Chapter 5: Garps Special Training

Spring passed, autumn came, and in the blink of an eye, seven years had passed.

On Gorbo Mountain, near Windmill Village, a terrifying vibration shook the ground as a huge creature slowly emerged. It resembled a cow but was over ten times larger than any ordinary cow. Even the elephants on Earth would look small beside this colossal beast. Despite its size, the creature lay unconscious, being dragged by a tiny figure, leaving a long furrow in the ground.

"Hey, Dadan! Look what I caught! I'm getting ready for a Feast!" Ace burst out laughing and shouting.

At that moment, Dadan dared not respond. She stood in front of the house, her posture rigid, cold sweat trickling down her face.

"You've raised Ace well, Dadan," a devilish smile crossed Garp's face, making Dadan shiver.

"It's all right, Mr. Garp," Dadan straightened her back, trying to maintain composure.

"Huh? What, the old man is here? Don't steal my meat," Ace said with disgust as he approached the house and saw Garp along with the trembling Dadan family.

"Call me grandpa, you little brat! You're so polite to others but so rude to your grandpa!" Garp snapped, seeing the smile on Ace's face turn into a frown.

"Others don't steal my prey, old man," Ace retorted. He found it annoying that Garp, despite being of the same generation as his father, Roger the Pirate King, insisted on being called grandpa. Plus, Garp had a habit of snatching his catches over the years.

"Well, don't sweat the small stuff. The prey you caught this time is excellent, hahaha," Garp laughed, eyeing Ace's catch.

"Already this strong?" Garp thought, marveling at the behemoth before him. Despite his usual nonchalance, Garp had refrained from giving Ace any "inhumane" special training at such a young age. Ace's natural strength and talent were indeed remarkable.

"There's going to be a banquet, Dadan!" Ace shouted, not caring about Garp's thoughts.

"Forget the banquet. I've got a rare vacation this time, so I'm going to train you well! You'll become a great sailor, hahaha," Garp grabbed Ace and laughed.

"A sailor? I don't want that," Ace replied, disgusted at the thought. Turning the Pirate King's bloodline into a Marine was just Garp's twisted idea. Ace had no desire to be under the World Government's thumb, much less become a lackey for the Celestial Dragons. He aspired to be a pirate.

"What?! You brat, during this special training, I'll show you how great the navy is!" Garp fumed, dragging Ace toward his ship. "Dadan, I'll bring this brat back in a month!"

After Ace and Garp left, Dadan watched their departure with worry.

Two days into their journey, Ace looked helplessly at Garp on the ship. "Hey! Where are you taking me?"

"Call me grandpa! Grandpa!" Garp corrected him, then added, "We're heading to an uninhabited island. Try not to die there, hahaha."

"Look, we're almost there," Garp pointed ahead. A small island came into view, its atmosphere filled with the roars of wild beasts. Clearly, this was no ordinary island.

"Just an island with some random beasts? I need a hot bath at night," Ace muttered, spitting in Garp's direction. Remembering his mother's words, taking a hot bath every night had become Ace's habit.

"Don't worry about the hot bath. And these are not ordinary beasts. This island holds more than just animals," Garp's smile was wicked. He then pulled out two huge fishing rods from the boat. "Before we throw you into the jungle, let's go fishing," Garp said with a strange smile.

Ace could only brace himself for what lay ahead.