Chapter 84: Headquarters Barbecue
Marine Headquarters - Marineford Port
The next morning, sunlight glittered on the calm sea.
With a slight ripple in space, a warship appeared silently at the Marineford port—it was Zephyr's training vessel, returning two full days ahead of schedule.
"BOOM!!!"
The ship had barely appeared when a figure launched from the main headquarters building, landing on the deck with a sonic boom and a wave of pure rage, shaking the entire vessel!
"LUFFY!! ACE!! WHERE ARE YOU?!!"
Garp roared as he landed, his face a mask of anxiety, his fists clenched. His Haki exploded outward, enveloping the ship like a furious beast.
The sailors on deck froze in terror, but a familiar figure instantly warped to the old man's side.
"Old man, calm down."
Roy placed a steady hand on Garp's shoulder, his voice soothing. "The two brats just wore themselves out. They're fast asleep in the medical bay."
When Garp saw it was Roy, his tense muscles finally relaxed, and he let out a huge sigh. "Roy... Oh, you were there? Good. That's good."
The panic in his eyes finally faded, replaced by a rare look of relief.
"Sorry about that," he said, scratching his head with an embarrassed laugh. "I just got back and heard the West Blue training mission was attacked... When I heard those two brats were in trouble, I nearly tore down the main building."
"I get it," Roy smiled, his voice warm. "They're your grandsons, after all."
Marineford - Roy's Quarters
As soon as the ship was fully docked, Roy wasted no time and used his warp ability to transport the still-sleeping Ace and Luffy directly back to their familiar beds.
The morning courtyard was peaceful.
Nami and Nojiko, hearing the boys were injured, had immediately rushed over from their own training.
"Those two idiots... so reckless!" Nami muttered, but she gently tucked the blanket around Luffy, her eyes full of worry.
Nojiko, after checking Ace, let out a sigh of relief. "It's okay, just stamina exhaustion. He'll be fine after he wakes up and gets some food."
The two girls stood watch by their bedsides.
In the courtyard, three figures sat around the tea table. Garp was silent, watching the two sleeping boys through the window. His face, usually smiling, now held a rare softness.
"My friend..." he said, his voice hoarse. "Thank god you were there."
Zephyr was quiet for a moment, the teacup in his hand trembling slightly.
"I should be the one apologizing to you," he said, his gaze heavy. "If I hadn't taken them out there..."
"Cut that crap!" Garp snapped, his old demeanor returning. "That's called 'training,' not 'making a mistake.'"
"A bird has to face the storm before it can learn to fly."
He threw back his tea, his eyes regaining their fire. "My grandsons aren't some hothouse flowers!"
Zephyr stared, then let out a small, tired laugh. "You old bastard... you really know how to look on the bright side."
Roy poured them both more tea. "The mission was more than we expected, but they performed well."
He looked at Garp, his voice serious. "Especially Ace."
He paused, his gaze meaningful. "At the critical moment... he awakened his Conqueror's Haki."
"PFFFT—!!!"
Garp, who had just taken another sip, sprayed hot tea clear across the yard.
"NANI?!"
Garp's eyes went wide, his jaw dropping. "You said... Conqueror's Haki?! For real?!"
Zephyr snorted. "What, are you surprised? You should know what kind of potential your own grandson has."
Garp was stunned for a second, then he threw his head back and roared with a thunderous, proud laugh. "BWAHAHAHA!! As expected of my grandson!! He has the disposition of a King!!"
The old man's laughter shook the entire courtyard.
Inside, Luffy rolled over in his sleep. "So loud... Grandpa's so annoying..."
The three men froze, then all laughed together.
Evening - Roy's Residence
The two brothers woke up at the exact same moment.
"Ugh... so hungry..." Luffy mumbled, sitting up, his hair a total mess.
"Me too..." Ace groaned, rubbing his temples. He was still pale, but his strength was returning.
They looked at each other for one second, and then in perfect unison, they roared:
"MEAT—!!!"
"BAM!!"
A fist landed squarely on each of their heads.
Nami was standing over them, practically radiating annoyance. "You two! You just woke up and you're already screaming?! Do you know how worried we were?!"
"Ow-ow-ow! Nami! Not the face!" Luffy yelped, covering his head.
"Sorry... but we're really hungry," Ace said, rubbing his stomach.
Nojiko sighed, handing them two glasses of hot milk. "Here, calm down. Grandpa Garp already went out to 'find' you some meat."
"...Grandpa?!" Ace and Luffy both tensed up.
"He's... he's not going to drag us into the mountains for 'special training,' is he?" Ace asked, his face pale with dread.
"Yeah, where 'dinner' means 'catch a wild boar to test your reflexes'?" Luffy added, terrified.
"Not this time," a voice laughed from the doorway.
Roy was leaning against the frame, smiling. "He said... he was going to get you some 'real, proper meat.'"
The two boys just looked confused.
Marineford Port
"BOOM!!!"
The entire Marine Headquarters suddenly shook violently, as if from an earthquake.
"What's going on?! The alarm didn't sound!"
"Look at the port!!!"
Everyone ran to the water, only to be met with a truly epic sight.
Garp was walking back from the open sea, laughing boisterously. On his shoulder, he was carrying a Sea King... one that was the size of a battleship.
"BWAHAHAHA!! My grandsons wanted meat? Then let's have a feast!!"
The massive creature was still bleeding, its sheer size blocking out the setting sun.
"Is... is that a Deep Sea-class Sea King?!"
"Did Vice Admiral Garp... punch a Sea King out of the deep sea and drag it back... just for dinner?!!"
The Marines stared, their jaws on the floor.
On a nearby ship's mast, Law and Roy were watching. Both of them silently facepalmed.
"He really is... 'Chaos-Grandpa'..."
"I'll do the cutting," Law said, his voice flat, as he drew Kikoku.
With the help of Law's Op-Op Fruit and Roy's warp ability, the massive Sea King was butchered and distributed in minutes. The entire Marineford base, soldiers and their families alike, got a share of the fresh meat!
"Did you hear? Vice Admiral Garp brought back a Sea King!"
"That's so badass!"
"My kids are going to eat well tonight!"
Marine Headquarters descended into an unprecedented barbecue carnival!
Roy's Residence - Courtyard
The night was filled with the sound and smell of a massive barbecue. The absolute best cuts of the Sea King had been sent to Roy's house.
Luffy and Ace, fully recovered, were vibrating with excitement. "MEAT!!!"
"It smells so GOOOOOD!!"
"You two, slow down!" Nami and Nojiko sighed, trying to wipe the grease off their faces.
Garp sat in the center of the yard, drinking sake. "EAT! EAT YOUR FILL! I guarantee you'll all be stuffed tonight!"
Zephyr sat nearby, taking a drink. "Now this is a proper celebration."
Law was calmly grilling a giant rack of ribs. Binz was flipping meat, Ain was cutting vegetables, and Kuina was sipping tea. Zoro was leaning against a post with a fresh lump on his head (he'd tried to grab Zephyr's sake and Kuina had punched him).
"After this, I'm training," Zoro muttered.
"Just relax," Ace said, his mouth full. "Today... is a day to celebrate."
"Yeah!" Luffy held up a giant bone. "Everyone's here! This is the best!"
"KANPAI—!!!" (Cheers!)
The firelight lit up their smiling faces. The sound of laughter, clinking glasses, and sizzling meat was the warmest sound in all of Marineford.
That night, the base was united in an unexpected, warm celebration. The young generation was growing, and in the middle of it all, a true family was being forged.
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