The Fact That You Peeked At Makino Taking A Bath When You Were A Child Is Known To The Whole Village (4/5)

"Didn't you say you wanted me to be trained by Marshal Marine?" Finn spread his hands, a look of innocence on his face.

"What do you know?" Sengoku barked, his frustration rising. "I could make you Marine Marshal, but do you think the Marine generals would accept that? Would the three Admirals bow to you? Would the World Government allow it?"

Becoming Marine Marshal wasn't a decision Sengoku could make on a whim. He had to pave the way for Finn, shaping him slowly and strategically. Marines didn't rise to the top on qualifications alone—they needed the backing of the World Government and the respect of their peers.

"Alright, alright." Finn shrugged, clearly disinterested. "You and Grandpa figure it out. Just let me know when it's my time to be promoted." With a bored expression, he turned to leave.

"Hold it!" Sengoku shouted.

Finn frowned, turning back. "What now?"

Sengoku, his face suddenly serious, pointed at his desk. "Your hamburgers. Give me more."

Finn rolled his eyes but tossed a few more burgers onto Sengoku's table. "Seven, seven, zero. Happy?"

With that, he left the office and went to see Garp, filling him in on Sengoku's words.

Garp chuckled. "That old man still has some sense after all."

Then his tone changed. "By the way, Finn, there's something I need to tell you."

Finn raised an eyebrow. "What's with the suspense, Grandpa? Just spit it out." He gave Garp a playful middle finger, mocking the seriousness of the conversation.

Garp took a sip of his wine, his mood growing somber. "I went to East Blue recently. Turns out Ace went to sea... as a pirate."

Finn's eyes lit up with interest. "Oh? When did this happen?"

"A week after we left. According to Dadan, it's been nearly a year now." Garp took another drink, the sadness clear in his eyes. "That little brat..."

Seeing the weight on his grandfather's mind, Finn asked quietly, "Grandpa, are you worried his identity will be discovered?"

"What?" Garp was caught off guard. "Yeah, Ace's identity... Wait!" His eyes widened. "What did you just say? What identity?"

"Son of Roger," Finn answered casually.

"Shut up!" Garp lunged forward, clamping his hand over Finn's mouth. His sharp gaze scanned the area, ensuring no one was within earshot. "How do you know that?" he whispered, his voice full of disbelief.

"I've been to the New World. Heard some rumors, did some thinking. With your reaction just now, it's clear. Ace is Roger's son, isn't he?" Finn grinned, confident in his deduction.

Garp stared at him, shocked. His grandson had figured out the truth on his own. "No wonder Sengoku wants you to be the Marine Marshal," Garp thought. "This kid is sharp."

But his concern for Ace outweighed his pride. Gripping Finn's shoulders, Garp's voice grew serious. "Finn, no matter what happens, Ace is your brother. He's Luffy's brother."

Finn smiled, easing the tension. "Grandpa, you don't need to say that. I've always believed that the bond of growing up together outweighs any blood ties. We're all your grandchildren. Blood doesn't matter."

Garp's heart swelled with emotion. His eyes grew misty, but he quickly wiped them, embarrassed. "I'm not crying, you brat. Must be the alcohol..." He took another sip, hiding his feelings.

Garp cleared his throat. "Listen, Finn. You're Ace's brother. He's more likely to listen to you than to me. If you can, bring him back. The longer he stays out there, the more dangerous it gets. The World Government won't let him live if they discover the truth."

As he spoke, Garp slid a small piece of paper across the table. Finn picked it up—it was Ace's life card.

"Alright, alright." Finn scratched his head, looking resigned. "I'll do what I can."

"And Luffy," Garp added, his voice hopeful. "Try to get him to join the Marines. With you there, he could have a real future."

Finn sighed, rolling his eyes. "You know Luffy. Ever since Shanks got to him, he's set on being a pirate. I'll talk to him, but I doubt it'll change anything."

Garp beamed. "Good! Then it's settled. Go fetch Luffy and bring him to Naval Headquarters. I'll train him myself!"

Finn grumbled but agreed. "Alright, Grandpa, I'll try."

The next day, Finn left Naval Headquarters on a mission. Sengoku had given him strict orders to return in two months, in time for the upcoming World Summit.

Normally, the journey from Naval Headquarters to Windmill Village would take a month on a regular warship. But Finn's super battleship, with its advanced capabilities, made the trip in just five days.

When the massive ship docked in Windmill Village, the locals were stunned. "Is that... little Finn?" one villager gasped.

"My god, he's grown up!" another said. "Look at that ship! He must be doing well in the Marines."

Finn felt a warm sense of homecoming as he stepped off the ship. He had not only come to see Luffy but also brought gifts for the village. With a flick of his wrist, an escalator extended from the battleship, and crates of supplies were unloaded.

"Uncles, aunts, don't push. Everyone gets something!" Finn called out, smiling.

The villagers cheered. "Little Finn, you're such a good boy!"

"Finn, my daughter Jiali's been missing you!" one woman teased.

Finn cringed at the memory of Jiali, who weighed more than two hundred pounds. "Yeah, no thanks..." he muttered.

At that moment, the village chief, Grandpa Slap, pulled Finn aside. "Finn, do you still have feelings for Makino?"

"Of course!" Finn answered without hesitation. "She's amazing. Why wouldn't I?"

"Good!" Slap said firmly. "The whole village knows you used to peek at her when you were kids. She's a perfect match for you, and if you're serious, you better make a move fast."

Finn blinked, taken aback by the directness. "Whoa, Grandpa, you're moving a bit too quickly."

Slap's face turned serious. "Finn, you've been gone for a year. In that time, the Red Hair Pirates have been around more than once. I can tell, that Shanks fella has his eye on Makino. Don't let a pirate take her away."

Finn's eyes narrowed. "Shanks? After Makino? Over my dead body."

Slap nodded approvingly. "Then go. Don't come back without her."

Determined, Finn straightened his coat. "Don't worry, Grandpa. I came back for her. I'm not leaving without Makino." With that, he headed toward the village's tavern, ready to claim what was his.