Chapter 433: The Pride of Parents
Marineford · Port
The morning sun spilled across the vast harbor. The sparkling sea reflected the bright colors of the bunting, and the snapping flags seemed to be paying their respects to the arriving guests.
The entire pier was currently overflowing with an unusually passionate atmosphere. The soldiers' footsteps were steady, and their shouts rose and fell. Although they maintained strict military discipline, the excitement in their eyes was already impossible to conceal.
In the frontmost welcoming procession, the new generation, led by Roy, had already lined up in a neat formation.
Law, Ace, Luffy, Sanji, Usopp, Nami, and Nojiko stood in a row. Their uniforms were crisp and perfectly pressed, their gazes burning bright.
Even Ace and Luffy, who were usually laid-back and sloppy, were uncharacteristically serious at this moment, their backs as straight as ramrods.
"To think Vice Admiral Roy's parents are actually coming..."
"Being able to see them with my own eyes is truly the blessing of a lifetime!"
"This is the family capable of raising the Marine God of War!"
The soldiers guarding the port conversed in low voices, their tones brimming with excitement and awe.
In their eyes, Roy was already an existence akin to a "Marine God of War." Now that this God of War's parents were about to personally visit Headquarters, it was undoubtedly a grand event worthy of being recorded in history.
Far off on the horizon, the sea breeze swelled as a massive, distinctive dog-headed warship sped toward them.
The ship's hull was like a mountain, the sound of it breaking the waves resembling roaring thunder. An oppressive presence rushed at their faces as the distance closed.
When the bow of the ship clearly entered their line of sight, the breathing of everyone present caught—
At the very front of the deck, two towering figures stood like pillars supporting the heavens.
One man had a bold, booming smile, his arms crossed over his chest, his entire body exuding an undeniable Haki and heroism. It was none other than the Hero of the Marines—Vice Admiral Garp!
The other man stood tall and solemn, his expression stern, his aura as steady as iron. It was none other than the Marines' Chief Instructor, "Black Arm" Zephyr!
Their postures were like pillars holding up the sky, resembling immovable boulders suppressing the sea. Just standing there was enough to make countless soldiers hold their breath.
And behind them, a middle-aged couple stood quietly.
The man had broad shoulders and a sturdy back. Though his temples were frosted with white, his gaze was as steady and bright as a torch.
The woman possessed an elegant figure, her features radiating the gentleness and wisdom of her years.
They were none other than—Roc and Irene.
The two of them gazed at the gradually approaching port, looking at the Marine Headquarters that stood tall like a mountain—Marineford.
This world-renowned fortress, this harbor that carried countless glories, blood, and tears, finally entered their sights in reality.
For a moment, their expressions froze slightly.
"Is this... the legendary Marine Headquarters, Marineford?" Irene murmured softly, a complex yet proud light flickering in the depths of her eyes.
The warship slowly entered the port, the deafening crash of the anchor chains shaking the pier.
Immediately after, the port's bugles abruptly sounded, the resounding acoustic waves shooting straight into the firmament.
Thousands of soldiers shouted in unison, their voices converging into terrifying, surging waves: "Respectfully welcoming the return of Vice Admiral Garp and Chief Instructor Zephyr!!!"
"Welcome, Mr. Roc! Welcome, Ms. Irene!!!"
In that moment, heaven and earth seemed to vibrate with it. Even the sea breeze was wrapped in this shock and passion, echoing endlessly through the skies of Marineford.
Roy and the new generation stepped forward in unison, walking toward the gangway that was slowly being lowered from the warship.
The scene was both solemn and fiery. The atmosphere above the pier seemed to condense into an invisible force, pressing down on everyone's hearts while making their blood boil.
Following the steady footsteps of Garp and Zephyr walking side-by-side, the middle-aged couple finally appeared before the crowd.
Roy stood perfectly straight at the very front.
He wore a neat, crisp Marine Vice Admiral uniform, the Justice cape on his shoulders snapping wildly in the wind.
The "Marine God of War" who usually shook the Four Seas and made enemies tremble in fear at the mere mention of his name, suddenly felt his heart quiver upon seeing those two familiar figures. A rare trace of soreness surfaced in his eyes.
"Mom... Dad..."
The moment Irene saw her son, tears instantly blurred her vision.
Paying no mind to Garp and Zephyr beside her, she practically sprinted forward and pulled Roy into a tight embrace.
"Roy!"
Amidst her sobbing whispers, her hands gripped her son's arms tightly, as if terrified that the person before her would slip away again the moment she let go.
Roy's body stiffened for a fraction of a second before he hugged his mother back. An indescribable ache welled up from deep within his chest.
—This was a side of himself he had never allowed to show on the battlefield or within the vortex of political struggles.
Roc then stepped forward, though his face carried a hearty, ringing smile.
He didn't shed tears like his wife. Instead, he swung his iron fist and punched Roy heavily on the arm.
"Good boy!!!" His voice was loud as a bell, his spirit soaring to the heavens.
"I hear you're the Marine God of War now? Haha, as expected of my, Roc's, son!!!"
This scene made the thousands of Marine soldiers on the pier hold their breath in absolute focus.
They were accustomed to Vice Admiral Roy's iron blood and cold ruthlessness, yet they had never seen him display such a genuine, perfectly ordinary side.
The solemn occasion was suddenly dyed with a touch of tender affection, adding a tear-jerking warmth to the stern air.
"Grandpa Roc! Grandma Irene!!"
"You're finally here!!"
Unable to hold it in any longer, Luffy and Ace suddenly dashed forward.
Both were wearing crisp, complete Marine uniforms with the brims of their caps pulled down perfectly straight. Their usual sloppy appearances were completely gone, actually making them look rather heroic and dashing.
Irene looked at them and froze for a moment. Then, laughing through her continuous tears, she opened her arms and pulled her two grandsons into her embrace, one on each side.
"Luffy... Ace... You've both grown up so much. You're proper, honorable Marine warriors now!!!"
Luffy and Ace were hugged a bit awkwardly, the tips of their ears instantly turning bright red, yet they couldn't help but smile as radiantly as two children.
Nami and Nojiko stood to the side, quietly covering their mouths to snicker.
Seeing these two brothers looking uncharacteristically serious and incredibly shy from their grandmother's praise, warmth and envy surged in the girls' eyes.
The grand welcoming ceremony reached its absolute peak in this moment.
The Marines across the entire port cheered in unison. Their chants shook the heavens, the waves of sound rolling out one after another.
Countless soldiers possessed burning gazes. They were looking not just at Garp and Zephyr, but at that couple—and their son.
—They wanted to let Roc and Irene see with their own eyes:
"Your son is not only your pride, but the absolute pillar of our Marines, and the banner that this entire era looks up to!"
Roc and Irene exchanged a glance, their hearts churning, finding it almost impossible to control their emotions.
They truly and tangibly felt it: what their son carried on his shoulders had long since surpassed the glory of a single family. It was the future and hope of the entire Marines.
Irene's eyes shimmered with tears, yet her voice was incredibly firm: "Roy... we are so proud of you."
Roc threw his head back and laughed aloud, his eyes burning bright: "Good! Since our son and grandsons have all walked down this path, what do we have left to worry about?"
"This is the future of the Marines!"
Above the port, the applause and cheers swept across heaven and earth like monstrous, crashing waves.
In this moment, the pride of the parents, the glory of the children, and the hot blood of the soldiers intertwined, transforming into a scene worthy of being engraved in the annals of history.
♧♧♧
-> 30 Advanced chapters Now Available on Patreon!!
-> https://www.patreon.com/c/Segais
(Just remove the hyphen to access patreon normally)
If you like this novel please consider leaving a review that's help the story a lot Thank you