“Do you know him?” Munro asked me with a strange expression.

  “You don't?” I asked back.

  “No? Should I know him?”

  I was about to answer him, but Garp, for some reason sensed my gaze and looked at me.

  A shiver ran down my spine. I didn't like this feeling, so I was about to turn around when he instantly appeared right in front of me.

  “Oh… uh… Hello!” I greeted awkwardly.

  He didn't greet me in return, but kept staring at me. After a moment, he finally said, “You have eaten a devil fruit, haven't you shorty?”

  “Wha-?!”

  ‘How does he know this!?’ For some reason, I wasn't even offended at him calling me a shorty.

  I maintained my normal expression, or at least tried to, “What do you mean, sir? I don't even know what that is.”

  “Bwahahaha! Is that so? Oi Yuhon! I'll see you ter!”. Then Garp grabbed me by my nape and jumped with a very high force, leaving behind a small crater at his previous position. Just like that, Garp and I left the Lane Vilge.

  Bewildered, Munro ran to Yuhon. “Chief! What just happened? Who was that guy?”

  “He was my direct superior when I was still a marine. He just came here to visit me today. Who was the pipsqueak?”

  “Pipsqueak? Ah, that is Hugo. I met him st night. Apparently, he was heading towards Goa Kingdom when his ship was attacked by pirates. Hugo survived and washed ashore to this isnd. I had him stay at my pce st night and was just bringing him to see you…”

  Yuhon nodded and stared at the direction I and Garp had vanished in.

  Munro asked, “Chief, before taking Hugo away, that man asked him if he had eaten a devil fruit. What is that?’

  “Oh it's nothing you have to worry about, Munro.”

  After a moment of silence, Yuhon spoke, “As for what Garp will do with him, I have no idea at all…”

  …………….

  Somewhere on the Cownro Isnd.

  Tied to a thick tree with vines, the makeshift ropes, Garp had taken me with as a captive. Well, my Gashadokuro fruit enhanced my strength enough to break out of it quite easily, but I didn't dare, for some very obvious reasons.

  Garp gazed straight into my eyes, his goofiness from the anime nowhere to be found, and demanded firmly, “Do you know me?”

  I nodded and replied, “Marine Vice Admiral, Monkey D. Garp.”

  "Your name."

  I squirmed under the binding of vines uncomfortably, “Hugo… Silverman.”

  “Are you a pirate?”

  “No!” Oh no no no I can't let him take me for a pirate!

  “Where did you get your devil fruit?”

  “I… uh… it was a fortuitous encounter…”, now this is absolutely true, in a way…

  “Which devil fruit is it?”

  “Uhm…” I am getting really uncomfortable! This isn't the Garp I know! Where is the goofy and fun Garp?! “It's… a paramecia, Bone Bone fruit…” I ain't revealing my trump card! Even I don't know it's full capabilities yet! Well, I know it's Garp here, a pretty safe person in a way, but it's not the anime Garp that I know, it's a real life one. So I'm not taking any chances!

  He stared at me for a minute. Judging me for something I have no idea of.

  “How old are you, shorty?”

  “27. And I'm not that short…” I mumbled the tter part under my breadth.

  “Tell me about your devil fruit abilities.”

  Then I went on rambling about what I knew about my devil fruit. The interrogation went on for a while. I answered some questions honestly, while I made up other things. And honestly, my lies are pretty believable, I mean I wasn't on a top position in finance for nothing. Politicians aren't the only ones who are good liars. For example, where was my hometown, where I was headed and such stuff.

  “So, Hugo, what are your thoughts about becoming a marine?”

  Garp had untied me a while ago, so now I was sitting on a rge boulder.

  “Honestly… I've no interest in justice. I just like freedom.”

  “Bwahahahaha! That's a good answer! Just like someone I know!”

  ‘Yeah I know that someone too.’

  “Listen Hugo, you have a good devil fruit, which gives you great potential. You'd make a fine marine!”

  ‘Oh crap… don't tell me…’ I gulped

  He then continued, “But I'm not the type to force others into the navy. So, I have a deal.”

  “I'm listening.”

  “18 months.”

  “For what?”

  “You'll need strength to exercise your freedom won't you?”

  “That's right…” He does indeed make a good point.

  “So I'll train you for 18 months. In that time, if you exceed my expectations, you get impressive strength and freedom to do whatever you want, except piracy of course. But if you don't exceed my expectations…”

  ‘Come on! Spit it out you damned fake Garp!’

  “You'll become a marine.”

  “Oh…”

  “Well?” Garp pressed.

  ‘Haaaa…. What do I do? What do I say? I'll definitely become strong since Garp is the one who will train me. And for 18 months at that! But if I don't exceed his expectations… It's the One Piece world! A whole ass anime about freedom! What's the point of coming to One Piece if I don't get to keep my freedom and become a pawn for the marines!?’

  “So?”

  “I'm thinking… give me some time to think…”

  ‘But I doubt I'll get another golden opportunity such as this. And what's the point of freedom if I can't even protect it? Ahhhh damn it!’

  I sat there just like that for several such long minutes, staring at the ground, weighing pros and cons of Garp's offer. And Garp stood in front of me patiently, not pressing further and giving me the time to think.

  After about 5 more minutes, I made my decision.

  I looked Garp in the eye and said, “I'll do it.”

  “Bwahahaha!!! Good good!” Garp ughed ridiculously. The ground shook as he ughed, quite literally,

  He patted my back in appreciation. But… his strength is really ridiculous! Just one pat and I was forced on the ground!

  ‘Fuck! It hurts!’

  “Alright then Hugo, your training will start in a week! Until then you can stay in Yuhon's vilge. Have a good rest, because the 18 months after these 7 days ain't gonna be easy!”

  “…Why?” Oh God oh God. Just what did I just agree to?!

  Just as I got up on my legs and dusted my clothes, Garp walked towards me.

  I unconsciously and instinctively took a step back.

  “What?” I questioned him, slightly scared.

  He picked me up by my colr, as if I wished as much as a feather!

  “Hey hey hey! What are you doing?!”

  I got no answer. I struggled against his grip but to no avail…

  He positioned his left leg in front, tilted his torso, and his right arm, which was holding me, behind him. He was now positioned perfectly to throw me somewhere far away.

  “Well then, Hugo, see you in a week!”

  “Hey hey hey! Wait! No don't! Listen to me dammit!”

  “Bwahahaha!!!”

  Of course he didn't listen to me… and threw me high up in the sky as if I was a damn pebble!

  _____________________________________

  Author's Note: Hey guys! Hope you are enjoying the fic so far! Just wanted to let you know that I'm open for any suggestions you might have. So if you do, then let me know in the comments!