Chapter 159: Garp's Worry
"Well... thank you all then!" Robin chuckled, having come to view this place as her home and Nami and the others as her family. She saw no need for modesty; she deserved to be the first.
Draining the cup of the Fountain of Life in one go, Robin's appearance did undergo a subtle shift, becoming even more radiant.
"Robin, you become even more beautiful!" Nami exclaimed, surprised. She hadn't anticipated the cup to have an aesthetic benefit.
"That's to be expected," Luo Ning explained. "The Fountain of Life rejuvenates the user, so a change in appearance is natural. Robin's body is now a treasure trove – even her blood and saliva hold immense potential."
After consuming the beverage, Robin essentially became a walking Fountain of Life. Similar to how the Tree of Life regenerates after being cut, Robin's blood and even saliva now possessed this ability.
"That incredible?" Robin herself was a touch bewildered, though the thought of utilizing her bodily fluids for such purposes never crossed her mind.
"Essentially, if Robin were to bleed now," Nami clarified, "a seed could be directly transformed into a tree, right?"
"Nearly," Luo Ning affirmed. "Don't underestimate the power of the Fountain of Life."
It's considered one of the most potent treasures in the world of the Seven Deadly Sins, and the setting itself is quite outlandish.
Initially hesitant to experiment, Robin eventually relented under Nami and the others' gentle but persistent persuasion. She pricked her finger, letting a single drop of blood fall onto the flowerbed.
Instantly, the barren flowerbed, normally dormant during this season, erupted in a vibrant display of blooms. This was the effect of a single drop.
Robin's body's blood production had become unbelievably efficient. Even if she were to hemorrhage from a severed aorta, her body would replenish the blood loss instantaneously. It bordered on being a game-breaking ability.
Nami and the others hadn't intended for Robin to bleed, but Robin herself found spitting or similar methods distasteful, hence the use of a single drop. Even that tiny amount produced such an astounding effect.
Now, Nami and the others eyed the cup in Luo Ning's hand with a mix of eagerness and trepidation. While Luo Ning assured them the cup could be retrieved with a compass if lost, he wasn't about to be careless with such a valuable item. Naturally, he had brought it with him.
A few days later, Luo Ning received a sudden communication from the Gates of Justice. The two Impel Down Gates of Justice were now under complete control, and anyone seeking entry would require authorization.
The reason for this notification was the high-profile nature of the incoming visitor.
"Garp, that old man should be here for Ace" Luo Ning acknowledged, fully understanding the reason for Garp's arrival. Impel Down routinely released information to the public regarding captured high-profile criminals.
The same held true for Ace. Upon learning of his capture, Garp rushed over without delay.
Luo Ning directly instructed for Garp's admittance. Garp, meanwhile, was a bundle of nerves.
"Long time no see, Garp," Luo Ning greeted the anxious Marine. "What brings you to my Impel Down?"
The old man wore his emotions on his sleeve, his current state a stark contrast to his usual demeanor.
"I'm here for Ace," Garp admitted helplessly. "I know the boy wouldn't do anything drastic. Can't you just let him go?"
He could confidently vouch for Ace's character. He knew the boy well.
"It's about Ace, Garp," Luo Ning said with a knowing smile. "But what happens if Ace's true identity is revealed?"
His words sent Garp into a frenzy.
"You... how did you find out?! Wait a minute, I'm the only one who knows! This isn't right, what are you talking about?"
For a moment, Garp was utterly confused, his speech jumbled with disbelief.
"Ace is Roger's son," Luo Ning revealed calmly. "I'm well aware of it. Honestly, Garp, I'm curious about how you raised him. Training him and Luffy alongside Marines in Marineford would've been a logical path. Marines are instilled with a strong moral compass."
Luo Ning couldn't comprehend Garp's logic. If he truly wanted his grandson to be a Marine, wouldn't Marineford have been the ideal training ground? Instead, he entrusted him to a mountain bandit – a decision that bordered on the absurd.
"How did you know?!" Garp roared. Before, he might have dismissed Luo Ning's words as empty taunts, but now, confronted with this direct confirmation, his world was thrown into disarray.
"While this is a secret," Luo Ning explained, "if you want people to find out, all it takes is a single action on your part. There's always a chance the truth will be revealed.
"Ace is currently here in Impel Down. Knowing he wouldn't commit serious offenses, I opted against imprisonment. Instead, I made him a jailer, effectively restricting his freedom.
"His activities are confined to Impel Down; he cannot leave. This has undoubtedly extinguished his dream of becoming a pirate. After ten or twenty years of complete acclimation to this role, with his pirate dreams a distant memory, I'll even promote him. Consider it a stable job.
"You're aware of the throngs clamoring to enter Impel Down. There simply aren't enough spots. You should thank me, really. I've helped curb Ace's pirate aspirations."
Luo Ning saw no harm in manipulating Ace slightly, considering the boy's pirate ambitions. As for Ace's comrades, Luo Ning also made them jailers. They were a small group, and keeping them occupied wasn't a problem as long as they didn't cause trouble.
"That's perfect!" Garp's eyes gleamed. The prospect of Ace and his companions becoming pirates had always gnawed at him. Being a Marine himself, the thought of his grandson on the opposing side was unbearable. He couldn't imagine a day where he'd be forced to kill his own kin. The only solution was to prevent them from becoming pirates altogether.
However, Garp had no interest in raising children, leaving their upbringing to others. By the time he realized his mistake, it was too late. Luo Ning's solution effectively severed that path, alleviating Garp's constant worry.