One Piece: The warrior of Justice

The port town of Loguetown, bustling with activity, came to a sudden halt as a massive Marine battleship docked at the harbor. Its pristine sails bore the unmistakable emblem of the World Government, and the presence of such a ship drew the attention of everyone in the area. Whispers spread like wildfire among the townsfolk and pirates alike.

"It's him… Vice Admiral Garp!"

The murmurs turned into a wave of fear and awe. Pirates who had been blending into the crowd froze for a moment before breaking into a mad dash toward their ships or their captains, hoping to escape before the legendary Hero of the Marines laid eyes on them.

Smoker, the Marine captain stationed at Loguetown, stood near the dock alongside his second-in-command, Tashigi. They watched the imposing figure of Garp descend from the ship, his justice cloak billowing in the wind. Behind him followed Rear Admiral Gion, with her ever-composed demeanor, and Bogard, Garp's loyal and disciplined aide, his hand resting casually on his sword.

As Garp stepped onto the dock, the assembled Marines saluted sharply, their movements crisp and respectful. Even Smoker couldn't help but straighten up.

Garp's presence radiated authority, but his ever-present grin gave him a disarming air. The townspeople whispered in awe, while pirates who dared to watch from a distance shuddered at the sight of him.

"Vice Admiral Garp!"

The Marine salutes and shouts echoed, creating a wave of discipline that even Smoker couldn't help but admire. Garp, noticing the reactions, smiled broadly and said, "Smoker, I hope your strength hasn't dulled."

Smoker's lips twitched into what could almost be called a smirk. "No, sir," he replied, though a tinge of annoyance crept into his voice.

"Good!" Garp laughed heartily, slapping Smoker on the back with enough force to make him stagger slightly.

As the group began to walk toward the Marine base, Garp's heavy, deliberate steps echoed with confidence. His justice cloak flapped dramatically in the sea breeze, a symbol of his unshakable will. Gion nodded politely to Smoker and followed closely behind Garp, with Bogard maintaining his usual stoic silence. Smoker and Tashigi quickly fell in line, their curiosity growing with each step.

The Marine Base

Inside the Loguetown Marine Base, Garp lounged in the meeting room, his feet propped up on the table as he devoured a mountain of doughnuts. Gion sat gracefully beside him, while Bogard stood nearby, his presence calm yet commanding. Smoker and Tashigi stood at attention, waiting for Garp to explain the reason for his unexpected visit.

Smoker finally broke the silence. "Vice Admiral Garp, why are you here?"

Without pausing his relentless assault on the doughnuts, Garp gestured to Bogard, who handed a bounty poster to Smoker.

"We're here for him," Bogard said simply.

Smoker took the poster, his eyes narrowing as he examined it. A young man with a lion mask stared back at him. Beneath the image, the name Gadgil D. Atharva was printed in bold letters, along with a staggering bounty: 100 million berries.

"Him?" Smoker asked, a hint of disbelief in his voice. "Why are you here personally for this one?"

Gion took this opportunity to speak. "We came here for a different reason at first, but after seeing his actions, the Vice Admiral decided it was necessary to intervene."

Smoker frowned but remained silent. His gaze flicked to Gion, then back to Garp. "What could he have possibly done to warrant this level of attention?"

Garp finally stopped eating, wiping his mouth with the back of his hand. His gaze turned serious as he leaned forward slightly. "Smoker, this boy has a heart for justice. He's not like most pirates."

The room grew quiet. Even Tashigi, who had been listening silently, looked confused.

Smoker raised an eyebrow. "Justice? He's a criminal and a threat to the world. Shouldn't we just capture him and be done with it?"

Gion shook her head and murmured, "Too young to understand…"

"What was that?" Smoker asked, glaring at Gion.

Garp let out a booming laugh, cutting through the tension. "Smoker, you're too inexperienced to see the bigger picture," he said. His laughter faded, replaced by a rare seriousness. "The Navy isn't just about enforcing justice. Sometimes, it's about understanding people, their motives, and what drives them."

The weight of Garp's words hung in the air. Smoker remained quiet, though his mind raced with questions.

Gion broke the silence. "So, Vice Admiral, where do we start?"

Garp leaned back in his chair, his gaze fixed on the map hanging on the wall behind them. He pointed casually to a location. "Conomi Island."

Smoker's brow furrowed. "Conomi Island? Why there? He might not even be there."

Tashigi, curious but hesitant, listened carefully, while Gion's thoughtful expression deepened.

"Looking at what he's done so far, it's clear he cares about the people," Garp explained, his tone casual but firm. "I want to ask the villagers about him, get first-hand information."

He bit into another doughnut, his demeanor shifting back to his usual carefree attitude.

Gion nodded, her mind already racing with possibilities. Tashigi, though skeptical, kept her thoughts to herself, knowing her place as the lowest-ranking officer in the room.

Smoker, however, couldn't suppress his frustration. "He's a pirate. A criminal. Why waste time? Shouldn't we be capturing him instead of asking about him?"

Gion shook her head again but didn't respond.

Garp, however, let out another laugh. "Smoker, you have a lot to learn. But don't worry. That's a good thing for your growth."

His laughter faded as he stood, his gaze turning toward the window. The sea stretched out before him, endless and full of possibilities. "The world isn't as black-and-white as you think. Justice has many faces."

His voice grew serious. "Inform Lieutenant Asta that we're heading to Conomi Island. Tell him to join us."

Smoker saluted sharply. "Yes, sir." He turned and left the room, Tashigi following closely behind.

The Call

Outside, Smoker lit a cigar as he walked toward the control room. Reaching it, he nodded to the officer stationed there. "Connect me to Lieutenant Asta."

The officer activated the Den Den Mushi, and after a few moments, a voice came through. "Lieutenant Asta here."

"Asta, this is Smoker from Loguetown. Vice Admiral Garp is heading to Conomi Island and has requested your presence."

There was a moment of surprise on the other end before Asta replied, "Understood. I'll join you there."

The call ended, and Smoker sighed, his gaze falling to the bounty poster still in his hand. The face of Gadgil D. Atharva, a young boy with a lion mask, stared back at him.

"100 million berries…" Smoker muttered to himself. "Just who are you?"

As he exhaled a cloud of smoke, his thoughts were interrupted by the bustling activity of Marines preparing for departure.

To Be Continued...