Nami and Koby felt the world tilt beneath their feet.
Koby's knees nearly gave out.
"Th-the Marine Hero… the man who fought the Pirate King to a standstill… is your grandfather?!"
Nami stared at the snail like it had just announced itself as a god. "Of all the insane things I've heard today…"
On the other end of the line, Garp's snail-face swelled with pride.
"Damn right! I'm the Hero of the Marines, brats!"
Then the brows crashed down into a furious scowl.
"AND THAT MEANS YOU'VE GOT STANDARDS TO LIVE UP TO!"
The snail suddenly launched forward like Garp was trying to headbutt his way through the transponder. Luffy yelped and instinctively tilted his head aside.
"GYAA, you're as loud as ever, old man!"
Nami and Koby watched this with identical expressions.
"They dodge each other's attacks through a snail. The crazy is hereditary, isn't it?"
Garp huffed. "You better not be screwing around! Where are you, brat? Dawn Island better still be under your feet!"
"Not exactly," Luffy admitted sheepishly.
Garp's mustache twitched dangerously. "What. Does. That. Mean."
"I kinda got caught in a whirlpool and ended up on a cruise ship in the East Blue!"
Nami flinched. "Kinda?!"
Koby looked like he wanted to sink through the floor.
There was a long pause. The snail's expression went completely flat.
Then,
"BWAAAAHAHAHAHAHA!" Garp exploded into laughter. "You really did it! You left the island anyway!"
Something like fond exasperation flickered through his features. "You're just like your father, running off into the world the second you can."
Nami's eyes widened.
"IKnew it. The whole family's cursed."
"But!" Garp snapped back to business. "You said you're not going to be a pirate."
"Right," Luffy nodded. "I told you. I wanna be a hero. The Hero of the Seas."
He said it without hesitation, that bright, unwavering certainty in his voice again.
Garp fell silent for a moment. Nami and Koby watched the snail nervously.
"…Tch. You're serious."
It wasn't really a question.
"Yeah."
"That's not exactly a standard job, you know," Garp grumbled. "People at sea are either Marines, pirates, or idiots."
Luffy grinned. "I can be a heroic idiot."
Koby's soul nearly left his body. Nami pinched the bridge of her nose.
Garp sighed, long and loud.
"Listen, brat. You go sailing around punching pirates and Marines without a flag, and the World Government will brand you a criminal no matter what you call yourself."
"I know," Luffy said quietly, suddenly serious. "That's why I'm calling you."
That gave Garp pause.
"Explain."
Luffy glanced at Nami. She stiffened, but he didn't call her out directly.
"There are places in the East Blue," he said carefully, "where pirates do whatever they want. Where Marines are supposed to protect people, but they don't. Some of them take bribes. Look the other way."
He looked down, hands tightening on the Den Den Mushi.
"And there are people who get hurt because no one's allowed to help them."
Nami's fingers dug hard into her own arms.
Nezumi's face flashed in her mind.
Arlong's grin.
The scent of Bell-mère's blood in the air.
Garp's snail-face lost its grin entirely.
"…So you've already seen that side of things, huh."
"Yeah…" he said in a low voice, eyes suddenly turning sharp as knives, "and we both still remember what happened to Sabo"
The line went quiet as something dark flashed through both Garp and Luffy's eyes. "And I wanna fix it," Luffy said simply. "But I don't want to wear Marine colors. I don't want to follow stupid orders from people who don't care. I just wanna save people who need it. Pirates. Civilians. Even Marines if they're in trouble."
Koby jerked his head up at that, surprised at someone lumping pirates and marines into the same category.
Garp stared out from the snail for a long moment, something old and tired flickering in his eyes beneath the bluster.
"You're asking for a lot, brat," he muttered. "The higher-ups don't like… free agents."
Luffy shrugged, a bit of his light heartedness returning, "You're the Hero of the Marines, right? That's pretty high up."
Nami nearly choked. "Tell me he did not just say that."
The snail's cheeks puffed . "Why you—!"
A vein throbbed dangerously in Garp's forehead. Then he sighed, shoulders slumping a fraction.
"…Tch. Damn kid. You sound exactly like that stubborn idiot in you."
Luffy's expression softened. He knew exactly who he meant.
"So here's my proposal," Luffy went on, eyes firm. "You give me a way to do this without getting chased immediately. On paper, let me work under you. Not as a Marine. Not taking your orders every day. Just…" He searched for the right words. "Someone you unleashed on the scum you can't hit directly."
Koby swallowed. Nami stared.
"A… privateer," she finally murmured. "A hero flying no flag… but backed by one."
"That," Garp grunted, "seems like a very fancy way to say 'trouble magnet with protection.'"
"Shishishi. Sounds about right."
Garp rubbed the bridge of his nose. "I can't just make a new rank for your nonsense, brat. But…" He glanced off to the side. They heard Bogard's quiet voice in the background.
"Vice Admiral. There is precedent for contracted civilian auxiliaries. And… we do need more eyes on the sea. Ones we can actually trust."
"Tch. I know that," Garp muttered. He turned back to the snail. "Alright, listen. Here's what I can do."
Luffy straightened unconsciously. Nami and Koby leaned in despite themselves.
"I'll register you, on paper, as a 'special civilian asset under Vice Admiral Garp'," he said. "Unofficial, low-profile. You won't wear our coat. You won't report like a regular soldier. But if some lazy Commander tries to slap a pirate label on you, your name'll come up flagged under my authority."
Koby's eyes went wide as saucers. "T-that's… that's huge…"
Nami's heart pounded. "He's serious. He's really backing this idiot."
Garp continued, tone hardening. "But there are conditions."
Luffy nodded. "Shoot."
"One: you don't go rampaging around destroying towns just because you feel like it. You help people. If I start hearing that you're wrecking more than you're saving, I'll come drag you home and pound you into the ground myself."
"Done," Luffy said easily.
"Two: you don't pick fights with honest Marines just because they're in your way. Most of them are good men and women out there trying to do their jobs. You respect that. If someone's corrupt, if they're taking bribes, oppressing people, ignoring their duty, fine. Gather proof. Call me. Then punch them."
Nami's breath hitched. That little "then punch them" at the end wasn't lost on her.
Luffy nodded more seriously. "Got it."
"And three…" Garp's eyes narrowed. "You don't die."
Luffy blinked. "I mean, I wasn't planning on it, gramps."
Garp leaned so close to the snail the three on the other side instinctively flinched back.
"I didn't say 'try your best'," he snarled. "If you die before I see what kind of hero you become, I'll drag your soul back from the afterlife just to beat some sense into it, you hear me?!"
Luffy grinned. "I'll do my best, old man."
"BRAT!"
Nami couldn't help it. A tiny smile tugged at her lips. "They really are family."
"So," Garp said, the worst of the bluster easing. "You mentioned you've got people with you."
Luffy brightened. "Yeah! There's this guy Koby."
Koby squeaked. "M-Me?"
"He wants to be a Marine," Luffy said proudly, like he was presenting a prize recruit. "You should hear him, Gramps. He really means it."
Garp studied Koby through the snail. The poor boy snapped ramrod straight, saluting on instinct.
"S-sir! My name is Koby! I, um, was taken as a cabin boy by Captain Alvida and—"
"Iron Mace Alvida?" Garp interrupted.
"Yes, sir!"
"You still working for her?"
"N-no, sir!" Koby said, panic and pride warring in his voice. "Luffy… Luffy defeated her. In one punch."
Garp's brows rose. "Did he, now?" He snorted. "Well, saves me a trip."
Koby gulped. "I want to join the Marines, sir! I want to become someone who can stop pirates like her! Someone who can protect people!"
Garp watched him for a long moment.
"…You're too timid," he said finally. "And you shake too much. But your eyes are good."
Koby's eyes went shiny. "Th-thank you, sir!"
"There's a base in Shells Town," Garp went on. "Captain Morgan runs it. Big idiot with a big axe. He'll take recruits if they pass basic tests." His nose wrinkled. "…And someone there needs to keep an eye on that guy."
Nami didn't miss the edge in his voice.
"Head there and enlist," Garp ordered. "Tell them you arrived on the orders of Vice Admiral Garp if they give you trouble. They'll test you. If you really mean what you said, you'll pass."
Koby saluted so hard he nearly knocked himself over. "Yes, sir!"
Luffy clapped him on the back again. "See? Told you you'd get your shot."
Koby beamed through tears.
"What about the girl?" Garp asked next, eyes sliding toward Nami through the Den Den Mushi.
She stiffened. "I don't need help from the Marines," she said quickly. "I'm fine on my—"
"She's a navigator!" Luffy cut in, beaming. "She wants to map the whole world!"
Nami sputtered. "Don't just say that out loud!"
Garp's gaze sharpened.
"…You hate pirates," he said. It wasn't a question.
Nami's jaw clenched. "I do," she replied sharply, "they ruin homes."
Garp grunted, an understanding sound that surprised her. "Yeah. They do that."
He didn't push. He didn't ask for details. Somehow, that eased the pressure on her.
For all his goofy personality and bluster, Monkey D. Garp was not a stupid man. He could sense the bitterness rolling off the girl in waves, already putting together a rough picture of her story.
"You sail with the brat for now," Garp finally said. "See where your dreams take you. If he causes trouble, smack him for me."
Luffy squawked. "Hey!"
"You'll deserve it," Garp shot back.
Nami let out a short, surprised chuckle. "…I might enjoy that part."
Garp straightened a bit.
"Alright, listen up, all of you," he said, tone turning formal in a way that made Koby snap to attention and Nami instinctively brace. "From this moment on, Monkey D. Luffy is recognized, as far as my authority reaches, as a special auxiliary asset under Vice Admiral Garp."
The snail's eyes hardened.
"That doesn't mean what you do will never have consequences, brat. The world is big, and even I can't protect you from everything. But it means as long as you aim that fist of yours at real monsters and corrupted scum, the Marines will not hunt you as a pirate. Not while I still draw breath."
Luffy's chest felt warm. Heavy. A good kind of heavy.
"Thanks, Gramps."
"Don't thank me," Garp grunted. "Go prove you deserve it."
He paused, then smirked.
"And when you finally make a name for yourself… I'm gonna brag to everyone that I made it happen! BWAHAHAHAHA, Sengoku will be so jealous!"
"Shishishi. Deal."
Bogard's voice drifted faintly in the background. "Vice Admiral, your tea is getting cold."
"Tch. Always nagging. Fine, fine! I'm hanging up now!"
"Wait," Luffy said suddenly.
Garp paused. "What now, brat?"
Luffy glanced at Nami again. At the tightness in her jaw, the hurt in her eyes when Marines were mentioned.
"…There's a place I want to ask you about," he said. "Not now. But soon. Somewhere that should've had help, but didn't."
Garp's gaze softened, just slightly.
"When you're ready to tell me," he said, "call again."
Luffy smiled. "Yeah. I will."
"Don't die one me brat," Garp repeated.
"Can't. I've got way too much to do."
The snail's face stretched into a wide, toothy grin.
"BWHAHAHAHA! That's what I like to hear! Now get moving, Hero of the Seas!"
The line clicked off. The Den Den Mushi relaxed back into its neutral, sleepy expression.
Silence settled in the room. Then Nami exhaled slowly.
"You're insane, you know that right?" she asked Luffy.
He grinned. "You've said that like four times today."
"Because it keeps being true!"
Koby, on the other hand, could barely keep still.
"Y-you're working with Vice Admiral Garp," he whispered. "This is… this is incredible…"
Luffy stretched, joints bending in those concerning ways that somehow didn't hurt him. "So it's decided then! We take Koby to Shells Town so he can become a Marine."
"And what about you?" Nami asked, folding her arms.
Luffy looked out the window, toward the distant horizon.
"I'm gonna save as many people as I can," he said simply. "Pirates, Marines, villagers… doesn't matter. If they need help, I'll be there. That's what a hero does, right?"
Nami's heart twisted.
The ghost of her adoptive mother echoing in his words.
She looked away.
"Just don't get in my way," she muttered. "And don't expect me to stick around if you start doing something stupid."
Luffy smiled. "I'll try to keep all the stupidity to important things."
"That's… not nearly as comforting as you might think it is."
Koby laughed weakly. "I-I think it is. A little."
The three of them fell into a strange, quiet companionship. A pirate-hating thief, a scared former cabin boy, and a not-quite-pirate hero with the blood of legends and the heart of a boy who'd saved the world once already.
Outside, the sea glittered.
"Next stop," Luffy said, pointing dramatically, "Shells Town!"
"You don't even know which direction that is," Nami snapped.
Luffy paused. "Oh yeah… Good thing I have the best navigator to show me the way!"
She sighed, but a tiny smile tugged at her lips anyway.
"…Fine. I'll get you there. After that, we'll see."
Koby clenched his fists, hope burning bright in his chest.
"I'm really going to do it. I'm going to become a Marine who saves people."
Luffy rested his hands behind his head, grinning as the ship creaked and turned toward a new course.
The sun had begun its slow drift downward, painting the horizon in dazzling shades of orange and gold. For a while, the three simply stood there in companionable silence. An odd little trio bound together by chance, dreams, and the wake of one seemingly reckless decision.
Nami eventually broke away to the helm with a sigh, hands already moving with the ease of long practice as she checked their heading and the map she'd lifted off some rich fool earlier. After all the excitement she had volunteered her services as navigator to help direct them to make an emergency stop at the nearest island.
Koby lingered by the rail, watching the horizon as if he could already see Shells Town in the distance.
Luffy just breathed.
Salty sea wind, the warmth on his skin, the faint buzz of power in his muscles. Two worlds of memories layered over the gentle sway of the deck.
"I really did it," he thought. "I'm out on the sea again."
After the whirlpool, Luffy thought he was gone forever, and after dying on the battlefield, Izuku had naturally assumed the same.
But now, somewhere deep inside, a phantom heartbeat answered his will, drums echoing in time with the rhythm of the waves.
As the next day dawned, the trio fell into a comfortable routine.
"Alright, again!" Luffy shouted.
Koby groaned but obeyed, dropping to the deck for yet another set of pushups. He shook like a leaf, his arms barely holding up his own weight.
Nami watched from nearby as she charted their course, eyes occasionally flicking up from her map.
"You know," she said dryly, "if you break him before we get to Shells Town, I am not explaining that to the Marines."
"He won't break," Luffy said, squatting beside Koby with a grin. "Right, Koby?"
Koby's arms wobbled. "R-right! I… won't… break…!"
He collapsed with a wheeze.
Luffy laughed, but there was pride in his eyes. "See? That's progress!"
Koby rolled over, panting. "I… thought… heroes were… supposed to be gentle…"
"We are, but you won't be gentle for long if you get taken out by the first punch," Luffy countered. "Trust me. Villains don't go easy just because you're a nice guy."
Koby flinched, remembering Alvida's mace smashing into the deck mere hours before.
Luffy's expression softened.
"Look," he said, voice quieter. "If you want to help people, you're gonna make enemies. Some of them will be monsters. Some of them will just be… people who stopped caring. Those are the hardest." His mind went back to Midoryia fighting Shigaraki, to Ochako fighting Toga, or even the Todoroki family fighting Dabi.
"Because with the one's that were broken, who didn't start out evil… you'll always want to save them, and to try, you have to be strong enough to fight it out."
Green eyes stared up at the sky.
"I've seen both."
Nami's pencil paused over her chart, but she didn't turn around.
Koby swallowed. "And you fought them all?"
Luffy snorted. "Nah. I didn't beat every bad guy, even the strongest can't beat every bad guy alone." His mind conjured images of AllMight, beaten and bloodied in his hero armor facing off against All for One. "Some were stronger than me. Some weren't even human anymore. But I never stopped trying to save the people in front of me."
He met Koby's eyes with a half-lidded, earnest gaze.
"That's all being a hero really is, Koby. You move. You stand up. Even when you're scared. Even when it hurts. Even when you know you might not make it back."
Koby's throat tightened. He sat up straight.
"…Then I'll keep training."
Luffy grinned. "Good answer. Now, squats."
"Y-yes!"
Nami huffed under her breath, pretending not to listen. But her pen pressed a little harder into the paper.
Later, when the sky turned lavender and the ship's lanterns were lit, Nami found herself leaning against the railing again, a map folded under her arm.
Luffy joined her, sliding into place at her side as naturally as if it were the most obvious spot in the world.
"Thanks," he said simply.
She blinked. "For what?"
"For steering us," he answered. "For helping Koby. For listening to Gramps without hanging up."
She snorted. "Like I had a choice. You dragged me into the room."
"Still," he said. "You stayed. Could've walked away."
Nami looked out over the water. "I can't afford to walk away from information," she admitted. "Knowing you're connected to Garp… changes things."
Her eyes hardened.
"Maybe… maybe there really is a way to use that."
Luffy glanced at her. "Use it for what?"
Nami's grip tightened on the map. "To fix what the Marines ignored," she muttered. "To fix what pirates broke."
She didn't say Cocoyasi, but Luffy knew exactly what she meant
Luffy's expression turned serious again, a look that still startled her a little every time it replaced his goofy grin.
"You know," he said, "Gramps is strong. Stronger than almost anyone. But even he can't hit something he doesn't know exists."
Nami frowned. "What's that supposed to mean?"
"If the people in charge hide things," Luffy said slowly, "if they call something 'justice' just because it's convenient, or because it protects their profit, then guys like him can't always stomp it out. Even if they want to."
He folded his arms behind his head, gaze drifting up, suddenly solemn
"I've known heroes who followed the rules no matter what. And there were heroes who broke them when they got in the way of saving people. The best ones, the ones I idolized, they didn't listen to labels. They listened to their hearts."
Nami stared at him.
"Are you saying you want to change the Marines?"
He smiled slightly.
"I'm saying I don't care what flag someone flies," he said. "If they're hurting people, I'll stand against them. If they're trying to help, I'll stand with them. If that means someday Gramps has to choose between his justice and mine…"
His eyes burned for a brief second with a will far stronger than a seventeen should possess.
"…I'm gonna make sure he chooses the right one."
A quiet shiver ran down Nami's spine.
Even just the two days since she'd met him, she could already feel herself starting to believe in him.
This idiot… is dangerous.