CHAPTER 53 — Garp's Warning
📅 22 July, S.C. 1510 — Evening
👦 Ren — Age 7
📍 Makino's Bar → Back Storage Room
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The sun dipped behind the hill, painting Foosha Village gold and orange.
Laughter still echoed outside as children played and fishermen returned from sea.
Inside Makino's bar, Ren helped clean tables while Zemo sat near the counter, tail swaying lazily.
Garp sat alone in the corner, something rare—
quiet.
Still.
Thoughtful.
Makino watched him from behind the counter.
She knew that look.
It wasn't the face of a Hero.
It was the face of a man who had seen too many battles.
"Ren," Makino whispered softly, "can you tidy up the back room for me?"
"Yes."
Ren nodded and left, Zemo following.
Makino took a deep breath and walked over to Garp.
---
PART 1 — THE QUIET BEFORE THE STORM
Garp didn't lift his mug.
Didn't laugh.
Didn't breathe loudly.
He simply stared at the table like it held secrets.
Makino spoke gently.
"Garp?
You're… unusually quiet."
Garp didn't answer immediately.
Then—
"…That boy."
Makino blinked.
"You mean Ren?"
Garp nodded slowly.
"Aye."
Makino folded her arms.
"What about him?"
Garp's eyes narrowed, not in anger—
but in worry.
"That kid is… dangerous."
Makino's heart skipped.
"Dangerous…? Ren? He's kind. Gentle. He works hard and—"
Garp raised a hand.
"I didn't say he's a danger."
His voice lowered.
"I said he's in danger."
Makino swallowed hard.
"…Why?"
Garp leaned back, shoulders heavy.
"He's too smart."
---
PART 2 — THE TRUTH ABOUT CLEVER KIDS
Makino sat across him.
"Garp… explain."
Garp sighed.
"Smart kids attract trouble.
Smart kids stand out.
Smart kids make enemies without knowing."
Makino frowned.
"He's just a child."
Garp shook his head.
"No.
He's not."
Makino's breath hitched.
Garp continued:
"I've seen geniuses.
I've raised one."
(His mind flickered to Dragon.)
"I've trained prodigies.
I've fought monsters.
But Ren—"
He tapped his temple.
"That boy has a mind sharper than most adults."
Makino bit her lip.
"Is that… bad?"
Garp looked her in the eyes.
"Makino… you know what kind of world this is."
Makino looked down.
She did.
Pirates.
Slavers.
Marines.
Corrupt nobles.
The World Government.
Garp's voice softened, strangely gentle.
"This world doesn't like children who can think.
It fears them.
Uses them.
Destroys them."
Makino clenched her fists.
"No one will hurt Ren. Not here."
Garp studied her expression.
"That's why I'm here."
---
PART 3 — FORESHADOWING
Makino blinked.
"…Because of Ren?"
Garp nodded grimly.
"Foosha's peace won't last forever.
Someone like Ren…
someone who builds things, invents things, understands things—
he won't stay hidden."
He looked toward the back room.
"He's selling salt.
He's making tools.
He's already helping the village's crops."
Makino's voice trembled.
"How do you know all this?"
Garp smirked.
"I'm the hero of the Marines.
I hear everything."
His smirk faded.
"And I heard people in Goa Kingdom are already talking about a child inventor."
Makino's stomach dropped.
Goa Kingdom was… dangerous.
Corrupt.
Harsh.
Unpredictable.
Makino spoke carefully.
"Garp…
Ren is only seven."
Garp nodded.
"And in two years, he'll still be a genius.
In five years, he'll be something even bigger.
People won't ignore that."
Makino's voice cracked.
"What do you suggest I do?
Hide him?"
Garp shook his head.
"No.
You protect him the only way that works."
Makino leaned in.
"How?"
---
PART 4 — GARPUAL LOGIC
Garp drank deeply.
"Strength."
Makino blinked again.
"What?"
Garp repeated:
"Strength."
He pointed toward the clearing outside.
"That wolf he has?
Zemo is smart.
Fast.
Loyal.
That's good."
He pointed toward the wooden sword lying near the bar.
"He's learning swordsmanship.
That's good."
He pointed at his own chest.
"But he needs more.
He needs the strength to survive when his inventions attract the wrong kind of people."
Makino didn't speak.
Her throat was tight.
Garp's voice softened further.
"You can't protect him from the world, Makino.
But you can make sure he survives it."
Makino looked down at her hands.
"…I don't want him to have to fight."
Garp whispered:
"He won't have a choice."
Silence.
Only the distant sound of ocean waves filled the bar.
Makino wiped her eyes, breath shaky.
"…He's still a child, Garp."
Garp nodded sadly.
"I know."
Then he added:
"And that's why he has you."
Makino looked up, confused.
Garp smiled faintly.
"You give him warmth.
Safety.
Family."
He finished his drink.
"I'll give him guidance."
---
PART 5 — THE PROMISE
Ren walked out of the back room holding a broom.
"Makino? I finished cleaning—"
He paused.
Garp and Makino both looked at him.
Makino quickly wiped her eyes.
Garp stood up, towering over Ren.
"Oi, brat."
Ren stiffened.
"Yes, sir?"
Garp placed a heavy hand on his shoulder.
"You're strong.
But you need to be stronger."
Ren blinked.
"…Why?"
Garp grinned, but this time without mischief.
"Because your brain is going to shake the world someday.
And when it does—
you'll need strength to keep it from breaking you."
Ren's mouth opened slightly.
Zemo nudged his leg, sensing his emotions.
Garp continued:
"I'll come back.
And when I do, I expect progress."
Ren swallowed nervously.
"What kind of progress?"
Garp smirked.
"Enough to impress me."
Then he walked toward the door.
Makino whispered:
"Garp… thank you."
Garp paused at the door.
He didn't turn around.
He simply said:
"Take care of the kid.
He's headed for a dangerous road."
And then he left.
The door closed.
Ren looked at Makino.
"Makino… did I do something wrong?"
Makino kneeled and hugged him tightly.
"No, Ren.
You're doing everything right."
Ren hugged her back, confused but comforted.
Zemo pressed against his side protectively.
Makino whispered into Ren's hair:
"…Just don't forget you're still a child."
Ren closed his eyes.
He wouldn't forget.
But he'd also never forget the weight of Garp's warning.
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END OF CHAPTER 53