Chapter 78: A Tough Task
"Idiot! Do you think you can casually mention becoming the Pirate King?!"
As expected, the next moment, Garp snapped out of his headache and quickly jumped in, landing a punch on Luffy's head. A new bump instantly appeared on top of the old one.
Looking at Luffy, who was bawling while still arguing with Garp, Wright grinned. The kid didn't realize it, but his grandfather had also punched the previous Pirate King, Roger… You're not at a loss, Luffy.
"Old man Garp, don't hurt the kid too much… though the Gum-Gum Fruit doesn't suffer from blunt force, even you can't keep punching him like that…"
While playing the good guy, Wright didn't slack off. A golden light flashed down, and Luffy's bump immediately disappeared.
"Eh? It doesn't hurt anymore?" Luffy was amazed, finding that the swelling from Garp's punch had vanished, stars in his eyes as he looked at Wright. "That's amazing!"
"Uncle Wright! You're a good person!" Without hesitation, Luffy gave Wright a "good person card." Hearing this, Garp couldn't help but raise his fist again. "You brat! Wright's a good guy, does that mean I'm a bad guy?!"
This brat! Damn Wright! Do you believe I'll punch you too?!
"Hahaha, calm down, Garp. It's rare for you to be back. Don't yell at Luffy like that…" After being stunned for a while by Wright's abilities, the village chief finally reacted and quickly tried to calm Garp down.
"Makino? Come on in and serve some good liquor to Garp and the young ones…" The village chief waved for the tavern owner, then whispered to Garp, "Also, make sure to pay for Luffy's food. It's not easy for a young girl like Makino to run the tavern…"
"..." Now it was Garp who was rubbing his forehead.
"Let me tell you…" Wright pulled Luffy aside to a corner and quietly said, "Your grandfather's an impressive Marine, so he really hates pirates… and that Shanks guy is, unfortunately, a pirate…"
"If you don't want to get beaten, don't keep blabbering about becoming Pirate King in front of your grandfather… The previous Pirate King was also punched by your grandfather!"
"Wow! The Pirate King is so strong! He fought with Grandpa!"
No, Luffy, I think you misunderstood something… This logic, seriously?
Ignoring the sound of Bogard stifling a laugh, Wright muttered, "Your grandfather's got a bit of a bandit's nature. Back in the day, he knocked me out and forced me into the Marines by giving me a lieutenant's rank. Be careful, he might do the same to you and ship you off to a warship…"
A chill ran down Wright's spine, and before he could activate his Observation Haki, a massive fist slammed into him, sending him face-first into the ground.
"Damn Wright!"
Garp ground his teeth, rubbing the spot on his fist where Wright's head had been. How dare this brat insult me in front of my beloved grandson!
"If it weren't for the fact that you little punk wanted to join the Marines, you wouldn't have been so cocky saying something about how the East Blue's strongest Marine base commander couldn't even take one of your swords. Do you think I'd waste time beating you up?
"And don't get me started on the East Blue's so-called greatest Pirate Hunter… If you hadn't done things to my liking, and if my men hadn't reported you were considering joining the Marines, I wouldn't have wasted my vacation time looking for you! You think I bring anyone into the Marines?"
"Uh… You're right, sir…" Wright's voice came out weakly as Garp finally pulled back his fist.
"Luffy, don't listen to this troublemaker, Grandpa's actually very kind, ahhahaha!"
Bogard crouched down, pulling Wright's head out of the floor. "Lieutenant Wright, your careless words have cost a bit in flooring repairs…"
Wright was about to retort that it was Garp's fault, but Bogard's soft voice came through: "Bringing you into the Marines… back when you were in East Blue, your reputation already eclipsed all the Marines there. If Vice Admiral Garp didn't quickly recruit you, the East Blue branch would've lost face…"
Bogard's eyes flashed under the brim of his hat. "But you also had the intention, didn't you? I've been analyzing your information correctly, including your movements."
"..." Wright stared, dumbfounded. So all this time, the one behind it all was that big-eyed, bushy-browed guy, Bogard!
Damn, I just got beat up for nothing! That old man Garp sounded so righteous, I almost believed that stinky old man!
…
When Marines are on missions, they're not allowed to drink, but Garp, Bogard, and Wright couldn't resist the villagers' hospitality and had a few drinks—why are there so many villagers here?
When the village chief heard Wright's name, and combined it with Garp's remarks, he immediately recognized that this young Rear Admiral, dressed in a justice cloak, was none other than the infamous Pirate Hunter of East Blue,
"Dawn's Divine Doctor" Wright, who had struck fear into countless pirates and was revered by the people.
So once the village chief knew, it didn't take long for the whole village to find out.
Thus, Makino's tavern was packed with villagers—honestly, in East Blue, the common folk still thought of Wright more highly than the Marines, even years later.
Garp stared in shock as villagers came to thank Wright, realizing he had been absent for most of the years Wright was famous. When Luffy was born, Garp had brought Wright back to the headquarters instead… seeing it firsthand was far more impressive than reading it on paper.
"Garp! I never thought your young subordinate was the great benefactor of East Blue! Even though he's been out of the spotlight for years, we've all been reminiscing about him!" The drunken village chief slapped Garp's arm, "You better treat him well, or the villagers won't let you off the hook!"
"..." Garp scratched his head and grinned. "Of course! I've been mentoring him well… a young Rear Admiral like this is rare in the headquarters, hahaha…"
"Thank goodness I acted fast back then, or the entire East Blue Navy would've been a laughing stock!" Garp wiped a cold sweat off his brow and suddenly had a brilliant idea.
"Wright!" Garp called out. "Come here, come here. I've got a tough task for you! Only someone as outstanding as you can handle it!"
"Ah? Garp, you're not planning something bad, are you?" Wright said warily. Though he had drunk a bit, Wright's tolerance was legendary—he was still perfectly clear-headed.
"I plan to have Luffy move to another place to live. My other grandson is over there," Garp whispered.
"...And then?" Wright felt uneasy… another grandson? Heh…
"Then I'll go after that scoundrel Shanks! The people there have a bit… rougher way of educating kids, hmm…
"So, I need you to keep an eye on Luffy for me. Just a few months, before the World Conference starts, and then you can return to headquarters!"
"So… Garp, you want me to watch over a few kids? Not just one?"
"Exactly! You, being such a capable young man, I'm sure you can handle it. Hahaha!"
I don't believe you, you old bastard!
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