Author's Note: I am so sorry for taking so long to bring this out. I got sick, then I got busy, then I got sick again... then I got busy... and all this past week I've woken up with a headache... It's been hectic... I also think I'm about to disappoint all of you, because you guys have to keep in mind... these are very small, very short chapters... With that being said... I'm sorry... and I hope you enjoy... My head hurts... ;_;

What The World Needs

Chapter 11

Both men stood facing each other, breathing deeply, but raggedly in their slight pain. Blood dripped from their wounds, and both looked beaten. Luffy glared his grandfather down, no longer worried about anyone interfering, seeing as both had made sure no one did as did his crew.

After a long while of staring each other down, Garp suddenly smirked and chuckled gruffly. "You've really grown up, Luffy," he said, standing taller from his slouched position.

"Of course I have," Luffy replied, matter of fact as he also straightened out.

"You're much stronger," Garp said and sighed deeply, though he winced to the pain it caused him. "That's good..." he said, though he sounded tired.

"Is it?" Luffy asked, though it sounded more like a statement, than a question, though it was clearly a question.

"Yes," Garp replied, and the smirk returned. He gave another chuckle and said, "You've come a long way... and made a lot of friends."

Luffy's brows twitched slightly, and then he asked, "What're you talking about?"

"You know exactly what I'm talking about," Garp said, giving a grunt as he sat down on some stone rubble. "Cocoyashi, Drum Island, Alabasta, Water 7, Sabaody Archipelago, Mermaid Island..." he let those words trail off. "Friends with a king and princess... Who would have thought?"

Luffy's brow twitched again, and then he said, "I have no idea what you're talking about. I haven't made any frie-"

"Do you think this old man stupid, Luffy?" Garp asked, interrupting him and grunting again. "Even now, you try and protect them, even from your infamy, but I know the truth, because they told me."

Luffy frowned deeply to this, even looking angry, and he asked, "What are you talking about? What did you do to the-?"

"Nothing... I didn't do anything to them. They're smart. They were smart to trust you, and they were smart to trust me. You think I would betray them? You protected them; all of them, even against rotten marines, and you protect your own," he said, and he sighed again, looking more and more tired. "You've done well, Luffy..."

Luffy's expression softened as he regarded his grandfather, and then he said, "You've done the same."

"Mmm," Garp growled, looking far off as he nodded slowly.

Luffy regarded him for a long time, but then he said, softly, "Come with me, Gramps."

Garp grunted roughly, though it sounded like laughter as he regarded his grandson again. "No," he said, simply, but then he said, "My place is here. I have to make things right on my end. Many more need saving, and I have to do so through the marines. I know it can be fixed, Luffy, and it will be. You do things your way, and I will do them mine. Take your crew, Luffy... and go."

Clamping his teeth down, Luffy then gave a hard nod as he moved passed his grandfather, but paused, when Garp spoke up again. "Luffy," he called, but did not turn towards him. Luffy turned to him in question, waiting for him to continue. Sighing again, Garp finally continued, "Keep them safe."

"I will..."

To Be Continued...

Author's Note: And this is what I meant, by disappointing you... Sorry, but a fight wasn't something I could do with such small chapters... They would have turned out like DBZ episodes. ._. Nothing more annoying than that. I hope, however, that you were satisfied with what I did give you. :) Until next time.