15 Chapter 15: The night is dark and full of terrors

While Rick was cleaning and preparing a room for Tsuru on the ship, thinking he duped three of the greatest heroes of the marines.

The three greatest heroes in question were having a serious conversation.

~~~~~~

Garp and Sengoku had woken up. Tsuru made a new port of hot tea and brought another batch of cookies.

"Garp, How much of what the kid said is true?" asked Sengoku.

Garp let out a sigh.

"All of it."

"Really?" Sengoku was surprised for good this time.

He was not faking it like he did most of the time while Rick talked.

"Yeah".

"The battle with the pirate crew and even the meeting with Rayleigh?"

"Kaza formed a team to investigate what happened and with the hostages' testimonies, she confirmed that Rick told the truth. As for meeting the Dark King… Probably true too, the kid's not one to lie."

Tsuru interjected.

"He did lie to you about his age."

"His life was on the line, he was desperate. He had just spent 18 months in the wild surviving after all. Other than this time, he never exaggerated or hid anything, not the part where he was mad at me or anything else, even when in trouble."

Sengoku nodded.

"What you're saying does make sense. "

" He did twist the truth a bit though. Not with his words but in the way he told them."

"What do you mean?"

" Remember the part where he said he didn't want me to train him again?"

Both his friends noded.

" Well, the way he said it, you both thought that I severely abused him somehow."

"You didn't ?"

"Of course not, he's just a kid !"

"By the way what's your training anyway?"

"Oh? Well, I beat him up."

""WHAT?""

"I'M HOLDING BACK! JESUS! As I said he's just a kid! I only used the amount of strength he can handle! And it's working, at first he was all defensive! But now he has started to fight back!"

"You and your way of teaching…" commented Sengoku.

Tsuru's comment was more on track with the conversation.

"So, he used a specific tone to relate the truth in a way to get you into trouble for some pay back… That's smart."

"Yeah it is. I'm still pissed off that he did though!" said Garp with a frown, clearly not happy about that.

"Well, from what I understand, for beating him up constantly you deserved it. Couldn't do it himself so he tricked someone else to do it."

"As Tsuru said. The kid is smart." shrugged Garp.

"What a peculiar kid," said Tsuru, pensive.

Sengoku laughed

"The way he looked at you after you moped the floor with Garp was truly a sight to behold. I think you won an eternal dying fan Tsuru. Or should I say husband? He looked at you the same way when he proposed." he said with a smirk.

"Yeah, those both times were the most genuine he ever was during the conversation. By the way, I didn't know you were a cradle robber Tsuru." said Garp in a teasing tone.

Teasing tone that disappeared immediately with one cold glare from her.

"Anyway, Garp, why did you introduce that kid to us?"

"The kid is strong, he has great potential, and his devil fruit's power may be on par with Whitebeard's. With the new Pirate Age that Roger created, the marine could use someone like him. He's honest and his heart is in the right place."

Sengoku raised one eyebrow at his last comment.

"He did kill 4 pirates in a gruesome way."

"I know what you're thinking, I thought the same, so I asked him. The kid said that he was angry and disappointed with himself. Said that he was weak, because someone strong would just have knocked out the pirates and captured them. That since he was injured he didn't have any other way to ensure the safety of the hostages.

The first one, his survival instinct kicked in, as he was about to get killed.

For the captain, he was on the verge of collapsing so he acted quick. He did admit that he was angry and disgusted at the man but said he didn't like being a judge and executioner and that nobody should be allowed to be both.

He was very chagrined about his failure, and I quote " I have the most amazing power, to subdue any one in the word and yet I couldn't do it. He's been training even harder ever since.

I'm telling you Sengoku he's really a good kid."

Tsuru and Sengoku pondered about what Garp just said.

Finally the man spoke up.

"From what I understand, you brought him to us so we can give you our thoughts about him...What I don't understand is why."

Garp looked at the floor and took a deep breath.

"I… I already screwed up my kid's education. To the point he went and created a movement working against the world government. I didn't want to make the same mistake again."

"So you hoped we could help?" said Tsuru

Garp nodded.

"Well, good thinking I had to post Tsuru with you!" said Sengoku with a chuckle.

" On a more serious note Garp, I think you're right. Trained well, the kid could be one of the best assets of the marines. And even though I'm sending you Tsuru, to watch over him because I'm a bit worried, from what I saw and heard, his moral compass is in the right direction."

Garp seemed pleased with Sengoku decisions. After his failure with Dragon he was not sure he could raise Rick properly.

He was ready to get rid of him permanently if the kid showed any sign of going against the world government, despite the great attachment he had to him. That's why he asked his best friends for help, they were always there to correct any mistakes he made.

" Garp from now on you'll stay on patrol in paradise. Let the kid gain some experience fighting pirates.Tsuru I don't think I need to say it, but I'm counting on you to keep this idiot in line. And if you could teach a thing or two to Kaza about how to handle him I'd be grateful."

"HEY!"

Tsuru and Sengoku had a good laugh.

"And Garp ?"

"What?"

"Bring the kid back from time to time."

"Why?"

" 'Cause I like him, he's adorable and fun to have around!"

Garp rolled his eyes and Tsuru nodded.

'Cute.'

~~~~~~

On the way to the ship Garp and Tsuru were walking in silence.

Silence that surprisingly Tsuru broke.

"Garp, let it go."

"What?"

"You're still pissed at the kid, I can tell. Just let it go."

Garp didn't say anything more nor did Tsuru.

~~~~~~

A month went by since Vice-Admiral Tsuru joined the crew. She mostly ignored the men (and women) working on the ship.

She spent her days overseeing Garp training Rick and her evening teaching Kaza how to deal with Garp, for which the young captain was more than elated.

All were not all roses though.

Everyone could feel that Garp and Rick's relationship was somehow strained ever since they left Marineford.

'Damn old man! How long will you hold a grudge?'

Yes, Garp was still pissed at Rick for the trick he pulled on him.

He did go a bit harder on him during training. Not as much,as Tsuru was keeping an eye on him. So he chose to be dismissive or sometimes ignored him.

Rick had an idea and went to Kaza for help.

"Captain, I need your help."

"What do you need me for?"

"It's been a month and he's still mad at me. I have an idea to fix the situation but I can't do it alone.

"I'm listening."

Rick told her about his idea.

"That's a great plan! Count me in!"

~~~~~~

They've been stationed on a small island for a few days. They were celebrating the coming of the new spring with a festival.

Coincidently it was also Garp's birthday, so he gave everyone a day off.

Rick and Kaza were counting on that.

The former followed Garp everywhere and tried to bond with him but Garp's attitude towards him didn't change.

They finally came to a crowded area, where people were watching some kind of street show.

Rick was too small to see anything but saw the opportunity.

He sent a signal to Kaza who was tailing them and nodded back, meaning she was ready.

"Grandpa I can't see! Can I get on your shoulders?"

He never called Garp Grandpa in public, only when the two were alone. But since they were off duty today, he called him that way.

Rick didn't wait for an answer and just climbed on his back.

Once in position, Kaza acted.

"Sir! Smile for the camera!"

Garp turned around to see what she was about and saw her take a picture. He didn't pay any mind and went back to watching the performance.

Kaza signaled Rick the success of the mission with a thumbs up.

He nodded. Now the second part of the plan.

He thanked Garp and climbed down so he could regroup with Kaza. They had somewhere to be now.

~~~~~~

Everyone was back to the ship.

The festival was over but the party was not! It wasn't everyday that all the crew got a day off. They danced, drank, ate and laughed a lot.

Finally it was time to give presents.

All the crew put a bit of money together to offer Garp a new marine coat.

The coat was special though, it had a hood shaped as a dog head. A symbol meaning that Garp was the faithful guardian of the marines

More than 20 years later, Garp was still wearing it and never used another.

It was Rick's turned. Kaza motion to go ahead.

He came close to Garp and handed him a small box.

"Here grandpa, your present."

Garp looked at the kid then at Rick.

"Oh! What is it? A poisonous bug?"

He made no move to take the box and just said:

"Sorry kid, don't want it. Don't wanna get tricked again."

' Seriously? Did I went too far with my payback ?'

"I.. I see." said Rick with a stutter and a dejected look.

'Ha! You just doomed yourself Old man!'

For the party the Deck was transfigured. They put tables in a circle so everyone could see everyone during the feast.

He put the present on the table in front of Garp and went back not to his seat but inside the ship.

Silence was reigning. You could hear a pin drop.

Tsuru was about to reprimand Garp when Kaza acted.

The moment Garp told off Rick, her body started to shake. She was doing her best to restrain herself. She didn't want Rick to see what she was about to do. Once he was back inside?

She exploded ! She was shading tears of pure rage and went to yell at her superior.

" SIR! HOW HEARTLESS CAN YOU BE?"

Garp's eyes were as big as saucers. He never saw Kaza act like that. Never.

She took the small box and tore it open and tok what was inside.

"HERE! IT'S A NECKLACE WITH A LOCKET. INSIDE YOU WILL FIND A SMALL PICTURE AND SOME CARVED WORDS."

As she was saying it, she opened it and slammed it on the table right under Garp's nose.

" RICK PLANED IT FOR WEEKS! HE USED EVERY SINGLE BELLY HE EARNED SINCE HE JOINED US TO BUY IT AND HAVE SOMEONE CARVE IT. NOW IF YOU'LL EXCUSE ME, I'M GOING BACK TO MY QUARTERS. I'M DONE WATCHING YOU ACT LIKE A BASTARD, SIR!"

One she was done talking she rushed inside the ship.

Nobody said anything. They couldn't.

Garp extended his hand and took the necklace in it.

There was a picture of him with Rick on his shoulders. Under it was a small carving " My grandson and I."

A tear rolled down his cheek.

" I really fucked up by acting like a mean bastard, didn't I?"

He looked up to meet the disapproving glares of his crew.

In harmony, in one unique voice, they all answered :

""""" YES! """""

He looked back down at the locket. Brushed the words with his thumb.

Tears were flowing freely now.

"I'm sorry."

"Then you better apologize to him in the morning." said Tsuru.

Without any other words, the marines stood up and either went back inside to sleep or went on the other side of the ship to do their night guard's duty.

Garp raised his head, looked at the beautiful full moon in the starry night sky and got lost in his thoughts.

Tears, still falling.