One Piece : Brotherhood

Open Sea, West Blue

As I sifted through the latest intelligence from Dressrosa, a smirk crept onto my face. "So, they've reached out to the Happo Navy, have they?" I chuckled softly to myself. The name 'Don Chinjao' still carried weight in the Grand Line, despite his humiliating defeat at the hands of Garp years ago.

Chinjao had retained his influence, not just because of his past strength but because of the formidable force that followed him—the Happo Navy. Though labeled a pirate crew, the Happo Navy was also intricately tied to the Kano Country, a nation under the protection of the World Government.

The king of Kano was a cunning operator, playing both sides with remarkable dexterity. By using the Happo Navy's dual identity, he could unleash them on rival nations, cloaking their attacks as pirate raids while maintaining plausible deniability. Everyone knew the truth—Kano Country and the Happo Navy were in bed together. Still, the king had been able to hide behind political theater.

"Maybe the Kano king doesn't even know Chinjao's getting involved with the Five Families," Smoker muttered from his spot, lazily seated on the ship's railing, a fishing rod in hand. He barely glanced up from his attempts to snag a fish.

"I mean, you'd have to be nuts to go up against someone like you." His tone was casual, but there was an edge of amusement.

I couldn't help but grin at Smoker's remark. "Maybe he does know. Maybe he doesn't. Either way, he thinks he can pull the same old trick—using the Happo Navy while keeping his hands clean." I chuckled, shaking my head.

"What the fool doesn't realize is that we're pirates, not politicians. We don't play by his rules."

Smoker gave a noncommittal grunt, still focused on his fishing line, while Lucci sat nearby, calmly feeding Hattori, his pet pigeon. His voice was calm, but there was a barely concealed hunger for action in his question.

"So who's first? The Mafia families or the Happo Navy?"

I could feel the tension in the air. Lucci and Smoker were restless, thirsting for a real fight. Sure, we'd encountered a few pirate crews here and there, but none that could put up a proper challenge. And those who could had the good sense to avoid our ship, recognizing the Donquixote Family's Jolly Roger from a mile away.

"Neither," I replied, my voice low and dangerous. "We're going after Kano Country first."

Smoker's fishing rod stilled, and Lucci's sharp gaze finally turned towards me. They weren't expecting that.

"Kano?" Lucci repeated, intrigued. "So we're skipping over the Five Families and going straight for the source?"

"Exactly." My eyes gleamed with cruel satisfaction. "Ramen, that arrogant fool, thinks he can poke at us and walk away without consequence. He believes he's untouchable in West Blue, that the Donquixote Family doesn't hold much sway there. But he'll learn differently." I paused, letting the weight of my words settle over them.

"I want the Five Families to feel true despair. I want them isolated, scared, unable to predict when death will come for them. And as for Kano Country? It's time they learned that meddling in our affairs is a mistake they won't live to regret."

Lucci's lips curled into a wicked grin, his excitement barely contained. "Master Ross," he began, voice filled with anticipation, "are we going to burn Kano Country to the ground? Down to the very last man?"

Before I could respond, a book sailed through the air, smacking into the back of Lucci's head. He caught it effortlessly, his smile never faltering, but a frown marred Roni's face as she glared at him from across the deck.

"Ross, we cannot kill the innocents," Little Robin's voice cut through the growing bloodlust, firm and unyielding.

She crossed her arms, standing tall despite her smaller stature, and her eyes glinted with determination. "The Donquixote family has a code. We might be pirates, but there are lines we do not cross."

Lucci huffed but didn't argue, his bloodlust temporarily checked by Robin's words. Smoker, for his part, chuckled under his breath, muttering something about how Robin was the only one capable of reining in the chaos.

"Don't worry, Robin," I reassured her, a dangerous grin still playing on my lips. "The innocents aren't our target. But the king, his soldiers, the people pulling the strings? They're fair game."

Robin nodded slowly, her gaze still hard. She knew what was coming—what we were capable of when pushed. The Donquixote Family wasn't known for showing mercy to those who crossed us, and this time would be no different.

"Ross-kun, do you think the World Government is involved?" Miyamoto's voice cut through the low hum of the ocean, his back leaning against the ship's railing as he eyed me carefully. His tone was casual, but there was an undercurrent of seriousness in his question.

No matter how he looked at it, the involvement of the Happo Navy didn't make sense. They were strong, sure, but they were a localized force, renowned only in the West Blue. The Donquixote Family, on the other hand, were Emperors of the New World.

The gap between the two forces was vast, almost laughable. Even I, on my own, could wipe out the entire Happo Navy if it came to that.

I smirked at his words but didn't respond immediately, letting the weight of the situation settle over the crew. Lucci, Smoker, Robin, all of them were listening closely, waiting for my take. The quiet tension on the ship was palpable, the stillness of the ocean only amplifying it.

Miyamoto glanced over, his brow furrowing in concern. "I mean, it doesn't add up. The Kano Country has been quiet for years, and now suddenly, they're siding with the Five Families against us? It feels too coordinated. And the Happo Navy knows they don't stand a chance against us... unless they think someone powerful is backing them. Someone like the World Government."

I tapped my fingers thoughtfully against the ship's railing, my eyes narrowing as I considered the possibility. "With how shameless the World Government is," I said, my voice low and dark, "I wouldn't put it past them. It wouldn't be the first time they've tried to pull the strings from the shadows, sending pawns to test us while hiding their true intentions."

The thought of it made my blood boil. The World Government had a way of manipulating events, of orchestrating chaos while keeping their hands clean. They'd already done it with Dressrosa, and now they were meddling in the West Blue, stirring up forces that had no business challenging us.

Miyamoto nodded slowly, his expression grim. "So what's their play? Do you think we might have to face one of the Admirals out here in the West Blue?"

The question hung in the air like a storm cloud, and for a moment, the thought of facing an Admiral out in these waters sent a ripple of excitement through the crew. Smoker cracked his knuckles, Lucci's eyes gleamed with anticipation, and even Robin, though calm, had a look of wary intrigue.

I chuckled darkly, my grin widening. "Maybe. The Admirals are dogs of the World Government, after all. If they're really involved, they might send one to crush us before we even reach the Grand Line. But if they think sending an Admiral will stop us, they're in for a rude awakening."

"Ross... can I fight the Admiral if we come across one?" Smoker's voice broke through the chatter as he casually tossed his fishing rod over to Lucci, who caught it without even glancing up.

Smoker rushed toward me with that usual fiery determination, but I could already sense the mischief brewing from Mansherry, perched comfortably on my shoulders.

Mansherry snickered, covering her mouth in a poor attempt to hide her laughter. Even Dora, mid-bite into a chunk of roasted Sea King meat, guffawed so loudly that she nearly choked. The whole ship seemed to be in on the joke.

"Smoker," I began with a slow, deliberate tone, my eyes meeting his directly. "There's a thin line between confidence and stupidity. You should know which one you are."

His frown deepened as I spoke, but I didn't stop.

"Even Miyamoto-san," I gestured toward the stoic swordsman leaning by the railing, "would be beaten to a pulp if he faced an Admiral head-on. And Lucci," I motioned to the assassin, his muscular form barely contained under his coat, "with all his new strength, would still be in for the fight of his life."

Smoker's frown twisted into something darker, but he didn't interrupt. He knew I wasn't finished.

"As for you," my eyes sharpened like the edge of a blade, voice dropping to a dangerous whisper, "you'd be asking for death."

The crew fell silent. Even Mansherry, who moments ago had been mocking Smoker, stifled her giggles, the weight of my words hanging in the air. Smoker's lips tightened in frustration, his jaw clenched as if holding back a retort. He knew I was right, but it didn't make the truth any easier to swallow.

Mansherry, though, couldn't resist one last jab. "Smoker, you've got guts, I'll give you that," she teased, her tiny legs dangling from my shoulders as she leaned down to look at him. "But guts alone won't stop you from being flattened."

Dora, still munching on her Sea King meat, burst into another fit of laughter, her voice booming over the ship. "Yeah, Smoker, you might want to stick to fishing. Leave the Admirals to the grown-ups!"

Smoker shot a glare at both of them, his pride visibly wounded. He balled his fists, but deep down, he wasn't foolish enough to truly challenge an Admiral. Not yet. His ego had taken a hit, but his spirit wasn't broken—just bruised.

"I know I'm not strong enough... yet," Smoker finally muttered, his voice low but resolute. "But I'm not going to stay like this forever."

The determination in his voice made me pause. Smoker had a fire in him—something that could one day grow into true strength. I admired that, even if his confidence sometimes bordered on reckless.

"Good," I nodded, my tone softening slightly. "Keep that drive. You're not ready for an Admiral yet, but that doesn't mean you never will be."

Smoker looked up at me, his frustration easing into something like gratitude. He gave a small nod, understanding that this was not an insult but a challenge.

"Until then," Lucci interjected, barely looking up from the fishing rod Smoker had tossed him, "maybe stick to catching fish. Admirals are a bit out of your league, but hey, you might be able to reel in a big one if you keep practicing."

This time, the whole crew burst into laughter, including Smoker, who couldn't help but crack a small, begrudging smile. Despite the ribbing, the camaraderie among us was strong. The mockery wasn't malicious—it was how we pushed each other to grow, how we survived in a world that was unforgiving to the weak.

"Say what, Smoker?" I smirked, a glint of mischief dancing in my eyes. "How about I let you face Chinjao? Why not measure your mettle against that man? He can use all three forms of Haki, so he should be a good challenge for you all."

The name hung in the air, and I could see the wheels turning in Smoker's mind. Don Chinjao, once a feared pirate and now a notorious figure in the West Blue, was known not just for his formidable strength but also for his mastery of Haki. A battle against him would be a trial by fire, a chance for Smoker to test his skills against a veteran warrior.

"You really think I can take him?" Smoker asked, a mix of excitement and doubt in his tone. His eyes sparked with the idea of facing a true challenge, but the doubt lingered like a shadow at the back of his mind.

I nodded, my expression turning serious. "Absolutely. You've got potential, Smoker. You've honed your abilities, and it's time to see just how far you've come. Chinjao won't go easy on you, but that's the point. It's a chance to learn, to grow. Every fighter has to face their demons, and sometimes those demons come in the form of seasoned opponents."

*******

Dawn Island , East Blue

"Aaaah....!" Garp screamed in mock pain, dramatically flailing his arms as little Ace tugged at his beard with all the strength a one-year-old could muster.

The bustling atmosphere of Party's Bar was alive with laughter and chatter, and in the center, Ace sat atop the counter, his innocent giggles echoing through the room.

"Bwahahaha!! Look, look, Agatha-chan!" Garp boomed, his voice filled with exaggerated pride.

"Look how strong my little grandson is!" He dramatically pretended to struggle against Ace's relentless grip, rolling his eyes back in a theatrical display.

Agatha, who was known to everyone as the fiercely protective mother of Ace but was actually Portgas D. Rouge, stood behind the bar, shaking her head with a mixture of amusement and exasperation. "Uncle Garp, you're encouraging him to pull harder!" she exclaimed, trying to stifle a smile.

The old burly bartender, with a heart of gold, chuckled as he wiped down the counter. "You'd think with all those muscles, you'd be able to handle a little tug-of-war with a toddler!" he teased, leaning against the bar with a smirk.

Young Makino, who was bustling about serving drinks to the patrons, paused to watch the scene unfold. "Garp san, are you really going to let a baby take you down?" she joked, her eyes sparkling with mischief. "How the mighty have fallen!"

Garp, still dramatically pretending to be in agony, exclaimed, "I can't let a mere child defeat me! I'm the hero of the Marines!" But the laughter of the crowd only egged Ace on further. With a final, triumphant yank, Ace tugged on Garp's beard with all his might, causing Garp to tumble backward onto a pile of crates.

"Ahhhh! The pain! The humiliation!" Garp cried out, clutching his chest as if he'd been mortally wounded, all while a broad grin spread across his face. Ace squealed with delight, clapping his tiny hands, completely oblivious to the theatrics of the situation.

The bar erupted in laughter, patrons exchanging amused glances. "That kid's got a future, he took down the legendary Marine Hero!" one man shouted, raising his drink in toast to little Ace. "Watch out, world! Ace is coming for the top!"

Agatha rolled her eyes but couldn't help the smile that broke through. "At this rate, he'll be a legendary pirate before he even learns to walk!" she quipped, watching her son's antics with a mix of pride and concern.

Wood Slap chimed in, "Or a Marine, if Garp has anything to say about it!" He pointed at Garp, who was now lying on the floor with exaggerated expressions of defeat.

"Maybe I should start training him right now!" Garp shouted, struggling to sit up. "First rule: always pull on the beard!"

"You're going to scare him away from the Marines!" Agatha laughed, shaking her head as she reached down to help Garp back to his feet.

With a flourish, Garp stood up, brushing off his pants and striking a pose as if he'd just won a grand battle. "And that, my dear niece, is how you build a legacy!"

Just as the entire bar was immersed in laughter, Garp suddenly froze, the warmth of camaraderie evaporating from the air around him. The lively chatter and chuckles faded into an uneasy silence as everyone noticed the dramatic shift in his demeanor. His jovial expression morphed into one of seriousness, eyes narrowing as he scanned the room.

"Agatha-chan, take care of Ace," Garp said in a low, commanding voice, his usual jovial tone replaced by a sternness that sent a ripple of concern through the crowd. Agatha, her laughter fading as well, instinctively reached for her son, a frown knitting her brow.

"What's wrong, Garp?" the mayor asked, the unease palpable in his voice.

"I'll be back after I handle a small matter," he replied, already striding toward the exit with purpose. As he passed through the door, his gaze landed on a man sitting quietly in the corner, enjoying a drink. The man raised his glass slightly, a subtle nod of acknowledgment that only Garp seemed to notice.

Without another word, Garp stepped out of the bar, the door swinging shut behind him, the cheerful atmosphere now tinged with uncertainty and tension.

Meanwhile, a dozen miles away from the shores of Foosha Village, a small ship bobbed gently on the surface of the sea, its sails billowing softly in the salt-laden breeze.

The man beneath the cloak stood at the helm, his eyes keenly observing the distant outline of the island. He inhaled deeply, taking in the scent of the ocean mixed with the faint aroma of land, a smile creeping across his face.

"So this is where they are…" he mused, his voice barely above a whisper, but tinged with a mixture of nostalgia and intrigue. "I never would have guessed you'd come from such a beautiful place."

But before he could fully savor the moment, the tranquil atmosphere shattered like glass. The ocean around him surged violently, the waves crashing against the hull of the ship as if the sea itself had been stirred into a frenzy.

An ominous rumble echoed through the air, and instinctively, he drew his blade, channeling his haki into the steel, infusing it with a sheen of dark armor that glinted in the waning sunlight.

"Such a warm welcome…" He chuckled, eyes narrowing as he scanned the sky, every fiber of his being on high alert.

Suddenly, the very sky split open with a blinding flash, and Garp descended from the clouds like a meteor, his massive fist raised and glowing with raw power.

The very seas shook, the very fabric of the world quaking under the weight of his might. Garp's face was a mask of determination, his legendary presence more formidable than ever, radiating a raw energy that threatened to engulf everything in its path.

"Boom!"

A resounding clash echoed across the vast seas as the cloaked figure raised his blade infused with armament haki, deflecting Garp's punch with a force that sent shockwaves rippling through the air. The sea itself seemed to split apart, the very water recoiling from the sheer power unleashed by the Marine's legendary fist.

Without pausing for a moment, Garp, renowned for his indomitable spirit, recognized the futility of his initial strike. His instincts kicked in, propelling him into a flurry of attacks—a relentless blitzkrieg of punches that followed like a storm, each strike powerful enough to shatter islands and rattle the heavens. Waves crashed violently against the shore, and the sky darkened with the fury of his onslaught.

Yet, the cloaked figure remained unfazed. With an eerie calmness, he met Garp's fury with his own, his haki flaring like a dark star. The air crackled with tension as their conqueror's haki clashed, a violent collision of will and power that felt like primal beasts battling for dominance.

The very sea around them trembled beneath their feet, fissures snaking outward from the epicenter of their confrontation as it shattered the tiny ship into splinters.

Garp's fists moved like thunder, each punch a testament to his legendary strength, but the cloaked figure countered with fluid grace, his blade dancing through the air as he parried and redirected the overwhelming force. The sound of metal on flesh reverberated like a war drum, resonating across the battlefield, stirring the hearts of all who bore witness.

With each exchange, the intensity of the fight escalated. Garp, fueled by years of experience and an unyielding desire to protect Ace, began to unleash his full might.

A massive punch tore through the air, creating a shockwave that sent a cascade of water skyward. The cloaked figure met it head-on, raising his sword in an elegant yet calculated block, the impact reverberating like a cannon.

"Is this all you've got, old friend?" The figure taunted, his voice low and teasing, masked by the shadows of his hood.

*****

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