If that hit landed solidly, the Going Merry would lose power instantly.
It looked merciless, but Bogard—the adjutant at Garp's side—had already seen through it all.
Vice Admiral Garp's acting was so poor. It was like he was just playing around.
"Too light."
Beside Garp, Bogard, who had been silently holding his sword, shook his head slightly, murmuring only loud enough for himself to hear.
Having served Garp for over half a century, he knew this old superior too well.
This performance was far too poor. Like he was just playing.
Back when Garp pursued Roger and the Rocks Pirates at God Valley, the ferocity and power behind his cannonball throws were worlds apart from this.
At God Valley, Garp had been in his element—sending the future Emperors running for their lives with a single punch.
But this was his own grandson. Was he really going to go all out?
He had watched Luffy grow up too. The boy had even called him "Uncle."
Just how exaggerated was Garp's strength?
Even without using full power, the speed was so great it couldn't be seen—only the sound of something cutting through the air—before the black cannonball reached the Going Merry's deck.
Luffy instinctively tried to stretch out an arm to block, but his body was too weak.
He gritted his teeth. "Robin, throw me at it."
He could deflect it.
He was a rubber man!
But Robin didn't listen. She held him firmly in her arms.
Sometimes, you just had to trust your nakama.
A green flash of blade light. Zoro had already moved. Wado Ichimonji precisely struck the cannonball's side, deflecting its trajectory. The cannonball grazed the ship's side and splashed into the sea, sending up a huge spray.
"Hey, Luffy. You want to fight? That old man doesn't look easy."
Zoro flicked his blade, his expression solemn as he looked at the dog-head ship. He especially noticed the man standing sword in hand beside Garp—Bogard. The sharp aura of a master swordsman was not to be underestimated.
Luffy wanted nothing more than to spar with his grandfather right now, but he knew better.
"No fighting! No point!"
Luffy made the snap decision. "Nami! Vivi! Merry! Full speed! We need to go!"
"Got it!"
Little Merry responded excitedly. As the ship's spirit, she was one with the Going Merry. Even without anyone directly at the helm, the ship lurched under her guidance, using the massive whirlpool currents below to surge forward even faster.
Nami, as the ship's navigator, quickly had everyone in position.
Nami, a top-tier navigator, immediately took charge, directing loudly: "Zoro, Sanji—intercept all incoming cannonballs! Usopp, Chopper—adjust the secondary sails and use the crosswind for acceleration! Vivi—use your abilities. Push as far as you can!"
"Leave it to us!"
Usopp and Chopper, though their legs were shaking, scrambled toward the sails.
Vivi stood at the stern, arms spread wide. Air currents howled around her as powerful wind propelled the Going Merry from behind, sending the ship shooting forward like an arrow.
Robin was busy keeping Luffy pinned down—especially covering his mouth—as he tried to engage in friendly grandfather-grandson banter.
Every time Garp shouted about capturing him, Luffy would sputter with rage, yelling back about "old bastards" and "damn grandpas." This obviously wasn't helping him recover, and it was likely to further provoke the old man.
Zoro watched the pursuing dog-head ship, reflecting: "The Marine Hero Garp really is something. He has a true swordsman with him."
He sensed a powerful master swordsman aboard. Was that Garp's subordinate?
That must be Uncle Bogard.
Luffy vaguely remembered him. Whenever Garp visited Foosha Village, Bogard was always there. He hadn't seen him fight much, though.
None of that mattered now.
For Luffy, the objectives—rescuing Robin and declaring war on the World Government—had been achieved. And the temporary schedule was complete.
[Automatically adjusting to current physical condition. Objectives of rescuing Robin and declaring war on the World Government achieved. Temporary schedule ended.]
[Adjusting to character's current state. Necessary knowledge is essential for becoming Pirate King. This will assist with Devil Fruit development.]
[Random study item... Study with Robin. Please execute immediately.]
[Warning...]
It was back. That all-too-familiar voice.
"Mmmmph!"
Luffy's mouth was covered. He could only make muffled sounds as he watched the plan panel flicker.
He grew more urgent.
Now was not the time to be arguing with Garp.
Study! He needed to study!
Robin was still holding Luffy, her hand over his mouth.
Every time Garp shouted something about capturing Luffy, Luffy immediately fired back with equal fury.
This grandfather-grandson dynamic was certainly unusual.
The schedule was pressing Luffy to speak. So he had to take action against Robin's hand.
He couldn't bite.
In his desperation, Luffy had a sudden idea. He extended his tongue and licked the palm of Robin's hand covering his
mouth.
He got his chance to speak.
"Ah!"
Robin let out a soft gasp, pulling her hand back as if shocked. Her cheeks flushed. She looked at Luffy with a mix of surprise and mild reproach. "You..."
"Robin! Let's study!"
Luffy, finally free to speak, rushed the words out: "Like before! Let's keep studying the ancient writing! Right now!"
If they didn't start, his body wouldn't hold up.
Robin paused. She was utterly bewildered as to why Luffy would want to study at such a critical moment. But seeing the earnest urgency in his eyes, she nodded.
If studying would keep Luffy calm and focused instead of wasting energy yelling, that was fine.
Teacher Robin was about to go online.
The current position was... well-suited for teaching, if a bit odd. She gently laid Luffy's head on her lap pillow and began explaining the pronunciation and meaning of an ancient character in a low voice.
And so, on the turbulent seas outside Enies Lobby, a bizarre scene unfolded.
Ahead, a sheep-headed pirate ship fled for its life. Behind, a dog-head battleship gave chase. Cannonballs flew back and forth in between, exploding. And on the deck of the pirate ship, the captain lay comfortably on the lap of an archaeologist, earnestly studying ancient history.
This scene was clearly visible through Garp's telescope.
Garp's jaw nearly dropped to the deck. He had been wondering why his grandson had suddenly gone quiet.
What did he just see?
His grandson—the simple-minded boy who only thought about meat and fighting—who had just fought an Admiral to a standstill—was now studying in a beautiful woman's arms. Or at least, it certainly looked like studying.
His first thought was:
Was this old man about to become a great-grandfather?!
***
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