Garp allowed Sabo a few minutes to recover and tidy himself up. From what he'd heard,

Jalmack would be very angry to find his Chief of Staff out of sorts. He took great pains in his favorite slave's personal appearance.

From what he'd heard… Oh. A deep pit of dread grew in his stomach. Especially at remembering how old Sabo had been when enslaved.

Sabo tucked away the handkerchief he'd used to mop up his face and noticed the unfortunately familiar expression of helpless horror on Garp's face. Usually only one realization put that suspicion in people's minds.

It wasn't a secret that Jalmack thought his Chief of Staff was pretty.

"He never touched me. Like that. No one has," whispered Sabo uncomfortably. "I fought for a different path."

Garp scrubbed his own face to keep from breaking down right there. "I'm glad you chose violence."

That startled an actual laugh out of his grandson. Garp let a smile play at his own mouth, even in this dark conversation.

"Can I see your collar?"

Sabo rose a now gloveless hand to his throat hesitantly. "Don't break it. I think some of these other accessories are actually explosives too," he warned. "They're probably connected." But that wasn't a refusal.

And now that Sabo had said something, all the blue sapphire trimmings on his outfit and accessories stood out like beacons. Little blue flares of death.

After a moment's hesitation, Sabo tucked his hair behind his ears to reveal the earrings. Pulled up his sleeves to show the cuffs about his wrists. At least the rings went over his gloves, so those were removable. Along with his cravat pin, cufflinks, and the top hat with its silk and jewel flower arrangement. Those he set aside.

Garp nodded. True he was impulsive, but he'd never play around with a slave's life.

He carefully leaned forward, examining it from all sides. Delicately ran a finger over the thin edge.

"It's too tight to your throat," regretfully complained Garp. "I could snap your neck trying to break it, even without considering other explosives."

Sabo swallowed and ducked his head. Unsurprised at the conclusion, but more importantly deeply touched that Garp even bothered.

Garp was frowning thoughtfully as he gently turned his attention to the earrings and cuffs.

Surprisingly simple sapphire studs, easily hidden behind his hair. Backing seemed smooth, had apparently been molded flat to shape the back of the ear. No operable hook or clasp. They could probably be ripped out, as painful as that would be, but with minimum long term issues.

The wrist cuffs were more problematic, for the same reasons as the collar. Too tight. No room to get a grip and pull apart. Garp suspected they were actually molded to Sabo's wrists and then welded shut. To crush them would be to crush those delicate wrist bones. Sabo might still choose that over slavery. Though… if they were welded shut, it might just be a matter of finding the join and splitting it there with enough heat.

(Ace had the Mera-Mera fruit now. It was possible his control was high enough. But Sabo would undoubtedly shoot the idea down immediately, at least as things were now.)

So the most serious issue remained the collar. That one spelled death.

"Dragon might have the control to break it open. Other options would be Raleigh or Shanks. Eddie, maybe - but his haki is more power-focused like mine. But any of them should be safe. Don't ask Linlin or Kaido. You would just be changing owners."

Sabo blinked slowly, trying to process everything going on. Garp cared. Was worried. Was actually giving him advice on escaping?

"Any clue where the key is? Or a remote? Any triggers, beyond attempted removal?"

Sabo shook his head. "CP might know, but I don't. I can't find the blueprints either. I just have to assume Jalmack won't give me any assignments that could trigger them."

Garp swore and actually looked to be seriously considering all this. "Some custom collars can be triggered by distance from their master. Be careful!"

"I will," replied Sabo, wide-eyed in surprise. Appreciation. Relief. He looked away for a second. Hesitated before continuing.

"And I think Dragon would help me. If I asked."

Garp turned his own look of surprise back to his grandson. "You know him?"

Sabo looked nervous, but he shrugged. "Kind of? Lots of… slaves. In Mariejois. You know."

"Ah." And yes. He did know. And not even in the midst of this already dangerous conversation did either dare whisper the word 'revolutionary'. "So that's how you've kept sane."

Garp was a marine for a reason. He'd always believed that helping others should be what gives one purpose in life. Which is why he'd never condemned his son's path. For all he disagreed with Dragon's methods. Their goal was the same.

Sabo sighed and leaned his head back against the desk with a thunk. Turned their conversation back to his main concern. "Seriously, Garp. What are we going to do about Luffy? If he sees me…" He gestured towards Luffy's ruined photo. "It won't be me, but I might not be able to stop Jalmack. Or whichever CP agent or agents are assigned to him. They're keeping me out of the loop this time. Unlike Jalmack, they know it's my home island. I'm gonna be watched."

Garp groaned and rubbed his face again. "Same. I don't dare drop by Foosha or Mt. Corvo. Plus it'd be seen as dereliction of duty if I left the immediate area the scum is in. I'll just have to call Makino and Dadan. Tell them to keep Luffy away from Goa until the ship departs. Tie him up if they have to. And I'll try to be front and center - if he sees me first, he may run away all on his own."

Sabo nodded. It wasn't the best plan. But there wasn't much else they could do.

The week continued from there. Garp tried to do what he could to support Sabo, hopefully without being suspicious. They faked a few fights, with Garp 'intervening' to defend some slave or other - an act completely in-character for himself, so the CP agents (between himself and Sabo, they pinned them down) didn't bat an eye. And of course the Chief of Staff angrily would march down to the Vice Admiral's office to have words with him afterwards.

A part of Garp preened at creating a safe place for Sabo to crash, especially on days he was called on to punish other slaves. Most of him was still guilty that Sabo was in this situation in the first place, though.

But it definitely felt good each time he found Sabo sitting in his chair and going through his Luffy and Ace collection.

So on finding his door open rather than locked on the morning before they finally set sail, he assumed it was his grandson either taking a break or needing a talk.

Walked in, closed the door, and the chair slowly swung around. Revealing…

A cute redhead girl in a floppy hat with goggles on the brim?

Her face was firm, and the way she carried herself spoke of danger and violence, much like his grandson. And Garp knew of a certain organization with a habit of goggles on hats. (Much like Sabo used to as a child, come to think of it. He was pretty sure Ace and Luffy actually had his old hat and goggles up in their treehouse.)

"You know what I am," she said coldly, much like Sabo had introduced himself almost a week ago. "My boss said not to worry about you. But guess what? I'm worrying."

Garp grinned. "Glad to see my grandson has a friend in his corner!"

"You could ruin everything."

"Yes, I probably could. I'm being careful."

She tilted her head, expression clearly judging and not in his favor. "Vice-Admiral Garp? Being careful?"

Garp took the too small chair across the desk once again. "I'm 73 years old, miss. Even Monkey D's like me learn a lesson or two in that long."

"You can't save him," she accused.

"Probably not. Your boss might be able to."

"He won't let us."

They were both solemn at that thought.

She sat back in the chair and hugged herself, the cold exterior melting away rather than shattering like Sabo's. A cloak to be taken on and off, rather than a mask glued in place.

"My name's Koala. I consider Sabo my best friend." She took a deep breath. "Don't hurt him."

The day arrived to set sail. The countdown to Goa Kingdom, to Dawn Island and Luffy, had begun.

They really should have anticipated it wouldn't all be smooth sailing.

Sabo cursed as he lunged into the fray. Shouted orders. Dodged swords. Flung his hidden knives. Used up all the bullets in his pistol. Yanked people on his side away from certain death. Slammed his staff across swaths of invaders. Grabbed others by the face or arm or leg and flung them overboard.

This was supposed to be a simple vacation for his master. Now Jalmack was going to be so angry, even though he'd undoubtedly be perfectly safe. Protocol would place Garp and the CP agents in direct protection of the Celestial Dragon. Sabo, as Chief of Staff, was sent to directly fight and direct security on the frontline.

He knew pirate attacks were a possibility. But it was such a tiny possibility, almost nonexistent, because who could possibly be so stupid?!

Sabo hated killing. Of course he did. But there didn't seem to be much option here, as the pirates were clearly out for blood. Probably a revenge thing. Someone's nakama enslaved or killed. His heart ached for them. Their anger had to have a reason, and likely a valid one. But he couldn't stop.

He had to protect his own life. He had to protect the slaves under him. He had to do his job. Both as Chief of Staff as well as Revolutionary.

That meant fighting. It meant killing.

If the pirates won, they would kill everyone. But they wouldn't win, under any circumstances. Because if it just looked like the pirates could win, the CP Agents would activate everyone's collars, also killing everyone, and still get Jalmack to safety. Thus why the Revs never attacked Celestial Dragon ships. Either you all died or several dozen to a few hundred slaves died. And either way the Celestial Dragons get away scot free.

The only way to survive, for Sabo, the ship's crew, and the slaves, was a decisive victory in Jalmack's favor.

So Sabo fought brutally. Swiftly. Dozens fell in seconds, never to get up again. He was quickly identified, even among the fodder marines, ship's crew, and other service slaves thrown at the attackers, as the main threat. He used up all his throwing weapons and bullets in the first minute, taking out all the big players in that time. The rest of the fight was just hectic violence, alternating between his collapsible bo staff and haki abilities depending on the target.

His own side was in his way. Saving others took time. Holding back his blows and attacks so as not to catch any of them in the crossfire was a pain. If he had just seen the attack coming earlier, he could have personally attacked their ship and probably wiped them out in minutes. He'd done just that on past missions. Instead he was embroiled in a battle that had been going on for over an hour.

A mighty battle cry roared out behind him, letting Sabo know a certain Vice-Admiral had refused to wait in reserve any longer, and suddenly the invading pirates were screaming and calling a retreat.

Rude. Was it just a size thing? Sabo kills dozens and they scream for his blood. Garp just shows his face and they run away screaming.

Sabo, Garp and various others at his side, chased the pirates until every last one had fled. The cannoneers had done their job and the pirate ship was already sinking. A handful looked to be escaping in dinghies.

Garp swore. Sabo glanced over. The old man pointed to the collapsed mast.

The pirates had flown two flags. The first was the jolly roger Sabo had seen on various tattoos and clothing on the attackers. Some no names he didn't even recognize.

The second flag was Whitebeard's.

The smart thing to do would be to hunt down the survivors. Now. Before they were out of sight. If every single pirate was lost, none could report to Whitebeard. Even if Whitebeard knew they were attacking a Celestial Dragon - which he couldn't, right? He'd never approve such a thing, right? Not from what Sabo had heard. But this was Whitebeard, infamous for his all for one family policy. This could cause huge and unnecessary trouble for the World Government.

He needed to hunt them all. Now.

But Ace was a Whitebeard. This was one of their allies. He very well might have just murdered people Ace called nakama.

But he had to -

"Stand down!" ordered Vice Admiral Garp. "They're fleeing like the cowards they are! See to our own wounded!"

Sabo took a deep breath. Ok. Out of his hands now. Since he didn't hold any military rank, Garp's orders superseded his on this ship.

"Those who aren't injured or assisting medical, report to your stations," Sabo gave his own orders. "You will be assigned either cleanup or work to get this ship back on course and schedule." Everyone still standing on deck hurried to obey.

Sabo reached up to straighten his cravat, then noticed the blood on his gloves. There was no time to take care of that. He went ahead and straightened his cravat, adjusted his top hat, made sure his coat hadn't been rucked up.

It was time to deliver his report to Jalmack. This was not going to be pretty.

Garp's eyes were on him. Suspicious and worried. "This wasn't your fault," he said gruffly, and all too loudly for them being in public.

"This is none of your business, Vice-Admiral. You aren't even supposed to be on deck."

"Then I suppose I had best report in!" Garp announced, striding ahead of Sabo and through the doors to below deck.

Idiot. He could not protect Sabo from this. Not without being suspicious. Even as Sabo thought that, a blur in the corner of his eyes told him CP already knew everything that had happened.

Garp must've charged like a mad bull to get to Jalmack's suite and give his report before Sabo.

The young man didn't let himself get his hopes up. He knew how things worked. This wasn't the Marines. It was Cipher Pol and a single Celestial Dragon's whim.

It wasn't a matter of a good fight. It was that a fight had happened at all. That there had been an inconvenience to his master. Slaves and crew had been killed and injured in the attack. The ship had been damaged. Jalmack's reputation would take a hit.

And, Sabo realized in horror that he absolutely could not show, it had happened on the same day as the Rev's planned mass slave escape back in Mariejois.

It was no wonder he'd forgotten. He'd tried very hard to put it out of his mind. What he didn't think about, he couldn't react to, especially before it happened.

Jalmack had his den-den mushi in that room. He almost certainly had gotten word already.

His master was going to be so so angry.

He could not be scared. He must not tremble. Would not show alarm or fear or worry or anxiety of any kind. His only protection was his mask. His only value was in his usefulness.

He knocked. Was summoned in. Knelt.

Garp was dismissed. He protested, to deaf ears as two uniformed CP agents made sure he left the room.

Three more CP Agents appeared. Including Lucci.

There was pressure on the back of his neck. Sabo let the boot shove his head down and pin him. At least this way his face couldn't be scrutinized.

"He failed," Lucci summarized the whole situation succinctly, not even allowing Sabo to make his report. Why should he? They already knew what had happened. "He failed to protect your household. He failed to protect this ship."

"I know! But he's mine," hissed Jalmack possessively. "I need him! Especially now!"

And this was unexpected. But Sabo knew better than to expect kindness or mercy.

"I never suggested you should do anything permanent, St. Jalmack," continued Lucci conversationally. "Merely that the boy needs more training. More discipline."

There was a long silence.

"Agreed. Take care of it."

"You owe me," commented Lucci in his usual cold manner, as he professionally dressed the wounds across Sabo's bare back. "You'll be able to walk tomorrow."

"Thank you, sir," replied Sabo robotically, refusing to allow himself to gasp or cry or so much as hiss in discomfort.

The worst part was Lucci was speaking truth. It would have been impossibly worse if Jalmack had beat Sabo himself. He would've certainly been bedridden. And it wouldn't be the first time Sabo had witnessed Lucci easily manipulate his supposed superiors into making the calls he wanted. Who knows how his silver tongue had managed to get Jalmack defensive rather than enraged.

Lucci finished taping the last bandage in place, then draped the bed's blanket over the young man, hiding his mess of a back from view.

"If you could send in the stewards and head maid? I need to receive my reports from the incident. Or rather, incidents, since apparently something happened at the castle as well."

Sabo didn't actually expect agreement. Just to be left alone.

Lucci frowned. Stood up. Tilted his head in a birdlike manner. Which was almost funny with Hattori on his shoulder doing the same thing.

"My offer last month still stands. I would take much better care of you than a Celestial Dragon. We can easily fake your death and create a new identity."

"I don't want to be in Cipher Pol, Agent Lucci."

Lucci frowned. The boy still dreamed of freedom, he could tell. And while a normal life was impossible at this point, at least at Cipher Pol he wouldn't be collared like a dog. He would be able to fight to his heart's content. Have a team at his back. He already got on well enough with Kaku and Kalifa. Had already mastered the seven powers required for admittance. And the work wasn't all that different from what he already did.

Oh well. He'd made the offer, and he was fine keeping it open for now. It was up to Sabo whether to accept or not.

He could always blackmail Sabo with his suspicions in the future, should it come to that. He refused to allow an idiot like St. Jalmack to accidentally kill such a rare talent in a fit of rage. Pathetic indeed.