Truly My Grandson

Chapter 183: Truly My Grandson

After Garp finished scolding Luffy and mentioned something, he left. Regarding Sengoku's inquiry, he asked out of formality and didn't care much about the matter. The World Government's reputation could suffer; however, it wasn't his concern. It wasn't as if he could eat their prestige.

He gave Sengoku a call and, as expected, received a barrage of insults. Garp wasn't afraid of Sengoku's scolding. Sengoku had no means to control him. In the end, Sengoku could only ask him for an explanation, or else he shouldn't bother returning.

Garp had no choice but to stay in the Holyland Mariejois for a few days.

With the help of Iceburg, Franky, and several top shipwrights from Dock 1, the newly constructed Going Merry was finally completed.

The ship's hull had been expanded significantly, incorporating designs from both Iceburg and Franky. The new Going Merry was larger and more functional than the original. There was even a cannon-like apparatus mounted on the stern.

On the day the new Going Merry set sail, the Straw Hat Pirates celebrated on their new ship.

They were ready to embark on their journey with the newly rebuilt Going Merry.

Thanks to Franky's involvement, the Going Merry retained its original appearance, but the rest of the ship had been significantly upgraded. The crew was back to their usual selves, with the addition of Franky, who had already achieved his dream ship and was now content to watch this ship sail to the ends of the world.

So, he chose to join the Straw Hat Pirates, a group of true-hearted individuals. Leaving Mary Geoise behind, Franky's dream house, he decided to roam the turbulent seas.

Boom!

Suddenly, a cannonball shot toward the Going Merry, causing an explosion nearby.

Everyone turned their attention to the incoming threat. A Marine warship approached, and standing on its distinctive dog-headed figurehead was Garp, holding a megaphone.

"Hey! Luffy! Can you hear me? I'm your grandfather! I'm your grandfather! Respond!"

"Grandfather? What are you doing? You're not here to capture us, are you? Didn't you say you wouldn't arrest us here?" Luffy shouted in confusion.

"I did say that, but due to various events, I'm sorry, but I'll have to send you all to the depths of the sea! But this time, I'll take care of you myself! Bring me the cannonballs!"

It was easier to aim with one person...

A Marine struggled to bring a cannonball over, and Garp took it as if it were a baseball. He weighed it in his hand and then...

"Fist Bone Meteor!"

He effortlessly threw the "baseball" he held.

Boom!

The cannonball exploded not far from the ship's side, propelling the Going Merry a considerable distance away from Mariejois' waters and closer to Thriller Bark Island. Those on the ship were stunned.

"He threw a cannonball without using a cannon?!"

"Is this stronger than a cannon?!"

Sanji commented, cigarette in hand, "This isn't baseball; it's even more powerful than a cannon! Luffy, is your grandfather a monster?!"

"How should I know? He used to beat me up all the time when I was a kid! Hurry, set sail! Otherwise, he'll kill us!" Luffy gulped, feeling terrified.

Rodney watched silently. This move was oddly familiar. The last time he encountered it was in the East Blue when his small boat was destroyed.

Such a small boat was easily destroyed, but this huge ship couldn't even hit? Was Garp joking?

"Haha, let's have more cannonballs! I'll start with a thousand," Garp stood on the warship's bow, laughing heartily. He removed his Justice Coat and his white suit jacket, revealing a blue shirt underneath. His physique was still strong, far from that of an ordinary man in his seventies or eighties. He looked even more powerful than some young men.

"Ah, Garp's Meteor Shower Fist? Luffy, if you don't run now, our new Going Merry will turn into scrap metal. I don't mind, but what about the rest of you?"

Rodney looked up as cannonballs were launched from the Marine ship, this time with perfect accuracy.

Luffy took a deep breath, his body swelling as he blocked the cannonballs, and Sanji provided a push from behind to send them back.

"Full speed ahead! We'll intercept the cannonballs!"

"Rodney, go help too! Consider it payment for your free stay with us these past few days!" Nami, true to her nature, initially offered free accommodation but now demanded payment.

"Alright, alright! I'll give you a lift!" Rodney scratched his head, surprised at being treated like a laborer.

"Water Release: Water Formation Wall!"

A sudden surge of water formed a protective barrier that intercepted the incoming cannonballs.

"Amazing!"

"Is this his ability?"

Garp saw his cannonballs blocked by the wall of water and shouted, "Hey, Rodney, don't interfere! Or else I'll beat you to a pulp!"

Rodney recalled Garp's fists and shivered but didn't back down. "Garp, let's catch up first! We can settle this later!"

"You brat! Fist Bone Meteor!"

Another cannonball flew towards them, this time with no deviation.

Indeed, are you playing baseball at sea, Garp?

Rodney's arm was covered with Haki, and he caught the cannonball and then threw it back.

His preparation was spot-on; all the shurikens hit the incoming cannonballs.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

A series of explosions lit up the sky, providing a show for the Straw Hat Pirates.

"Shuriken Shadow Clone Technique!"

A shuriken turned into countless shurikens in the sky, creating a rain of projectiles that collided with the cannonballs, setting off a spectacular display of explosions.

"Hey! Don't just stand there! If we keep this up, my grandfather will use his ultimate move!" Rodney shouted to the people watching the spectacle behind him.

"Alright, believe in Franky's words. Raise the sails!"

"Raise the sails? Won't we lose power without them? We'll be caught up too quickly," Chopper asked in confusion.

"No way! I specifically prepared a secret weapon for this ship, super~"

Franky struck a strange pose, forming a pentagon with his arms, and the blue pentagon symbols on his forearms aligned to create a complete pentagon. The sea breeze howled, and Robin couldn't help but think, "As expected, this guy is a freak..."

"Everyone, trust Franky's words and raise the sails." Luffy had to trust Franky's words this time. Though Franky was new to the crew, he was intimately familiar with the new Going Merry he had built.

Inspired by Luffy's decision, the crew acted accordingly, leaving the responsibility of blocking the cannonballs to Rodney.

"Young punk, don't get too cocky!"

Garp laughed heartily, and he began to swing the massive iron ball, the size of a small hill, attached to a chain. The ball descended like a mountain, blotting out the sky.

"Take that! Your demise is sealed!"

"I don't want to die yet!"

"Jet Thruster!"

The Going Merry suddenly soared into the air, evading the iron ball as it descended. Garp watched, impressed.

"This is indeed my grandson! Kyahahaha!"

His smile was filled with pride.