Naruto: Copy System - [634] : Garp’s Pain

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Garp’s face was grim as he fixed Blackbeard with a gaze so cold it seemed to freeze the air. Blackbeard shifted uneasily. He had felt that icy stare ever since he brought Ace out, and if Sengoku were not there, he was certain Garp would have already punched a hole through his chest.

When he revealed Ace’s lineage, the killing intent radiating from the old Marine had become almost suffocating.

If Ace’s identity hadn’t been exposed, he would’ve just been captured and thrown into Impel Down. He could have survived that. But as Roger’s son, carrying demon blood in his veins? They’d never let him live.

“Blackbeard, is what you said true?” Sengoku’s voice was dangerously low. “You know the price of lying to me…”

Blackbeard barely paid him any mind. It was Garp’s stare that truly terrified him. He had only felt a pressure this intense from Whitebeard himself.

The “Marine Hero” was no joke.

Even as a Vice Admiral, the man was a monster.

“I would never lie to you, Fleet Admiral,” Blackbeard said, turning his attention back to Sengoku. “I heard it with my own ears, from Whitebeard himself. Ace is Roger’s son.”

“He’s not my father!” Ace’s eyes shot open. The blow had knocked him senseless, but he was awake now. “I only have one old man, and that’s Whitebeard!”

He was shackled with Seastone cuffs, his body weak and powerless. All he could do was glare at the man he once considered a friend. He had even wanted to promote Blackbeard, but the man had refused, claiming he wasn’t ready. Now Ace knew the truth. Blackbeard was a monster wearing a human face.

“Shut up.” A cold light flashed in Blackbeard’s eyes as he drove a fist into Ace’s face. The blow didn’t knock him out, but it left his head spinning.

“This is not the place for you to act so high and mighty!!” Garp’s voice was a low growl. He rarely got angry, but now, he was furious.

Blackbeard felt a surge of raw, untamed power from Garp and froze. ‘Did I piss this guy off somehow before? No, I’ve always kept a low profile…’

He knew Ace was Roger’s son, but he had no idea he was also Garp’s grandson. Not by blood, but in every way that mattered.

Hearing Garp’s voice, Ace’s body trembled. He risked a glance at the old man before quickly lowering his head, shame washing over him.

Of all the people he had let down in his life, his grandfather was at the top of the list.

Sengoku glanced at Garp but said nothing.

He knew why his old friend was so angry. He knew Ace was Garp’s grandson, it wasn’t a huge secret.

But if Ace was also Roger’s son… then Garp had been hiding a secret of monumental proportions.

“Alright,” Sengoku finally said to Blackbeard. “I’ll grant you the position of Warlord.”

Whether Ace was Roger’s son or not, capturing the 2nd Division Commander of the Whitebeard Pirates was a major accomplishment. It was enough to earn him the title. Besides, making an enemy of Whitebeard a Warlord was a strategic win for the Marines.

Blackbeard left, completely satisfied with the outcome.

“Garp, talk to me,” Sengoku said once they were alone. “Is he Roger’s son?”

Garp remained silent, his gaze fixed on the floor.

“You know I can find out, with or without your help—” Sengoku pressed. Garp’s silence was all the confirmation he needed. “Garp, if my investigation reveals a different story from what you tell me, you know what the consequences will be.”

“Then go investigate,” Garp said, his voice rough. He took one last look at Ace, a deep sigh escaping his lips, and walked away, his fists clenched so tight his knuckles were white.

—————

“Sigh.” Tsuru, who had been watching from the side, knew the truth now.

Ace was Roger’s son, and Garp had known all along, had even helped raise him. She didn’t try to stop him. She knew how much pain he must be in, torn between the grandson he loved and the justice he served.

“Grandpa… I’m sorry,” Ace cried out, forcing his weakened body to its knees, tears streaming down his face.

Garp’s steps faltered for a second, another heavy sigh escaping him.

“I’m the one who’s sorry…” he said, his voice thick with a self-reproach that cut deeper than any blade. But he couldn’t save Ace. It went against the very justice he had dedicated his life to.

Ace didn’t blame him. He had always felt guilty for disappointing Garp, for becoming a pirate when his grandfather had wanted him to be a Marine.

Garp left without another word. He couldn’t bear to stay. It was his own form of escape.

“Tsuru, investigate whether Ace is Roger’s son,” Sengoku ordered, his face grim. “No… on second thought, I’ll do it myself.”

Tsuru sighed. She knew he didn’t trust her, not with her close relationship with Garp. He was afraid she would hide the truth.

With the full power of the Marines and a directive from the Five Elders, the truth was quickly uncovered.

Portgas D. Ace was, indeed, the son of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. Blackbeard had been telling the truth.

“I hope Garp doesn’t get caught up in this,” Sengoku said, a deep worry in his voice.

Ace had only survived because of his mother’s sacrifice and Garp’s protection. If the World Government found out Garp had hidden the son of the Pirate King…

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