One Piece: The warrior of Justice

The calm waters of the Calm Belt shimmered under the sun as a Marine ship slowly crossed into the East Blue through a direct route. Vice Admiral Garp, the Hero of the Navy, lay sprawled on a deck chair, his iconic dog hat pulled low over his eyes as he napped in the warm sunlight. The ship's crew bustled about, careful not to disturb their vice admiral.

Nearby, Rear Admiral Gion, known as "Momousagi," was engaged in an intense workout. Her precise movements, clad in her standard Navy uniform, captivated some of the lower-ranking Marines who stole glances at her with undisguised admiration. Gion, however, ignored them, well accustomed to such attention. Her focus was solely on her training.

Suddenly, Bogart, Garp's ever-reliable right hand, approached. He carried a Den Den Mushi, its eyes narrowed in urgency. "Vice Admiral Garp," Bogart called, his voice firm. "It's a call from Fleet Admiral Sengoku."

Garp stirred, yawning loudly as he stretched. "A call from Sengoku, huh? What does that old goat want now?" he muttered, sitting up and rubbing his eyes. Gion stopped her exercises, wiping the sweat from her brow as she approached. The Den Den Mushi's tone suggested this was no ordinary call.

Taking the receiver, Garp leaned back in his chair. "Yo, Sengoku! What's the fuss about now?"

Sengoku's Report

On the other end, Sengoku's voice was measured, but the weight of his words was unmistakable. "Listen carefully, Garp. This isn't a minor issue. Earlier today, I received orders from the Five Elders themselves."

Garp raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "The Elders? Must be serious if those fossils are involved."

Sengoku ignored the jab and continued, detailing everything: the Five Elders' order to capture or kill Gadgil D. Atharva, the unprecedented 100-million-berry bounty, and the implications of his "D" lineage. He explained Tsuru's analysis, the incident at Tequila Wolf, and the reports of red lightning—undeniable evidence of Conqueror's Haki.

As Sengoku spoke, Gion's eyes widened in shock. The pieces began to fall into place in her mind: Atharva had freed slaves and fought against the oppression of the World Government. She clenched her fists, her thoughts racing.

Why is the government targeting someone who saved innocent lives?

Bogart, listening intently, maintained his composure, though his sharp eyes betrayed his concern.

Garp, however, remained silent.

Sengoku's Directive

After a moment, Sengoku's tone grew more serious. "Garp, this is an order. Atharva is a threat to the World Government and the Navy. You are to capture him—or kill him if necessary."

Hearing this, Gion couldn't hold back her thoughts. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku," she interjected, her voice firm yet respectful. "If this man saved the slaves at Tequila Wolf, why are we hunting him? What crime has he committed?"

Sengoku sighed, his patience wearing thin. "Rear Admiral Gion, you are not privy to the full picture. The fact that he's a 'D' is reason enough. The government will not tolerate anyone with that name disrupting their control."

Gion's grip on her sword tightened, but she held her tongue, her mind racing with questions.

Garp, still quiet, finally broke his silence. His tone was uncharacteristically somber. "Sengoku, I know too well what the 'D' means to those geezers. But this boy, Atharva… he has a heart of justice. He's not like the others."

"That doesn't matter," Sengoku replied sharply. "The Five Elders have spoken. You know as well as I do what happens if their orders are ignored. Do your duty, Garp."

For a moment, silence hung between them. Then, with a heavy sigh, Garp said, "I'll do my best." Before Sengoku could respond, Garp hung up, tossing the Den Den Mushi aside.

Garp's Reflection

Garp stood, his usual carefree demeanor replaced by a rare expression of conflict. He gazed out at the vast sea, deep in thought.

From behind, Gion's voice broke the silence. "Vice Admiral Garp, what are we going to do?"

Garp didn't turn to face her. "What do you think, Gion? Do you believe the government's version of justice?"

Gion hesitated, then replied, "I believe in justice, but this… this doesn't feel right."

Garp chuckled softly. "You've got a good head on your shoulders, Gion. Justice isn't always black and white. But for now…" He trailed off, his gaze fixed on the horizon.

Sengoku's Frustration

Back at Marineford, Sengoku slammed his fist onto his desk, leaving a visible dent. His frustration was palpable.

"He's going to do what he always does," Sengoku muttered. "Handle things his way."

Tsuru, seated across from him, remained calm. "You know Garp better than anyone. He won't kill the boy, and you shouldn't expect him to."

Sengoku rubbed his temples, sighing heavily. "I know. That's why I emphasized the 'D' and the Five Elders' involvement. I was hoping he'd at least take it seriously."

Tsuru gave a small smile. "He is taking it seriously. But Garp has his own brand of justice. You can't change that."

Sengoku leaned back in his chair, a look of resignation on his face. "Let's hope his brand of justice doesn't make things worse."

To Be Continued...