Chapter 29: Chapter 21: A Name That Echoes
Chapter 21: A Name That Echoes
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Marine Headquarters – The Calm Before the Roar
The morning sun poured through the massive glass windows of Marineford's tallest tower, reflecting off the spotless marble floors. Fleet Admiral Sengoku sat behind a towering desk, his brows furrowed beneath his golden glasses as he flipped through the thick report in his hand. A cup of untouched tea steamed gently by his elbow.
The room was quiet—too quiet. Until...
"BAHAHAHA! You're lookin' like a chicken that saw a ghost, Sengoku!"
Vice Admiral Garp strolled in uninvited, grinning like a man who'd just punched the moon. He carried a massive bag of rice crackers, chewing loudly as crumbs spilled down his white coat.
"You just barge in like that every time?" Sengoku grumbled, rubbing his temple. "Garp... This isn't a joke."
"Lemme guess," Garp said as he flopped onto the couch opposite the desk, tossing a rice cracker in his mouth. "Another warlord gone nuts? Or did Akainu scare off another rookie?"
Sengoku slammed the report onto the table. The name at the top sent a wave of tension through the room:
Allen D. Walker.
"He killed Dregg. Not just beat him—obliterated him. And he's just a kid."
Garp paused mid-chew. "Dregg? That bastard from the North Sea? Wasn't he the one with a bounty over 120 million?"
Sengoku nodded. "In one strike. The people are already calling Allen a walking calamity."
Garp tilted his head back, looking at the ceiling like it would hand him divine clarity. Then he smirked.
"Maybe he's the real deal. We don't get many like that anymore."
Sengoku leaned forward. "I want you to find him. Gauge his character. If he's worth it, bring him to the Marines. If not—"
"BAHAHAHA! You want me to recruit him?" Garp barked. "You serious?"
"Very. And if he's dangerous—"
"Don't worry, I'll spank the brat if he acts up." Garp stood, stretching like a lion waking from a nap. "What sea is he in now?"
"West Blue. Near the island of Roqesh."
Garp gave a wild grin. "Haven't been there in a while. Maybe it's time to drop some wisdom."
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Rumors Travel Like Fire – The World Whispers His Name
Newspapers fluttered through the skies like crows delivering secrets. Every village and town across the West Blue buzzed with a strange excitement. In taverns, markets, and homes, the name Allen D. Walker echoed like a legend being born.
An old man by a port scratched his beard, shaking his head. "A boy? Killed Dregg? Don't joke around, lad. That monster's skull was thicker than steel."
"I saw the photos," a younger man countered, holding up the headline. "YOUNG HERO SLAYS INFAMOUS PIRATE DREGG – VILLAGE SAVED BY MYSTERIOUS BOY."
Some believed, others scoffed. But curiosity grew like weeds.
At the base of a mountain village, a group of children mimicked battle moves with wooden sticks.
"I'm Allen D. Walker! Take that!"
"No fair, I said it first!"
Mothers chuckled, old veterans grumbled, and newspapers sold out faster than bread during winter.
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News Reaches Home
Serena D. Walker was watering her flower beds when a loud squeal broke the peaceful morning.
"MOM! DAD! LOOK!"
Little Selene came sprinting out of the house, barefoot and beaming, waving a newspaper so hard it nearly tore.
Hades D. Walker emerged from the forge, hammer still in hand, wiping sweat from his brow. Serena turned, confused.
Selene shoved the paper in their hands. Her eyes sparkled. "Allen... they wrote about big brother!"
Serena's hands trembled slightly as she read. Her gaze softened as she traced the printed name.
Hades didn't say much. He read the report silently, lips tight. Then, finally, a small, prideful smile cracked through.
"That boy... He's making waves already."
Serene danced around. "He's famous! He saved people!"
Serena smiled, but her eyes shimmered with something deeper—hope, love, and just a pinch of fear.
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Several days had passed since the battle. Unknown island, once trembling in the shadow of Dregg, now bloomed with calm. But Allen D. Walker wasn't resting.
Sweat poured down his back as he slammed his fists into a thick training post, each hit echoing like thunder through the forest clearing. Beside him, Rika mirrored his movements—her stance elegant, but fierce.
"Your form's improved," Allen said, dodging her follow-up strike with a grin. "But still slow."
"Tch! You're just cocky!" Rika lunged again.
Not far from them, Boros lay sprawled across a wide stone, munching on fruit with a bored expression.
"You two lovebirds done flirting through punches yet?" Boros yawned. "Some of us like relaxing, y'know."
Veyr stood nearby, arms folded, eyes keen. His posture screamed discipline, but there was the faintest smile tugging at his lips.
"Again!" Veyr said
Rika groaned. "We've been at this for hours."
"And you'll keep going until your bones scream for mercy," Veyr snapped, though not unkindly.
Allen, despite his sweat and aches, laughed. His fists clenched tighter.
"I've got a long way to go. But I'm gonna get stronger... Strong enough to never lose again."
The camera of fate zoomed out from that sunlit clearing—over the trees, across the ocean—and paused on the face of a ship's mast in the far horizon.
The winds had begun to shift.
And Allen's name... was only just beginning to echo.
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Chapter End]