Bab 23: Chapter 21
The eternal rain of Amegakure fell in a gentle mist, casting a silvery sheen over the village's towering structures.
Yet, despite the weather, the streets were bustling with activity, a marked change from the tense, fearful atmosphere that had permeated the village for so long.
At the center of this transformation stood a figure that had become familiar and revered over the past six months. Monkey D. Garp strode through the streets with purpose, his imposing frame clad in a white coat emblazoned with the word "Justice" on the back.
His presence alone seemed to part the crowds, civilians and newly minted Marines alike stepping aside with respectful nods and awe-filled glances.
As Garp made his way towards the central tower where Hanzo awaited him, he couldn't help but reflect on the changes that had swept through Amegakure in such a short time.
It had begun with the exploits of his grandchildren.
Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato had become legendary figures in the Land of Rain, their deeds spreading from village to village like wildfire. Tales of the orange-haired youth who commanded lightning, the blue-haired maiden who could create forests at will, and the red-haired boy with strange eyes who wielded godlike powers had captured the imagination of ordinary people.
For six months, they had tirelessly patrolled the Land of Rain, intervening whenever they encountered shinobi abusing their power on the civilians of their nation or outside forces threatening the peace. Villages that had long lived in fear of being caught in the crossfire of ninja conflicts now spoke of the young heroes with hope and admiration.
Garp chuckled as he remembered the reports from the major hidden villages. They had attributed this sudden surge of protective activity to Hanzo, believing the Salamander had finally decided to take a more active role in safeguarding his territory. The truth, of course, was far more interesting.
The new Marine organization, based here in Amegakure, was Garp's brainchild for this world, inspired by the organization he had served in another life. Thanks to Hanzo's iron-clad information blockade, no one outside of Amegakure grasped the full scope of the changes.
The name carries weight, as the title of Marine carried with it the expectation to protect the common people and ensure their safety no matter what.
As Garp passed by a group of young Marines in training, he nodded approvingly. The transformation of Amegakure's shinobi system had been one of their plan's most crucial - and controversial - aspects.
The Shinobi Academy had undergone a complete overhaul. No longer were children rushed onto the battlefield as soon as they could hold a kunai. Students graduate at 18 after a comprehensive education that balances academic knowledge with practical skills. Each graduate was required to master one of the Rokushiki techniques - a system Garp had introduced from his previous life - and three D-rank jutsu before they could be considered for active duty. However, they could only receive the rank of Seaman Recruit, Seaman Apprentice, or Seaman First Class.
This change had initially met with resistance, particularly from those who clung to the old ways of the ninja world. But Garp had been adamant. "No more child soldiers." he had declared, his voice brooking no argument." We're building a force to protect, not sacrificing our youth on the altar of endless conflict. If you love conflict so much, then drag your bodies out there."
Even existing shinobi under the age of 18 had been sent back to the Academy, a move that had caused no small amount of grumbling. But Garp had stood firm, making exceptions only for his grandchildren due to their extraordinary abilities and their crucial role in establishing the Marines' reputa
As he walked, Garp overheard snippets of conversation from the civilians around him.
"Did you hear? The Marine patrols drove off another group of Kusa Shinobi trying to raid the border villages!"
"My cousin in Wazinato says they haven't had a single ninja attack since those three young Vice Admirals saved them months ago."
"I heard the blue-haired one - Konan, I think her name is - created a massive wall of wood to protect a village from flooding!"
Garp couldn't help but smile at the pride in their voices. This was what he had envisioned - a force that the ordinary people could look up to, that existed to protect rather than to be a simple tool.
Another significant change was the rank system of the Marines. Garp, along with Yahiko, Konan, and Nagato, was given the rank of Vice Admiral. Hanzo, after much persuasion (and Garp's repeated refusals), took on the role of Fleet Admiral.
The Admiral positions remained vacant for now. Garp had made it clear that these ranks would only be filled when his grandchildren or others reached a level of strength and wisdom that he deemed worthy of the title.
This goal drove the trio to constantly push their limits, each striving to be the first to earn the coveted rank.
The rest of Hanzo's shinobi had been reevaluated and given new ranks based on their strength, experience, and leadership capabilities. Many embraced the new system enthusiastically, seeing it as a chance for advancement based on merit rather than clan affiliations or political maneuvering.
Garp paused as he passed the former Amegakure shinobi headquarters, now repurposed as the Marine headquarters. The symbol of Amegakure that had once adorned the building had been replaced with the seagull emblem of the Marines, a sight that still filled Garp with a mixture of nostalgia and pride.
Inside, he knew the organization's structure was taking shape. Divisions were being formed, each with its own specialization—intelligence gathering, medical corps, engineering, and, of course, combat units.
This was a far cry from the loose structure of traditional hidden villages, where individual jōnin often operated with either minimal oversight or extreme oversight. The chain of command would ensure everything remained in order.
As Garp neared the central tower, his thoughts turned to the broader political landscape. The Land of Rain had also undergone significant changes in governance. With the Daimyo having fled during the worst of the previous conflicts, Hanzo assumed supreme authority over civilian and military matters.
This consolidation of power allowed for the swift implementation of the Marine system in Amegakure. However, they decided to limit the Marines' official influence on the village. Expanding too quickly, Garp knew, would draw unwanted attention before they were ready to face the inevitable confrontation with the significant hidden villages.
While he was confident in his strength, he would rather not have the entire Shinobi world besieging his grandchildren before they matured.
"Vice Admiral Garp!" a voice called out, pulling him from his thoughts.
Garp turned to see a young Marine saluting him smartly. The lad couldn't have been more than 16 or 17, likely one of the first graduates under the new system.
"At ease, son." Garp said with a grin. "What can I do for you?"
The young man straightened up, a mix of awe and determination in his eyes. "Sir, I just wanted to thank you. You saved me a few months ago when I was on a mission."
Garp felt a warmth in his chest at the young man's words. This was why he had embarked on this ambitious plan. To give children a chance at childhood, to build a force that protected the innocent rather than using them as pawns in endless power struggles.
"You're welcome, brat!" Garp said, clapping the young Marine on the shoulder (and nearly knocking him over in the process). "Just remember - being a Marine isn't about power or glory. It's about protecting those who can't protect themselves. Never forget that."
The young man nodded enthusiastically before saluting again and hurrying off to his duties.
As Garp resumed his walk, he could feel the villagers' eyes on him. Their gazes were filled with respect, hope, and no small amount of curiosity. He knew that to many of them, he was still something of an enigma—the outsider who had swept in and, with Hanzo's backing, turned their world upside down.
But the results spoke for themselves. In just six months, the Land of Rain had gone from a war-torn region constantly caught in the crossfire of larger conflicts to a place where people could begin to hope for a peaceful future.
Of course, Garp knew that this was just the beginning. The real challenges lay ahead. Sooner or later, the other hidden villages would realize that the changes in the Land of Rain went far beyond Hanzo simply tightening his grip on power. When that day came, they would need to be ready.
That was part of the reason he met with Hanzo today. They needed to discuss the next phase of their plan—how to continue building their strength while maintaining the illusion of business as usual to the outside world.
As Garp reached the base of the central tower, he took a moment to straighten his coat, the word "Justice" prominently displayed on his back. It was more than just a piece of clothing - it symbolized everything they were working towards, a reminder of the ideals that had driven him for decades.
The guards at the entrance saluted sharply as he approached. "Vice Admiral Garp! Fleet Admiral Hanzo is expecting you, sir!"
Garp nodded, returning their salute before entering the tower. As he made his way up to Hanzo's office, his mind was already racing with plans and possibilities. The foundation had been laid, but the real work was just beginning.
When he reached Hanzo's office door, Garp paused for a moment, taking a deep breath. Then, with a grin that had struck fear into the hearts of pirates in another life, he pushed the door open.
"Oi, Hanzo!" he boomed as he entered. "Hope you're ready for a long chat. We've got a world to change, after all!"
As the door closed behind him, Garp's boisterous laughter and Hanzo's exasperated sighs echoed down the hallway. The dawn of a new era was upon them, and Monkey D. Garp was determined to see it through.
Inside the office, Hanzo looked up from his desk, his expression a mixture of amusement and resignation. "Garp." he said, his voice muffled slightly by his respirator, "Must you always make such an entrance?"
Garp laughed heartily as he took a seat across from Hanzo. "Come on, old friend. Where's the fun in being subtle?"
Hanzo shook his head, but his eyes showed a glint of fondness. Over the past few years, he had grown accustomed to Garp's boisterous nature - and, though he'd never admit it out loud, had come to appreciate the energy and optimism the man brought to their endeavor.
"Very well." Hanzo said, leaning forward. "Then let's get down to business."
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[AN: I'm really catching my grove with this ark. I'm trying so hard to stockpile chapters for you guys so I can at least post 3 times a week rather than once. The last arc was really just a Prologue to set us up for this once. I plan to throw Canon out the window very soon."]
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