Some people are like this: they say no, but their bodies are very honest.
Although Garp looked impatient when Taro spoke about Ace's recent situation, he did not interrupt.
Only after Taro finished speaking did Garp say in a deep voice:
"Are you done talking?"
"Yes, I'm done!"
"That's all?"
"Yeah, that's it... Ow~"
Taro covered his head, staring blankly at Garp. "Why are you hitting me again?"
After landing a punch, Garp roared loudly at Taro, nearly spraying spit onto Taro's Face.
"I warned you that you didn't need to meet him, yet you dared to see him! And since you did see him, you only found out this little bit of information? Shouldn't I hit you?"
Taro had no choice but to rub his head aggrievedly, helpless against this old man who said one thing but meant another.
Garp became even angrier seeing Taro's expression, and he snorted furiously.
"After you attend The Wedding tomorrow, you better obediently scram back!"
Taro quickly nodded. "Mm-hmm, understood!"
Garp glared fiercely at Taro, raising his fist and waving it twice in a threat. "If I find out you've been running around... Hmph!"
Taro nodded like a chick pecking rice. "Old Man, please rest assured completely! I will stay in my jurisdiction and won't go anywhere else!"
Only then did Garp hum in slight satisfaction.
Taro's eyes darted around, and with a fawning smile, he leaned closer.
"Old Man, did you... talk to Red Hair?"
Garp glanced sideways. "Mm, we talked."
Before Taro could speak again, he continued, "Don't ask what you shouldn't ask!"
Taro's smile froze on his Face. "I'm not worthy to know?"
"You are not!"
Garp replied flatly.
Taro was instantly choked with anger.
"Enough, brat. When it's time to tell you, I naturally will! Knowing too much now won't do you any good!"
Garp tightened his fist after speaking and walked toward the door. "I'm leaving!"
Taro curled his lips and said speechlessly, "Take care, Old Man!"
...The next day, the time was noon, and the location was the small church in Foosha Village.
In the world of pirates, non-noble weddings are very simple and crude.
Especially since today's groom is a great pirate, The Wedding was even more low-key.
The only ones witnessing The Wedding were the Red Hair Pirates' Yonko Commander Benn Beckman, Yasopp, Lucky Roux, and six other unnamed cadres.
One of the cadres was accompanied by an animal, either a monkey or a Baboon.
When Taro saw that "Baboon," he inexplicably thought of the times countless people had mistaken him for a Baboon.
Grief welled up instantly, and his expression darkened.
Garp, standing next to Taro, noticed his change and whispered:
"Brat, why did your Face turn so ugly?"
Taro snapped back to reality, his mouth twitching.
"No, it's nothing!"
"Old Man, are neither of us going inside?"
Garp tilted his head, glanced at Taro, and said plainly,
"What kind of thing is it for a Marine to attend a pirate's wedding?"
Garp's attempt to cover up his real feelings made Taro's eyes flicker, and a slight smile appeared on his Face.
What's the difference between the two of us standing outside and going inside?
"I just feel that Makino's side only has the Village Chief and the Dadan Family, and the Aura isn't quite strong enough!"
Garp frowned. "What exactly are you trying to say, brat?"
Taro scratched his head.
Based on experience from my previous life, when a family marries off a daughter, shouldn't the Maternal Family turn out in full force?
They need to show the groom's side a little something, lest the daughter have an unhappy life after marriage!
Taro thought for a moment, figuring that his and Garp's roles in this wedding should be considered Makino's "Maternal Family" side, right?
"Uh, I'm just afraid Makino is too kind and will be bullied by that Red Hair guy!"
Garp turned his head and stared at Taro for a while, then snorted.
"If that scoundrel dares to..., Hmph, I'll make him taste my fists!"
Taro immediately gave a thumbs-up, his smile widening as he said:
"Old Man, I support you! Yes, you have to beat him up!"
Is the Face-Face Fruit amazing? I'll punch your Face until it swells!
"Are you suggesting, brat, that you really hope Makino has a bad life?" Garp glared at Taro, his Face darkening slightly.
"Ah? How could that be? Impossible!" Taro was startled, staggering back a bit and waving his hands repeatedly.
Just then, a burst of hearty laughter erupted from the church. It looked like The Wedding ceremony was over.
Next up was returning to the village to hold a lively banquet!
The cadres of the Red Hair Pirates were the first to walk out of the church, lining up on both sides.
Shanks was wearing an extremely gaudy floral shirt and floral trousers.
Makino walked out wearing a well-tailored, pure Wedding Dress, her Face filled with a happy smile.
The Dadan Family clustered around the newlyweds.
Everyone was smiling happily.
Taro, standing far away, was infected by their smiles and started laughing too.
Among those present, only the Village Chief and Garp, the two old men, looked depressed.
"Alright, you've seen what you needed to see. Your business here is finished, scram!"
Garp snorted in great displeasure.
Taro was reluctant and grumbled, "Old Man, I haven't had the Wedding Wine yet! I need to catch some good luck!"
"Didn't you drink Wedding Wine last night? What good luck do you still need to catch?"
Garp glared fiercely at Taro, and seeing that he intended to speak again, he roared angrily,
"Scram!"
Taro's mouth twitched. He looked at the village, where the banquet had already begun, and felt very disappointed.
Holy crap, so the whole village, young and old, was waiting for the food, but I'm the one who's gone?
"What are you standing around for? Are you asking for a beating?"
Seeing that Taro still wasn't leaving, Garp raised his fist even more angrily.
Taro wiped his Face. "Going, going, I'm going now!"
He walked a few steps and then turned back to ask,
"Old Man, aren't you going back with me?"
"I've already retired. I can stay wherever I want to stay. Is that your business?"
Garp nonchalantly picked his nose.
"Brat, don't think your wings have grown hard just because you became a Navy Grand Staff Officer. If you dare to nag again, I'll still beat you up!"
Taro curled his lips and muttered, "I want to retire too!"
"Hmm?"
Garp let out a heavy nasal sound. "What did you say?"
Taro shrank his neck and quickly backed away two steps. "I didn't say anything, I was just saying goodbye to you!"
Garp waved his hand dismissively. "Scram quickly. Stay obediently at your Post these few days. Tsuru has something for you."
Huh, what does the Old Lady want with me?
Taro paused his step, just about to ask, when Garp already roared impatiently,
"Go back and wait! Why are you nagging!"
"Oh!"
Taro replied weakly, tapped his foot, and leaped into the air.
After circling a few times in the air, he flew toward the southwest.
At the same time, Hawkeye also slowly walked up the hilltop and gently leaped down.
Before long, a small Coffin-Shaped Boat sailed out of the bay next to the hilltop.
The small boat slowly drifted with the waves. Hawkeye sat on his seat, crossing his legs, holding his knees, and looking up slightly at the black dot gradually disappearing on the horizon.
Those soul-stirring eyes became even sharper.
---------------------------------
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! If the story has you hooked and you can't wait to see what happens next, you can unlock 30 chapters in advance over on my Patreon: patreon.com/TLHimejima1
Every bit of support means the world to me so if you're loving the ride, don't forget to drop a Power Stone and let me know.