One Piece: It All Started When I Found Shanks' Arm

Chapter 56: King of the East Blue Pirates

"Besides emission and hardening, Armament Haki has many other applications, which I won't go into one by one. In short, while there are different levels of difficulty in learning the techniques, there is no inherent strength or weakness among them in actual combat."

Garp said in a deep voice, "Ultimately, no matter which technique you specialize in, you have to increase its strength! Strength is the foundation of Armament Haki, and it's the direction you should focus on improving!"

Shane had understood this principle long ago.

One force to break all techniques. It was just like when he had sparred with Kuina and Zoro...

Swish—

The canopy of a distant tree suddenly rustled, and birds took flight in alarm.

His thoughts interrupted, Shane followed the sound and looked up, just in time to see a figure in a coffee-colored, wide-brimmed hat descending from the sky using Moonwalk.

Bogard?

Shane recognized the man at a glance. He looked young, in his twenties or thirties, but he had been following Garp since before the God Valley incident. He was at least of the same generation as Akainu.

"Mr. Garp," Bogard said with a frown. "Vice Admiral Momonga has sent a communication. He says he has already driven the Buggy Pirates out of the East Blue and is currently docked at a nearby naval port. They are scheduled to depart for Marineford early tomorrow morning. We must leave immediately."

"Why the rush?" Garp picked his ear impatiently. "This old man has only been home for a few days. Can't I rest for another two?"

"But your leave of absence is about to expire. And don't forget, Vice Admiral, we hitched a ride on their ship this time. Your own warship is still under repair at Headquarters," Bogard said expressionlessly. "If we don't leave now, we'll have to swim through the Calm Belt ourselves tomorrow."

"...Uh." Garp froze.

Swimming through the Calm Belt wasn't particularly difficult for him, but it was genuinely tiring. How could it compare to lazing on the deck and sunbathing every day?

"Alright."

Garp reluctantly compromised. Just then, Luffy and Ace walked over. He reached out with his large hands and roughly ruffled his two grandsons' heads.

"This old man is leaving! Remember to listen to Dadan! The next time I come back, if you two don't look like prospective Marines, see how I deal with you!"

Who wants to be a Marine?! Luffy was about to protest but was stopped by a look from Ace—You idiot, he's about to leave, can't you just humor him?!

"Mr. Garp."

This time it was Shane who spoke, stopping Garp, who was about to turn away. He clenched his fist, feeling the faint aura of Armament Haki. "Aren't you going to explain?"

"What?" Garp looked at him blankly.

"I'm not a child. I'm not that easy to fool," Shane grinned. "I can understand you thinking highly of me, but we're not that close. It doesn't make sense for you to teach me something so valuable on our first meeting, does it?"

"Didn't you save Luffy from those bandits last year? Isn't it normal for this old man to repay that life-saving kindness on behalf of his grandson?" Garp raised an eyebrow.

"That was just a misunderstanding. I don't believe Luffy didn't explain it to you."

"...So I can't hide it after all?" Garp scratched the back of his head, a little frustrated.

"Alright, I'll tell you the truth. When there was a vacancy in the Seven Warlords, I was the one who first proposed to Sengoku to invite the Knight of the Sea, Jinbe, to join."

"Originally, I just thought that with Jinbe's character, having him fill the position was better than giving another pirate the right of legal plunder. But I didn't expect the subsequent mess of the Sun Pirates splitting up, Arlong starting his own crew, and running off to the East Blue."

"The Conomi Islands, several towns and villages suffered heavy casualties," Garp sighed deeply. "And if it weren't for a little monster like you in Cocoyasi Village, they probably would have met a grim fate as well. So, when I first saw your picture in the newspaper, I felt a sense of guilt in my heart. Meeting you in person, I felt even more ashamed."

"You don't have to be," Shane shook his head slightly. "The grudge with Arlong ends with Jinbe at most. It has nothing to do with you."

"But it's still hard to get over that hurdle in my heart. However, hearing you say that makes this old man feel a little better."

Garp suddenly grinned and clapped him on the shoulder. "Consider the Armament Haki my compensation to you. Continue to train hard, kid, and make yourself stronger! With your aptitude, one day, you'll be so strong that even long after you're gone, any ill-intentioned people will be scared off like stray dogs the moment they hear it's your hometown!"

You're strong enough, and your reputation is already terrifying. But when the bandit king Higuma rampaged through Foosha Village...

Shane couldn't help but scoff internally, but he didn't say it out loud. He stood with Luffy and Ace, watching as Garp and Bogard's figures gradually receded, disappearing at the edge of the forest.

"That was tough. The old geezer is finally gone!"

Luffy completely relaxed, lying on the grass and stretching comfortably. He suddenly remembered something and turned to Shane with a grin. "Hey, Big Bro Shane! We're heading back to Dadan's. Do you want to come with us? We can have a party to celebrate!"

"It'll be late at night by the time we get there, right? Manba and the others came with me this time. There are quite a few people; I'm afraid there won't be enough room."

"Don't worry, there are plenty of empty rooms! We can arrange it! Sabo's room has been empty. You can stay there tonight!"

Sabo's room?

Shane nodded and showed a genuine smile. "Alright."

At the pier.

Bogard, who was about to buy ferry tickets to the nearby naval port, looked at the yawning Garp and finally remembered what was wrong.

"Mr. Garp, where's your dog-head hat?"

"Hm?"

Garp was taken aback. He subconsciously reached for it, and sure enough, it was empty.

"That's strange..." The old man mumbled as he patted all four of his pockets. "I clearly remember picking it up after the fight and putting it in my pocket. Did it fall out again by accident?"

"Your absent-mindedness is really hard to change..." Bogard was speechless.

"You're only talking about me?" Garp glared at him, dissatisfied. "Are you any better? Let me ask you, where's your hat?"

"Isn't it right here on my head?"

Bogard didn't understand what Garp meant. He chuckled and reached for his head with his right hand, only to find nothing there. He was instantly dumbfounded.

Huh, where's my hat?!!

Could it be that the wind at the pier was strong and it blew away by accident?

"All good stuff."

Late at night, leaning against the headboard of Sabo's bed, Shane's face was flushed. He let out a long, satisfied burp after a full meal and looked contentedly at the system panel before him.

The stream of information scrolling past was a testament to his sweat and effort.

[You have sacrificed Garp's dog-head hat, gaining 4000 points.]

[You have sacrificed Bogard's wide-brimmed hat, gaining 200 points.]

[You have sacrificed Sabo's old greatcoat, gaining 150 points.]

[You have sacrificed Ace's adult magazine hidden under the bed, gaining 250 points.]

[You have sacrificed Dadan's cherished wine, gaining 50 points.]

[You have sacrificed Luffy's counterfeit straw hat, gaining 3000 points.]