15 Chapter 15 - Onward to Marineford

The day after Terumi and Garp sailed away from Cozia with several boats full of civilians in tow, they reached Dawn Island.

The former Cozians were relocated using Garp's ties to the royalty of the Goa Kingdom, allowing them to form a resettlement zone near Foosha village. Materials for construction were paid for out of Garp's pocket.

As Terumi laid on the ship exhausted from all the running around he did the day before, he stared off into the sky.

'That was harder than I thought. Not the physical work, but the calming of the civilians. I'm sure I'll see more misery and suffering in my journey, I can't let it get to me.'

A few moments later, Garp came walking over, his tall figure casting a shadow over Terumi.

"Everything's done, Garp-san?"

"Yeah, although a little shaken up still, they'll be fine. You did good yesterday kid. Remember, this is part of the job."

Terumi sighed as he closed his eyes.

"I know. Garp-san, I have a question."

Garp raised an eyebrow as he sat down next to Terumi.

"Garp-san, why didn't you stop them?"

Garp sighed as he stared into the sky as well, a few seconds later, he began to speak.

"The Marine Hero, what a ridiculous title. But, it's the title that I bear, a title that has weight and meaning to it. I must stand as a symbol that the Marines will not fall, we cannot. Even the geezers within the world government understood this. If the public ever lost trust in the Marines, there will only be more chaos and destruction. This is the era of Pirates, we cannot allow ourselves to show any weakness."

Terumi furrowed his brow and then sat up next to Garp.

"Is there really nothing we can do?"

Garp turned to look at Terumi and then patted him on the shoulder.

"We can help people. Just like we did yesterday and today, and just like we will tomorrow and the day after."

"...I understand, Garp-san. Though I hope that one day, things won't have to be this way."

"There will always be strife kid. Take down one pirate and another one springs up. All we can do with the time given to us is to try to inspire those who will keep it going after we're done."

Garp then stood up and walked off into the ship's cabin.

Terumi laid by down, closing his eyes.

'I understand what you're trying to tell me Garp, but I can't accept that the status quo of the world government can't be changed. For now, there's nothing I can do, but I know there are other Marines who follow the doctrine of moral justice. As I get stronger, I have to find allies who will join me.'

Terumi then got up, shaking away useless thoughts as he focused on his daily duties around the ship.

Settling all affairs, Garp then issued the command to set sail for Marineford.

...

A week later, Garp's ship approached Enies Lobby as the currents started getting wilder and wilder. Soon, the ship had successfully entered the Tarai current.

Garp sat on the deck eating rice crackers as he relaxed about. Terumi was standing with Bogard, as he explained to Terumi the surroundings.

"That is Enies Lobby. What lays before you is one of the three Gates of Justice. It is what allows us to exit the Tarai current, without it we would be stuck here forever."

Terumi arched his head back and looked up at the ginormous structure in front of him. The gate reached high into the sky, its size almost unfathomable.

'So this is the headquarters of CP9. I remember seeing how the gate's size dwarfed ships in comparison, but this is just ridiculous, it's as tall as a mountain.'

"From here we'll just ride the current to Impel Down, and then Marineford. You might think this is rather a roundabout way, but actually, if we were to sail normally from here to Marineford, it would take at least another four to five days at least. On this current, however, we will be at Marineford within the hour. A full round trip only takes about an hour and a half."

Terumi marveled at the speed they were traveling at. It wasn't before long that they passed Impel Down, and arrived at Marineford.

"We're here."

As Bogard spoke, they swiftly approached the gate in front of them. The gate creaked open, allowing a torrent of water to be sucked in as the ship rode its momentum through the gate.

"Welcome to Marineford."

Terumi gazed almost shellshocked at the enormous manmade island in front of him. It was shaped like a huge crescent moon and had many naval ships docked in the bay. Immediately what caught his eye was the huge Marineford Tower, and the fortress it sat on top of.

Garp stood up, still munching on rice crackers as he spoke.

"Bwahahaha, pick up your jaw kid. It's still too early to be surprised. Wait till you see the inside."

'I can't believe I'm seeing it with my very own eyes. I really am in the One Piece world, aren't I? Sometimes I forget since I've gotten used to living here.'

The majesty of Marineford didn't wear off as the ship docked. Garp's marines lined up to salute him as he exited the vessel, with Bogard and Terumi in tow.

As they exited, several Marines working at the dock saluted Garp with respect in their eyes. They eyed Terumi curiously, seeing him walk right behind the Marine Hero.

"Alright, Bogard, take care of the men. Terumi, come with me."

"Yes sir!"

"Yes, sir."

Garp and Terumi exited the bay and entered Marineford town, where the various residents and families of Marine soldiers lived. Garp's house was also located here in a large lot on the east side.

As they walked straight down the middle, countless Marines recognized Garp and saluted as he walked by. The two continued until they reached a long series of stairs leading up to the headquarters' fortress. They quickly made their way up the stairs, as Garp explains the layout of Marineford.

"From here, you can see the surrounding town clearly. Most of the people who live here are either high-ranking Marines or families of said Marines. As a trainee, you will be living in the dormitory within the fortress itself."

Terumi nodded as he started looking around, taking in the sights. Soon, the duo reached the top of the stairs and entered the giant fortress.

The first thing that entered Terumi's eyes were many many Marines doing laps around a large training field. The entire first floor of the fortress that surrounded the Marineford Tower was a huge training ground spanning the size of a large town.

"This is where all Marines on the grand line get trained up. I have a personal training ground on the east side as well within a small estate. I usually stay there rather than my own place, Wahahaha."

Garp didn't dally as he continue forth into the Marineford Tower, all the way to the top, to the Fleet-Admiral's office.

As soon as the duo arrived, Garp didn't knock as he slammed the door open.

Terumi respectfully stayed standing outside, but what he saw within the room, was a pissed-off Sengoku.

"Garp! How many times do I have to tell you to knock!?"

"Huh? Why would I bother doing that?"

Garp sat down on a large sofa and pulled out a bag of rice crackers. He started snacking as he completely ignored Sengoku's chastising. Terumi simply stood at attention, watching the scene unfold before him.

"Haa, whatever. Anyway, Garp, how did it go? Where's your report?"

"What report?"

Three angry stress marks appeared on Sengoku's forehead as he slammed his hand down on his desk.

"What do you mean 'what report,' what did you do to cause the elders to give me an order to call you back!?"

"I didn't do anything, other than taught some scum manners. You should ask that Germa bastard instead."

"Tsk, the Germa Kingdom is of no consequence. They've never had this kind of sway before. Someone else must be lending them a hand. Haa. This is going to mean more paperwork."

"Sounds tough, maybe we should retire?"

"Dream on. As if I'd let you retire."

Sengoku sighed as he slumped back down in his chair. He then noticed the young man standing at attention outside of the room.

"Haa. Terumi, right? You may enter."

"Yes, sir."

Terumi entered, standing formally in the middle of the room. Sengoku took out a sheet of paper from within his drawer.

"Garp has told me about you. He wants me to enroll you in the elite camp, although you are rather young, I can make an exception based on his recommendation."

Terumi nodded excitedly, ready to start his training.

"But first, tell me. Why do you want to join the Marines?"

Terumi thought carefully with a pondering expression on his face, he knew this question would come up so he had already prepared an answer.

"I want to get stronger, claim the title of world's best swordsman, and protect innocent people."

'What Sengoku values in a Marine are strength and morals. Although his hands are tied by the world government, I know he's not a bad person. Just remembering how he turned into a rice cracker munching geezer after he retired makes me chuckle.'

Sengoku nodded as if expecting this answer.

"Kenzaki Terumi, is that right? Just to make sure, your grandfather is..."

"Kenzaki Keisuke."

Sengoku nodded again, this time with a grin.

"Alright, I'll approve Garp's request to have you join the elite camp. There, you will be personally trained by instructor Zephyr. I'll look forward to your development."

"Thank you, sir!"

Sengoku smiled as Garp had a smirk on his face. Sengoku then took out a transponder snail and called someone in.

"It's me, I need you to come and take a new recruit to the elite camp."

Sengoku gave his order and then hung up. Garp then patted the sofa next to him and beckoned Terumi.

"Come sit kid, relax a bit. I won't share any rice crackers though, Bwahahaha!"

"Garp, just what do you take my office for?"

"My resting area?"

Several stress marks appeared on Sengoku's forehead, but he sighed tiredly and gave up speaking. Terumi went over and sat down to wait for his escort.

A few minutes later, a large dark-skinned man with bulky long arms and topknot hair entered the office.

"Sir! Commodore Shuzo, reporting for duty."

Sengoku nodded and pointed to Terumi.

"This is Terumi, our new recruit. Take him to the elite camp dormitory and introduce him to Zephyr. Tell him I'll have a report sent over to him today."

"Yes, sir!"

Shuzo looked at Terumi as Terumi stood up in attention.

"Come with me, recruit."

Terumi saluted Shuzo and then followed him.

'Shuzo huh, I guess it's not that big of a surprise, he was one of Zephyr's most loyal students. I wonder who I'll meet at this camp? Judging by the timeline I have a few ideas but I'm not entirely sure.'

As Terumi followed Shuzo a smirk rose to his face.

'Time to make a name for myself, I don't know what the process is for getting taught all of the Rokushiki, so all I can do is stand out to Zephyr so he will train me in them.'

'This will be fun'