One Piece: I Am King Luffy

"It's really Vice Admiral Garp!"

The two Marines stared wide-eyed at the photo pinched between Luffy's fingers. They could hardly believe it.

So close to Garp… and yet they'd never heard of him before.

Could it be that this kid really was Garp's grandson?

Their attitude toward Luffy shifted instantly.

"May we ask… what are you here for?"

Their tone was suddenly much friendlier, though they still didn't step aside.

"I want to call my grandpa," Luffy said, putting away the photo and shoving the two Marines aside.

The soldiers, surprised by Luffy's strength, were forced to step back and let the boy march straight into the Marine base.

"We're very sorry, but Vice Admiral Garp isn't here… You're his grandson—you should know where he is, right?"

They were still suspicious but didn't dare stop him, simply following behind and trying to persuade him.

"My grandpa went back to Marine Headquarters, but he forgot to give me his number. So, I came to the base to call him directly," Luffy explained.

He didn't actually have Garp's number, nor did he have a Den Den Mushi for communication.

"I see…" The Marines believed him almost completely.

If this kid was lying, he'd be exposed the moment he made the call. Nobody was bold enough to pull a scam inside a Marine base.

"Your training here is pathetic," Luffy said bluntly.

He glanced around the base—some Marines were chatting in groups, while others were lounging in the shade. The huge training field was completely empty.

So this was the East Blue Marines?

Too relaxed. It felt more like a resort than a military base.

"Grut, how did a kid get in here? Is he somebody's relative?"

A Marine spotted Luffy—he stood out like a sore thumb.

"He's Vice Admiral Garp's grandson. He came to borrow our line to call Garp," the soldier next to Luffy explained.

"What?! Garp has a grandson? That's insane!"

At once, the Marines perked up and crowded around Luffy.

In this world, knowledge was fragmented. Common folk were ignorant, and even rank-and-file Marines blindly upheld whatever the government fed them.

Garp had been turned into an official legend—a symbol of Marine justice. For low-level Marines, he was a living god.

Even when Garp wanted to retire, Fleet Admiral Kong forced him to keep his title, just to inspire the troops.

So naturally, once Luffy's identity was confirmed, his status skyrocketed.

To these Marines, he was like a folk hero from Water Margin—someone they'd follow without question.

The Marines escorted Luffy to the communications room. Aside from the base commander's office, this was the only place with a Den Den Mushi capable of contacting Marine Headquarters.

Ordinary Den Den Mushi worked like walkie-talkies, only for local calls—perfect for wandering pirates.

But the Marines used special long-distance Den Den Mushi, capable of inter-island and even inter-ocean communication.

Inside the communications room, the Den Den Mushi wore a tiny Marine cap, numbers engraved on its shell. It looked half-asleep.

"Luffy, if you don't know the number, just pick up the receiver and press #. That'll connect you to HQ's communications center," a Marine instructed him.

Luffy grabbed the receiver without hesitation.

"Buru-buru-buru…"

The Den Den Mushi jolted awake.

"This is Marine Headquarters Communications. Please state your business."

A calm voice answered. The Den Den Mushi's face morphed into the features of the Marine on the other end—a square-jawed officer with a cap.

"My name is Monkey D. Luffy. I want to speak to my grandpa, Garp."

Luffy leaned back in his chair. Around him, a crowd of Marines craned their necks toward the receiver, holding their breath.

"What… did you just say?"

"Kid, say that again. Who's your grandpa?"

"Garp. Monkey D. Garp. No one else could impersonate my grandpa."

"What?! The Navy Hero has a grandson? Then who's his son?"

"No way! Kid, are you messing with us?"

The Den Den Mushi practically sprayed spittle as the officer shouted.

"Hurry up and put my grandpa on. Stop asking dumb questions."

"I… I'll verify your identity…"

The Marine on the other end was trembling as he urgently confirmed Luffy's claim through internal channels.

Finally, the line was transferred—to Garp himself.

"Hey, Garp, your grandson is on the line," said Sengoku, sitting beside him in the office, snacking.

"That brat? How'd he get access to a Den Den Mushi? Wait… didn't he say he was going to sail with Shanks?"

Garp rummaged around before finally pulling the Den Den Mushi out from under his backside.

"Garp, what did you just say? Your grandson… is on Shanks' ship?!"

"That Shanks? The one who's been stirring up trouble in the East Blue?!"

"Keep your voice down, Sengoku! And stop worrying. My grandson's a good kid. He just wants to see what pirate life is like… Honestly, I'm curious too."

Garp picked up the receiver. The Den Den Mushi's face turned into his goofy expression.

"LUFFY! You brat! What are you doing in a Marine base?!"

His booming voice shook the room.

The Marines gasped in unison.

He really was… the grandson of that Garp—the legendary Navy Hero!

They had never even heard of Garp having a family!

"'Cause I'm out of money," Luffy said casually. "And nobody will give me any. I even used Conqueror's Haki to help them catch fish!"

Luffy avoided mentioning Shanks by name, referring to them only as "they." Garp understood perfectly.

"WHAT?! They didn't give you money? How stingy can they be!"

Garp roared in outrage.

"I put everything on the Marine base's tab, Grandpa. Oh, and I'm here to ask you for something. After sailing with them, I've realized how big the world is—and Grandpa, they've taught me way more than you ever did!"

(End of Chapter)