As Garp began to yell at his grandson's complete misunderstanding of the situation, the Straw Hats could only watch in a mixture of amusement and horror, wondering what other surprises their captain's impossible family tree might hold.
"That's it!" Garp bellowed, slamming his fist against a nearby workbench, sending tools clattering to the floor. "You are completely missing the point you fool! Let me try to get through that thick skull of yours with something else you have apparently never considered!"
Luffy blinked, his grin faltering slightly. "Eh? What else?"
"Shanks!" Garp roared, making several crew members jump. "That red-haired pirate who gave you this ridiculous straw hat! Do you have any idea who he is now? What he is become?"
Luffy's eyes widened. "Shanks? He is the coolest pirate ever! He saved my life when I was a kid and gave me his hat!"
"Exactly!" Garp snapped, pacing now like a caged animal. "And do you know what that 'cool pirate' is today? He is one of the Four Emperors - the Yonko!"
The declaration hit the room like a tidal wave. Nami, who had been maintaining her composure throughout the shocking family revelations actually took a step back, her eyes widening in genuine astonishment. The others looked confused, clearly not grasping the full weight of what Garp had just said.
"Yonko?" Zoro questioned, his hand resting on his sword hilt. "What is that? Some kind of pirate rank?"
Garp stopped pacing, turning to face them with an expression that mixed frustration with a teacher's obligation to explain. "The Yonko are the four most powerful pirate captains in the world. They rule over the New World like emperors, each commanding vast fleets and territories. Their power is so immense that the World Government considers them the primary threats to world stability alongside the Revolutionary Army," he added, shooting a meaningful glance at Luffy.
Luffy, however, was excited "Oh Shanks is a Yonko? That's awesome! I knew he was strong, I will give him back his hat and show him how strong I've become!"
Garp's eye twitched. "You are still not getting it, you moron! Being connected to a Yonko makes you a target! Every pirate crew in the New World will either want to recruit you or destroy you to make a name for themselves! The Marines will hunt you even more relentlessly! And don't think for a second that the other Yonko will not take notice of you!"
Franky whistled lowly. "Talk about being well-connected! The Luffy sure has some powerful friends and family!"
Sanji, having lit yet another cigarette, exhaled thoughtfully. "This explains why you are so reckless, Luffy. You have been surrounded by legends since you were a child. To you the challenging of the world order probably seems normal."
Luffy scratched his head, genuinely confused by everyone's reactions. "What's the big deal? Shanks is my friend. Gramps is my grandpa. And this Dragon guy is my dad, I guess. So what? I am still gonna be the Pirate King!"
Garp's face turned an alarming shade of purple as Luffy's casual dismissal hung in the air. The Straw Hats collectively held their breath, sensing the volcanic eruption about to occur.
"That's it!" Garp bellowed his voice cracking with fury. "Since you are my grandson, I am not going to arrest you on this island. I will give the Navy some excuse I am going back."
Luffy blinked, his expression unchanged. "Okay, see you."
The simplicity of Luffy's response acted like a match to Garp's already simmering rage. With a speed that defied his age, Garp's fist connected with Luffy's face, sending the rubber captain flying across the workshop and crashing into a pile of crates.
"THAT'S TOO CASUAL, YOU BRAT!" Garp roared, his voice echoing off the walls. "Show some manners when saying goodbye to your grandfather, you fool!"
Luffy peeled himself from the wreckage, his face stretched comically from the impact. "What do you want me to do?" he whined, rubbing his rapidly swelling cheek. "All you ever do is hit me!"
The accusation hung in the air, and for a moment, Garp's furious expression cracked. Something raw and vulnerable flashed in his eyes before he masked it with anger once more.
"Even so!" Garp shouted, his voice thick with unexpected emotion. "I still want my grandson to love me, you moron!"
Sanji's cigarette hung between his fingers as he watched the scene unfold. "That old bastard actually has a heart," he muttered, exhaling a cloud of smoke.
Usopp, having regained consciousness just in time for this emotional revelation, whispered, "Wow, even Marine heroes have family issues."
Luffy, meanwhile, stared at his grandfather, confusion warring with dawning comprehension. "You... want me to love you?" he asked, his voice uncharacteristically soft.
Garp's said with a anger "Of course, you idiot! You're my grandson! My flesh and blood! Just because I trained you harshly and have to uphold Marine law does not mean I don't care!"
Luffy tilted his head, processing this information. "But you always hit me," he pointed out, his tone less accusatory now, more curious.
Garp snapped, though his voice lacked its earlier fury. "because you needed to become strong!"
Luffy scratched his head, a thoughtful expression on his face. "So... you hit me because you care?"
"Yes!" Garp shouted, throwing his hands up in exasperation. "And because you're reckless and stupid and need to learn respect!"
Luffy considered this for a moment, then broke into a wide grin. "Okay, Gramps! I will show you respect when you leave!"
Garp's eye twitched. "That's not what I..."
"Thank you for not arresting us!" Luffy continued, his voice booming with genuine enthusiasm. "And for telling me about my dad! And for training me to be strong, even if it hurt! I will become the Pirate King and make you proud!"
The sincerity in Luffy's voice caught Garp off guard. The Marine hero stood frozen, his mouth slightly agape, clearly unprepared for this straightforward display of affection.
Garp recovered quickly, his stern expression returning, though something softer lingered in his eyes. "Hmph! Don't think this changes anything, brat. You are still a pirate and I am still a Marine. Next time we meet, I will not be so soft."
With that, he was gone, leaving the Straw Hats alone in the workshop.
Nami let out a long breath she hadn't realized she'd been holding. "Well, that was... something."
Zoro sheathed his sword fully. "Your grandfather's something else, Luffy."
Luffy rubbed his cheek, still tender from Garp's punch, but he was smiling. "Yeah, he is. He really does care, in his own weird way."
Sanji lit a fresh cigarette. "The old bastard has a funny way of showing it."
Robin stepped forward, her expression thoughtful. "This explains much about your resilience, luffy. You were raised by a man who believed strength was forged through hardship and that love was demonstrated through action rather than words."
Chopper tugged on Luffy's sleeve. "But hitting people isn't nice! You should tell him that next time!"
Luffy laughed, ruffling the reindeer's head. "Nah, that's just how Gramps is. Besides," he added, his grin widening, "I am pretty tough now, thanks to him!"
Usopp shuddered. "Tough? You are insane. Who else would call getting punched in the face a sign of affection?"
Franky nodded in agreement. "Your family dynamics are seriously messed up, bro."