Chapter 37: The Chief Staff Officer’s Grace and Consideration

After saying that, Garp stood up.

"Get some good rest first. Since you truly want to become a righteous Marine, I can't just turn a blind eye. It's my duty as a senior Marine, after all!"

Ortoren didn't say a word, but a faint smile formed on his lips.

Garp turned with Bogard and walked toward the door. Just as his hand touched the doorknob, he paused. Without turning around, he asked, "By the way, what does justice mean to you?"

Ortoren was silent for a moment, then replied, "I don't know."

"Is that so?" Garp smiled again, the same warm expression from earlier still on his face. He didn't look back, but said softly, "Well, that makes sense. A young man like you probably hasn't found the answer yet. But it's fine—you've got time to figure it out."

With that, he opened the door and left.

Ortoren's head still felt a little foggy. But by now, he'd done everything he could. Judging from Garp's attitude, it seemed like he wanted to help. All that was left to do was wait.

Even if it didn't work out, Garp didn't strike him as the type who'd just throw him in prison, right?

Pushing those thoughts aside, Ortoren lay back down on the bed. Before long, he was fast asleep.

...

Elsewhere, Garp and Bogard walked through the corridor of the ship. Suddenly, Garp spoke.

"So, what do you think of that kid?"

"Don't know him well enough to say," Bogard answered calmly.

"Exactly," Garp said with a smile. "And that's why we shouldn't rush to judge him."

"You're thinking of giving him a chance?" Bogard asked after a pause.

"If someone with talent wants to join the Marines, why would I turn him away?" Garp replied.

"But his background is complicated. If he were just an average hothead, it'd be no big deal. But this kid—his talent and potential are exceptional. If he really joins the Marines... and if he's not sincere... what then?" Bogard's voice was as calm as ever, but each word landed with weight. "If he rises through the ranks with that kind of talent, he could climb high—very high. If his intentions are bad, the damage to the Marines could be immense. Have you really thought this through, Garp-san?"

"You're right," Garp nodded. "If someone like him turned out to be a threat, we'd be in serious trouble."

But he quickly added, "Still, if we let fear stop us and reject someone like him because of what might be, we'd be missing out on something big. The potential he's shown is worth the risk. Besides..."

"Besides what?" Bogard prompted.

"Besides, we have to believe in ourselves. In the Marines. In the convictions we uphold," Garp said with a hearty laugh, clapping Bogard on the shoulder. "If even we don't believe in the power of justice—then that's the real problem, Bogard!"

Bogard didn't respond immediately. He walked a few more steps, then finally said, "You make a good point, Garp-san."

...

Back in his office, Garp took out a Den Den Mushi and quickly dialed.

It didn't take long before the call connected and Tsuru's exasperated voice came through.

"You do know I'm busy, right? Or are you overestimating me—thinking I could dig up what you asked for in such a short time?"

"Ahahaha, I'm actually calling to take something off your plate, Tsuru," Garp laughed. "You don't need to look into what I asked earlier. I've already got the answer."

"Oh? So that brat's awake then? You got the intel you wanted? And it put you at ease?" Tsuru asked knowingly.

"I did get the 'intel'—but instead of easing my mind, it made me even more worried. That kid's Charlotte Linlin's son. Pretty wild, right?" Garp replied with a grin, then filled Tsuru in on everything he'd learned about Ortoren.

Chief Staff Officer Tsuru paused for a moment, then asked, "So, you're not planning to let him join the Marines, and that's why there's no need to keep investigating? Is that what you mean?"

"No, just the opposite. I'm going to bring that kid into the Marines. Come to think of it, isn't Zephyr setting up some kind of officer training camp? Or something along those lines? A place to cultivate promising new blood for the Marines... I plan to send him there for training," Garp said nonchalantly.

"Do you really understand what you're saying?" Tsuru asked softly.

After a short pause, Garp replied firmly, "Of course I do."

"Well, if that's your decision, then suit yourself," Tsuru said with a light chuckle.

"I thought you'd try to talk me out of it with a dozen reasons! Bwahahaha!" Garp laughed heartily.

"You might be unreliable most of the time, but... you're no fool," Tsuru quipped, and without saying another word, she hung up the Den Den Mushi.

Garp looked at the now-silent Den Den Mushi and shook his head with a sigh. "Not considerate at all."

"I think the Chief Staff Officer was being quite considerate," Bogard said seriously from the side.

...

At Marine Headquarters in Marineford, inside the Intelligence Department of the Fortress of Justice, Chief Staff Officer Tsuru set down the Den Den Mushi, then turned and said, "Gion, about that matter I mentioned earlier—hurry and dig into it. I want a thorough investigation."

Sitting across from her, Gion looked up in confusion. "But Tsuru-san, didn't you just tell Garp-chan to do as he pleased?"

"That's because I could already tell—he's made up his mind to bring that kid back. And once Garp makes up his mind, no one can talk him out of it," Tsuru said calmly.

"You're old comrades, though. He should at least listen to you a little, right?" Gion asked with a grin.

"Exactly because we're old comrades, I know he won't," Tsuru replied with ease. "But it's fine. Like I said, he's not stupid. First, we run a full investigation on that kid. If something's really off, Garp will make the right call."

"So you're actually against it then? Against the one Garp-chan is trying to bring in?" Gion asked curiously.

"No. Why would I be? Whether he's Whitebeard's son or Charlotte Linlin's, as long as he genuinely wants to join the Marines and become one of us, someone who shares our ideals, then none of that matters. Honestly, I'd welcome him. Garp's been singing his praises—if even half of that is true, then the kid's a rare talent. Strengthening the Marines? I'm all for it," Tsuru replied plainly.

"Then why investigate?" Gion shrugged.

"Exactly because I welcome and support him, that's why we must investigate—and thoroughly. It's our responsibility. To the Marines, to our Intelligence Division, to me, to Garp, and to that kid. Only once everything's been clearly checked can we all move forward with peace of mind. If not, it'll definitely lead to suspicion and conflict down the line," Tsuru explained with a faint smile.

Gion thought for a moment, then said, "As expected, compared to Garp-chan, you're more meticulous and thoughtful, Tsuru-san."

She had understood Tsuru's point. If they just followed Garp's wishes and didn't investigate, and something went wrong later, all the blame would fall on Garp—it was his decision, after all. But if the Intelligence Division did a thorough investigation now, and any issues came up, the process would stop there. If no issues arose, and the kid joined as Garp hoped, then the responsibility would be shared. It might seem like a minor difference now, but in reality, it would lift much of the burden from Garp's shoulders in the future.

"Maybe this is what camaraderie between old war buddies looks like," Gion thought. "Quietly covering each other's blind spots, handling the aftermath without a word... this is what they call the grace and consideration of a mature woman, isn't it? How charming, Tsuru-san~"