"Yo, old man. How've you been lately?"
In the first half of the Grand Line, Paradise.
A Marine warship cut through the sea.
Marines stood guard in tense patrol rotations. Every so often, CP agents in suits moved through the decks like shadows.
And in the middle of all that seriousness, one figure lay lazily beneath a sun umbrella, completely relaxed.
Beside his deck chair sat a Den Den Mushi wearing a cheerful, grinning face.
On the other end of the line, old man Gick sat at his desk.
"Not bad. With that brat hanging around, I feel like I've gotten a bit younger myself."
These days, Luffy had been working himself to the bone to earn Gick's support and get back out to sea. He obeyed every demand without complaint, basically acting like the world's most dutiful grandson.
And Gick, in turn, found himself moved by Luffy's willingness to give everything for his crew, and by that endless, overflowing energy.
Truth was, Gick had always had a soft heart under a sharp tongue. Otherwise he never would've picked Ozz up and brought him home back then.
And for a man like Gick, who respected the traits of the strong, "raising" monsters with terrifying potential was practically a hobby.
Luffy wasn't as absurd as Ozz, but that simple minded, crew comes first personality still carried the shadow of true power.
It made Gick's hands itch.
"It's fine. I really do approve of the kid. But…"
"If it's going to affect you, then forget it."
Gick admired Luffy, sure, but if helping him caused conflict with Ozz, he would stand with Ozz without hesitation.
After all, this kid's entire crew had just been wiped by Ozz.
"No. As long as you're happy, old man. I don't have any real grudge with them."
Most of that crew had some kind of connection to him anyway.
And honestly… he had heard them talk about "beating him" before.
But when had you ever seen an adult take a child's tantrum seriously?
There wasn't much in this world worth Ozz getting angry over, or even remembering.
If there was anything at all…
It was probably someone ruining his fun.
"I see… then I'm relieved."
Gick nodded. With that settled, he had nothing to worry about.
He wasn't going to solve every problem for Luffy. The boy wore Ozz's label now, whether he liked it or not.
But small favors were fine.
Like helping him get out to sea.
"Oh, right… I've been reading the papers too. That incident at Marine Headquarters. Is it true?"
The topic shifted. Gick's tone turned heavy.
"Yeah. It's real."
"Then Captain Newgate…"
"He'll most likely die in this war."
"I see…"
Gick didn't say much after that. He only nodded, his expression filled with old memories and quiet emotion.
Looks like our era really is over.
He didn't chat with Ozz for long. From the sound of it, Ozz was headed into some sort of meeting.
Gick ended the call with a reluctant sigh.
Then he hopped down from his chair and headed deeper into the palace.
There, Luffy was stuffing food into his mouth nonstop.
When he noticed Gick, he looked up.
"Oh!! Old man, got more work for me???"
To get back to sea, Luffy had truly been treated like an ox and a horse for a long time.
And Gick had come to genuinely approve of him.
"Before that, read this newspaper."
The old man tossed a paper at Luffy. Luffy took it with a confused look.
Then his face changed instantly.
Fire Fist Ace to be publicly executed at Marine Headquarters.
"Ace…!!!"
"Yeah. Never thought Roger's son would get caught by the Marines…"
"No!!! I'm going to save him no matter what!!!"
Luffy shot to his feet.
Gick cracked his cane against Luffy's head.
"Idiot!!! Impel Down isn't someplace you just stroll into. Who do you think you are?!"
"Then… what do I do…"
"Old man's going to give you a hand!!!"
Gick might be short, but at that moment his presence was overwhelming.
He clasped his hands behind his back.
This was the confidence of a "king."
"Huh?! Really?!"
Luffy's eyes sparkled with admiration, then doubt crept in.
"But… you're just a king, right? Will the Marines actually listen to you?"
"You little brat, who do you think I am?!"
Gick finally found the perfect moment to show off, only to get questioned by some punk kid. He immediately blew up.
"Guards, connect me to a World Government official's Den Den Mushi!"
"Yes, sir!"
A Den Den Mushi was brought over quickly. The call connected almost immediately.
"Hm? Who is this?!"
Spandine had already begun stepping down from his position, but he still carried plenty of influence. Hearing a voice he hadn't heard in ages, he couldn't place it at first.
"I'm Gick of Duramos!!!"
Negotiations followed.
Using the excuse of wanting to see his enemy's son up close, Gick obtained permission to visit Impel Down.
And Spandine, of course, understood how important old man Gick was in the world's political landscape.
He was willing to give that face.
It was just a visitation pass. He could still make that happen.
"That's settled!"
Gick hung up.
The whole display made Luffy's eyes glow like a kid watching fireworks.
"So awesome!!!"
"Of course. My grandson is Ozz, after all!!!"
"Huh?!"
Luffy was shocked, and suddenly felt a little uneasy too.
"So you're… Ozz's gramps?!"
…
Meanwhile, Marine Headquarters was urgently gathering the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
"What's going on?!"
"The Seven Warlords still aren't all here? We're facing Whitebeard this time!!!"
"Those arrogant pirate bastards!!!"
With the Fleet Admiral raging, the lower ranked Marines could only tremble.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admirals have been dispatched to deliver invitations. Most have agreed to come."
"Except… Jinbe the First Son of the Sea has explicitly refused!"
Hearing that name, Sengoku frowned.
"Because Whitebeard protects half of Fish Man Island, I suppose."
"Then arrest him and throw him into Impel Down so he can reflect. This war even has Saint Ozz participating!"
When subordinates and outsiders were present, Sengoku was careful.
He addressed Ozz as Saint Ozz.
Still, Sengoku wasn't relying on pirates to carry this war.
The true backbone was the Marines themselves.
More than a hundred thousand troops, plus countless commanders and firepower.
At the same time, on a warship heading toward Amazon Lily, an unexpected guest arrived.
"Y you're… Saint Ozz!!!"
"Relax. I'm just hitching a ride."
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