The journey to Marineford was long, but when Garp finally arrived with his grandson and Kuina with fanfare, as expected.
Marines of all ranks, from battle-hardened officers to fresh-faced recruits, halted in their tracks, instinctively straightening as the legendary hero strode through the heart of Marineford with his usual overbearing confidence.
But today, Garp was not alone.
Beside him walked a boy. He was not just a child but someone one who carried himself with a presence far beyond his years. His raven-black hair swayed slightly in the ocean breeze, his piercing eyes burning with mischief.
There was something about him, something magnetic.
The Marines couldn't explain it, but they felt it—a pull, an energy that was impossible to ignore.
And walking slightly behind him was a young girl with short blue hair, her steps light but precise, like a blade being drawn from its sheath. She moved with disciplined grace, her dark eyes scanning the gathered crowd.
Though she remained silent, her aura spoke volumes—one of sheer willpower, an unrelenting drive that seemed almost unnatural for her age.
Murmurs broke out among the Marines as they watched the duo follow Garp without hesitation.
"Who's the brat walking with Garp?" One whispered, unable to tear his eyes away from Luffy's confident stride.
"And the girl—she looks sharp. Who are they?" Another added, noting Kuina's poised demeanor.
"Wait… no way… is that his grandson?"
The speculation hit its peak when Garp came to an abrupt stop at the training grounds, his thunderous voice silencing the commotion in an instant.
"LISTEN UP, MAGGOTS!" Garp's voice boomed.
The recruits straightened in sheer instinct, their spines stiff as steel rods.
"This here is my grandson, Monkey D. Luffy!" He jabbed a thumb at the boy, grinning ear to ear.
"And this," He continued, motioning toward Kuina, "is Kuina! From today onward, both of 'em are takin' their first steps toward becomin' Marines!"
A stunned silence followed. The impact of his words rippled through the gathered Marines like a cannon blast.
"Grandson?" One officer muttered in disbelief, his jaw hanging.
"That child is joining the Marines?" Another whispered, blinking as if trying to wake from a dream.
Before the weight of the announcement could settle, Luffy stepped forward, his grin widening into something almost dangerous—charming yet utterly disarming.
"Nice to meet you all!" His voice rang through the air, smooth and confident, laced with a depth far beyond his years. His eyes flickered over the crowd, landing briefly on a young female ensign who, despite herself, felt an unexpected heat rise to her cheeks.
Luffy tilted his head slightly, his amusement barely concealed as he let the moment linger. Then, with deliberate ease, he continued, "I'm looking forward to learning from all of you… especially the more experienced Marines here."
His words carried the perfect blend of respect and something far more dangerous—a subtle challenge, a teasing edge that sent an involuntary shiver down a few spines.
Somewhere in the crowd, a few female recruits swallowed hard.
A young lieutenant, completely caught off guard, felt her heartbeat quicken for reasons she couldn't explain.
And then there was Kuina. Her arms were crossed, her expression unreadable, but her sharp eyes caught everything—every reaction, every flicker of emotion that Luffy effortlessly drew out of those around him. She let out the faintest huff, barely suppressing an eye-roll.
"Show-off," She muttered under her breath.
Garp, oblivious to the entire undercurrent of tension, let out his signature laugh, smacking Luffy hard on the back—nearly sending him flying into the dirt.
"HAH! Ain't he a charmer?" He bellowed, grinning wildly. "Kid's got spirit, just like his grandpa! And this little lady here—"
He gestured toward Kuina. "She's got more guts than most of ya put together!"
The Marines, still stunned, watched as the two new recruits stood before them—one with an undeniable charm that twisted reality around him, the other with a blade-like presence that cut through the nonsense.
One of the female recruits couldn't help but giggle, covering her mouth as she looked at Luffy.
"Well, if he's anything like Garp, maybe he'll be the next Marine hero," She said, her voice carrying a note of admiration.
Another officer, whom Luffy was familiar with caught Luffy's eyes in the crowd as he saw her approaching them.
She was a tall, slim woman with dark brown eyes and straight, waist-length pink hair worn in the middle part. She was wearing dark red lipstick and was sometimes seen smoking a cigarette. She wore a burgundy-purple two-piece suit over a white blouse, as well as dark brown shoes and a pair of dark gloves.
Hina regarded Luffy with a cool but curious gaze, arms folded beneath her ample chest. "Garp's grandson, huh?"
Her sharp eyes roved over the boy standing before her. At first glance, he looked like nothing more than a carefree kid, grinning like he had no worries in the world. But something about him… unsettled her.
A strange pull. A warmth that tickled the edges of her heart, making it beat just a little faster.
She raised a brow, fighting the odd sensation clawing at her insides. "You don't look like much of a fighter, kid. Are you ready for what it takes to be a Marine?"
Luffy met her gaze, and for a fleeting moment, Hina felt like she had been caught in an inescapable snare. His dark eyes gleamed—not with the innocence of a child, but with something deeper, something that made her stomach tighten in a way she refused to acknowledge.
Then he spoke, his voice smooth, effortless, with a confidence that sent a tingle down her spine.
"Guess you'll just have to see for yourself, beautiful sister," He said, his words playful yet laced with an irresistible charm. His grin held something wicked, something knowing as if he could see through the barriers she was desperately trying to keep up. "I might surprise you."
Hina stiffened. Heat rushed to her cheeks, but she forced herself to maintain her composure.
She was a Marine, damn it! Not some love-struck girl swooning over a boy who—who shouldn't even have this kind of effect on her!
Her fingers twitched against her arms as she narrowed her eyes.
"We'll see," She said coolly, keeping her tone even. But inside, her heart was in turmoil.
What was this?This impossible, maddening attraction?
Hina prided herself on her discipline, on her ability to resist temptation, yet this brat—this boy—had shattered her defenses with nothing but a glance and a few words. It was absurd.
And yet…
As Luffy turned to leave, his carefree laughter ringing in the air, she found her gaze lingering on his back, unwilling to look away.
She swallowed hard.
No. This was ridiculous.
And yet… her heart betrayed her, whispering words she refused to speak aloud.
This boy was dangerous.
And Hina wasn't sure if she wanted to run from that danger… or dive headfirst into it.
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