407
Marineford,
The main island of Marine Headquarters had a few peculiar guests today. Mainly an early visit from one of the Warlords. So things were a bit tense there.
Mainly as not all the marines appreciated a pirate roaming around their territory. Marines who believed in Absolute Justice.
Luffy was quite famous before he became a pirate. Mainly due to his fame of stopping many crimes in East Blue and his blood relation with the Navy Hero Garp. And even after he became a pirate, he helped a lot of marines in the G-3 base incident. So many appreciated him for what he did.
Even the newspapers said nothing but his praise. Every island that they went to, the Straw hat pirates helped in one way or another. That's why many of the marines didn't have hostility towards the pirates.
Right now, the captain of the Straw Hat pirate was sitting in the Marine cafeteria eating with the Navy Hero Garp and a few other marines. There were other straw hats on the table as they ate food and casually discussed mundane stuff.
Things like this were quite rare. But it was happening. Even one of the admirals, Kizaru, was with them on the table sharing a meal. The food being cooked by one of the Straw Hats no less.
This was a very weird situation. One that most likely wouldn't have been possible if Admiral Akainu was here. But Sengoku knew this and had sent him to New World to keep things in order there.
"You know what your crew did back in Alabasta was quite amazing," the former admiral Zephyr admitted, sitting at the same long table as he ate with the pirates, "I made a visit there just recently… even the king was praising your efforts to bring back peace on the land."
Luffy nodded, "Well, thanks, old man. If it is the credit on who defeated Crocodile, then that credit goes to my swordsman Kuina." He said, gesturing to his side where Kuina ate silently, "But if it's about helping the people there. Then the whole crew takes the credit."
Sanji came in with a bowl of new dishes, and also spoke up, "Vivi was our friend, and well, we couldn't do a half-ass job there." He said, helping with serving all the people on the table.
"Bahahaha… well at least I raised you well," Garp gave his grandson a thumbs up.
Luffy chuckled, "Yeah, too well… that's why I became a pirate. That's the only way I can do what is right, and not get held back."
"Shut it, you damn Grandson!" Garp said doing a one-eighty and punching Luffy on the head.
The pirate comically cried with a bulge on his head. While the rest of the marines on the table looked on, not commenting on the jab that he said. Some of them just snorted, mainly the older marines, almost accepting things for what it was.
It was true in some ways, not all the time marines were about justice. Sometimes they had to follow orders that went purely against any moral beliefs. So in some ways Luffy was right. But still, marines as an organization did more good than bad. Or that's what most actively moral marines said to themselves.
But not all of them were silent about it.
"Huh, what would you know?" A young marine who was also sitting on the table said, not liking what Luffy said, "We fight for justice, like it or not. Don't go around thinking otherwise just cause you saved some people."
"Some people? as in a whole country?" Coby shot back. "Oh, and that's not even counting the help we did back in the new Sakura Kingdom when they were attacked. Or not counting the island we saved in east blue from Arlong, Kuro… huh, didn't we also save the marines in G-3 base. I think we did more than just save 'some' people."
"Well, I ain't denying that…" Grount snorted, "But in most cases, We didn't have any marines stationed there. Like Sakura Kingdom, so we weren't able to help…" his fist balling up. Helmeppo who was by his side, winced at seeing his friend getting angry.
All-Hunt Grount was a promising marine that had trust in the marine's justice system. He was a direct subordinate of Aokiji and was also trained by Garp. So he and Helmepo were the only young marines that sat at the table.
"And? You see, what's funny is that you don't see your own hypocrisy." Coby said, pointing his finger at him, "The main reason why Sakura Kingdom, or previously known as Drum kingdom didn't have any marines there was because the previous king denied any help. He was an open tyrant among his own people and the navy looked the other way as long as he paid Heavenly Tribute. If the navy cared they would have done something to the king way before we did anything, but they didn't."
Vice Admiral Cancer, who was also on the table, placed a hand on Grount's shoulder, stopping the young marine. He leaned in dropping his glass and looking Coby right in the eye, playing into his intimidation factor.
"So, are you implying that your group had something to do with the sudden changes in that island?"
"So what if we did?" Zoro replied, before jabbing his thumb at his captain, "We are pirates after all… we can do anything, unlike some groups of people."
"Shishishi… see you did raise me well, grandpa," Luffy laughed, easing the tension, "Oi, Sanji bring in some meat before a fight breaks out!"
Bogard, who was also sitting on the table sighed, looking between Grount and Coby. Both young men were glaring at each other, trying to prove a point. The vice admiral knew both of them were passionate about their own sense of justice.
Just by looking at Coby he could tell that he would have been an honest to heart marine. Such a waste. But then again, even he questioned the justice system.
At least Bogard was proud of what Luffy had become. Even if he was a pirate, he was a respectful one. And was willing to help people if needed. Almost like his father in some ways.
Cancer also smirked seeing the crew. Luffy was definitely similar to his family, hard-headed with a strong sense of following what's good. His moral beliefs were strong. As someone who was with Dragon before he started the revolutionary army, he could respect that.
The other marines that weren't on the table were also in some ways respected the pirates for what they did. But they were equally angry at Coby for calling them out.
Right then, a marine officer came in saluted, bringing all the attention to him. "Warlord Luffy, sir! You have been called by Fleet Admiral Sengoku. He wants to discuss something with you!"
Luffy frowned, finding it weird that someone calling him 'sir'. But he shrugged, already knowing why the old man might have called him.
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