One Piece: From Ninja To Pirates

"Never imagined Luffy's father would have such an impressive background..." Nami gulped as she spoke.

"So who is he exactly?" Luffy tilted his head in confusion.

"Robin?"

"Well, that's a long story," Nico Robin replied. "Your father, he..."

1

Nico Robin began recounting the details about Dragon word by word, helping Meiser understand exactly what kind of person he was.

"Never thought someone like that existed here..." Meiser mused.

"Oh, I see." Luffy nodded calmly, showing little reaction.

After all, it was just some deadbeat dad he'd never met—why should he care?

His indifferent attitude left Nico Robin somewhat exasperated. What kind of reaction was that?

Meanwhile, while Robin was speaking, Garp took the opportunity to repair the wall with his subordinates.

After handing the hammer to one of them, Garp said, "Luffy, go see your friends."

"Friends?"

"Yeah, they're waiting outside." Garp laughed heartily. "Hey, Koby! What are you two still standing around for?!"

At the mention of Koby's name, Luffy immediately remembered who it was. Zoro also showed a surprised expression—clearly, he hadn't expected them to come with Vice Admiral Garp.

"I came here not just to see you, but also because these two wanted to visit their friends."

"Zoro, let's go!"

"Right!"

Zoro's face lit up with excitement. Seeing friends they hadn't met in so long was definitely something to celebrate.

After watching the two leave through the front door, Garp's smile faded. He turned to Meiser and said, "Kid, let's talk alone."

The moment these words left his mouth, the Straw Hat Pirates all frowned. None of them had expected him to make such a request at this moment.

Merry even stood up on a chair, hammer in hand, and snapped, "You stinking old man! Are you trying to bully Meiser again?!"

Garp: "..."

What did she mean, "again"? He'd never bullied the kid in the first place!

"No, I just have some questions for him," Garp clarified before glancing at Meiser. "Kid, this time I'm only here to see my grandson, so I won't be arresting any of you. But there are things I want to discuss with you."

Seeing the sincerity in Garp's eyes, Meiser hesitated briefly before nodding. "Fine. Let's go—the backyard."

With that, the two headed toward the rear garden, staying close enough that Merry and the others could still keep an eye on them.

"What's that old man's deal?" Merry muttered in confusion. "Why does he need to talk to Meiser alone?"

"Probably because he's a Ninja," Nico Robin suggested.

"A Ninja, huh..."

Merry nodded, only half-understanding, before pressing her face against the window to keep watching the two figures in the distance.

"Don't worry. If there's any real danger, we can step in immediately," Sanji reassured.

Even though Vice Admiral Garp was the man who had cornered the Pirate King, Meiser's skills were nothing to scoff at—he wouldn't be taken down so easily.

"Kid, just who are you?" Garp asked, his expression deadly serious as he stared at Meiser.

"I told you, I'm a ninja," Meiser said. "Don't tell me you didn't even gather that intel."

He had openly admitted being a ninja right in front of a Marine Admiral—had that guy really not reported it to Marine Headquarters?

Or... had his attack actually killed Aokiji?

No way a Marine Admiral could be that weak.

"Of course I know you're a ninja. Kuzan made that very clear," Garp said, staring straight into Meiser's eyes. "What I'm asking is whether you're from the Land of Wano."

Garp's words confirmed that Marine Admiral Aokiji was still alive. Thinking about it, that made sense—the top combatant of Marine Headquarters wouldn't be taken down so easily.

"You dragged me out here just to ask that?"

"Yep."

A flicker of confusion crossed Meiser's eyes. What was the deal with this Land of Wano? Several people had asked him about it now.

"To be honest, you're not the first to ask me this," Meiser said seriously, meeting Garp's gaze. "But I genuinely know nothing about the Land of Wano."

Garp kept his eyes locked on Meiser, even pushing his Observation Haki to its limits. After studying him intently for a while, Garp suddenly burst into laughter.

"Ahahaha! Guess this old man overthought things then."

His trip to the City of Seven Waters had two purposes: to see Luffy and to verify this kid's origins. He needed to know whether this self-proclaimed ninja was from the Land of Wano—whether Kaido had sent him.

The odds were slim, but as Luffy's grandfather, he had to be sure.

If so... his fists wouldn't hold back!

But... since this kid wasn't from the Land of Wano, it didn't matter anymore. Even if Sengoku considered him significant.

"That's all you wanted to ask?"

"This old man has no interest in prying."

After speaking, Garp gave Meiser a once-over, then his eyes lit up.

"Kid, I can tell you've got exceptional potential! How about joining the Marines with me?"

Meiser: ???

What kind of logic was this old man running on?

"No thanks, zero interest in being a Marine," Meiser said dismissively. "Also, didn't I just wreck your Buster Call? And you still want to recruit me?"

"My bounty poster's probably already printed by now."

They hadn't received word yet, but after two days, his bounty was likely finalized.

"Ah, that is a problem," Garp said, rubbing his temples. "Those World Government trash really know how to ruin things... Otherwise, I could've recruited you."

"Hey, I never agreed to that," Meiser retorted. "And aren't you worried about badmouthing the World Government where they might hear?"

"Ahahaha! Those garbage won't hear a thing. No harm in saying it," Garp replied carelessly.

Then he sighed regretfully.

"Ah, what a shame I didn't meet you sooner."

If he'd encountered this kid first, maybe he wouldn't have become a pirate at all.

As for the issue of rebellion... he was most adept at curing brats of their rebellious streaks. A pair of Fists of Love could absolutely make them obediently follow him to join the Marines.

But now the die was cast. No matter how much he wanted to recruit someone, it was no longer possible.

Not to mention the World Government, even the Marine side wouldn't allow it. Moreover, his grandson would fight him tooth and nail over it.

"Let's go, let's go." Garp shook his head and turned to leave.

Approaching the back door, Garp paused again and glanced back at Meiser. "Well, it shouldn't be a problem for you to recuperate here for a few days. But if you stay too long, I can't guarantee World Government agents won't come looking for you."

After saying this, Garp left without looking back.

Clearly, the same issues Sengoku and the others had considered, Garp had also thought of.

"The World Government, huh..."

Meiser fell silent for a moment before sneering coldly. "When it comes to assassinations, I'm their ancestor!"