"Then let me make it official."
Shuu's crimson eyes locked onto Luffy.
"Monkey D. Luffy... I hereby declare your sentence: death."
The moment those words fell, silence consumed the entire prison.
Shuu's voice echoed through every corridor and every cell.
Zoro, Sanji, Robin, Franky, Brook, Chopper, and the rest of the Straw Hat crew all heard it clearly.
Everyone froze.
Including Luffy.
Shuu looked at the stunned expression on Luffy's face and smiled faintly.
"Well?"
"Did your heart stop for a second?"
Luffy swallowed hard and slowly nodded.
Shuu continued calmly,
"Don't ever think that execution is something far away from you."
"As long as you're pirates..."
"As long as you're captured by me..."
"The outcome will never be pleasant."
His scarlet eyes swept across every prisoner present before settling on Luffy once more.
"As for that death sentence..."
"Consider it a warning of the worst possible future waiting for you."
Luffy blinked.
"So... it's not official yet?"
Shuu shrugged.
"Of course, your final sentence may still be execution."
Luffy fell silent again.
After a moment, Shuu sighed.
"Luffy."
"I know you believe becoming a pirate makes you free."
"But have you ever thought about your grandfather?"
"Do you know how much Ace's death affected him?"
"And now you're walking the exact same path."
"You're a member of the Monkey family."
"Luffy..."
"Do you really not regret any of this?"
The question left Luffy completely speechless.
Shuu shook his head and turned toward the other cells.
"And the rest of you."
"Do you all think being pirates is that exciting?"
His gaze swept over every member of the Straw Hat crew.
"A pirate hunter became a pirate."
"A cook became a pirate."
"A thief became a pirate."
"And Franky, you're practically a scientist, yet you became a pirate too."
There was genuine disappointment in his voice.
In Shuu's eyes, many of them could have become outstanding Marines.
He rubbed his forehead.
There was no point discussing it now.
What was done was done.
"You all have plenty of time."
"So stay here and think about your choices."
With that, Shuu turned and left the prison.
Behind him, the Straw Hat Pirates remained silent.
No one spoke.
No one argued.
The weight of his words lingered in the air.
Shuu did not stay in Zero Division for long.
After reminding the guards to maintain the highest level of security, he headed back toward Marine Headquarters.
Just as he reached the base of the office building, a furious roar sounded behind him.
"SHUU!!!"
"How's Luffy?!"
Shuu didn't even need to turn around.
He already knew who it was.
Sure enough, standing there was Vice Admiral Garp, dressed casually in a short-sleeved shirt and loose pants.
His face was filled with anger.
Not anger directed at Shuu.
But anger toward reality itself.
Even now, he could hardly believe that Luffy had truly been captured.
And by Zero Division, no less.
"Answer me, Shuu!"
Garp rushed over, his voice trembling.
Looking into Garp's eyes, Shuu saw something rare.
Fear.
Desperation.
And pleading.
He sighed.
"He's in the prison."
"He's injured, but he's fine."
Garp immediately let out a breath of relief.
Then he asked nervously,
"Can... can I see him?"
Shuu nodded.
"You can."
"But a Zero Division officer will accompany you."
He wasn't worried about Garp breaking Luffy out.
The real issue was that entry into the prison required Spiritual Pressure verification, something Garp didn't possess.
"Thank you, Fleet Admiral Shuu."
Garp's voice carried genuine gratitude.
Right now, all he wanted was to see his grandson.
Shuu nodded and began walking away.
But before he got far, Garp suddenly stopped and turned back.
"Shuu... wait."
"There is something else."
Shuu paused.
"What is it?"
Garp hesitated.
Then, with difficulty, he asked,
"Luffy's punishment..."
Shuu's expression became serious.
"For now, execution is the proposed sentence."
"The final decision depends on the full evaluation of his crimes."
Garp's eyes widened.
The color drained from his face.
"Execution..."
Seeing Garp's reaction, Shuu added,
"That doesn't mean there isn't another possibility."
Garp immediately grabbed his sleeve.
"What possibility?"
Shuu looked at him quietly.
"Convince him to abandon piracy."
"And convince him to join the World Government."
"That's his only chance."
He paused before asking,
"But honestly, do you think Luffy would agree?"
The hope in Garp's eyes dimmed.
Still, he clenched his fists.
"I'll find a way."
"I'll convince him."
Without another word, Garp hurried toward the prison.
Shuu watched him disappear into the distance.
Then he sighed.
"Garp..."
"You're underestimating Luffy's will."
"He'd rather die than surrender his dream."
Shaking his head, Shuu turned and headed toward headquarters.
A meeting still needed to be held regarding the Straw Hat Pirates.
Even if Luffy ultimately faced execution, Shuu intended to use the situation to draw out a much bigger target.
Monkey D. Dragon.
Of course, the details would need to be discussed with Sengoku, Tsuru, and the other senior officers first.
Meanwhile, Garp entered the prison.
After escorting him inside, the Zero Division guard vanished into the shadows.
The gesture was deliberate.
It gave grandfather and grandson some privacy.
At least on the surface.
In reality, every movement and every word remained under surveillance.
If Garp attempted anything beyond Marine regulations, Zero Division would intervene immediately.
Silence filled the corridor.
Then a familiar voice broke it.
"Grandpa..."
Luffy's voice trembled slightly.
Garp slowly sat down cross-legged outside the cell.
In that moment, he seemed decades older.
For a long time, neither of them spoke.
Finally, Luffy broke the silence.
"Grandpa..."
"Have you been doing okay lately?"
Garp's expression immediately darkened.
"You still remember that you have a grandfather?!"
His anger exploded.
"Look at yourself!"
"How am I supposed to be okay?!"
His face flushed red.
"I told you over and over again!"
"Don't become a pirate!"
"Don't become a pirate!"
"But did you listen?"
"No!"
"You listened to that Red-Haired pirate instead!"
"Look where it got you!"
Luffy frowned.
"But I never robbed anyone!"
"I never slaughtered innocent people!"
"I saved several countries!"
Garp snorted.
"Yes."
"You did save countries."
"I know that."
"But do you understand what happened because of people like you?"
"Do you know how many people want to become pirates now?"
"Do you think everyone becomes a pirate for dreams and adventure?"
"No!"
Garp's voice echoed throughout the prison.
"Most don't!"
"Pirates are pirates!"
"It doesn't matter what excuse they use."
"It doesn't matter what dream they claim to follow."
"Good intentions alone don't erase the damage."
He looked directly at Luffy.
His eyes were filled with pain.
"Listen carefully."
"A few good people don't change what piracy has become."
"One person's righteousness cannot erase the suffering caused by countless others."
"And no matter how much you believe in your path..."
"You cannot simply paint darkness as light."
-----------------------------
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