Chapter 19: The Shock of Marine Headquarters

Two days later, Marineford, Marine Headquarters Port.

Under Roy's deliberate control of the ship's teleportation frequency, Ace also got to experience the feeling of a warship sailing on the high seas. The feeling of battling the wind and waves was thrilling for him. Finally, the familiar lines of the port came into view. Above the port, the magnificent fortress gleamed golden in the setting sun.

Garp stood at the bow, looking at the familiar Marineford, unusually silent. His fist clenched slightly, then slowly relaxed, as if he were psyching himself up.

"Old man!" Roy walked over to him, gently patted his shoulder, and said with a smile, "Don't worry, we'll face it together."

Garp was stunned for a moment, then laughed. "Hahaha! When have I ever been afraid!" But his laughter held a new complexity and gravity.

Ace stood behind them, looking up at the fortress that symbolized justice, his eyes flickering with curiosity, nervousness, and a hint of unease. "So this is... Marine Headquarters..."

The matter of the "grandson" Garp brought back instantly caused a huge commotion. From officers to soldiers, everyone was whispering, "Did you hear? Vice Admiral Garp brought back a child..."

"What? A grandson? Really?!"

"Could it be that the child's father is—"

In the most core office of Headquarters, the few who knew—Sengoku, Vice Admiral Tsuru, Zephyr, and Roy—were gathered. The atmosphere was so oppressive you could almost wring water from it.

Sengoku had his hands on his desk, the veins on his forehead bulging, his eyes behind his glasses burning with anger. "Garp! Do you know what you're doing?!"

Garp, for once, was not joking around. He had his arms crossed, his gaze firm and silent. Just as Roy was about to step forward and explain, Zephyr stopped him with a hand, shaking his head slightly, signaling him not to interfere yet.

After a long silence, Garp finally spoke, his voice low and powerful. "Sengoku, I know my decision back then was wrong."

Sengoku was stunned for a moment, not expecting the usually carefree Garp to admit his mistake so directly.

Garp looked directly into Sengoku's eyes, his voice firm. "But the child is innocent!"

"That's why I've made up my mind to bring him back to the Marines and raise him in the Marine way!"

Sengoku's anger subsided slightly, but his brow was still furrowed. "But Garp, once his identity is exposed, do you know how much turmoil that will bring to the Marines?!"

Garp said in a low voice, "Then we won't let it be exposed."

Sengoku's eyes widened. "You—"

Just then, Roy finally stepped forward, his tone calm but firm. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, I am willing to vouch for Ace."

The entire office fell into a dead silence.

Sengoku looked at Roy in shock. "Roy, do you know what this means?!"

Roy nodded, his gaze unwavering. "I know. But I believe he is innocent."

"Please rest assured, I will definitely teach him well and make him a true Marine."

Sengoku was silent for a long time, his gaze sweeping back and forth between Garp, Roy, Zephyr, and Vice Admiral Tsuru.

Vice Admiral Tsuru had her hands clasped and spoke softly, "The child is indeed innocent."

Zephyr had his arms crossed and snorted coldly, but his words held a rare seriousness. "I may hate trouble, but a child shouldn't have to bear the sins of his father."

Sengoku looked at these familiar faces, and the anger in his heart finally subsided. He slowly sat back in his chair, took off his glasses, and rubbed his temples, sighing. "...You guys have really given me a big problem."

Garp grinned, but his smile held an unprecedented seriousness. "Thanks, Sengoku."

Sengoku glared at him and said angrily, "Don't get happy too soon! This matter must be kept strictly confidential. Besides the five of us here, no sixth person can know!"

They all nodded, their expressions solemn.

Sengoku put his glasses back on, his gaze burning as he looked at Roy. "Since you are vouching for him, then Ace's training and supervision will be your responsibility."

Roy stood at attention and gave a standard military salute. "Yes, sir!"

Sengoku then looked at Garp, his face darkening. "Garp, you'd better restrain yourself! Don't go around shouting that he's your grandson!"

Garp laughed. "Hahaha! Don't worry, don't worry! I know what I'm doing!"

The veins on Sengoku's forehead bulged again, and he slammed the table in anger. "You know nothing!!!"

The office was filled with a mixture of amusement and exasperation, and the tense atmosphere eased slightly.

Leaving Sengoku's office, the empty hallway echoed with their footsteps. Garp let out a long breath and patted Roy's shoulder. "You brat, thanks."

Roy shook his head, his gaze steady. "I just did what I had to do."

Zephyr walked over, arms crossed, and snorted. "You two, you're always causing me trouble." But the eyes behind his sunglasses held a rare hint of relief and warmth.

Vice Admiral Tsuru smiled slightly, her tone gentle. "Alright, now we need to think about how to settle that child."

Roy nodded. "I plan to have him stay with me. We'll start with basic training and proceed step by step."

Garp grinned. "Then I'll leave it to you! I still have to go to the East Blue. That kid Luffy should be about ready to be picked up."

Roy raised an eyebrow, teasing, "Are you trying to collect the whole set of problem children?"

Zephyr rubbed his forehead and sighed in exasperation. "Garp, you need to know when to stop!"

Garp laughed, waved his hand, and strode out. "Don't worry, don't worry! I know what I'm doing!"

Everyone: "..." (We don't believe you at all!)

Evening, Marineford military residential area.

(Because Roy's merits were already enough to be promoted to Rear Admiral, and everyone in the Navy knew his potential, his future promotion was inevitable, so he had already been assigned a detached house.)

The setting sun dyed the sky outside the window a warm orange. Ace sat on a wooden chair by the window, his hands wrapped around his knees, his head buried low, like a lost little animal. His gaze looked out the window at the distant sunset, his eyes full of complexity.

"What are you thinking about?" Roy walked into the room, holding a cup of steaming milk, and asked softly.

Ace was slightly taken aback. He took the milk and muttered in a low voice, "...Can I really become a Marine?"

Roy sat down beside him, his elbows on his knees, and said lightly, "That depends on you."

Ace gripped the milk cup, his lips trembling slightly. "But... what if they find out whose son I am..."

Roy's gaze looked out at the sunset, his tone calm but firm. "Whose son you are doesn't determine what kind of person you will become."

"What's important is what kind of person you want to become."

Ace was stunned, a little light slowly returning to his eyes.

Roy stood up and ruffled his hair. "Get some rest. Training starts tomorrow."

Ace's eyes reddened slightly. He bit his lip and nodded silently.

Just as Roy was walking towards the door, a firm shout suddenly came from behind him. "Roy!"

Roy turned his head, his gaze gentle as he looked at him. "Hm?"

Ace took a deep breath, his gaze as firm as if it could cut through the wind and waves. "I will definitely be stronger than you!"

Roy smiled slightly, his lips curving into a gentle arc. "I'll be waiting."

The moment the door closed, Ace looked at the receding figure, a smile quietly appearing on his lips, his gaze having a sense of direction for the first time.

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