On the warship, Garp, who had seemed exhausted just moments ago, had already recovered about seventy to eighty percent of his stamina after a brief rest.
With a beaming smile, he patted Roy hard on the shoulder and let out a hearty, booming laugh.
"Roy, you brat, how did you get so strong? You're really something else!"
Garp's laughter was filled with genuine admiration and disbelief at Roy's strength.
After all, even Gol D. Roger back in the day had never been able to overpower him, the Marine Hero, so decisively during their fights.
Yet now, a young upstart had managed just that—how could it not stir his emotions?
However, the boisterous laughter gradually subsided, and a faint, self-deprecating expression appeared on Garp's face.
He muttered to himself, "Am I really getting old? Time waits for no one… can't even beat a brat anymore."
Though his words carried a hint of self-mockery,
this brief moment of doubt was quickly dispelled.
Garp snapped his head up.
"No! I'm not that old yet! You better watch out next time, Roy, because I won't lose so easily!"
With that, Garp had returned to his usual spirited self, as if the exhaustion and self-doubt had never been there at all.
Suddenly, as if remembering something important, his gaze sharpened, and he turned to Roy. "Oh, right, Roy! What was that thing you wanted me to help you with? The thing we talked about?"
He'd been so excited just now that he'd nearly forgotten their agreement.
Roy's expression grew serious. He leaned closer to Garp and whispered in a voice only the older man could hear. "Mr. Garp, I need you to keep a secret for me."
Garp immediately straightened up. "Don't worry, Roy."
He'd kept the massive secret of the Pirate King Roger having a son; he would certainly do his utmost to keep Roy's secret as well.
Roy nodded, trusting Garp implicitly.
Then, he slowly spoke, making a request that left Garp utterly dumbfounded. "Actually, Mr. Garp, I'd like you to come with me to conquer… another world."
Garp's eyes went wide as saucers, his mouth hanging open slightly, as if he'd just heard the most unbelievable thing in the world.
He stood frozen for a moment before finally finding his voice. "A-Another world? Roy, are you joking?"
Roy smiled and shook his head. His gaze was confident and mysterious. "It's no joke, Mr. Garp. I have a special ability that lets me travel between different worlds."
"And I'm planning to conquer a brand-new one."
Roy then watched for Garp's reaction. He was building his own team; after all, he couldn't handle everything personally forever.
And Garp, with his free-spirited personality, seemed like a perfect fit.
Listening to Roy's description, Garp was stunned, his mind reeling.
He looked at Roy's resolute eyes. Even though it sounded like pure fantasy, Garp knew Roy was never one to speak without cause.
"Alright, Roy. Even if it sounds crazy, since you say so, this old man will take that gamble with you!"
"But you'll have to tell me more about this 'other world' first."
Roy's face broke into a satisfied smile.
A sudden thought struck Garp like a wave, and he slapped his thigh in realization. "Wait a second, Roy! It just hit me—the reason you've gotten so strong, is it because of that… other world?"
Garp's eyes sparkled with curiosity, clearly intrigued by the unknown.
Roy gave a mysterious smile, neither confirming nor denying, only giving a slight nod.
This only fueled Garp's curiosity, but he understood that everyone had their secrets. Since Roy didn't want to elaborate, he wouldn't press the issue.
However, Garp's expression soon turned serious again as he looked Roy in the eye.
"So, Roy, what's your real goal? I'll keep your secret, and I'll even go along to conquer these other worlds."
"But there's one thing I have to make clear: none of this can harm the Marines, and it can't harm justice."
Roy met Garp's gaze, his heart growing solemn.
He knew that despite Garp's usual easygoing nature, the man held firm to his beliefs as a Marine.
So, he smiled and nodded, slowly explaining his plan. "Don't worry, Mr. Garp. What I want to establish is an organization called the 'World Arbitration Court.'"
"This organization will transcend national and factional boundaries, bringing together top-tier powerhouses from different backgrounds and stances—including the elite of the Marines and pirates willing to reform."
Roy continued to lay out his vision for Garp.
Listening to Roy's grand plan, Garp was momentarily stunned, then burst into loud laughter.
"How interesting, Roy! Your ideas even surprise an old-timer like me!"
Garp had never been one to rigidly adhere to tradition.
The fact that he raised people like Dragon and Luffy spoke volumes.
He wasn't blindly loyal to the World Government; in fact, he'd long harbored resentment toward the Celestial Dragons but had never been able to act due to his position.
Now, hearing Roy propose such a revolutionary idea—overthrowing the World Government and letting the Marines and other true powerhouses control the world—Garp felt a surge of inexplicable excitement.
He grinned widely, as if envisioning a new world beckoning them.
"If we really could topple that rotten World Government and let the Marines and other true powerhouses rule this world, that wouldn't be half bad, would it?"
"That way, the Marines would have a big seat in this new organization, and I wouldn't have to stress over chasing Dragon and Luffy anymore. It'd solve a lot of problems at once!"
Garp's laughter faded, and he looked at Roy with firm resolve.
"Hoo-hoo-hoo, count me in! Roy, you've got my full support for this plan."
"Success! Got another top-tier heavy hitter."
Roy was thrilled, knowing he had successfully convinced this legendary Marine.
With Garp's backing, his goal of conquering this world was one step closer.
After all, the world of One Piece was meant to be his home base, and it was filled with no shortage of powerful figures.
Roy looked forward to the day when all these worlds would converge.
…