The Pinnacle of the Navy! Starting from Being Captured by Garp

On the deck of a Marine warship.

A gentle sea breeze swept across the deck as the warship sailed steadily back towards Marineford. The blue surface of the sea rose and fell with the waves, and in the distance, seagulls soared freely against the horizon.

X Drake stood by the ship's railing, his hands gripping the cold metal so tightly that the veins on their backs stood out, his knuckles white from the strain. His eyes were filled with a mixture of conflict and struggle as he stared at the churning waves, the狰狞and twisted face of his father, Diez Barrels, flashing repeatedly in his mind.

Once, his father had been his hero, a magnificent Marine officer clad in a cape of justice, protecting the peace of the seas. He had once proudly told everyone, "My father is a great Marine!"

However, many years ago, for reasons unknown, this respected father suddenly shed his coat of justice and became a vicious and cruel pirate. He became an alcoholic, prone to violent rages, and took his fists to his only son. The daily torment and verbal abuse transformed Drake's initial admiration into fear and resentment.

At nineteen, he should have been a mature and independent young man, yet years of fear had made him feel small and helpless in his father's presence.

"Why... why did Father become like that?" Drake took a deep breath, a determined light shining in his eyes. He slowly turned and walked towards the captain's cabin.

Inside, Roy was sitting behind a large desk, flipping through a thick stack of mission reports with a focused and calm expression. A knock came at the door.

"Come in!"

The door was gently pushed open. Drake stood at the entrance, looking slightly nervous. "Rear Admiral Roy... may I speak with you?"

Roy put down the file and looked up, his gaze gentle. "How are your injuries recovering?"

"I'm fine now. Thank you for your concern!" Drake lowered his head, hesitating for a moment before looking up with firm resolve, his voice clear but with a slight tremble. "I... I want to join the Marines!"

Roy's eyebrows raised slightly, gesturing for him to continue.

Drake clenched his fists, his throat tightening as he went on. "My father, Diez Barrels, was once a Marine officer... When I was a child, I always saw him as my hero and role model. I dreamed that one day, I too could wear that cape of justice!" His voice grew lower, his eyes flashing with pain. "But later, my father betrayed the Marines and fell into piracy!"

"He drank, went mad, and became extremely violent, often beating me for no reason..." Drake's voice grew faint as he struggled to control the turmoil within him, his knuckles trembling with anger. "I was afraid of him, I even hated him. But what I hated more... was that I was completely powerless to do anything back then!"

Drake looked up, his eyes now blazing with a fiery determination. "So, I want to become a Marine. Not to follow in his footsteps, but to ensure I never repeat his mistakes. I want to become someone who truly practices justice!"

The room fell silent for a moment. A faint smile slowly appeared on Roy's lips, as if he had anticipated this outcome all along. "The future captain of 'SWORD'... I wasn't wrong about him."

Roy stood up, walked over to Drake, and gently patted his shoulder. "Welcome to the Marines."

Drake was visibly stunned, clearly not expecting Roy to agree so easily. "You... don't you need to ask anything else?" he asked hesitantly.

Roy chuckled, his tone gentle but firm. "Everyone has a past they cannot change. But what the Marines value more is the choice you will make for your future." He turned, picked up a document from the desk, and handed it to Drake. "This is the application form for the Marine recruit training camp. Although you're slightly older than the standard recruit, I will personally recommend you to Instructor Zephyr."

Drake slowly took the document, his gaze fixed on the word "Marines." For some reason, his eyes began to feel warm. He looked up sharply, his voice solemn and grateful. "Thank you... Rear Admiral Roy!"

Roy nodded, his eyes full of encouragement. "Don't disappoint me."

At dusk, the setting sun, like a giant red jewel, slowly sank below the horizon, its rays painting a magnificent picture on the shimmering sea. Drake walked to the bow of the ship and saw Roy standing there with his hands behind his back, gazing at the sunset, his silhouette as firm and steady as a mountain.

After a moment's hesitation, Drake couldn't help but speak. "Rear Admiral Roy... why did you believe me so easily and agree to let me join the Marines?"

Roy continued to gaze into the distance, his voice low and calm. "Because I saw true 'resolve' in your eyes." He turned his head slightly to look at Drake, his gaze both gentle and sharp. "What the Marines need are young men like you. Those who dare to face their past and have the courage to forge a new future."

Drake was taken aback. A warm current seemed to flow through him, and the confusion and gloom on his face gradually gave way to a genuine smile. "I will prove with my actions that you made the right choice!"

Roy smiled lightly and patted his shoulder. "I'll be waiting to see it."

The warship continued its steady course. As the sea breeze blew, Drake stood on the deck, looking out at the vast ocean, an unprecedented sense of determination filling his heart. "Father, this time, I will no longer follow in your shadow. This time, I will live for my own justice!"

The next day, the warship was about to leave the North Blue. The azure sea sparkled, and the gentle sunlight on the deck felt warm and pleasant. Kizaru was lounging comfortably on a deck chair, sunglasses on, holding a glass of iced juice and humming a strange little tune.

"Ooooh what a peaceful day"

Suddenly, a figure flickered into existence, a familiar shadow blocking his sunlight. Kizaru slowly looked up. Seeing who it was through his sunglasses, his lips curled into his usual teasing grin. "Ooooh~ if it isn't our busy little bee, Roy-kun?"

Roy had his hands in his pockets, a slight smile on his face. "Enjoying the good life, old-timer?"

"Ooooh, slacking off is one of life's greatest pleasures~" Kizaru leaned back lazily, taking a sip of his iced juice with a satisfied sigh.

Roy didn't stand on ceremony, casually leaning against the nearby railing, his white "Justice" coat fluttering in the sea breeze. Looking out at the North Blue they were about to leave, he said casually, "I have some personal business to attend to. I'll leave the warship in your care."

Kizaru raised an eyebrow and took off his sunglasses. "Going to collect that 'special delivery,' are we? Young people these days are so scaaaary~"

Roy rolled his eyes. "You know as well as I do, some debts are best not left unpaid for too long."

Kizaru chuckled and put his sunglasses back on, his tone mockingly troublesome. "So troublesome~ What if Fleet Admiral Sengoku asks..."

Roy smoothly finished his sentence, "Just say I went to inspect the North Blue branch on a whim."

Kizaru grinned. "Young people are so thorough, you even have the excuse ready. I should learn from you."

Roy shook his head helplessly. "Give me a break, old-timer. When it comes to the art of slacking, no one can beat you."

Kizaru swirled the ice in his glass, which made a cheerful clinking sound, and waved his hand dismissively. "Alright, alright, go on. I'll make sure this ship gets back to Marineford safely~"

Roy smiled and nodded. As he turned to leave, he heard Kizaru add in a meaningful tone, "Remember to bring back some North Blue specialties for me to try~"

Roy paused, then turned back with a smile. "Don't worry, it'll be a 'grand' gift."

Before his words had even faded, his figure had vanished into the sea breeze, leaving the leisurely Kizaru behind. Kizaru watched him go, then took a Den Den Mushi from his pocket. He hesitated for a moment before putting it back, shrugging as he muttered to himself, "So troublesome Some things are just easier to pretend you don't know" He took another sip of juice, a slight smile on his face. "Besides, it's not like it's a bad thing for the Marines~"

"...That little Doflamingo brat is in for some bad luck now, tsk tsk..."

A seagull glided past the ship's mast as it continued its steady journey towards Marineford.

North Blue - A Remote Island.

Roy's figure appeared silently at the port. The familiar scent of salt, moisture, and slaughter filled the air, and a cold smile involuntarily touched his lips. He slowly looked up into the distance, his eyes sharp and icy.

"Doflamingo, the 'life-debt' you owe me..."

"...it's time to pay up."

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