One Piece: From Ninja To Pirates

On the vast ocean, Garp arrived at the City of Seven Waters aboard his Dog-Head Battleship.

"Hmph, that brat," Garp muttered. "Always causing trouble."

"Could you at least stop grinning when you say that?" Bogard said helplessly.

"Huh?"

"Was I grinning? Hahahaha!"

Garp showed no embarrassment and instead burst into laughter.

Though his troublesome grandson had become a pirate, what he'd done this time truly shook the world.

Bogard grew even more exasperated at Garp's laughter. Fortunately, everyone aboard was trustworthy—otherwise, who knew what rumors might spread.

"Vice Admiral Garp, isn't this... inappropriate?" Koby ventured cautiously. "If the World Government finds out..."

"Hmph, what can those trash do even if they know?" Garp picked his nose. "I can't be bothered with them."

He'd say worse behind their backs—hell, he'd call the Celestial Dragons trash to their faces without hesitation. What were they gonna do? Fire him? He couldn't care less.

Koby: "..."

Vice Admiral Garp truly feared nothing in heaven or earth.

"Vice Admiral Garp, then what should we—"

"I'm just here to see my grandson," Garp declared. "We'll deal with the rest later."

"But we need to give Fleet Admiral Sengoku an explanation..."

"Oh, just tell him Luffy's my grandson and I don't feel like arresting him here."

"That's worse than saying they escaped," Bogard said with a twitching lip.

Even willfulness had its limits—they at least needed a plausible excuse, unless they wanted to treat Fleet Admiral Sengoku like a fool.

"Fine, do as you say then."

"And what about that ninja the Fleet Admiral mentioned..."

"The ninja, huh..." Garp paused thoughtfully. "Let's observe first."

After all, that person belonged to his grandson now. If he acted recklessly, the kid might actually fight him to the death.

"Alright, we're docking!" Garp waved his hand. "Follow me—let's meet these troublemakers who dared challenge the world!"

"Aye!"

...

On the streets of the City of Seven Waters, Meiser and his two companions strolled between shops, carrying their recent purchases.

Most were dresses for Merry—the little one had grown much more cheerful since her rebirth.

"Meiser, you don't need to stay so tense," Nico Robin remarked.

"Huh?"

"Am I?"

"Yes." Robin nodded seriously. "Having lived twenty years in darkness, I recognize your current state."

It was as if... as if constantly expecting an assassination attempt. His nerves remained taut, never relaxing for fear enemies would strike the moment he let his guard down.

Meiser fell silent before replying, "Maybe it's just habit."

As a ninja, constant vigilance was necessary—you never knew when someone might appear to kill you. Especially for someone of mixed Uchiha and Senju blood.

No choice, there are too many sneaky ninjas in this world, especially that Black Zetsu—he's the most underhanded of them all. If you don't stay alert, you won't even know how you died.

So after leaving their previous residence, Meiser instinctively tensed up, even though Black Zetsu wasn't here.

"Don't be scared, Meiser! If there's any danger, I'll protect you!" Merry brandished her little hammer and declared, "I won't let anyone bully you!"

"Alright, our Merry is the best~"

Nico Robin was right—there was no need to stay on edge all the time. After all, there were no assassins lurking around here.

Merry giggled happily, basking in the feeling of being acknowledged.

"The recovery efforts are going well," Meiser remarked, glancing at the buildings in the distance. "It's only been two days since Aqua Laguna hit, and so many shops are already open."

"Only the ones with minimal damage have reopened," Nico Robin explained. "They evacuated with their belongings before Aqua Laguna arrived."

"After returning, they just had to clean up their shops to resume business."

Long-time residents knew exactly how to handle Aqua Laguna, so this was standard procedure for them.

Of course, ordinary residents didn't need to leave—they just had to secure their valuables and move to higher ground.

"I see," Meiser mused, stroking his chin. "So this is how the people of the City of Seven Waters survive."

"We've bought enough supplies. It's time to head back," Nico Robin said, just as a familiar figure emerged from a distant alley.

"Hey, isn't that Zoro?" Nico Robin pointed out. "What's he doing in the alley?"

Following her gaze, Meiser spotted the green-haired swordsman sprinting through the alley, looking frantic.

But why was he in such a hurry to get to the shore?

"Hey, Zoro!" Meiser called out. "What are you rushing to the shore for?"

Hearing his voice, Zoro turned around, his face lighting up with relief when he saw Meiser.

He dashed over at top speed and blurted, "Quick, we need to get back to Luffy and the others!"

"What's wrong?"

"The Marines are here!"

The moment those words left his mouth, the trio's expressions darkened, and they immediately turned to sprint back to their lodgings.

When they slipped in through the back door, they found a Marine standing in front of Luffy, his expression grim.

"Water Release: Wate—"

"Meiser, don't attack! That's Luffy's grandfather!"

"Huh?!"

Meiser choked on his own spit, his jutsu fizzling out mid-cast.

"So you're the ninja, huh?" Garp glanced at Meiser and strode forward, his imposing aura radiating menace.

But before he could get close, a tiny figure charged in, pointing a hammer at Garp.

"Stinky old man! Don't you dare lay a finger on Meiser!"

"Hm?"

Merry's sudden intervention instantly shattered Garp's rising intimidation.

"Is this your kid?" Garp asked, eyeing Meiser.

"Nope."

"Then this child..." Garp's body suddenly trembled as he turned and pointed at Luffy, shouting: "Luffy, you damn brat! Why didn't you tell me about something this important sooner?"

Luffy: ???

Luffy stared at Garp with a completely baffled expression, having no idea what nonsense the old man was spouting now.

"You bastard! You already have a child and didn't tell me?!" Garp fumed. "You're just like your damn father!"

Garp was absolutely livid. Back then, Dragon had only told him about Luffy after he was already born, and now his damn grandson was pulling the same stunt.

Meiser: ...

Wait, what kind of twisted logic is this old coot using?

If he remembered correctly, this was that Vice Admiral Garp who got axed by Captain Morgan... and also Luffy's grandfather. Hmm, this kind of mental gymnastics must be hereditary.

"Child?" Luffy blinked in confusion before picking his nose. "What are you talking about?"

"Are you telling me this adorable little girl isn't my great-granddaughter?"

"Nope."

Garp: ...

Damn it! Why couldn't such a cute little girl be his great-granddaughter?!

"Damn you, Luffy!" The enraged Garp spun around and immediately punched Luffy in the head, nearly knocking him unconscious.

"Stupid old man! Why'd you hit me again?!"

"Because I felt like it! That was a Fist of Love!"