Garp's gruff voice cut through the din of daily life. "So that's Luffy's nakama. He seems to be doing well. Well, guys, try to stop him," Garp bellowed with a mix of amusement and challenge. His words carried like thunder among the scattered Marines and remnants of the Straw Hats who still lingered in the port area.
Nearby, as Zoro carved a path through a mob of disorganized Marines, a mysterious figure suddenly blocked his progress. The man—a Marine wielding dual swords—moved blocking off Zoro. Before Luffy could swoop in to stop Zoro, another Marine intercepted him, and after exchanging a few blows the two fearless Marines found themselves pinned down, overwhelmed by Luffy and Zoro.
"Bwahahaha! It seems there's no match for them!" Garp laughed boisterously from a distance, clearly entertained by the unfolding chaos. The pink-haired Marine—barely containing a smirk—stepped to his feet, dusting himself. "Guess you're still as strong as ever, huh?" he taunted.
As the dust settled, the pink-haired man raised his voice in greeting. "Luffy! Zoro! Long time no see!" he announced, a familiar lilt in his tone.
Luffy's forehead creased with confusion. "Huh? Who are you?" he demanded, cocking his head as he scrutinized the newcomer.
"Come on—it's me, Coby! Don't you remember?" the man replied with a cheerful grin, wiping a stray lock of pink hair from his eyes.
"Coby?" Luffy echoed, stepping closer. "Wait, that's not right… The Coby I knew was a lot smaller than you!"
"Yeah, that's me! The crybaby Coby… but I grew up a few," Coby admitted with a self-deprecating chuckle.
"Whaaaat!" Luffy gasped, his eyes wide as he took in the transformation of his old friend.
Zoro, leaning casually against a wall, shook his head in disbelief. "What are you serious? How'd you end up all the way in the Grand Line?" he asked in a low, amused tone.
"Well," Coby began, "I'm not a full Marine officer yet—but when I heard you guys were nearby, I just had to come. I couldn't miss the chance to see you all in action!" He beamed, his eyes twinkling with renewed confidence.
"Woah! That's crazy—look at you now, you're like a different person," Luffy marveled, his grin stretching ear to ear.
"Sorry to barge in all of a sudden," Coby offered sheepishly. "I just… I had to see you all."
"No worries," Zoro replied coolly. "Come on, I'll show you my crew," he added, gesturing toward the bustling quarters where the Straw Hats prepared their next move.
Judging from their earlier conversation, it was clear that the once meek Coby had grown into a formidable Marine—it was as if the training effort of the World Government had finally taken its toll. Lucas, standing at the edge of the conversation with those ever-observant eyes, mused aloud, "I guess the Marines really do put in some effort with their guys."
Sanji, ever the pragmatist with a twinkle of mischief, piped up, "You think we could send Usopp there for a few months? Then he might catch up with all this Marine training!"
"Hey!" Usopp protested from behind, indignation clear in his voice. "I'm a valuable member of this team, you know!"
"And besides," Sanji continued with a smirk, "a few months is way too little time."
Before the banter could escalate further, another voice raised itself above the chatter—a voice that demanded attention. "Now, wait a minute—don't you guys remember who I am?" The lone caller stepped into the circle, his spectacles glinting in the morning light. It was Helmeppo, son of Captain Morgan, stumbling into the midst with a mix of bravado and unspoken vulnerability.
"Huh?" Zoro and Luffy echoed in unison, their faces contorting with confusion.
"Come on, it's me! Helmeppo—yes, the one who once nearly drove you to the death penalty with my father's coat tails!" he declared urgently, as though dredging up a past long forgotten.
"Oh right… it's you," Luffy replied unenthusiastically, his tone betraying the odd mix of affection and exasperation typical of old acquaintances.
"Damnit, I'm sorry, Coby, but I still can't forgive them!" Helmeppo blurted, clenching his fists and holding back tears. His memory of past traumas mingled with his desperate desire to belong.
"Alright, reunion is over!" Garp thundered, interrupting the emotional reunion. "Go fix up that wall over there!" he barked at the assembled Marines, his tone gruff and uncompromising.
"Eeeeeh! That's so selfish of you!" came the chorus of irritated voices from the Marines. "Why'd you break in that way if we're the ones who'll have to repair all this mess?"
Garp merely shrugged off the complaints. "Oh yeah, I heard your father went to rescue you at Logue Town," he remarked offhandedly, eliciting another gasp from the crew.
"My dad?" Luffy murmured, perplexed.
"Yeah—your father was there to see you off," Garp replied, prompting stunned silence from the rest of the crew.
Nami piped up, his voice barely concealing his shock, "What is Luffy's dad was like?"
Garp's eyes gleamed with a dangerous mix of pride and defiance. "Your father's name is Monkey D. Dragon—the Revolutionary!" he proclaimed, the words hanging heavily in the air. In that moment, the entire room fell silent, a collective shock rippling through the Marines and the Straw Hats alike.
"What?" some murmured. "The Dragon? Luffy is the son of Dragon?"
Luffy tilted his head, genuinely puzzled. "Huh, why's everyone so worked up?" he asked.
Lucas, ever the storyteller, suddenly pointed upward. A holographic image materialized—a spectral likeness of a powerful, enigmatic figure. "I saw this guy at Logue Town that day," Lucas explained casually. "I guess even if I hadn't intervened, he was bound to make an appearance."
Marines around them exchanged stunned remarks. "Wait, it really is Dragon…" one whispered in disbelief. "The Revolutionary… My god."
Still uncomprehending, Luffy shrugged. "I still don't get it," he admitted.
Robin, who had been listening quietly, stepped forward to clarify. "To put it simply, the Revolutionary Army's goal is to overthrow the World Government—and at its helm is a man named Dragon," she explained softly.
"Hmmm, maybe I shouldn't have said anything," Garp grumbled, clearly disappointed at having stirred the pot further. "Just forget I said that."
"I'm telling you, there's something wrong with Luffy's family," Lucas muttered under his breath, his words resonating with the silent agreement of the others.
After the wall was finally repaired under a flurry of orders and grumbles, Garp bid farewell to Luffy and departed, leaving Coby and Helmeppo to exchange their own quiet conversation. "Man, we've really been through a lot during our stay at Water Seven," Usopp remarked thoughtfully.
"Especially that deal about Luffy's crazy family," Sanji added. "I thought having Ace as a brother was surprising, but this… this is next level."
Lucas interjected, "Honestly, I'm surprised Zoro managed to find his way here without getting lost once the Marines arrived."
"What's that supposed to mean?" Zoro retorted mockingly, echoing familiar teases—just as Sanji couldn't resist, "He does have a point"
The playful jabs escalated quickly, the trio teasing each other with familiar barbs and laughter. "And there they go," Usopp observed with a chuckle, while Chopper simply muttered, "Yeah…"
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