"Mr. Garp! You're back!"
A cheerful, melodic voice suddenly rang out, instantly shattering the suffocating, lethal tension locking the two men together. It was Makino.
As the owner of the tavern, it was only natural for her to politely step outside to see her customers off. She was blissfully oblivious to the apocalyptic clash of Haki that had been brewing just seconds prior.
"Bwahahaha! Makino! It's been a long time!"
In the blink of an eye, Garp's terrifying, demonic aura completely evaporated like clouds parting after a storm. The lethal Marine Hero instantly reverted back to a loud, laughing, completely harmless-looking grandfather. "How has business been treating you?"
"It's been very good," Makino smiled warmly, completely unaware of the whiplash everyone else was experiencing. "Ace and Luffy visit the tavern all the time! Are you planning to go see them? If they knew you were back in town, I'm sure they would be absolutely thrilled!"
The moment Makino finished her sentence, a muffled, highly suppressed snort echoed from the side.
Makino blinked and looked over. It was Bardock, holding a hand over his mouth, his shoulders shaking slightly.
"My apologies, my apologies," Bardock chuckled, waving a hand. "I have undergone strict professional training to maintain a straight face in serious situations, but that... that was just too hilarious. I couldn't hold it in."
"What's that supposed to mean, you little brat?" Garp's eyebrow twitched violently, his jovial demeanor cracking. "Are you implying my grandsons wouldn't be overjoyed to see their loving grandpa?!"
Although Bardock hadn't explicitly said it, Garp's sharp instincts told him that this pirate captain knew exactly what he was laughing about. 'Has he already met Ace and Luffy?' Garp wondered.
Bardock looked straight into Garp's eyes, a highly amused smirk playing on his lips. "I'm just saying, if I had a 'loving grandpa' who constantly beat me half to death with his bare fists and threw me into bottomless ravines, I think 'sheer, unadulterated terror' would be a much more accurate reaction than 'happiness'."
"WHAT DO YOU KNOW?!" Garp roared, completely dropping his friendly facade. "If those two brats didn't constantly run around screaming about becoming pirates, do you think I'd actually have to beat them?! I'm just trying to train them to become fine, upstanding Marines!"
By saying this, Garp had implicitly confirmed that he knew Bardock had already met the boys.
"Oh, give it a rest, old man!" Bardock scoffed, crossing his arms. "Let's put aside the fact that their chaotic personalities are completely unsuited for military discipline. Just look at the absolute absurdity of their bloodlines! With their biological fathers, how could they ever be allowed to join the Navy? Even if you are the legendary Hero of the Marines, you absolutely cannot overrule the Five Elders!"
Bardock hit the nail directly on the head. One boy was the posthumous son of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. The other was the biological son of the Supreme Commander of the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Dragon. Expecting the World Government to peacefully allow the spawn of their two absolute greatest enemies to wear an Officer's coat was a completely delusional joke.
Garp's expression instantly darkened, turning deadly serious. "You seem to know an awful lot of highly classified, dangerous secrets, brat. But tell me... do you know about my Iron Fist?"
Bardock nodded slowly, a provocative grin spreading across his face. "I've heard about them. Dragon mentioned that your fists left a very... deep impression on him."
By casually dropping Dragon's name, Bardock intentionally implied that he was highly acquainted with the Revolutionary Leader, sharing enough of a bond to gossip about Garp's abusive parenting.
That was the absolute final straw. Garp aggressively cracked his knuckles and began rolling up the sleeves of his suit. He was fully prepared to distribute some 'Justice'.
Right at that moment, the rhythmic sound of heavy marching boots echoed down the road. Bogard had arrived, leading a heavily armed detachment of elite Marines from the warship.
Spotting Bardock's infamous crew standing in the middle of the street, the Marines immediately drew their swords and aimed their rifles. They knew perfectly well that these absurdly powerful individuals were their primary targets in the East Blue.
However, Garp raised a hand, immediately halting Bogard and the troops.
He hadn't forgotten that they were currently standing directly in the center of Foosha Village—his beloved hometown. Based on the terrifying Haki he had sensed from Bardock, Garp knew that if a full-scale battle broke out right here, the entire village would be violently wiped off the map within seconds.
"Stand down," Garp ordered gruffly, before pointing a thick finger toward the desolate, rocky wasteland at the absolute base of the distant mountain, far away from the village limits.
Garp looked back at Bardock. "Don't ever say I didn't give you a fair chance, brat. If you can survive my fists and walk away from that mountain in one piece, I personally guarantee that I will completely stop hunting your crew in the East Blue."
Bardock rolled his shoulders, his golden eyes flashing with intense battle lust. "Perfect. I've been wanting to personally experience the legendary Iron Fists that made Dragon change colors."
Bardock turned to his crew. "Enel, you're on overwatch. Secure the perimeter and provide support if necessary."
Enel nodded lazily. He vastly preferred fighting against other Logia users where he could flex his elemental superiority; brawling with a monstrous, pure Haki master like Garp didn't appeal to him in the slightest, so he didn't fight for the vanguard position.
Suddenly, Daz Bonez stepped forward. His cold, stoic eyes locked onto the silent, fedora-wearing Marine standing directly behind Garp.
"Boss," Daz Bonez said, his voice a low, metallic rumble. "I'd like to test my steel against that swordsman."
He was referring to Bogard, a master swordsman whose reputation was quietly legendary within Marine Headquarters.
Bardock followed his gaze and smiled. "I have absolutely no objections. Go crazy."
Bogard didn't react immediately. As a highly disciplined Marine, he simply adjusted the brim of his fedora and looked at Garp, awaiting his superior's command.
Originally, Garp had intended for Bogard to stay back and act as a shield to ensure absolutely no stray shockwaves damaged Foosha Village. However, seeing the faint, undeniable glint of fighting spirit burning in his old vice-captain's eyes, Garp chuckled.
"Bogard," Garp grinned fiercely. "Don't hold back."
"Yes, Vice Admiral Garp!" Bogard replied, his hand resting calmly on the hilt of his blade.