One Piece: With Sign-in System

Very soon, spring arrived.

Ron was now 11 years old.

It had been nearly three years since he came to the world of pirates.

Before the snow had fully melted, Garp, wearing his dog-head hat and draped in his Justice cloak, arrived on a warship to pick up Ron.

"Well, I'll be off then."

Carrying his long sword and a pack, Ron stood beside Garp and waved goodbye to Kuina, Ace, Luffy, Makino, and the others.

"Yeah, I'll be setting sail in a few more years as well," Ace grinned, "See you out on the ocean, Ron."

"Thanks for everything."

Little Luffy also waved vigorously at Ron, laughing broadly, "Ron, don't forget to come back and visit! And if you see Sabo, make sure to write me a letter and let me know!"

"Got it."

Ron smiled at the two of them. "Even after I leave, don't slack off, okay? Next time we meet, I don't want you two to be so weak that you can't even land a punch on me."

"Don't worry, next time I'll be strong enough to knock you flying!"

"This is some new wine I brewed; you'll probably like it. Take it with you."

Makino came forward, handing Ron a wooden box with bottles of wine inside.

Ron thanked her.

"Thanks for taking care of me all this time, Makino."

Makino wiped the tears from the corners of her eyes and looked at Ron with her usual gentle smile. "I look forward to hearing your name out on the seas soon, Ron."

Ron glanced at Kuina one last time. She said nothing, only smiled and extended her fist toward him.

Ron understood her meaning.

"Don't forget our promise... right."

"All set to go?"

Garp, with arms folded, looked over and asked.

"Yeah."

"Then let's get moving."

Ron nodded, waved goodbye to the group, then turned and walked down the road with Garp, slowly disappearing from sight.

Kuina stood in place, watching for a long time.

"Kuina, let's head back."

Makino placed her hand on Kuina's shoulder and said softly.

"Makino, am I weak?"

"No, you're already very strong."

Kuina shook her head. "Still not enough. I can feel it, the gap between him and me is growing. This isn't what I wanted."

Makino didn't know what to say.

"If I keep going like this, I won't even be able to see his back anymore, let alone stand by his side…"

Kuina's eyes were filled with determination.

"I need to become much stronger!"

...

On the warship.

After placing his luggage and long sword in the cabin, Ron stood alone by the railing, watching as the island grew smaller and smaller.

Behind him, several marines were whispering as they looked at the small figure.

"That's the Marine recruit the rumors talk about, the one specially recruited by Fleet Admiral Sengoku?"

"He just looks like an ordinary boy. What's so special about him?"

"Is he a Devil Fruit user?"

"No idea."

"Hey, you guys!"

Garp, dressed in his white suit, wearing his dog-head hat and Justice cloak, walked over and yelled at the Marines, "Don't talk behind people's backs! Don't you know that's rude?!"

"Y-Yes, sir!!"

After chasing away the marines, Garp walked over to Ron, smiling. "How's your Haki training coming along?"

"Not great. Without suitable opponents, my progress is slow."

Ron leaned on the railing, staring out at the sea.

"Hahaha, once we get to Marineford, you'll have as many opponents as you want."

Garp laughed heartily.

"Let me make one thing clear: I'm only a special recruit, not someone who's going to help the Marines catch pirates."

"The Marine's not so short-staffed that they need an 11-year-old to lead troops to catch pirates," Garp said while scratching his nose.

"I've already spoken to Sengoku. You'll be able to visit and study at the Marine Academy. After honing your skills against stronger opponents, you'll become much stronger."

Ron glanced at Garp, surprised. "The Marines trusts me that much?"

"Hmm... they mostly just want to recruit you."

Garp flicked at his nose. "Sengoku's been stressing himself gray these past few years, trying to strengthen the younger generation of the Marines. A little monster like you, if properly trained, could carry the Marines into the next era."

"A three-year internship. Even if you don't want to join the Marines after that, as long as you don't help pirates or oppose the Marines, you can keep the title of special recruit. Except for commanding troops or weapons, you'll still enjoy quite a few privileges, which should be useful to you."

"But if you show any signs of siding with pirates or turning against the Marines…"

Garp paused and looked at Ron.

Ron understood the meaning in his eyes.

"They'll eliminate me before I become a threat, right?"

Garp laughed. "More or less."

There were a few things Garp didn't say.

Ron's appointment as a special Marine recruit had caused some controversy within the Marines. Some were opposed to changing the Marines's rules for a child.

It was Sengoku who used his authority as Fleet Admiral to suppress the dissent.

If Ron were to betray the Marines, Sengoku would be the one primarily responsible.

But Sengoku had made this decision not because he trusted a boy he had never met, but because he trusted his old friend Garp. For the future of the Marines, he was willing to gamble his position as Fleet Admiral.

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T/N:

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