Silmeria - Thanks for being patient everyone. Enjoy the chapter.
Disclaimer - I claim no rights to One Piece or Sentinel.
Chapter Four - Luffy's Beginning
The hard and fast strikes of the Quarterstaff described a broken heart, but Garp couldn't help but be impressed at his grandson's progress with the weapon. Of course, the boy was decent with hand-to-hand, but the staff was where Luffy's heart lie. It had become an extension of his arm and he moved it as if was an extra limb and Garp had to be careful of his own strikes when he decided to spar with Luffy who impressed even the bandits on Mt. Colbo. However, the strikes that separated the wind and sea were more than easy to describe Luffy's broken heart and spirit. The reminder of a promise between two boys that had long been forgotten and it caused Garp's own heart to throb at the thought. Damn that Portgas D. Ace. Damn him to the depths of the sea where wrathful kings waited.
For two years Luffy waited, only to be denied entry to the sea by Ace's letters which were few and far between. In the beginning, the letters had been an reassurance of Ace being alive and whole. They spoke of the adventures beyond the Grand Line and meeting Alpha Sentinels Whitebeard and Red-Haired Shanks. They spoke of finding a crew to travel and the treasures lost and acquired, of royalty met and remembered. The envy on Luffy's face was bright, but the sadness lingered in his innocent eyes. Luffy had dreams of visiting far-off lands and of acceptance. The boy had goals and aspirations just as any Sentinel, but the rules of the Blue dictated what a Guide should and be, and finally after seeing Luffy's sad eyes and forced smiles, decided that the rules were made to dash dreams and turn them to ash. Who were Sentinels to say that Guides couldn't become Marines, Pirates, Navigators, Snipers or Revolutionaries? Who were they to deny a person a dream? A chance at life?
For so many years, he revolted at the thought of his son who thought Omega Guides -all Guides- had a chance to be free. He did it for his beloved who died in the midst of violence dedicated to setting Guides free and he was doing all of this for Luffy, who still remained oblivious of his father's motives. For so long, he kept Luffy safe and sound, but was he making a mistake? By keeping Luffy here?
Garp looked up, watching his grandson watch the waves with the quarterstaff buried in the sand, forgotten for a moment, and smiled, albeit sadly, at the sight. This was a boy that deserved to have his dreams come true, but he was stopped by two stubborn fools who cared too much.
He wondered what Luffy's reaction would be when he would tell the Guide that he had permission to leave? To do as pleased on the seas? Find a crew, a new place to live or treasure beyond his imagining? To give him permission to join his father who waited on the other side of the world? What a joy it would be to see a genuine smile on Luffy's face.
"You daydreaming again, boy?" Garp asked, plotting down on the sand next to his grandson, who looked startled at the sight of him. "What are you thinking about?"
"Ace." Luffy turned back to the sea, as if it could give him all the answers. "No letters or visits. What am I going to do, Grandpa?"
"What do you think you should, boy?" Garp pushed bluntly. "Most people would go out and find their Sentinel, give them a good beating for making them wait for so long."
Luffy shook his head, his sad smile gracing his lips again. "What about our promise? For me to wait? What-what if I miss him, Grandpa? The seas so wide, endless and what if we never see each other again?"
"If he found you on Dawn Island, boy, he'll find you wherever you end up." Garp bluntly responded. He was right, after all, Dawn Island was a country island and Sentinel and Guides of pure blood rarely visited with the exception of the relatives of Celestial Sentinels, the island rarely received visitors. It was a damned miracle that Ace found it. "Besides," Garp continued, more softly. "You're getting bored, aren't you? Seventeen years old and still haven't soiled his wild oats."
"Grandpa." Luffy muttered, his cheeks turning red at the implication. Still a virgin, it made things rather difficult when his acquaintances tossed out a dirty joke that made his cheeks heat for days. He was the brunt of a joke due to still being untouched, but Omega's were special and while his friends joked, they didn't dare approach him on such a sexual manner. He was taken, after all.
"Nothing wrong with a little heavy petting." Garp chuckled deeply when Luffy groaned in mortification. "I'm joking, boy, grow a sense of humor. If you don't, you won't last long out there."
"Don't I need more to last out there, Grandpa? Like knowing how to defend myself? Fish? Hunt? Beri?"
"You have that and more. I taught you everything that I know and you shouldn't have a problem going out to sea and finding what you want and if Ace happens to come to the island while you're away, well, we can just say that it's karma coming his way."
"You'll let me go? Really?"
"You're sad and lonely, boy." Garp muttered, shaking his head at Luffy's murmured protest. "You would have left whether I gave you permission or not." Garp snorted, bitterly. "I tried so damn hard to keep you from the world. To keep you safe."
"And you did a good job, Grandpa, but parents, they try so hard to keep their children safe when the best thing they can do for them is to let them go, make their own mistakes, you know?"
Luffy blinked as Garp's face was suddenly wrenched with pain, regret and seemingly dozens of other emotions before nodding in agreement. "That's true, but you must realize how painful it is for us to watch our children make those mistakes, Luffy. I don't want you to go out into the world and get hurt."
"I'm going to get hurt whether you like it or not, Grandpa." Luffy gave the older man a cheeky man. "I have a tendency to piss people off."
Garp snorted, his shoulders shaking with suppressed laughter that caused Luffy's own lips to twitch. "Ain't that the truth." Garp chuckled, reaching over and ruffled Luffy's hair with a broad smile. He stopped, keeping his head on top of Luffy as his smile melted off his face and his expression turned thoughtful. "I'm proud of you, Luffy. I wanted you to know that before you left."
Luffy turned his head away, his cheeks flushed at the praise his grandfather gave him. It was rare and he wanted a minute to bask in it. Although he knew his grandfather loved him, the man had a habit of showing it through harsh tasks and even harsher actions. Some would call it tough love, but Luffy just chalked it up not knowing how to express oneself. He wondered, though, if this what his grandfather has always been like? Surely he couldn't have been this closed off when his grandmother was alive? Or, maybe her passing made this come to be? Either way, Luffy found himself smiling at Garp's words, words that he wanted to hear for years now.
"Thanks." Luffy turned back to the sea, watching the waves rush over his feet. It was gentle and soothing motion, but he knew that such a motion could change in an instant. He wondered how Ace handled it?
"You'll do fine, boy." Garp stated, as if reading his thoughts. "There are countless fools that traverse the sea and if they can do it, then why can't you? There will be times that you want to come home and days where you'll wonder if you'll make to the next day, but remember that the sea can be conquered. The Marines, Whitebeard and Red-Haired Shanks are proof of that. Also, I'm sure that there are plenty of Guides at the helm of their own ships."
"I'm looking for Ace and exploring the sea at my own leisure, Grandpa. I'm not looking for a crew."
Garp shrugged, but his eyes turned knowing. "You say that now, but look at what happened with Ace? What's his group called? The Spade Pirates?"
"I think he just likes screwing with the government. He's going to get caught and executed if he doesn't cut it out."
"And that's what you're afraid of, boy? Of losing Ace to the sea?" Garp smiled, albeit sadly. "To dirty hands who don't understand Guides and Sentinels?"
"No." Luffy responded, surprising himself and his grandfather. "I'm not afraid of losing him to the sea. I'm afraid of losing him because of the sea. What if someone out there can be a better Guide to him?"
"Of course." Garp agreed bluntly. "No matter how hard you try, there's always going to be someone better than you at what you do and who you are, Luffy. I'm sure they're plenty of Omega's who have Alpha's wrapped around their fingers. I'm sure they're plenty of Guides who are pirates and even control islands. You don't look to be better than someone else, Luffy, you look to improve who you are and what you do. You want to be the best Guide for Ace? Then be the best Guide for Ace."
"I'm impressed," Luffy murmured, drawing a confused hum from Garp. "You managed to insult and compliment me at the same time." Luffy turned his cheeky grin in his grandfather's direction and was rewarded with a half-hearted grumble. "But, you're right, Grandpa. I'll never be the best for Ace if I'm sitting here and acting gloomy at the beach. I know I'll see Ace again someday, but for now, I want to be my own person, have my own adventure."
"If that's case then it's settled, you leave in three days time." Garp stood from the sand, dusting off his pants and lamenting the fact that sand would be found for a day or two. "We need you to get a ship."
"From where?" Luffy inquired. They couldn't afford a large or even a small ship, but they could afford a ticket to another island, which is what Luffy had planned to imply until Garp spoke up again, his tone tinged with excitement.
"I know a woman on Syrup Vilage that can commission a ship for you and set you on your way, but you'll have to get there first." Garp pulled Luffy from the sand and dragged him home, continuing the conversation. "You'll have to prepare in the next few days while I contact them. You remember how to read a Log Pose, right?"
"Yes, but-"
"Good." Garp continued, waving a hand towards a group of Sentinels who stared at them warily. "After you get your ship, you're going to learn how to navigate the waters of the Grand Line and if the Gods are on your side, you'll be able to get a few people to join you."
"Grandpa." Luffy protested. "I don't want people to get dragged along with me-"
"That's not what a crew is about, Luffy. It's not about the Captain. It's about the dreams of the entire crew." Garp ruffled his hair and stopped just down the road to their home. The home Luffy probably wouldn't see again for a long time. "You may lose some through the accomplishment of their dreams and gain some for those who wish revenge or a new life away from a home who gave them nothing but strife. Each member of your crew has an objective separate from the captain, but they realize that the captain's dream and goals are just as important." Garp stopped, looking down at his grandson who had grown quiet. "Are you alright, boy?"
"I'm fine." Luffy's lips pulled into a tight smile that spoke of fear and elation. His grandfather's words frightened him, but they held a certain truth. He was traveling to explore this boundless world and if and when should he acquire a crew, then he needed to understand that they had dreams and responsibilities as well. He wondered, vaguely, if Ace realized that as well? That the Spade Pirates held dreams as one and separate people?
He couldn't wait to find out.
"Grandpa?"
"Yes?"
"Let's a get a good ship ready to go."
Garp threw his head back and let out a boom, proud laugh that echoed down the streets that he traveled as a child. Roads that he wouldn't see again for a very long time, but that was okay.
He had new ones to explore.