Journey to One Piece

28. First obstacle

When Luffy and Ken reached the harbour to set sail they were horrified to see that Garp was standing and there was a navy ship nearby. Garp didn't look like he was on official duty as he was wearing a beach shirt. It seemed like he came for a vacation.

But now he was standing on the road between the harbour and their ship. Ken had spent quite a lot of money on their new ship. It was nothing as big as Going Merry but it had three rooms with proper beds, one small and one very big refrigerator which Ken had specifically built for fighting Luffy's stomach. The previous night Ken had already filled it to the brim with meat.

In the last few months Ken had dedicated himself to learn about sailing and navigation. It would be useless in the Grand Line for sure but until they get Nami they would have to wait. And Ken didn't want to be like Zoro in the sea. He wanted to have a proper direction mapped out and even brought a detailed map of East Blue.

Ken even made the pirate flag for their ship and right now it was flying high in the single masted ship that they had custom made and was ready to set sail. Actually it should have been an exciting day, but here came Garp to be the party pooper.

Luffy was visibly shaking when he saw Garp standing. All their lives they had heard about how Garp would make them marines. Ace had already left so that was down the drain. And now here came Garp to make sure it didn't happen again.

"Dammit!! Why is grandpa here?" Ken also had an ugly face seeing this. Even Makino, who came out to bid goodbye didn't have a good face.

"Grandpa, why are you here?"

"I am supposed to be here for a vacation. But it seems like I am lucky enough to be on the day when you idiots would set sail. Now I can take you both to be marines. Ken, among the three grandsons of mine you are the most intelligent and logical one, how did you end up making this guy as your captain? I never heard you say that you wanted to be a pirate."

It seemed like he had heard from the local people that the two brothers would leave and that Ken would join Luffy's crew.

"Grandpa, we both know that a logical and fair person wouldn't join the marines and I never spoke of being a pirate because I am not baka (idiot) Luffy to allow you to hit me." Ken said as he knew that there was no going back now. He would have to fight it out and that thought itself was terrifying as there was almost no chance of them winning. Ken's power wouldn't be enough to hurt Garp.

And if Garp became serious then it would be game over. The original Armament Haki would be easier to defend as Ken's body was inherently powerful but if it was internal destruction then Ken had no idea if his body would be able to withstand the force or not.

And that's not taking the fact that Garp would definitely have Conqueror's Haki. A marine who could fight toe to toe against Roger would definitely have Conqueror's Haki. Though grandpa had visibly become a little old and he might not be in his heyday, but a person who asked Sengoku to stop him from killing Akainu during the Marineford War would definitely not be joking at those cruel times.

"I am disappointed in both of you. But it doesn't matter as I am here and I will take you to join the marines.. Hehehe.." Garp looked happy as if it was already taken that he would easily take these two kids to the headquarters for practice.

"Captain, what do you say we should do?" Ken finally whispered to Luffy and it was the first time Ken had asked the opinion of Luffy, accepting him as his Captain. This had never happened before and mostly it was Ken who was the de facto leader of the group. It was Ken who had half trained them. It was Ken who took care of the group. Luffy was a little emotional when he heard those words from Ken.

Mind you, this Luffy wasn't the same Luffy that was all naive and new to the world. He had already lived a life and even though he never showed it outwardly, he was mature enough to see how the world was. He  was happy and grateful that his own brother had decided to support him in his endeavour to become the Pirate King and he knew that he would have to take a stand.

"We will fight and when we get the chance we will escape with our ship. Ken, can I use all my training now?" Luffy asked. Ken smiled at it as he was happy that Luffy didn't back down seeing his grandfather.

"The sea is vast and from now on we can use all our strength." Ken said relieving Luffy as the brothers have been very secretive about their ninjutsus. From this moment on they wouldn't hide their powers. Meanwhile, black clouds had started forming above the Windmill Village. Ken slowly took out his Stormbreaker which was hanging magically at his back. And also Mjolnir that was hanging in his waist.

Right hand Stormbreaker and left hand Mjolnir.

And Luffy?? Well Luffy did a more weird thing that surprised Garp and even the locals around. The locals had long known of the brothers and all supported Luffy and his brothers. So when Garp came and the secret was released they hung their heads in shame. But what Luffy did gave a huge surprise to them.

Luffy bit his thumb with his teeth which prompted blood to ooze out a bit and then Luffy did the hand signs of

Boar-Dog-Bird-Monkey-Ram

And then placed his hand at the ground and shouted loudly

"Summoning Jutsu!!!"