Chapter 5: Immersed in Duty

East Blue, Foosha Village...

Nestled in the East Blue, known as the weakest sea, lies Foosha Village, the humble birthplace of the renowned naval hero, Garp.

However, on this particular day, Garp did not grace his hometown as a celebrated hero. Instead, he found himself at the foot of Mt. Colubo, just outside Foosha Village...

"Boom! Boom! Boom!"

Garp's mighty fist struck the wooden door, causing it to groan under the force...

"Who in blazes is poundin' on my door like a madman? Don't ya know whose turf you're disruptin'? You better have a damn good reason..." Dadan's gruff voice trailed off as she swung the door open, a cigarette dangling from her lips. Her expression twisted in surprise as she beheld the unexpected visitor...

"Yo" Garp greeted with a grin, raising his hand in a casual wave...

"G-Garp?!!!" Dadan's jaw dropped in disbelief as she staggered backward...

"Why?!!!" echoed the shocked voices from within the house. The Dadan family was petrified at the sight of the legendary naval hero standing before them...

"It's been a while, Dadan. You're as lively as ever," Garp remarked, though in Dadan's eyes, his smile seemed more menacing than friendly...

"Ga-Garp, I swear, I ain't done nothin' wrong this time!" Dadan blurted out, tears welling in her eyes...

"I'm not here to arrest you today," Garp reassured her, tapping his nose knowingly...

"R-really? Then why...?" Dadan ventured cautiously...

"I'm entrusting this kid to you. Raise him well," Garp declared, revealing the young boy, Ace, hidden in his arms...

"What?!!!" Dadan's mind reeled in confusion. The notorious bandit, tasked with raising a child? It seemed like a ludicrous jest...

"Any objections?" Garp's expression darkened, a sinister undertone creeping into his smile...

"N-no, none at all! Leave it to me!" Dadan hastily acquiesced, bowing deeply...

Meanwhile, Ace cast a gaze upon Dadan, the rotund, orange-haired woman before him, his emotions tumultuous...

Dadan, the woman who had nurtured Ace for seventeen years and Luffy for ten, held a pivotal role in their lives...

In the original tale, upon learning of Ace's demise, Dadan, despite her fear of Garp, unleashed her fury upon him, revealing the depth of her love beneath her gruff exterior...

"Consider it done," Garp declared before vanishing behind the closed door...

"...."

As Dadan took Ace into her care, a sigh escaped her lips. But as she met Ace's gaze, a newfound sensation stirred within her, tugging at her heartstrings...

"Boss, do we really have to take in this kid?" a bandit cautiously queried from behind...

"Ahem! What choice do we have? It's the naval hero Garp's decree," Dadan responded, her resolve firming as she accepted her unexpected charge...

After regaining consciousness, Dadan cleared her throat, deliberately masking the emotions that had stirred within her moments ago.

"Do you really want to end up in Garp's clutches?" Dadan's tone was somber, casting a shadow over the room.

The bandits shook their heads vehemently. The mere thought of facing someone who had captured and executed the Pirate King sent shivers down their spines. The consequences would be dire, akin to crushing a mere chicken.

"We've got no choice but to take in this kid," Dadan sighed, resignation heavy in her voice.

"Boss, why do you look like you're smiling?" one of the younger bandits ventured cautiously.

"Smiling? Me? Don't be ridiculous! Taking care of this brat is nothing short of a nightmare!" Dadan retorted, her frustration evident.

Suddenly, a rumbling sound interrupted their conversation, drawing Dadan's attention to Ace in her arms...

"This... this is hunger?" Dadan muttered, caught off guard by the infant's needs.

What could a baby possibly eat? Milk? In a bandit's den? It seemed improbable. Yet, Ace's gaze was fixed on the roasted meat sizzling on the oven, his hunger evident...

From Baterilla Island to Foosha Village, Ace had subsisted solely on water, a testament to the harsh treatment under Garp's care. Thankfully, Ace possessed the Combat Turtle Breath Method, allowing him to sustain himself without food.

But now, hunger gnawed at Ace's stomach, his eyes locked on the tantalizing barbecue before him...

"You... you want to eat barbecue?" Dadan stuttered, uncertain.

Could a baby even digest such food? But faced with Ace's persistent gaze, and lacking any milk, Dadan relented, leading him to the oven...

What transpired next left Dadan dumbfounded. Ace devoured the roasted meat as if possessed, his appetite voracious, consuming an entire antelope's worth.

Soon, Ace's belly ballooned, a sight that sent panic coursing through Dadan. If the child overindulged and fell ill on his first day, it could spell disaster for her with Garp.

But as quickly as Ace had swollen, he began to shrink, his body reverting to normal proportions in a matter of moments.

And then, something miraculous happened. Ace began to grow, his physique visibly transforming before their eyes...

"Your comprehension is astounding. Through your first meal, you've understood Complete Absorbption ,".

"Complete Absorption: Capable of rapidly assimilating 100% of the nutrients from food,".

"Your body has been enhanced,".