"Marine Headquarters… Marineford…"
Koby and Helmeppo looked dazed.
So they were finally going to Marineford.
Even though they were already considered "proper Marines," they'd never been to the solemn, heavily guarded headquarters before.
After all, they'd only been with Garp for about two weeks—never visiting Marineford was perfectly normal.
But still—
They'd always looked up to it.
That was the Marines' true home.
The place where the Marine Admirals stood watch.
As Garp walked away, the two of them remained frozen for a moment, stunned.
"Marineford…"
"Honestly… I can't wait."
Even Raifeng's eyes shone with anticipation.
Compared to Foosha Village, Marineford would definitely be more interesting.
It was time to see the bigger world.
Koby snapped back first. He turned to Raifeng, face serious.
"Raifeng—sir. Just so we're clear."
"When we fight, I won't hold back."
Hold back?
Raifeng looked at him strangely.
Where are you getting the confidence to say that?
Confidence is good.
Blind confidence… is a flaw.
"Do whatever you want," Raifeng said, waving it off.
After that, Raifeng could clearly see it—
Koby trained even harder than before, throwing himself into it like his life depended on it.
Watching him, Raifeng couldn't help feeling amused.
So young.
Trying hard?
If hard work alone were enough, what would geniuses be for?
And more importantly—
What would cheats be for?
"A kid like you thinks you're competing with who, exactly?"
"You're competing with someone who's literally running a system."
Raifeng watched Koby's frantic training with a playful expression, barely holding back a laugh.
Effort vs. cheating?
The outcome was obvious.
Raifeng even found himself looking forward to it—
When Koby finally realized his hard work meant nothing in front of an actual cheat…
Would his mindset completely collapse?
"Yeah… that'll be a little cruel."
…
Buru-buru-buru…
The sound of a Den Den Mushi rang by Garp's ear.
He held the snail-phone, dialed a line, and waited.
Finally, it connected.
A stern, steady voice came through:
"This is Sengoku."
"Sengoku, it's me."
Garp's face was bright with a grin.
"Garp?!"
Sengoku's voice immediately turned sharp and irritated.
"You old bastard, where the hell have you been?"
"You've been away from Marine Headquarters for a full month!"
"Get back here. Now. Immediately."
Sengoku imagined himself buried in paperwork in the Fleet Admiral's office…
While Garp ran around enjoying life.
His blood pressure practically spiked.
"Relax. I'm heading back to Marineford right now. I called to let you know."
Garp dug at his ear, smiling shamelessly.
"If that's all you called for, don't waste my time," Sengoku snapped. "I'm busy."
"I've got something more important to tell you," Garp said, eyes gleaming with excitement.
"You'd never guess what kind of unbelievable thing happened when I came back to Foosha Village."
That successfully hooked Sengoku's curiosity.
"…What is it?"
"I won't tell you the details over the phone," Garp said smugly. "Might scare you. You'll see when I get back."
"But I'll give you one piece of information."
"My grandson is a monster-level talent."
"I can guarantee it—my grandson Raifeng will shatter your understanding and refresh your worldview."
Garp's tone was pure bragging.
He was certain Raifeng's talent would flip Sengoku's brain upside down.
Because it had done exactly that to him.
"Raifeng? Your grandson?" Sengoku's voice jumped. "Since when do you have another grandson?!"
Garp clicked his tongue.
"You're asking the wrong question."
"You should be asking how terrifying his talent is."
"Wait until I get back. Then we'll talk."
"I'm not curious at all," Sengoku said coldly.
"Everything you 'teach' goes off the rails."
"You forgot who your son is?"
And your grandkids?
Two of them became pirates. One's calling himself Whitebeard's 'son,' and the other's already making waves out there.
"At this point I seriously question your parenting."
Garp coughed awkwardly, face reddening.
Then he straightened, eyes burning with rare seriousness.
"This time is different."
"No matter who it is…"
"I won't let anyone drag my grandson down the wrong path again!"
"My grandson Raifeng has Admiral potential!"
"If I have to sum up his talent in the simplest terms…"
"With my training, plus his monster-level talent…"
"I can guarantee—one hundred percent—"
"Within ten years, the Marines will produce a new Admiral-level powerhouse."
"Raifeng is seven."
Which means—
"Before he turns seventeen, he'll have the strength and qualification to become an Admiral."
Garp wasn't joking.
Not even slightly.
Every word made it clear:
He had huge expectations for Raifeng.
Maybe because his son and grandsons had disappointed him one after another—
Dragon. Ace. Luffy.
None of them became Marines.
They all veered off onto the wrong road.
Garp acted like he didn't care…
But deep down, the disappointment had accumulated.
At one point, he'd even wondered if his parenting was the problem.
But now—
Seeing Raifeng reignited hope in his heart.
This time—
Even if it cost him everything—
He would not let anyone lead Raifeng astray again.
Even if it was Whitebeard.
Even if it was Shanks.
No one was taking this grandson.
Monkey D. Raifeng—
Was destined to become a Marine Admiral.
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