A few days had passed since that climactic clash at Enies Lobby—a perilous expedition to rescue their dearest friend from a fortress teeming with Marines. The Straw Hats had fought tooth and nail, their every move a desperate struggle against forces that nearly overwhelmed them. Just as their hopes began to surge, a cadre of super-strong agents—CP9—descended upon the battlefield with ruthless precision, turning the tide firmly in the Marines' favor. When it seemed all was lost, an unexpected hero appeared in the chaos, an arrival so timely it revived their dwindling hope. As the tumult faded into whispered memory, Lucas's booming voice cut through the hushed aftermath:
"Usopp, enough with the monologuing! Isn't this just your fanfiction?"
The playful rebuke managed to break the tension, drawing a laugh even from the battle-weary crew.
Now, four days on, the Straw Hats had found a tentative peace upon their return to Water Seven. After a period of rest and quiet recovery, a welcome surprise awaited them. Franky, always larger than life, had offered to build them a ship free of charge—meaning the funds they'd painstakingly earned could swell their treasury. To add salt to the wound of welcomed fortune, Lucas's own Black Pearl was nearing its completion. Two ships now belonged to the crew, a bounty that made Luffy's face split into his trademark, unstoppable grin.
"We're back!" Luffy roared joyfully as exhaustion gave way to excitement.
Inside the modest inn where they sheltered, Robin and Chopper entered with a quiet determination. Lucas, ever curious, couldn't resist a remark. "So, how was it?" he asked softly.
"Amazing," replied Chopper, his wide eyes sparkling as he showed off the advanced medical tools Lucas had designed especially for him. "I really like the gear you made—it's like a dream come true!"
"Great to hear it," Lucas answered with a warm smile. "Just wait till our new ship's finished—I'll build you a state-of-the-art medical room, too."
Usopp, unable to hide his astonishment, piped up, "I never knew you were so skilled in technology."
"It's no big deal," Lucas shrugged modestly, as if dismissing it was easier than accepting praise.
Then, as fate would have it, just as breakfast was being called out—"Breakfast is ready, my dear Robin and sweet Nami!" bellowed Sanji with hearts in his eyes—an unexpected crash shattered the morning calm. The inn's wall tumbled in with a resounding boom.
"What the—" Sanji muttered, startled.
A deep, gravelly voice filled the room, smooth yet commanding: "What a nice aroma I smell. You all are members of the Straw Hat Pirates, right? I brought someone I want Monkey D. Luffy to meet."
A stunned silence followed before Lucas could recover his composure. "Garp!?" he exclaimed as a towering figure emerged from swirling smoke.
The room fell into collective gasp. "You mean… THE Garp!" Usopp blurted in disbelief.
Garp's booming voice carried authority as he looked around. "Where's Luffy?" he demanded.
Without a hint of hesitation, Lucas casually pointed toward the kitchen. "Kitchen," he replied, as if it were the most natural place for a Marine Admiral to be.
Immediately, whispered accusations rippled among the crew—Usopp, Sanji, and even a stern Nami exchanged looks as if to say, *Lucas, have you just sold out our captain's whereabouts?* Their eyes were filled with equal parts shock and exasperation.
Garp strode purposefully into the kitchen. The Straw Hats trailed behind him, their curiosity piqued with every step. Sanji lunged forward in a futile attempt to block the admiral's path, but Lucas stepped in firmly. "Just chill, guys—trust me, you'll understand soon enough," he murmured with a cryptic half-smile.
Then, a sudden crashing sound rang out. Amid the clamor, a weak, trembling cry emerged: "Gra... Gra... Grandpa!" It was Luffy, his voice cracking with a mixture of awe and relief. In an instant, the Straw Hats dashed to the kitchen, their shock palpable.
"Wait—you mean the hero of the Marines is Luffy's grandfather?" Nami whispered incredulously.
"Damn, who would've thought…" Sanji muttered, equally stunned.
Garp, now towering in the doorway, eyed Luffy with a blend of affection and stern reproof. "Grandpa, when did you get here?" Luffy asked, his tone half-amused, half-bewildered.
A slow smile curled on Garp's rugged face as he replied in his gravelly manner, "Now is that how you greet your old man? Looks like I'll have to re-educate you on some manners, lad."
Sanji's eyes widened in alarm as he recognized the impending clash. "Luffy!" he cried, unable to hold back as Garp's imposing presence began to chasten his unruly grandson. The ensuing scuffle was short but effective—Garp laid a few well-placed blows on Luffy, each one a stark reminder of the lessons Garp had tried, over the years, to instill.
"Don't worry, he's fine," Garp assured, patting a battered Luffy's head as the youngster sputtered in protest. "Look at you—all the effort I put into raising you right, and this is how you turned out," Garp grumbled, half-amused despite the rough treatment.
"You mean the countless times you tried to kill me?" Luffy snapped cheekily, defiance in every word.
Garp chuckled, his voice a rumbling growl. "Now, don't say such scandalous things. When I pushed you over a cliff, threw you into the jungle at night, or tied a balloon and sent you flying, it was all to forge you into a strong man—a man worthy of being a Marine!"
Sanji, clearly taken aback, murmured softly, "I think I now understand the source of your endless energy, Luffy." Nami and Usopp nodded in quiet agreement from the background.
Garp sighed heavily. "Now look at you—you and that brother of yours. I took my eyes off you for a little while, and you both turned out to be pirates… notorious ones at that."
In a low, conspiratorial whisper, Lucas added, "I raised you to be a strong Marine," his tone laced with ironic nostalgia.
Before the room could settle, a heated exchange erupted. "I always said I'd be a pirate!" Luffy yelled, his voice rising with defiant pride.
"Nonsense! You're just under bad influence from that red hair!" Garp bellowed back, his eyes flashing indignation as he threatened another round of "re-education."
"You mean' Shanks saved my life—don't speak ill of him!" Luffy retorted fiercely, his words laced with reverence.
"Huh! Are you telling your grandfather what to do?" Garp growled in return, his tone both threatening and amused.
"Gyaaaah! I'm sorry!" Luffy managed a sheepish reply, his expression caught between rebellion and filial respect.
The rest of the Straw Hats exchanged bewildered glances as they took in the grandfather–grandson duel with mixed disbelief and fond amusement. "Say, did you know all this time who Luffy's grandfather was?" Usopp finally inquired, his voice trembling with equal parts curiosity and awe.
"Uh yeah," Lucas replied, "remember that blue jellyfish-like guy I once used my freaky powers on—a guy who could read minds?"
"Oh yeah... Wait, you used your powers on us?!" Usopp stammered, a sheen of sweat glistening on his brow.
"Don't worry, I'm not really interested in your personal, ahem, thoughts," Lucas quipped with a wry smile, just as Sanji felt a shiver slither down his spine.
Amid the clamor, from beyond the inn's walls, the booming voices of Marines grew louder. "It's the Pirate Hunter Roronoa Zoro!" they bellowed, referencing a ruckus outside. "Right—this time Zoro didn't lose a sword! Guess his skills have improved under my expertise," Lucas muttered proudly, a rare moment of boastful levity amidst the familial chaos.
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