Garp did almost nothing when Ace was about to be executed in One Piece. But now that Koby is captured by Blackbeard, he’s ventured out in full force.
The following contains spoilers for the One Piece manga by Eiichiro Oda, available in English from Viz Media.
Despite One Piece‘s lengthy manga and anime tenure, it’s had surprisingly few major deaths thus far. However, that doesn’t make the losses any less devastating. One of the most impactful was the death of Luffy’s sworn brother — and the Whitebeard Pirates’ second division captain — Portgas D. Ace. His screen-time in One Piece may have been limited, but the Flame-Flame Fruit user won many fans’ admiration. He was shown to be a highly capable pirate, even saving the Straw Hat Pirates back in Alabasta. Ace was also quite quirky and similar to Luffy, falling asleep in the most random places.
So when Ace eventually lost to Blackbeard and was scheduled to be executed, fans hoped for Luffy’s success in rescuing him. Many were devastated when the former ultimately met his demise. While notable pirates like Whitebeard and Luffy were trying to save him, Ace’s foster grandfather, Monkey D. Garp, did almost nothing. But now that Blackbeard has abducted Captain Koby, Garp is leading the Marines’ charge to save him. So, why exactly is Garp aiming to save Koby but not Ace?
One Piece’s Garp Is a Loyal Marine Through and Through
Garp not rescuing Ace is not a matter of lacking strength, as proven in recent chapters of One Piece. The true reason why Garp couldn’t save Ace is his affiliation with the Marines, which is also his defining characteristic. He has devoted his entire life to serving the organization and upholding its values. This loyalty is evident in his actions throughout the series, as he consistently puts the Marines’ interests above all else. Unfortunately, it is still not yet revealed if there is a deeper meaning behind that loyalty. But it’s clear that Garp is just as hard-headed as Luffy when it comes to his convictions.
Saving Ace would have gone against Garp’s loyalty to the Marines. After all, Ace was not just any pirate; he was the son of the Pirate King Gol D. Roger himself, and his execution was seen as a crucial step in the fight against piracy. However, that doesn’t necessarily mean Garp is a blind follower of the Marines and the World Government. In fact, he has declined promotion on several occasions because he didn’t want to do anything with the Celestial Dragons. Similarly, Garp’s affiliation does not eliminate his emotions. After all, he sees Ace as his true grandson.
Garp Treated Ace Like His Own Grandson
To fully understand how deeply related Garp and Ace are, delving into how he became Ace’s foster grandfather is necessary. Ace was the Roger’s son, and Roger was Garp’s rival. After fighting for so long, Roger and Garp somehow came to understand each other. Since his execution was already overdue, Roger entrusted his son to Garp. While the latter reasonably didn’t want to take on the responsibility, Roger knew the good Marine won’t let an innocent child suffer. After all, a child shouldn’t bear the sins of his father.
When Garp did take Ace under his wing, he took him fully as his own grandson. Although he is not the best grandfather in One Piece, he did his best in raising Ace. At the very least, he treated both Luffy, his true grandson, and Ace the same way. He desperately wanted to raise the two children into notable Marine officers, though both ended up becoming pirates instead. Nonetheless, Garp has constantly attempted to change their views but to no avail. That being said, his lack of a rescue attempt is not due to him neglecting Ace as family.
This is shown when Garp himself is conflicted during Ace’s capture. Even before Luffy infiltrated Impel Down, Garp had already visited Ace and talked to his grandson about his life choices and upcoming fate. Their heartfelt conversation continued on the execution stand as Ace waited for his foster grandson’s death or safety. He also let Luffy easily get past him, likely hoping that the Rubber-man could successfully free his sword brother. But the best reflection of Garp’s feelings toward Ace was perhaps when Akainu ultimately managed to kill the young pirate. Garp was seething and ready to murder the Marine admiral, and Sengoku had to physically restrain him.
Captain Koby Is the Manifestation of All Garp’s Wishes
Koby’s case, however, is quite different. Unlike Ace, who had been somewhat forced onto Garp, the vice admiral willingly accepted Koby under his wing. Garp witnessed the young Marine’s dedication and potential, which ultimately earned his respect. Despite his lack of combat experience at the start of One Piece, Koby has shown remarkable growth and development over time. He has since started making a name for himself, both among his peers in the Marines and the normal citizens, and has even been given the title of hero.
Koby, of course, also respects Garp. He follows the old vice admiral’s teachings and veers away from the Marines’ corruption. This is another reason why Garp likes Koby. Unlike other marines who have been swayed by the corrupt system, Koby has remained steadfast in his beliefs and principles. Garp eventually acknowledges Koby as both his protégé and the future of the Marines.
In a way, Koby is the grandson Garp always wished to have. He doesn’t have to force the young Marine to follow the same path as him, as Koby has always wanted to be a soldier of justice. He possesses a steadfast heart and notable potential, and it’s no exaggeration to say he is already a remarkable Marine officer. So when Garp heard the news of the young man’s kidnapping, he wasted no time in attempting to rescue him.
