Marine Headquarters, Garp's residence.
Garp and Sengoku sat facing each other, silently staring at the infant in the cradle.
After waiting for what felt like an eternity, Rouge couldn't stand the awkward atmosphere any longer.
She strode up to Garp and Sengoku, scooped up the child and headed straight for the bedroom.
"R-Rouge! Let your old man admire him a bit longer," the usually unruly Garp actually put on an ingratiating smile before his daughter.
"This is my second grandson, and I haven't gotten my fill of doting on him yet."
"Indeed, Rouge," Sengoku chimed in with an air of seriousness. "I must say Garp's grandson is quite fascinating..."
"Oh, so you do remember this is your grandson? I thought you were treating him like some pet monkey you found in the mountains!" Rouge's eyes nearly rolled out of her head.
"And you, Admiral Sengoku, those without parenting experience shouldn't butt in at times like this!"
With that, she carried Luffy into the bedroom.
Four-year-old Ace looked at the two Marine powerhouses with undisguised disdain.
"A-Ace, you're not going to reject your grandpa too, are you?"
"That's right, Ace, Grandpa Sengoku likes you best."
"You two old men... when will you ever grow up?" Ace shook his head helplessly, hands clasped behind his back as he followed Rouge to the bedroom, the very picture of a miniature adult.
Left alone in the living room, Garp and Sengoku simply stared at each other in silence.
After a while, Garp finally broke into a triumphant grin.
"See that? I've got two grandsons now! What say you to that, little Sengoku?" Garp taunted arrogantly. "Hahaha! Oh wait, you're just a lonely old bachelor without any sons of your own!"
"...I may not have biological sons, but I have two outstanding adopted sons." Sengoku regained his usual composed demeanor, taking a sip of tea before continuing.
"And they're both exemplary Marines at that!"
"Let's not talk about this if we want to remain friends."
Checkmate!
Garp's greatest regret was his own son leaving the Marines, eventually becoming the Revolutionary Army leader who even the World Government feared.
This instantly put him at a disadvantage against Sengoku.
Of course, this was because Sengoku didn't know that his most outstanding adopted son would surpass even Monkey D. Dragon in notoriety.
"Hey, you two old men, who are you guys badmouthing behind their backs? Grandma Tsuru's or Fleet Admiral Kong's?"
A voice came from outside the door, and the next moment, Michael pushed the door open without ceremony.
"Oh, Michael, you're back. How was Alabasta's scenery?" Garp showed no surprise at Michael's appearance just a day later.
"Did you come back alone?"
"Obviously. If you can see me stationed in Alabasta at Marine HQ this quickly, do you think there's any other possibility besides me flying overnight? Who else could keep up with me?" Michael rolled his eyes.
Even Devil Fruit users who could fly wouldn't be able to see his taillights if he pushed his speed to the limit.
"As for Alabasta, it's not bad. At least it looks more prosperous and peaceful than most countries."
After receiving Garp's call, Michael had arranged all affairs in Alabasta, leaving both the recently gender-changed Crocodile and the recovering Mihawk in Stella's care.
Then he took to the skies and flew overnight back to Marineford.
He even felt a little excited inside.
After all, this was the protagonist we're talking about!
Might as well come and bask in some of that chosen-one luck, right?
Sengoku looked at Michael, who was so eager to return to Marineford, and couldn't help but smile.
See that, Garp!
This is the difference between your son and mine, you bastard!
Can your son return to Marineford to see you anytime he wants?
Can he?
"Michael," Sengoku patted Michael's shoulder with a face full of pride, "You've really made me proud."
"...What's gotten into him today?" Michael ask Garp.
"Hmph, nothing. Just a petty man reveling in his moment."
Michael could only shrug in response.
Well, as long as they're happy.
Just as Sengoku and Garp were about to come to blows again, the bedroom door suddenly swung open.
Ace, who had been acting all mature in front of the two old kids earlier, instantly darted out.
"Uncle Michael? Is Uncle Michael back?" Ace's excited voice was loud enough to lift the roof, "I missed you so much!"
Ace cheered as he ran toward Michael, headbutting him right in the kidneys.
"...Ace, next time, try not to aim so precisely, okay? Kidney health is very important for a man."
"I don't really get it, but it sounds impressive!" As Ace spoke, Rouge gracefully stepped out. "Oh, Michael? Did you come back to see Luffy?"
"That's right, Sister Rouge," Michael nodded, then shot a resentful look at Garp nearby, "All because some old coot called me in the middle of the night on the Den Den Mushi to tell me he had another grandson!"
"Ahem, I was just too happy and wanted to share the news with you..."
"Then why don't you share when you're eating your Senbei?"
"Joy can be shared, but Senbei are off-limits."
"Cheapskate!"
Michael ignored Garp's antics and followed Ace and Rouge into the inner bedroom.
Luffy, who had just been born not long ago, was sound asleep in his crib.
Despite all the noise outside, the little guy hadn't been disturbed at all.
You had to hand it to the Monkey family—two talents stood out above all.
One was their ability to eat.
The other was their ability to sleep.
And Luffy embodied both of these talents to the fullest.
Though his self-developed techniques were life-draining, the lost vitality could be replenished simply by eating.
Sleeping was even more absurd—no matter how severe his injuries, as long as he ate his fill and slept soundly, he'd recover almost completely.
The mark of a fake strongman? Being over three meters tall.
The mark of a true strongman? Having near rule-breaking levels of eating and sleeping prowess.
But still...
"A baby's cheeks really are soft."
Michael pinched Luffy's cheeks with great interest.
Unfortunately, his lack of experience showed and he accidentally woke Luffy up.
The moment the baby opened his eyes, he started wailing.
"Michael..."
"Sister Rouge, I really didn't mean to..."
"I went through so much trouble to get Luffy to sleep! You're just like Father and Admiral Sengoku! All of you, get out and reflect on your actions!"
As Michael was unceremoniously tossed out by the protective mama tiger, he caught sight of the identical mocking grins on the two old men's faces.
"New mothers with babies can be quite fierce."
"You'd better man up, Michael."
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