*Chapter 110: I Never Agreed to That*

Garp's feelings were incredibly mixed at the moment.

He had brought in a bandit, and now the entire village was practically under their control.

But then Garp had a change of heart and came to a realization.

In the Navy, it’s almost impossible to casually invite a group of ordinary people to the Naval Academy.

Only a few outstanding cadets have the qualifications to further their studies at the Naval Academy.

In the past, even fewer could attend Zephyr's classes.

The requirements were extremely strict, akin to panning for gold in the vast ocean.

It could even be said that the standards were excessively high.

After all, Zephyr had the privilege of promoting someone directly to Rear Admiral.

The worst of those who trained under Zephyr also became a Rear Admiral in the Navy.

And these villagers from Windmill Village, even with some connections, couldn’t expect good treatment in the Navy.

The Navy is even more competitive than any force in the ocean.

After all, it recruits soldiers from the entire sea.

Only the best of the best make it in, and they probably wouldn't even make it past the first round of eliminations.

At most, they’d end up as cannon fodder in the sea.

But if they’re just going to be cannon fodder, what’s the point of Garp bringing them into the Navy?

However, things were different with Raijin!

Now, Raijin’s academy was just getting started.

There weren’t even that many students there yet.

There were no requirements; as long as you were a person, you were in.

And with Zephyr leading the team, it was simply the best place.

Not only could Luffy further his studies there, but even the kids from Windmill Village could gain the knowledge only nobles could afford.

It would become the most valuable thing in their lives.

Dressrosa could now be considered the last piece of pure land on the sea.

Though it might not be entirely appropriate to say so, the entire sea had fallen into chaos because of Roger's Pirate Era.

Countless pirates set sail to fight for dominance, all heading towards the sea.

The sea was awash with blood, with countless bodies scattered across the waters.

The entire ocean was in a state of madness, and even with corpses piling up everywhere, they still charged towards the sea.

If there was any place left that could be considered peaceful, it would be Raijin's Dressrosa.

The Naval Headquarters was a different story, with various factions constantly at odds.

There was no way it could be considered peaceful.

Moreover, Raijin was quite the wild one!

Other places needed to guard against pirate invasions, but Raijin was the one doing the invading.

No one would dare invade him.

As long as they could take care of the Big Mom problem, Raijin's place could genuinely become a paradise for ordinary people.

Unless, of course, this guy didn’t want to be a Shichibukai and chose to become a pirate.

All these thoughts swirled in Garp's mind as they traveled.

Don’t let Garp's usual carefree attitude fool you—he’s actually quite meticulous.

He usually just doesn’t bother to think things through.

After all, most problems can’t stand up to his fists.

When in doubt, one punch will solve it!

But in moments of decision-making, he could think things through when needed.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Even before they got close, they could already hear some noises.

Garp was startled—could there be a pirate invasion?

But in the next moment, he relaxed.

After all, Luffy and Ace weren’t kids anymore.

Dealing with ordinary pirates wouldn’t be a problem for them.

But as they got closer, they saw two boys glaring fiercely at each other.

Fists and feet were flying, trying to land blows on each other.

Neither of them was unscathed, both bruised and battered, completely unrecognizable.

Thud!

The two of them sat down heavily on the ground, panting heavily.

They had fought with all their might.

But the slightly older Ace held back a little for Luffy's sake.

He cared a lot about his younger brother.

“Ace, you seem to have gotten stronger!”

“Of course, I’m going to be the Pirate King!”

Suddenly, Ace looked at something behind Luffy in terror...

He cut off what he was about to say, his face turning pale, eyes darting, trying to signal Luffy to look behind him. But Luffy, as usual, didn’t understand the expression on Ace's face.

“I’m the one who’s going to be the Pirate King!”

Luffy shouted immediately after hearing that.

Cough, cough!

A light cough came from behind Luffy.

In the next moment, Luffy, who had been full of bluster, suddenly started sweating, just like Ace. He slowly turned his head like a machine.

And there, he saw the person he feared most in his life—his grandpa.

From a young age, Luffy’s experiences had taught him that his grandpa was the scariest person in the world.

He’d been thrown off a thousand-foot cliff...

Tied to balloons and thrown into the sky!

These were the nightmares that haunted Luffy!

Now, Luffy even thought wild beasts were as cute as kittens.

Compared to those terrifying experiences, wild beasts were nothing!

“Grandpa!”

Luffy exclaimed in shock when he saw Garp behind him.

He hadn’t expected Garp to suddenly return to Windmill Village.

That meant their conversation had been overheard!

“Luffy, you still haven’t learned your lesson and want to become the so-called Pirate King? You’re supposed to become a Navy man!”

Garp’s eyes flashed with a fierce light, and he slammed his fist down.

Bang!

Luffy was slammed into the ground, a big lump forming on his head that kept getting bigger.

He rolled on the ground, clutching his head and crying out in pain.

Standing behind them, Raijin’s mouth twitched.

In any other case, people would only have a few scratches on their faces.

But as a child of fate, Luffy somehow ended up with a big lump.

It was truly amazing.

“And you! Ace, you’re also talking about this pirate nonsense with Luffy. I’m here today to correct both of your wrong ideas.”

“From now on, you two can only become Navy men!”

After dealing with Luffy, Garp turned his attention to Ace, who was already pale with fear.

Garp’s gaze had become extremely dangerous.

Even though Luffy was a rubber fruit user, his body hadn’t fully grown yet, so Garp had to hold back a bit.

But Ace was different—at thirteen, he was already much stronger.

In other words, he could take more punches!

“Old man...”

Ace’s eyes were filled with fear as he instinctively took two steps back.

He wanted to run!

At least avoid getting hit on the head!

But facing a monster like Garp, even if he had a Logia fruit power, it would be hard to escape.

Boom!

A huge fist came crashing down.

Ace leaped up and ran as fast as he could.

His experiences over the years had taught them that running was the only effective solution.

Trying to fight back would only mean taking more punches!

“Is this Garp’s way of educating?”

Zephyr’s face was dark.

He had thought Garp would be more reliable, at least hire a teacher or something.

Even having retired Navy members guide them would have been fine.

But he never expected Garp to raise kids like this.

Just throw them in the wild and let them grow up however they wanted, letting their minds wander and dream of becoming pirates.

If these kids actually grew up to become Navy men, that would be a real miracle.

He always knew Garp’s methods weren’t reliable, but he never imagined they’d be this outrageous.

“I think you’re celebrating too early.”

“This is just the tip of the iceberg with Garp.”

“Remember, Garp actually had mountain bandits raise these kids.”

“If they become Navy men...”

Raijin’s face twitched as well.

Seeing this crazy family with his own eyes had left him speechless.

“...”

Zephyr was at a loss for words. He never expected Garp to pull off something even more bizarre!

Mountain bandits raising kids? How did he even come up with that idea?

At least let pirates raise them...

"No, that's wrong! The Navy should be the one to take care of him! That damn Garp led me astray!

'Kid, from now on, you’re with me!'

raijin took two steps closer to Luffy and looked down at the short little guy. The rubber fruit hasn't awakened yet, but when it does, this kid will be one of the most powerful on the seas. After all, turning a Paramecia into a Mythical Zoan is just too absurd. And what’s more, it awakens as the Sun God!

'Ah! Who are you guys?' Luffy looked up, confused, and asked raijin and the others.

He stared blankly at raijin, not understanding what he was talking about.

'Funkfreed, open the door!' raijin couldn’t be bothered to explain. After all, Luffy's brain isn't ready to process something so intense right now.

raijin looked at Funkfreed.

'Poof!' Funkfreed stepped forward and lightly pushed open a door in the air, revealing a forest on the other side. But among the trees, there was a building, and you could faintly see people waiting.

Funkfreed had opened the door to Dressrosa. Once they walked through, they would be in Dressrosa.

'Bam!' raijin picked Luffy up and kicked him straight through the air door. Funkfreed quickly closed the door. There were people on the other side waiting to meet Luffy, so no need to worry about him starving over there.

As for raijin being so rough with a child…

No, wait! Luffy’s no child! At his age, he’d be nearly ready to graduate from the ninja academy.

'What did you do to Luffy?!'

A bruised and battered Ace saw this and charged forward. But by the time he reached raijin, Luffy had already disappeared through the air door.

This made Ace panic. After all, Luffy was his only remaining brother. If anything happened to him, Ace wouldn’t know what to do. He had promised Sabo he would take good care of Luffy.

'Luffy, huh? Why don’t you go with him? I’m quite interested in both of you brothers, after all.'

raijin narrowed his eyes, sizing up Ace as he spoke. 'One of you ate a Mythical Zoan fruit, and the other is the bloodline of Pirate King Roger! A legendary duo, indeed.'

'The future holds unimaginable twists for you both, doing things that others could never achieve,' raijin said softly.

But these simple words shocked everyone present. Garp looked at raijin in disbelief. This guy… this guy actually knew Ace’s true identity. Was this something he found out through investigation? Ace’s identity had always been a closely guarded secret. Even Sengoku didn’t know much about it, let alone anyone else. Only Garp himself knew Ace's real identity!

But now, raijin had revealed it with just a few words. Was Ace his target all along?

Garp’s rusty brain started working again, trying to piece it together.

As for Luffy’s Devil Fruit, Garp wasn’t too concerned. Even if it was garbage, Garp had confidence he could train Luffy to become an Admiral. After all, Luffy inherited his talent, especially in physical combat.

'The Pirate King Roger's child!' Zephyr muttered to himself, looking at Garp in disbelief.

He never imagined Garp would be so bold, even daring to take in Roger’s child. Doesn’t this guy know what he’s doing? This is a blatant betrayal of Sengoku! If Sengoku found out, Garp would be in serious trouble.

Back then, Sengoku put in so much effort to eliminate Roger’s bloodline, turning the entire sea upside down, causing countless innocent lives to be lost, buried alongside Roger. But they never suspected someone on the inside. They never guessed it was Garp who stole the prize right from under them, making the Navy’s efforts all for nothing.

'Don’t mention that name! I have no such father,' Ace couldn't contain his rage any longer when he heard Roger's name. He charged at raijin like a madman, eyes full of killing intent, his entire presence like that of a raging demon. He was furious that this name would follow him for the rest of his life.

'Bam!' His fist stopped in mid-air, caught by a large hand. raijin looked down at Ace with a calm expression. This kid was just starting to grow up. Trying to take him on? He was way too green for that.

'What’s wrong? Not happy with your fate?' raijin asked with a smirk, lifting Ace effortlessly. He looked at the boy, seeing potential. He was well-trained from a young age, with potential beyond the ordinary.

He would have a great future ahead of him.

'Ace…' Garp sighed. Ace still couldn’t escape his fate, constantly dwelling on Roger’s deeds, with anger building up in his heart. But Garp knew now was not the time to intervene. If he did, all their efforts would be for nothing.

Ace glared at raijin, refusing to back down.

'If you want to change your fate, and your brother’s, then come with me. This is your only chance—to overturn the era Roger started, to end his legacy.'

'This is the only opportunity you’ll have in your life. If you refuse, I’ll take your brother, crush his dreams in the cradle, and turn him into the last thing he wants to be—a Navy Vice Admiral.'

'You might not realize it, but in ten years, your brother will be the real star of the sea. But maybe, because of your resistance, he’ll lose his dreams, living like a walking corpse, never getting the chance to chase what he desires.'

raijin spoke softly, his eyes glowing red. The three tomoe connected, forming the Mangekyo Sharingan.

In the next moment, Ace saw the future. He saw Luffy weeping over his dead body during the War of the Best. He saw Luffy entering the New World, fighting against a group of monsters. He saw Luffy’s heartbeat of freedom, the awakening of his Devil Fruit, transforming into the Sun God Nika, becoming one of the Four Emperors, vying for the One Piece.

And in one of the visions, Ace saw a familiar figure.

Ace was stunned! His heart was filled with a mix of resistance and anticipation as he looked at the vision before him. Everything he saw seemed like scenes from the future.

In the future, he would die, but Luffy would endure his pain and become the Pirate King. But without Ace’s protection, everything would be unimaginably difficult. And… he thought he saw Sabo appearing in Luffy’s future.

Was this all real? Could Luffy’s dream really come true? Would he become the king of this era? And Sabo is still alive?

At that moment, Ace couldn’t contain his excitement! There was nothing more satisfying than seeing his brother become the main character of the era.

But… this guy had taken Luffy!

In that instant, a surge of anger welled up in Ace’s heart!

'Don’t you dare lay a hand on Luffy!' Ace struggled with all his might, electricity crackling around him, his body exploding with unprecedented power. This power, fueled by his rage, was unleashed recklessly.

But the people in front of him were no ordinary opponents. They were all at the top of the sea. How could they be intimidated by just a bit of Conqueror’s Haki?

'Conqueror’s Haki!' Zephyr was surprised by the boy, but quickly calmed down. It wasn’t shocking that Roger’s son would have such potential. If he didn’t, that would be surprising. But he couldn’t help but think… how did Roger’s son slip through the cracks?

'Ace… you fool!' Garp’s face showed a mix of emotions. He slowly closed his eyes, choosing not to intervene.

'A useless outburst of rage, but what good will it do?' raijin said calmly, unimpressed by Ace’s display of Conqueror’s Haki. In front of him, it was nothing more than a breeze stirring up some dust. If Ace wanted to impress him, he’d have to try someone like Shanks.

After a moment, Ace calmed down, his gaze locking onto raijin as if to etch his face into memory.

'Have you made up your mind? Will you trade your fate for Luffy’s, or will you stay here and continue to fight against destiny?' raijin asked with an amused smile.

'Fine! As long as you promise to let Luffy return to the sea after he comes of age, I’ll agree to all your conditions.' Ace’s eyes were bloodshot as he stared at raijin. This guy could see the future, so if he valued Ace, Ace must have some potential worth cultivating. All Ace could do now was show his value, to make sure Luffy could regain his freedom.

'Then show me what you can do first. Let’s see if you can take first place in the academy I founded, then we’ll talk.' raijin casually nodded, neither agreeing nor refusing Ace’s conditions.

In this world, only the strong have the right to negotiate.

Right now, Ace didn’t even have the right to stand in front of Raijin.

The sea is a cruel place!

“Poof!”

Funkfreed opened a door to the air.

Without hesitation, Raijin threw Ace through it.

Only when Ace was tossed into Dressrosa could their journey be considered somewhat complete.

On this trip, he gained two potential users of Conqueror’s Haki.

It was a bountiful harvest.

“Hey! Raijin, are you really planning to let Luffy return to the sea as a pirate once he comes of age?”

Zephyr, overhearing the negotiations, couldn’t help but ask.

Though he didn’t know what had happened to Ace, Zephyr was very displeased.

After all, they’d gone through a lot of trouble to capture this potential asset.

And now he was planning to release him back into the sea? What a joke!

He didn’t believe this guy would make a losing deal!

“Zephyr! This world is survival of the fittest. Only the strong can make the rules; a little brat doesn’t have the right to negotiate with me.”

“Maybe after he’s defeated me! Then he can take Luffy and leave.”

"Besides! I never agreed to his request!"

Raijin smiled cheerfully at Zephyr.

He had no intention of keeping his promise.

So what could be done about it?

Was Ace going to jump up and try to smash his Susanoo's leg?

Ace might reach a power level close to a Yonko's right-hand man in nine years.

But does that mean Raijin would just stand still during these seven years?

How ridiculous!

Ace's only choice was to obediently follow him.

There was no other option.

If Ace dared to be arrogant with him, Raijin wouldn’t even have to lift a finger.

He’d just make trouble for Sabo and Luffy instead.

Break one leg each!

"... What an infuriating guy! Even I feel like taking a shot at you!"

Garp's mouth twitched; he hadn’t expected this guy to be even more of a jerk than he imagined.

Zephyr immediately looked at Garp warily, fearing that Garp might actually act on that thought!

Raijin was still trying to recruit kids; how could he let Garp interfere?

"Heading further and further down the path of the villain, huh? Whatever! There’s no such thing as good guys and bad guys in this world anyway!"

"After all, only the winners get to be the good guys!"

Raijin thought of the Naruto world—where are the so-called good people in these two worlds?

There aren’t even many hypocrites around.

"By the way! I heard Luffy was fostered by bandits? He seems pretty good at raising kids. How about he comes with me to Dressrosa to raise some kids together!"

(End of Chapter)