"Gra… Grandpa…"
"Long time no see…"
Luffy awkwardly looked at Garp.
The moment of reckoning had come—there was no escaping it.
His legs strained as they began to inch forward toward his grandfather.
Garp's fiery temper could not tolerate Luffy's slow approach.
With a sudden swing of his Marine coat, he lunged forward, fists clenched, ready to strike.
Full-powered iron fists!
Smashing toward Luffy's head!
BOOM!
A huge section of land collapsed instantly, splitting apart in a massive fissure.
What Whitebeard hadn't managed, Garp accomplished with one strike.
The already shattered port was split completely, and seawater gushed into the island through the new cracks.
"Garp!!!"
Sengoku gritted his teeth behind the scenes, furious.
He had spent the entire battle defending Marineford from Whitebeard's destruction, never imagining that the island might finally be ruined by one of their own!
Under the impact of the blow, Luffy's body was driven deep into the gray-black marble floor of Marineford.
Dust and debris blocked everyone's sight.
But the Starry Sky Pirates remained motionless.
After all…
Even a fair judge can't decide family disputes.
"Old man…"
Luffy murmured helplessly, his face pressed into the marble by Garp's iron fist:
"I know I was wrong!"
Though with his current strength and stamina, Luffy shouldn't have been pinned so thoroughly.
Still, this was his grandfather. He couldn't allow Garp to lose face in front of all these people.
"You foolish grandson!!!"
"You think a single apology can fix all the trouble you've caused?!"
Despite his words, Garp's anger had already subsided slightly after the punch.
Seeing Luffy's growth, he felt a flicker of pride.
Slowly, Garp withdrew his iron fist, allowing Luffy to rise once again.
The shattered island began to drift apart. Torrential seawater threatened to flood the ground beneath Luffy's feet.
A layer of rainbow-colored ice instantly froze the water, preventing the destruction of Marineford.
Garp straightened, grasping his own wrist from the punch, rotating his elbow slightly, and finally asked the question everyone present wanted to know:
"What are you doing here all of a sudden? What do you want?"
"What do I want…"
Luffy murmured in confusion, then suddenly released his Conqueror's Haki, knocking out the transmission of the live communication Den Den Mushi.
The showboating was over; the next conversation wouldn't be for the world to see.
After all, his grandfather was here—Marines deserved some dignity.
With the feed cut, the live scenes in places like the Sabaody Archipelago erupted into chaos.
Crowds clamored loudly.
But that is reality:
The common people see only what the upper echelons allow.
What they're not meant to see, no effort can reveal.
…
Since Koby appeared, Marines and pirates had gradually separated, reforming into their respective factions.
The unclear situation left the low-level soldiers dazed, unsure how to act.
The Shichibukai, having withdrawn with the Marines, returned to their original assembly points.
But their gaze remained fixed on Luffy—the man who had the power to overturn the world.
Luffy scanned the now still battlefield.
In terms of sheer numbers, the largest faction on the field was the Starry Sky Pirates.
At the top tier: Koby and Luffy, capable of crushing everyone present.
Mid-tier: Zoro and Sanji at commander-level, Robin and Brook at sub-admiral equivalents, Nami with explosive capabilities, Franky the iron wall, Usopp the "kill-god," and the universally adored Chopper.
Such power might not yet dominate the world, but wiping out Marineford? That was simple.
If Luffy were to speak defiant words, the Marine might soon need a new headquarters.
Luckily…
Luffy harbored no ill will toward the Marines.
Adjusting his attire, he spoke slowly to Garp:
"I came for two reasons. First, I don't want you and Ace to stand on opposite sides and fight each other."
Luffy's steps gradually moved toward Sengoku, his sharp gaze fixed on the admiral's face:
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku…"
"The situation is clear now. I don't think the war needs to continue."
"To save everyone from further humiliation, I think the Marines should release Marco."
"Monkey D. Luffy…"
Sengoku opened his mouth to respond when suddenly, a voice rang out from the distant crowd:
"Impossible!!!"
The throng parted, leaving a wide path.
Everyone turned to see…
Admiral Akainu, half twisted, multiple ribs broken, staggering forward with sheer willpower.
"We cannot give up, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!!!"
"Nor can we agree to the pirates' requests!"
"The duty of the Marine is to eradicate pirates!"
"Even if we bleed to the last drop, we cannot let them run wild!!"
"Even if it kills me, I will die fighting for justice!!!"
Great Eruption. Hellhound!!!
Though severely injured, Akainu looked more like a soldier than anyone present.
His words struck every Marine's heart, reminding them of the oath they swore to uphold justice the day they enlisted.
And his actions were audacious.
Everyone could see that Luffy was among the strongest here.
Akainu, even in his wounded state, had no chance—but still he charged at this powerful opponent.
All for the word justice!
Whether blind loyalty or conviction, Akainu's actions commanded the respect of every Marine present.
Molten magma radiated red-hot heat, igniting their spirits anew.
Towering and imposing, Akainu pressed forward.
The Marines' eyes followed their great leader, as if his fearless form reflected themselves.
His justice may have been extreme, but it was still justice.
At least for pirates who plundered and murdered, Akainu would always be their enemy, always the savior of civilians.
But…
The Pirate King is, after all, the Pirate King.
He is not the King of the Marines.
Today's protagonist…
Would not be Akainu!!!
BOOM!!!
A blazing inferno erupted!
Raging red-orange flames, brimming with terrifying heat, swept across the ground, turning stone and soil to ash.
It was as if the earth itself had never existed.
"Admiral Akainu!!!"
The Marines' newly stirred courage was immediately extinguished by the overwhelming blaze.
All eyes turned to the figure shrieking within the flames.
Seconds later, Luffy flicked his arm.
The intense fire vanished, the last heat dissipating into the wind.
Akainu, charred black, struggled to breathe but remained alive.
It was clear: he had not lost his life in pursuit of justice.
Luffy's piercing gaze slowly withdrew as he looked at the scorched Akainu, speaking softly enough for only him to hear:
"The duty of the Marine is to protect the people of the sea…"
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Completed version available on P@treon(.)com/Veltoria