Sengoku stared at the bounty poster for a long time before setting it aside to let his pet goat chew on it. "Garp," he said tonelessly, "you've certainly... gone to great lengths here."
At this point in time, Sengoku had no idea that Ace was the son of Roger. He simply assumed Ace was like Dadan, whom Garp had let slide at Mt. Colbo, the descendant of a major criminal whom Garp had taken in out of a moment of soft-heartedness.
Unfortunately, the boy grew up and ran off to become a pirate. Now, Garp was being soft-hearted once again, wanting the kid to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea to receive Government protection.
Sengoku's guess was largely correct, but he missed one crucial detail: Portgas D. Ace wasn't just any criminal's son. He was the son of the most fearsome man in the world, Gol D. Roger.
"Is there a problem?"
Garp sat there picking his nose, flicking a finger before continuing, "He's young, a rookie with a Logia power, and his bounty is already top-tier for the first half of the Grand Line. Do you have a better suggestion?"
Sengoku was silent for a moment before agreeing. "Fine. Then you will be the one to extend the invitation."
As Garp said, from almost every perspective, "Fire Fist" Ace was the most suitable candidate for the new Warlord position. With the Flame-Flame Fruit, a power no less formidable than those of Aokiji or Kizaru, he was guaranteed to reach Admiral-level strength once he matured. If Garp's favor could act as a chain to keep him bound, that would be for the best.
But Sengoku didn't realize that it wasn't Ace who was being bound by the chains of family, it was Garp.
…
The first half of the Grand Line was a place where the Marines and the Government held absolute sway. From tracking Ace's whereabouts to Garp actually meeting him, it took less than half a month to settle everything.
In St. Poplar, the "Town of the Spring Queen," not far from the entrance to the New World, the grandfather and grandson met.
"T-The Hero, Garp!"
Behind Ace, the crew of the Spade Pirates nearly wet their pants in fear. Sure, they were a rising "Supernova" crew, but they weren't famous enough to summon Garp himself, were they?
Was it a coincidence? If so, their luck was abysmal.
Immediately, one of the more faint-hearted crew members shouted, "W-Why is someone like that in the first half of the Grand Line? G-Go catch some pirate with a bounty of hundreds of millions, will you!"
Only Ace remained composed. He spoke slowly, "Old man..."
"I told you to call me Grandpa!"
The moment the words left Ace's mouth, he was smashed into the ground by Garp's fist. No one even saw Garp move; by the time they reacted, Ace had already taken the full force of the blow.
"But why?"
"The Captain is made of fire! How could a fist...?"
The Spade Pirates were stunned. In this part of the sea where Haki was rare, they believed Logia users were invincible.
"That hurts..."
Ace stood up, clutching his head. Back in Foosha Village, Luffy, even as a rubber man, was constantly beaten by Garp, which always baffled Ace and Sabo. Now that Ace's elemental form had failed him as well, it confirmed his suspicion: Logia users did indeed have a weakness.
"Ace, you know a seat has opened up among the Warlords, right?"
Garp crossed his arms and spoke in a commanding tone. "Join them for me, or I'll arrest you right here."
"No."
Ace refused flatly, without a second's hesitation.
"Captain!"
"That's Garp the Fist! We're no match for him!"
"Let's just listen to Garp for now!"
"We'll cover you, just run!"
The Spade Pirates behind him were having a meltdown. The mere name of Garp was enough to keep them from even raising a hand.
Although he had expected it, hearing Ace's refusal still made Garp's brow twitch. "Are you going to make me... arrest you right here?" he asked with mounting indignation.
Ace's body erupted in flames. He grinned, showing his white teeth. "I have no interest in being a Government dog. I'm the man who's going to be the Pirate King!"
As Ace spoke, his flames roared ten meters high, setting the entire street ablaze. Garp cracked his knuckles and gave a predatory grin. "You arrogant brat."
Ten minutes later.
"FIRE FIST!!"
Covered in bruises and blood, Ace roared as he threw a straight punch, unleashing every last bit of his strength to engulf Garp.
A pillar of fire nearly ten meters in diameter completely swallowed Garp's body. The surrounding Marines watching the fight shouted in terror, "Vice Admiral Garp!!"
As the flames on Ace's arm flickered out, he waved to his crew and yelled, "Let's go! Run, quickly!!"
Under Ace's lead, everyone scrambled to retreat. The Marines who had been spectating immediately gave chase, leaving a few behind to check on Garp's condition.
About thirty seconds after the Spade Pirates fled, the fire gradually dissipated. Garp stood in the center of the flames, completely unharmed. His arms were crossed, his head was down, and his eyes were closed. A snot bubble expanded and contracted at his nose, accompanied by rhythmic snoring.
"He's asleep!!" the onlookers screamed in unison.
Garp was known for falling asleep in the middle of crises, but who falls asleep while being blasted by fire?
Pop!
Suddenly, the snot bubble burst. Garp woke up, looking around in surprise. "Gah! Not good, I actually fell asleep."
Two hours later, on a warship docked at the Town of the Spring Queen harbor, preparing for departure.
"Garp-san, pulling your punches that much... it's not right," Garp's adjutant whispered, pulling his cap down low.
"Bwahaha! I was careless, just careless!" Garp laughed mindlessly, but his heart was heavy with gloom.
I can't protect you this way, Ace...
Just then, a figure appeared on the railing behind Garp.
"Old man Garp, if you're looking for someone to fill that Warlord position... would you mind if I gave it a try?"
Garp's eyes narrowed. He turned his head and looked at the intruder. "You are...?"