Chapter 4: Act 1 - Prologue

A/N

A lot came up so I couldn't update for a while.

Good news though, I have decided to give it more importance now and the fic would be receiving monthly updates here on out (I'll try my best). The chapter length may vary but hey, it's something right?

Special thanks to Fox & Archer for helping out with the fic as well as Murph and Maruf for beta.

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Disclaimer: I do not own One Piece or any of its characters.

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Chapter 4

Garp turned towards his second-in-command with a look of rage on his face, "How important is it that you had to come here despite me ordering you not to?"

The man visibly flinched as he somehow managed to stutter out, "S-Sir it-it's Fleet Admiral Sengoku on the line, he says it's important and to override your orders with his."

Garp scowled at that. He didn't have the time to waste but he had no option but to take the call.

"Both of you, out. I have to talk to him," Garp ordered in a serious tone.

He then turned to the den-den mushi in his hand and said, "Sengoku, what is he doing here?"

He heard his friend heave a sigh before he spoke, "They heard the whispers. You know what will happen, get all the marines out of there and to a safe distance. I do not have a say in this matter anymore."

"So that means the ships are nearby, aren't they? And so is CP9 if that damned bastard is here."

"Yes, now stop wasting time. This is an order Garp, take all the marines and withdraw from Ohara immediately."

"Is this the justice you follow, Sengoku? You have become nothing but a lapdog of theirs. Never thought I'd see this day," Garp said with a hint of disappointment as he cut the call.

On the other side of the door, Clover knew that something serious was happening so much so that the Fleet Admiral himself had called Garp. Was it related to the Poneglyph?

Clover didn't want to take any chances and immediately ran up to one of his colleagues and whispered to him, "Start gathering the most important books and order everyone to get ready to run. Something serious may have happened, I don't want to take any chances. Tell everyone."

The man nodded and scrambled off, relaying the message to those concerned. Everyone except for Robin was here, he had to find her quickly.

Just as he returned, the doors to the room opened and an angry Garp walked outside.

The marine turned to his second-in-command and said, "Order everyone to go back to the ship on the double. Our business here is done."

The man panicked at that urgent tone and took off to relay the orders.

Garp then turned to Clover and said, "Sengoku has ordered me to give a report on this. Don't worry, I will do what I can to prevent this secret."

It greatly pained him, having to lie like this and turning into the sort of person he despised but his arms were shackled at the moment. If he made a move now, he would undoubtedly be hunted. If he was alone, that wouldn't be an issue but right now, he had to look after his grandson who was still a kid. For him, Luffy was far more important than anything else in the world and he'd die before someone did something to the boy. Thus, with a heavy heart, he patted Clover's shoulder and walked out of the tree.

The green-haired man found the vice-admirals abrupt change of behavior quite odd. He decided that he wouldn't leave anything to chance and as soon as the marines would leave, he'd issue an order for everyone to run from the island. Far too much was at stake.

The moment Garp walked out into the sun, he quickly activated his Observation Haki to find Luffy. Thankfully, he didn't have to look longer as he sensed his grandson approaching his location quickly with the other person who he had been spending time with.

After a few minutes, when he saw Luffy and the other person, he was somewhat surprised to see that he had managed to befriend someone, and a girl at that! He looked at the dark-haired girl a little more closely, to see the tell-tale signs of a slight blush dusting her cheeks and the way she held his hand spoke volumes.

Robin was panting after the long run around the island while her friend didn't look winded at all. If anything, he kept bouncing here and there on the way to the tree. Seriously, how much energy did he have? As soon as they neared the entrance, their path forward was blocked by a tall marine. His eyes were shadowed but Robin felt his piercing gaze, which sent a shiver down her back. Thankfully, she was soon knocked out of it when Luffy screamed beside her.

"Jii-chan! I thought you left me on this island," he started while pouting, his face then turned into a full blown smile as he continued, "Look look, this is my best friend – Nico Robin!"

Robin inwardly sweated at that. Luffy did tell her that her grandfather was strong, but a marine and a high ranking one at that from the looks of his clothes? Definitely not what she was expecting.

"Nico Robin, eh? My name is Monkey D. Garp, thank you for looking after this idiot and being friends with him," Garp said as he fondly rubbed Luffy's head who shouted indignantly.

At that, her calm demeanor immediately shattered as soon as she realized that Luffy's grandfather was none other than the Hero of the Marines! This was a huge problem. She started sweating profusely, not knowing what to do.

Garp, on the other hand, knew her identity the moment Luffy introduced her. Moreover, her reaction confirmed what he needed to know.

"Luffy, why don't you head down to the ship? I think the cook has prepared some meat which he bought from the local market," Garp said.

'Woohoo!" Luffy shouted in joy. He was about to take off until he remembered an important detail, "I want to take Robin also with me, she'd love that food."

Garp smiled and said, "Don't worry, let me take permission from her parents and I will bring her. Alright? Don't get lost and go straight to the ship."

With an energetic nod and a smile at Robin, Luffy dashed towards the ship, intending to fill his growling stomach.

However, Robin did not match his energy at all. How could she after the sudden turn of events?

Garp then knelt down to match her height and spoke in a serious tone, "Nico Robin, I knew your mother Olivia and what she used to do. Be completely honest with me right now because if you don't, I won't be able to help you at all. Okay?"

Robin nodded her head. How he knew her mother was beyond her. She wanted to ask him but given the situation, now didn't seem to be the right time.

"Do you know how to read them?" he whispered.

Another nod. She knew what he was referring to, after all. She could've lied but seeing the situation in the village and the presence of the navy at the library gave her enough answers to what may have happened.

Garp sighed, looking like his worst fears had come to fruition.

"Listen, Luffy is a special kid. He is somehow always able to gauge a person's character instinctively and has a pure heart. The fact that he already opened up to you shows that he trusts you and cherishes you as a friend. I know that your mother has died and you don't have anyone, so for Luffy's sake, do as I tell you to right now. I will explain everything as soon as we're out of here. Can you trust me?" Garp asked in the gentlest tone he could muster. The Monkey D. clan had always had a weird air about them which attracted people and made them easily seem trustworthy and friendly. Thus, gathering friends and allies or even convincing people to do something for them was quite easy.

Robin was able to sense the urgency in his voice and couldn't find any hint of deceit but she was too torn to make a decision. On one hand, she had her family here in the group where they explored the forbidden knowledge and on the other, there was her first friend who she had sworn to be always by his side, instinctively. Normally, the choice would've been easy but now that she was at this crossroad, she had a foreboding feeling that if she stayed here, all would be lost but if she went with Luffy, there was hope at the end of the tunnel and away from the miserable life she led at this island. She had to make a choice, quickly. She took a deep breath in, closed her eyes and finally said the words that stabbed her heart multiple times as a tear slid down her eyes, "I trust you."

"Okay, now close your eyes and hang on tight. I need to get you out of here without anyone from the ship finding out," Garp said as he lifted her up.

He then muttered a single word, "Soru," and disappeared from the library as though he had never been there in the first place.

Very soon, Garp appeared inside his cabin on the ship where he dropped Robin.

"Stay here for a while and don't make any noise and stay hidden in case someone comes, though the chance of that happening is miniscule."

Even though Robin was confused, she nodded her head and went to sit in the darker part of the room where she was hidden from sight.

She watched as Garp walked out of the cabin and heard him bark orders for everyone to lift the sails and make haste from the harbor. Just what had happened that made the Hero so agitated? And where was Luffy? She grit her teeth since she had no choice but to wait for the answers. She could, however, watch what was going on.

Robin crossed her arms and an eye popped on the mast where she had a view of all that was going on on the ship. The crew was running all over the place, prepping the ship until the command to sail was given. The ship lurched as it slowly started pulling away from the harbor. The girl had to bite back her tears just when the realization started to hit her that she was leaving her island for good. She would no longer be able to discuss topics with the others, be alone whilst she read a book and soaked in anything new that she came across or feel that ocean wind again. On the flip side, she'd also be leaving behind all the abuse that came from her relatives, the kids and the other townsfolk. It was a bittersweet feeling, one that she'd hold onto, for now.

The ship started to gain speed, the island slowly becoming smaller in the distance. She was about to heave a sigh when something caught her attention. Alarms were ringing. Loudly. And the crew? Everyone started panicking save for the higher-ups. Only one name was uttered – Buster Call.

As she looked around, many marine ships bigger than the ones she had ever seen, started sailing towards the island. Bells were ringing on each and every one of them as soldiers scrambled around the deck, getting cannons ready.

Just then, Luffy burst out from somewhere and started looking around for Garp. The moment he found the older marine, he dashed towards him frantically screaming, "Jii-chan, where's Robin? You promised that you will bring her to eat with us. Why are we going so suddenly and why are there so many ships here?"

The vice-admiral turned towards the boy and said, "Luffy, go inside right now. We will talk about this later."

He didn't want him to witness what was going to happen shortly. Not at all. However, of all days, fate seemed to be cruel as the boy adopted a defiant look in his eyes which Garp knew all too well.

"No, I won't... ," Luffy started but was interrupted as the first cannon shot rang out from one of the nearby ships, temporarily deafening the kid.

Garp, on the other hand, had to get everything under control on the ship as everyone was too shocked by what was happening. He was about to go drop Luffy in his room when an idea started forming within the recesses of his mind. The idea was extremely brutal and something that no one, especially a five-year old should go through.

Further, it was a huge gamble but if his theory was proven to be correct, the pros would far outweigh the cons. Thus, with a heavy heart, he turned his attention to his men and started bringing order to the deck. He purposely had them sail away from the other ships in order to keep what may happen a secret while keeping a view of the island. Luffy had to witness this.

Meanwhile, Luffy was blissfully unaware of his grandfather's thoughts as his eyes were glued towards Ohara where the first cannon had fired.

Before he knew it, another shot was fired, and then another. His young mind was trying to come to terms with what was happening. Why? Why were the marines firing at the island? Everyone was so good. Robin! Just then, his face jerked and he turned to look at Garp with a serious face, "Jii-chan, Robin was on the island. Why didn't you bring her with us? Why are they firing where Robin lives? Don't marines catch pirates? So why are they killing normal people?"

Only to receive no answer in return as the marine kept staring ahead, refusing to meet his grandson's eyes. He had to see this through. This lesson would be invaluable and thus, he had to steel his heart regardless of how much this hurt him.

Luffy's emotions were all over the place. No matter how much he cried, begged or screamed at his grandpa, the shots kept ringing. As he watched, fire after fire started lighting up until they started growing larger with each shot. His heart ached even more than it did when he saw Robin crying. Earlier, he did something to help her but now, he couldn't do anything. He was far too weak. He knew that. Every time a shot rang, a piece of his heart broke and the anguish surrounding him started becoming deeper. He shouted, screamed but no one listened to him.

How could they? They themselves were frozen stiff seeing the sight and those that wanted to, were turned away by Garp.

All these emotions were starting to get too much for Luffy to handle.

Something started broiling deep within his gut.

Some screams and cries had managed to reach his ears when the cannons were reloading. This didn't help the boy at all. He could feel the anguish in their voices but he couldn't do anything.

The intense feeling was boiling.

The desperation in it pierced his heart and the thought of what would be happening to his best friend only made it worse. He heard her sniffles turning into tears.

The feeling was about to overflow.

He looked as the light left her eyes. He looked as her chest stopped heaving. He looked as her body went limp.

The feeling was forcing its way out.

He looked as she died.

The feeling burst open with a roar from deep within him.

At the same time, Garp blasted his own haki since he knew that Luffy's haki wouldn't be enough to knock out his men.

Everyone on the ship slowly started dropping from the sudden pressure that dropped on them with their mouths foaming. Power rolled off in waves from the young boy who had started heaving from the outburst.

This lasted for a few seconds before Luffy finally fainted. The pressure too disappeared as quickly as it appeared.

As Garp looked around, only he and the vice-commander were left standing. He turned to the other man and with the most serious face his subordinate had ever seen, Garp said, "This was my conqueror's haki that knocked out everyone. Is. That. Understood?" He punctuated every word so that the meaning was not lost.

The man got the message, nodded quickly, and swore never to reveal what happened to another soul. Afterall, an angry Garp was scarier than death itself.

The vice-admiral quickly picked up Luffy and dropped him at his cabin. Today was a good day after all. He was happy that his theory was proven to be correct and that he wouldn't have to worry about Luffy being weak as much as he did before. He would ensure that his boy would be strong enough to take care of himself, regardless of what life he may choose.

Garp knew that after the display today, the chances for Luffy to ever become a marine were almost zero. Moreover, after what he put the young boy through today, he would be damned if he made his grandson suffer more by forcing his choices on the kid. What he did today was inhumane, to say the least. He knew he would have to suffer with it for the rest of his life but he would never regret this decision. Not once.

Now, there was just one more thing that he needed to do for his grandson. Moreover, to ensure that Luffy learned from the best, he had to speak to him. This was something that couldn't be done anywhere except for that place.

"Wake everyone up, it's time we set sail for Marineford."