Hals’s eyesight was exceptionally sharp.
The [Dragon’s Body Refinement Technique] strengthened his entire body, including his eyes, internal organs, and bones.
So, Hals could see very far.
Hals was at a loss for words.
Encountering old man Garp at the start.
Garp was one of Hals’s favorite characters.
He could easily rank in Hals’s top five.
First was Nami, then Robin, Hancock, Reiju, and Rebecca.
Hmm, something felt off.
Never mind.
Let’s make it the top ten.
Komurasaki, Shirahoshi, Perona, Vivi, and Viola.
Hmm, something still felt off.
Forget it, just ignore it.
Hals pondered.
If Garp met him, what would happen?
Hmm…
Would Garp recruit him into the Navy?
Highly likely.
Hals had no family left. Despite his strength, he needed a backing to grow. After all, it’s good to lean on a big tree for shade.
If it was Garp, that would be ideal.
In the world of One Piece, most pirates were ultimately bad people.
Luffy was good because Luffy was good. Most of the time, the story was told from the perspective of the Straw Hat Pirates.
So some people thought pirates were good.
Um…
???
Interesting logic.
Hals didn’t hate certain pirates in the original story, like Shanks, the Straw Hat Pirates, and those with the Barrier-Barrier Fruit.
But most pirates were not good, harming many for their desires and dreams of becoming the Pirate King.
Hals was among those harmed.
“I’ll avenge you,” Hals silently vowed.
…
A man leaped from the navy ship, his hair gray, dressed in a navy officer’s uniform.
He wore a cloak emblazoned with “Justice” that somehow didn’t fall off.
The cloak had black and red shoulder pads, looking quite formidable.
But the old man was unceremoniously picking his nose, flicking the findings aside.
“Is someone in distress?”
The old man saw a large, dilapidated ship on the shore. The keel was broken, making it unseaworthy. It had many cracks, some from cannon fire, others from bullets and swords, and some from a shipwreck.
The ship’s flag wasn’t that of a pirate but looked more like a merchant vessel.
“Well, rescuing people is more important. Hopefully, the poor soul is alright.”
The old man quickly ran forward.
In seconds, he reached the smoke, staring at the dumbfounded Hals.
Hals was still processing the fact that old man Garp had actually shown up. Although he had imagined Garp passing by and rescuing him, seeing Garp in person made him both excited and nervous.
But…
Why was he picking his nose?
“Hey, kid, are you alone?”
“Yes, old man Garp.”
Uh…
Oops, said it out loud.
“You recognized me?”
It seemed Garp didn’t mind being called an old man.
Even if he did, it wouldn’t matter. Garp’s personality wouldn’t lead to anything harsh, at most a love tap.
“Yes, a naval officer who’s always picking his nose isn’t common.”
“Negative Emotion from Garp +20,000”
A lot.
Was it because the stronger the person, the more negative emotions they generated?
Or was it due to the soul?
After all, Garp was a master of observation haki. Although his Armament haki was more renowned, as a Marine Vice Admiral of Four Emperors level strength, it was unreasonable for him not to be skilled in observation haki.
Garp was momentarily stunned and a bit embarrassed by the “always picking his nose” comment.
“Negative Emotion from Garp +2,000”
“Negative Emotion from Garp +2,000”
“Negative Emotion from Garp +2,000”
“I, I pick my nose all the time? You shouldn’t know me, right?”
Feeling he had made a fool of himself in front of a civilian, Garp awkwardly rubbed his head, trying to laugh it off.
“Your nostrils are a bit large. Picking your nose can enlarge them. I’m a poor child who survived a shipwreck, but also a stranger. If you can pick your nose so casually in front of a stranger like me, it suggests you do it often…”
“Ah, it’s just picking my nose, brat. You’re so annoying.”
Garp’s face showed embarrassment and anger, his fists clenched, but he didn’t hit Hals.
“Negative Emotion from Garp +50,000”
“Negative Emotion from Garp +20,000”
“Negative Emotion from Garp +10,000”
“Negative Emotion from Garp +1,000”
Hmm?
What to say, the old man didn’t actually dislike me?
The negative emotions subsided quickly.
Garp seemed to be adjusting his mindset. He was just dealing with an exceptionally sharp-tongued kid for the first time and felt a bit overwhelmed. He flicked away his nose-pickings and sat next to Hals.
“Kid, hungry?”
“Not really, I’ve eaten.”
“What’s your name?”
“Hals.”
“Nice name.”
“Hals, let’s get you aboard the warship.”
“Alright, Mr. Garp.”
Hals changed how he addressed Garp.
“Why did you call me old man at first and now Mr. Garp?”
Garp was curious about Hals.
Hals felt awkward. Though Garp wasn’t terrifying, he was someone Hals greatly admired. Answering poorly might damage their budding relationship.
Hals took a deep breath. This could be the teacher who might teach him the Navy Six Styles, Life Return, and Haki. Hals wanted to answer well.
“Because I really respect you, Mr. Garp. You’re the hero who captured Rocks. I think Rocks was scarier and more dangerous than the Pirate King Roger. He harmed more people. And someone like you, Mr. Garp, I imagined as my grandfather. So I called you old man Garp. But I realized it was rude on our first meeting, so I changed it to Mr. Garp.”
Hals blushed, not seeming to lie, his palms sweaty with embarrassment.
Hals was extremely awkward. He had never faced such a situation before.
Actually, if Hals became Garp’s grandson, it would be great.
My brothers include the Pirate King’s son, Whitebeard’s second division commander, the future second-in-command of the Revolutionary Army, the future Pirate King, and a friend of Emperor Shanks.
Oh, what an impressive network.
Garp: “…”
“Alright, from now on, you’re my grandson.”
Garp placed his hand on Hals’s shoulder, though the same hand had just picked his nose.
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