told him as she wiped her tears.
"What? Aren't you coming with us?" Luffy spoke with a pouty face.
Saul looked at him and instantly knew how to pacify him. "I wish I can, Luffy. But I am going out on adventures on the sea, and the next time we meet the going to tell a whole bunch of stories." Saul spoke, knowing the boy's love for adventures for their previous talks, before continuing "And I want a very special request from you."
"What is it?"
"Since I'm going away, it means you and Robin will stay together, so I want you to take care of her for me." The giant spoke.
Looking at the girl, a smile broke on Luffy's face and declared excitedly, "No one is going to hurt her unless I have something to say about it." He then started to laugh with Saul with said girl laughing with them with a deep red blush on her face.
Overall the atmosphere was a mix of emotions ranging from happiness to sadness as everyone was coming to terms with what happened and transpired.
When he finished saying his goodbye to Saul, he grabbed Robin's hand and took her somewhere near the tree.
"Robin, look what I found." He said as he pointed towards something.
Robin looked at the direction and saw a white pigeon… wearing a tie?
"Isn't that cool?"
"Yeah, but it's odd given that Ohara doesn't have pigeons on it, never mind tie wearing ones." The girl explained.
"So, you want to pet it."
Not seeing a problem in that, she agreed. As they came close, said pigeon pecked both of them on their hands as they reached out to touch it.
"Ouch, stupid pigeon!" Luffy complained, while Robin rubbed her hand to ease the pain.
"DO YOU WANT ME TO EAT YOU?" the boy threatened the bird while Robin giggled at him.
"I would be very grateful, if you don't do that." A cold voice that sent shivers down both children's spines interrupted them.
The children turned to the source and saw an agent standing behind them. Luffy didn't know why but all his instincts told him to book it. Grabbing Robin's hand, he looked at the agent and said "OK, goodbye now." He then proceeded to walk away as quickly as possible.
He didn't make it far when the agent spoke again, "Oh, and by the way nice work out there outsmarting us and all. It must have taken a lot of courage to pull that stunt off. Don't you agree with me, hattori?" the man talked apparently the last part was for his pigeon.
Both children now grew seriously uncomfortable and began to run for their siblings as quickly as possible away from this guy.
The agent watched them go away with thin smile. If you asked him, he enjoyed the fear that he induced in their hearts. He was going to give chase a little, but someone stopped his plans.
"Lucci, what are you doing here?" an agent shouted at the man.
"Come and help us remove the ponoglyph. That damn thing must weigh a ton; we need all the hands we can get."
The man sighed before standing up and heading to the tree to help his comrades.
As this was going on, the ships that arrived at the island to initiate the buster call was heading back towards marine ford. On 2 ships in particular, their captains were taking the news in different ways.
In the ship that Saul was originally meant to lead, a man could be seen sleeping on the deck with a newspaper on his face, he notices that the ship was heading back to headquarters and asks "Hi, what's going on? Aren't we on a mission or something?"
His men look at him wondering how he ever got to his position in the first place. He was so relaxed that anyone seeing him wouldn't think that he could harm a fly. But they knew better, his look was deceiving because he didn't reach the rank of an admiral just for fun.
"Admiral Aokji sir, the buster call mission was called off. We are heading back to headquarters right now." One of his men spoke.
The admiral was shocked. He heard that two kids managed to rob the buster trigger, but he didn't actually believe that this would cause the mission to be called off. "Really, just because some kids took off with the trigger; the mission was called off?"
"Ahh, sir. The mission was called off because vice admiral Garp managed to convince the higher ups not to destroy Ohara." The marine replied back.
Said admiral looked at him dumbfounded, "And when did that happen?"
"During the past 6 days while you were sleeping."
"Oh, ok then. Now here is the most important thing…" the admiral spoke calmly before yelling, "Don't bother me again while I'm sleeping."
The marine seeing no point in arguing back saluted and then retreated.
Aokji then rested in his chair putting the news paper on his face and said to himself, "Guess it did workout after all. I was afraid that I had to kill Saul today. But still…" the man thought about the kids for a moment, "I have to meet them somehow." He finished before he went back to sleep.
On the other ship that was supposed to be manned by the vice admiral that Saul smacked between his palms. A man was currently blowing a fuse in his head from anger and frustration.
He looked at the marine who gave him the news and asked in a death inducing voice, "HOW IN THE WORLD THIS HAPPENED?"
The poor marine grunt quivered in fear, "Admiral Akniua sir, these orders were from the stars directly."
"Are telling me that because some of brats the stars canceled the mission?"
"No, sir. Vice admiral Garp negotiated with them and managed to broker a deal between them and the scholars."
"Leave…" he said initially, he couldn't take this anymore. Justice should've been served today; sure that would've been innocent casualties but that would've been worth it to protect the world.
The marine ran as fast as his feet can carry him, wanting to leave the fuming admiral alone.
Akuina sat in his room smoking his cigar trying to ease his nerves, after this complete failure of a mission.
The day passed quickly as night came by. The happiness that filled the day was now replaced by extreme sadness.
The scholars with heavy hearts carried their hard earned work, and started to pile it in large stack beside the tree. No one had the heart to burn it; they worked so hard on it, so naturally Garp offered his services by pulling a match and starting the largest bonfire Ohara has ever seen.
That's was when the water works were cranked on to maximum by all the scholars including Olivia and her daughter who were crying for the hard work burned into oblivion. But all the scholars knew this was the only way for the island to live on, and the tree to still stand tall.
As Olivia was standing there watching the fire eat away all her friends hard work, Garp approached her. She looked at him and gulped; it would seem he and Clover left something out about her deal.
"You know just for the record you aren't allowed to research anything after this, right?" Garp informed her.
While it was true that Garp managed to convince the 5 stars to level down Olivia's sentence a little bit, but they insisted that she isn't to be allowed to research anything given that she was the leader of the doomed expedition at sea.
She sighed, "Yeah I kinda saw that coming…"
She looked at her daughter and smiled, for her daughter was the only reason she was living now, and she would put her daughter's needs above hers.
"But I done with archeology, I have more important things to attend to." She said as she carried her daughter.
"Good, good, get ready we move by midnight." Garp told the ex-scholar.
"Great, I have one stop that I need to take care of before we go." She said in a serious voice.
Olivia was currently making her way towards her brother's house. Robin had all but told her all the horrible things Roji has put her through the moment she left. If she knew this would've happened, she would've left her daughter with a pack of hyenas; she would have been better off there.
Standing in front of the door, she heard arguing coming from the inside, so she moved to the window to hear what was being said better.
Luffy, and Garp stood there clueless, the former forgetting this was Robin's home; the latter scratching his head in confusion. Robin was extremely nervous about seeing her horrible aunt again.
As she stood beside the window, she heard what was being said and a blood vessel almost popped.
"Come Roji, let me go and search for Robin. She must be lost and terrified out of her mind. It's been 11 days already." Oran, Olivia's brother, was practically begging his wife to let him search for the little girl.
"LIKE HECK I CARE! If there's any justice in this world, she would've drowned in the ocean." The bitter old lady shouted at her husband.
"But she's just a child, there's no need…"
"Shut the hell up! I don't care; she just a leach living on our kind hearts." The lady screamed then continued, "Not only that but she ate a blasted devil fruit, she is a monster if anything."
"She was only 3 years back then; she didn't know better add to that she was really hungry that day. You did take away her cut that day." Her husband spoke trying to defend the girl.
"Even so, she should've starved rather than eat a devil fruit. Why couldn't that sister of yours take her with her, they could've both died at sea and it would've saved me a lot of money."
Having heard enough, Olivia marched to the door and kicked it open, "That's enough" she yelled at the top of her lungs.
Roji looked at the door and began to shout, "Who the hell do you think…" the words froze on her mouth as she observed the assailant.
"O-Olivia… you're b-back." The woman spoke in terror.
The woman looked behind the white- haired woman and saw Robin hiding behind the door only her head appearing, the freaking hero of the marines standing there, and a straw-hat wearing kid looking at her while pulling his tongue out at her.
Robin was anxious; she didn't want her mother to get in trouble because of her, but also she wanted to say something. She was very afraid though.
Sensing her fear, Luffy then grabbed Robin's hand and smiled at her. This was all the encouragement she needed.
She stepped forward toward the old hag and said in a quiet voice "Aunt Roji…"
The old lady looked at her wearing a very shaky smile while hiding the worst frown ever.
Robin took a deep breath, and then she shouted at the woman,
"YOU AN OLD UGLY HAG AND I HATE SEEING YOU."
This outburst threw the lady off guard since Robin was always docile as a beaten puppy. Then as if to complete the act, Robin crossed the distance giving her a good kick on the shin running quickly back to Luffy who was laughing so hard he couldn't breathe anymore.
Whatever was left of Roji's patience finally snapped, she tried to rush forward to grab the little girl. "Why you little?"
Olivia grabbed her stopping her and then looked over to Robin who was hiding behind Garp, "that's enough dear; I'll handle from here."
She proceeded to push the woman into her house, clicking the lock as she shut it close.
She looked over to her brother and his daughter who were shell shocked not able to process what happened. "Oran, take your daughter and go upstairs, it will get messy." Olivia ordered him sternly, not wanting to be told twice; he grabbed his daughter and booked it upstairs.
"Now, where were we?"
Garp, after the shouting from inside the house began, grabbed both kids and took them away. Even that couldn't stop the voices being emitted from the house reaching them.
The house was now filled with screams, shouts, and curses being thrown from one only. Finally after a while a sound of a bottle breaking was heard followed by 3 audible snaps. The voice of what seemed like an animal howling in pain followed that. Then Olivia came out with a huge smile plastered over her face.
She took Robin from Garp and told her, "No worries, Robin. You'll never see that horrible woman ever again."
She began to walk for a while with Luffy and Garp following in toe.
"For someone who just got a second chance, you sure taking advantage of it." Garp said with a laugh.
Olivia retorted, "Well, I am classified as a criminal, so might as well go the extra mile."
Garp snorted a little then turned his attention to his grandson, "Oi Luffy, you ever told me, what was that genius plan of yours and Ace to become pirates?" he spoke saying the last bit with distaste.
The boy looked at him and answered, "We were supposed to go in the grand line, find an island, train on it till were 17, and finally return to dawn island to start our journey."
While Robin looked at him with awe with Olivia only blinking a little, Garp slapped his forward and began to message his temples from frustration. "For the love... Luffy, how were you of all people plan on returning? I threw you into the forest one once for you to return in one day and you got lost for 4 days?" Garp spoke causing the woman beside him to give him a 'Are you trying to kill him?' look.
"I could imagine Ace somehow pulling this stunt off, but you… you would've died the moment you stepped foot out of whatever island you landed on."
"Well we didn't have time to think it through," the boy admitted "Plus, you did threaten just to take to that impel down place." He explained causing a gasp from the ex-scholar.
"Garp" she spoke in shock.
"Damn it, Luffy. Stop telling people that; I only did that so you can become marines." Garp shouted at his grandson, though the explanation only made Olivia more shocked.
"Well, it did work out for the best I presume; you did save an island…" Garp spoke only to be cut off by the boy "And I made a really cool friend too." This statement made the girl who was still in her mother's arms to blush heavily.
"Now, I'll give you a head start." Garp simply stated.
"What?" Luffy replied dumbly, although a horrible gut feeling told him to run.
"Well, I did tell you were going to have a serious talk," Garp spoke before taking a dark tone, "It starts now."
Not wanting to stick around anymore, Luffy ran to the safety of the forest hoping that his grandpa won't find him there.
"Oh no, you don't." Garp said as he ran behind Luffy hot on his tail forgetting all about the head start he gave him.
Robin looked at her mother with tears in her eyes for her friend, "Momma, I'm scared for Luffy."
"Don't worry sweetheart, he's his grandpa." Olivia spoke naively since Robin never told her one of Luffy's many training stories.
"He won't hurt him…" She then saw a tree getting ripped from the ground in the middle of the forest, and Garp screaming 'Take this.' Making her add "…much"
By the time midnight came, Sapdine and his men were already ready to ship off the ponoglyph to navy headquarters. It took them a lot of effort to remove the ponoglyph, but after hours of what seemed like slave labor; they finally managed to bring it out.
Though they grumbled that if they had their way in taking out the ponoglyph, they would've been done hours ago. Off course their way was to blow a passage to outside, or recklessly move the ponoglyph till it was outside. The marines not wanting all the effort put into protecting the tree be ruined by such methods watched over the agents; no damage was done to the tree or its contents so much so that a scratch couldn't be seen.
Now it was Garp turn to pull his own disappearing act along with his 'prisoner' aka Olivia.
Right now, the woman was saying her final goodbyes to hear friend and colleagues who were practically in tears. Finally she stood in front of Clover and gave him a hug. He was always like a father to her, and she was grateful that he was one of the few people that showed her daughter kindness.
Clover smiled and said, "I am truly sorry we had to meet under such circumstances…"
Olivia replied, "At least, I got to see all of you live, and try to visit me sometimes ok."
"Ok, we'll see about that." The old man said. He started to walk before he turned and told her, "By the way, I am so happy that you and Robin are united after so long."
Olivia smiled and said proudly, "Honestly, I couldn't be happier myself."
She then noticed someone hiding in the shades; she understood why that it was perhaps of shame, she called out to him at last "Aren't you going to say goodbye to your sister?"
Oran came out of shadows his head lowered to the ground in what could be only explained as shame and said, "Do I even deserve to be called a brother after everything that happened?"
Olivia took on a sympathetic look and grabbed her brother's hands and told him gently, "Oran, the fact that you cared was enough by itself. There was nothing you could do."
She then looked at him and continued, "I hope what happened today didn't cause any problems." True, she may hate Roji, but that doesn't mean she wants her niece to grow without her mother. She saw the results of that first hand.
"Yeah about that, I already left her." He plainly stated. True after Olivia gave Roji a piece of her mind and a huge medical for 3 broken limbs and a fractured skull; Oran left his wife, taking his daughter with him, for her behavior has finally reached it limits.
"Oran, if it's for me, there is no need to."
"No, I think it's for the best. In fact, tomorrow I'm leaving Ohara to the south blue to start a business there." He informed her.
They both smiled and hugged each other.
She looked over to her daughter who was having a chat with her cousin for she had been told the first time in 6 years.
"I'm sorry, Robin. I shouldn't have ignored you all the time." Mizuria apologized while keeping her face away in guilt.
Robin tried to play if off by saying, "It's alright. It's not like you could have done anything."
"But… still, I really am sorry." The other girl insisted
"Thanks, Mizuria." She said as she hugged her cousin for the first time in years.
Suddenly, a rustle in the bushes grabbed their attention. Out of them came a clearly beat up Luffy, all black and blue after receiving his punishment from Garp.
Robin ran quickly toward him and asked him frantically, "Luffy, are you alright?" she asked wondering two things. First, how is he still alive after all this beating? Second, how did Garp manage to hurt him although he's rubber?
"Yeah" the boy groaned weakly from the ground.
Mizuria looked at the scene and smiled. She then said, "Take of my cousin, alright?"
"Yeah, ok" Luffy answered her.
As it was time for their departure, Olivia came and grabbed Robin's hand and carried Luffy as he was too tired to stand. Robin looked back and waved her hand towards her cousin who replied by waving her hand too.
When she finally was on the boat, she put Luffy down near the railings with Robin watching over him.
All 3 now looked over the railings, they saw the scholars waving them goodbye as the ship began to move. Half of the island was also present with a few faces both kids didn't expect to see which were the children bullying her all apologizing and thanking them for saving their home.
"Robin, Luffy" a voice called for them.
They turned to look and saw Saul's raft with a… pirate flag of all things. When he finished building his raft, the scholars came up to him with a flag; on it skull with a giant beard and a cowboy hat. He refused initially, but then accepted since he wasn't going to lose anything at this point.
"Remember both of you! If you're happy or sad, just laugh." Saul reminded them of his advice.
"DERSHISHISHI, GOODBYE SAUL" Robin called out for him.
"DERSHISHISHI, SEE YOU LATER, SAUL" Luffy this time shouted although a bit weak from the beating he go earlier.
Suddenly Garp remembered something and said to his men, "Men, continue forward. I'll catch up." Then he jumped into the water leaving a bewildered Robin and Olivia behind while Luffy didn't care much since he was used to his grandpa's weird stunts.
As the marine vessel sailed into the distance, Ohara became nothing but a spot in the horizon.
Robin suddenly sat down hugging her knees. Luffy saw this, and asked her "Oi, Robin what you're thinking about?"
"Nothing, just what've happened if you didn't wash up on my island?"
"Ohara could've been blown up." Luffy said extending his arms to emphasis his point.
"And my mother would've died, also Clover and Saul, and everyone I know and love." Robin continued as she started to get depressed. Her mind told she just dodged a bullet by the boy standing next to her coming into her life. She looked at him as he smiled and her face became red.
"Don't worry; we would've met one way or another." He said trying to cheer her.
She looked at him and nodded.
A loud thud grabbed everyone's attention, as Garp dripping wet landed on the ship somehow catching up to it.
"Mr. Garp, where did you go?" Robin asked.
"Well, I thought that the islanders may be still a little bit angry that their island was about to be blown to bits and may take it on the scholars, so I decided to put the tree under my protection to prevent any mishaps." Garp explained causing Robin and Olivia to feel very grateful that the vice admiral helped their friends out.
Garp then made his way toward them and smiled at Luffy, "Luffy, I remembered something. I am really proud of you."
"Really gramps" the boy said with a smile
"Yeah, I always told you are going to be a great marine!" the images of marine admiral Luffy began to play in his head.
Luffy's smile turned into a frown, "Gramps, how many times I need to tell I going to be a pirate."
As something switched in him, Garp roared at his grandson taking Robin by surprise, "WHAT? YOU SHOULD BE BEGGING TO BECOME A MARINE RIGHT NOW AFTER EVERYTHING YOU BEEN THROUGH."
"WHAT? OF COURSE NOT, THAT JERK TRIED TO BLOW ROBIN'S ISLAND. I DON'T WANT TO WORK WITH HIM."
"BUT THERE'S MORE PIRATES LIKE HIM IN THE SEA THAN THERE IS MARINES."
"WELL, I DIDN'T GET TO MEET THEM YET." Luffy finished by pulling his tongue out.
Garp now fully rallied up, raised his fist, "For the million times Luffy, you're going to become a marine, and love it."
He went for the punch only for a small figure to stop him, taking him and his grandson by surprise.
"I won't allow you to hurt Luffy anymore." Robin said decisively as she held her arms protecting the boy.
Garp just stared dumbfounded before he snapped out of it and said in more tamed voice, "What? Get out of the way, I need to convince my grandson to get this stupid idea out of his head."
"By hitting him? He did run for a reason didn't he?" Robin countered back.
Everyone stood now watching the showdown between Garp and an eight-year girl of all people. Sensing the tense standoff, Olivia chimed in making her presence known and told Garp, "Come on Garp, I think he had enough punishment earlier. And they have been through enough, let them rest now."
Garp stared for a few moments before lowering his head, and started to grumble in defeat. His men started to laugh thinking about what they're going to say when they return to the base. All their thoughts were shut down by Garp simply snarling at them; making them want to live another day.
As Robin lowered her arms, Luffy looked at her stunned that she actually managed to stop his grandpa. No one ever did that, not even Ace.
"Luffy, what's wrong?" the girl asked afraid she might have hurt his pride.
"Robin" he said slowly grabbing her hands making her blush, "You're so awesome. No one ever stopped grandpa when he's angry, not even Ace."
The girl was flattered by him. He then grabbed her attention by putting his on her shoulder and saying, "Robin, when I grow up, I want you to be part of my crew."
Hearing this, Robin's imagination went wild as she began to imagine herself and Luffy on a boat; Luffy holding her under a jolly roger ordering the crew to sail to the next island to have adventures. It was so amazing to even think about it.
Her smile began to widen when she was suddenly grabbed by her mom who heard the small exchange.
"Mommy, what're you doing?" Robin complained.
"Robin, sweetie. It's nice you have a crush on the boy, but wait a couple of years before you decide to become a pirate for him."
"What? I-I don't know what you're talking about." She said beet red trying to play dumb.
Olivia just adored her daughter's cute red cheeks. "Come on dear. It's so obvious, basically everyone knows by now."
Robin's eyes widen and her face became redder, "R-Really?"
"Yeah, I am pretty sure the scholars, Saul, Garp, Clover, and even some of the marines know that."
This didn't help the girl even a little. She now resembled a tomato. Olivia then held her and said, "Now since I am back, we need to have an important chat."
"What is it?" Robin asked tilting her head in sheer curiosity.
"Boys…" was the ex-scholars answer. The embarrassment on her daughter's face made her remember her first chat about the subject with her mother.
As Olivia took Robin to start their chat, Garp approached Luffy who took a defensive position.
"Calm down, I'm not going to punch you."
Luffy slowly lowered his arms, only for Garp to grab him by his shoulders, "Luffy, don't make Robin a pirate." He spoke preparing for a long argument.
"Why not?" Luffy whined.
"Because she just found her mother after years of abuse, don't you think that she deserves to have more options in her life?" Garp explained.
Luffy looked down for a moment before looking up and saying, "Yeah, I guess you're right."
"For the love… Wait, what?" Garp's mind couldn't process what happened correctly, did his grandson give up something. The boy wouldn't give up on anything once he put his mind on it; no matter how much Garp slugged him.
"Yeah, I mean it's not really nice to force someone to do things they don't want to." Luffy aid lowering his face as it was red.
Garp stared dumbly for has finally crashed. His grandson, his knuckle headed grandson had a crush! Is it possible?
Luffy's stomach then started to grumble making the boy whine saying, "I'm hungry. I'm going to eat."
Gar just stood there before remembering Luffy's monster appetite. He hurried after the boy screaming
"LUFFY! WAIT, DON'T EAT OUR SUPPLIES ENTIRELY."
It was now past midnight, and both children were extremely tired. As Robin was put in bed by her mother, the white-haired woman started to tell her daughter a bedtime story; an experience the girl has always wanted. After some time, Robin's blue orbs finally closed as she was whisked into peaceful slumber beside a snoring Luffy.
Olivia went out to receive some fresh air before going to hit the hay herself. She wasn't surprised when she found Garp standing there staring into the ocean.
"Well, it seems you taking the mother role rather nicely." He commented.
The woman laughed a little before saying, "It's the least I can do to make up for lost time. Even if Robin forgave me, I can never forgive myself for abandoning her; it's time to do the right and be her mother again."
"Well, you don't know how much time you have left." He said in a cheeky voice causing the woman to raise any eyebrow.
"I mean you don't when idiot of mine realize what he feels and take that daughter of yours." He said laughing the entire time. Olivia blinked then laughed too for she also knew who her daughter was smitten by the straw-hatted boy.
"I wonder what would've happened if the stars didn't give this chance." She asked herself out loud only for Garp to give her an answer.
"Well, you would have tragically committed suicide while I was transporting to the base for interrogation, so we had to give you a burial at sea." He simply stated while picking his nose.
"What?" she asked confused.
"You heard me." He responded.
Olivia was seriously shocked. Garp the hero was actually going to help her out whether the stars actually agreed on accepting giving her a chance or not. She was sad a little now; maybe if that happened she could've still been a scholar or at least a part time one.
As Garp read her mind, he spoke, "Oi Olivia, hold your horses. I would've still prevented you for going after any type of history." He informed making her frown. Then a question popped, "But why would you help me?"
"Because if I didn't help you, that grandson of mine would hate the marines more than ever. Plus, you won't be the worst secret I'm hiding on that island." Her interest was quipped by that, but then she began to lament on the previous days' events; how the worst case scenario was prevented just by Luffy and Robin meeting.
"Can you believe how the worst was avoided by them meeting?"
"No, I actually still can't wrap my mind about it." Garp answered her question.
"Imagine all the changes they will cause, if they stick together." She commented.
"It's terrifying to say, but I can assure you one thing…" he spoke with determination in his voice grabbing Olivia's undivided attention.
"He's going to be a marine, when he does those changes." Making the woman smile at the man's never endless pursuit to make his grandson a marine. An idea suddenly wormed its way into her mind. Will her daughter follow her path?
A very unpleasant image started to form in her head. It felt so real; it was as if she was there.
Her mind painted her a picture of an adult version of her daughter being led by marines to an execution platform. Her daughter was chained from her neck to her feet with never ending lines of chains.
In the real world, she began to shiver grabbing the vice admiral's attention who in the middle of daydreaming about the never existing admiral Luffy again.
Olivia's mind then created eight gunmen standing at the execution platform waiting for her daughter. She saw the disappointed look her daughter held; it was that of failure. As she was set down, a tear slipped through her eyes; that broke the ex-scholar's heart. Now the guns were pointed at her daughter, the executioner gave the order and as they were about to shot her; Olivia felt someone shaking her.
"Olivia, snap out of it. It's just in your mind." Garp was yelling at the lady to bring her out of whatever trance she was trapped in. It worked eventually.
Olivia came out of her daydreaming with a face full of tears with Garp asking her, "What happened back there?"
She brushed it off not wanting to think about the subject and asked instead, "When we are going to arrive at Dawn Island?"
Garp didn't like her brushing off his question, but didn't push too much. He answered her, "It may take a while. We still can't leave the west blue, yet."
"Why"
He sighed, "I still have another knuckle-head of mine to find."
"Yeah, Luffy told me about him, Ace right?" she surmised.
"Yep, that's him. Hopefully, he didn't cause any trouble wherever he landed." Garp said wishfully.
For now, Olivia knew that their return to her new "prison" will have to wait a little. She only hoped that unsightly vision she had of the future won't ever happen, at least while she breathing for that regard.
Author's notes:
Hi guys, and welcome back. The Ohara segment is over now. Next chapter is the search for Ace. We will see what our favorite brother of Luffy ended after they were separated by the storm, and what he did briefly. We will see how he will react for the new presence in his life, and he will start acting around her.
As always take care, leave a review telling your favorite arc, and tell me your opinion about the chapter.
I hope you like my work, and see you next week with a brand new chapter.