Luffy’s Grandpa Garp has made some big moves in One Piece’s manga, but is it a plot hold that he didn’t save his family earlier in the series?
Warning: SPOILERS for One Piece Manga Chapter 1081Garp has been regarded as one of One Piece‘s most powerful figures, and the Egghead Arc proves why; however, some fans think it’s a plot hole that his abilities didn’t prevent one of the series’ most dramatic deaths. Luffy’s grandfather has been a Marine Vice Admiral since he was introduced in the series and turned down several offers of promotion. With his promising young protégé, Captain Koby, currently imprisoned on Blackbeard’s base of operations, Garp has let loose his destructive abilities. He’s even made short work of the former Admiral Kuzan, proving that Garp could have been a big help in saving his adoptive grandson Portages D. Ace.
The climax of the Marineford arc saw many of One Piece‘s strongest forces going to war to save Ace, with Luffy and the Whitebeard Pirates against the Marines and the Seven Warlords. During the brutal battle, Garp expressed tears of regret for how things worked out for Ace, the boy he was entrusted to protect by the previous Pirate King. The Hero of Marines is not willing to serve the Celestial Dragons like the series’ Admirals have done, but that doesn’t mean he’s ready to throw away the reputation he’s earned over his decades of being a famous Marine. Otherwise, he would have likely broken Ace out before he was brought to Marineford. While Garp not saving Ace might appear like a plot hole to many, it’s actually perfectly in line with what One Piece sets up about him.
One Piece’s Garp Couldn’t Save Ace Because of Luffy
While shaken, Monkey D. Garp seemed resolute in allowing Roger’s son to be executed in front of the world for the crime of existing. Garp’s loyalty to the Marines may have outweighed his love for one adoptive grandson, but that loyalty was shaken by Luffy’s arrival because he wasn’t prepared to lose two grandsons that day. Chapter 1081 proved that Garp is much stronger than One Piece fans thought and could have easily stopped Luffy. Still, Luffy’s capture at this stage of the story would have likely resulted in his execution, along with Ace’s. With that being said, Garp had no choice but to let Luffy pass, or he would have lost both of them.
Rescuing Koby Lets Garp Confront His Grief Violently & Legally
Several conflicting emotions prevented Garp from going all out during the Summit War of Marineford. Still, with his latest protégé, Captain Koby, being held on an island filled with notorious and slave-selling pirates, Garp is able to let loose fully. It also gives the grieving grandfather a completely legal and acceptable way to express the grief he may share for failing to protect Ace. Saving Koby is the right thing to do while also something that the Marines would openly encourage, which is the opposite situation from Garp’s Marineford drama that had him stuck between Marine’s rock and Luffy’s hard fist.
Despite the rumors of Garp and Roger’s legendary team-up to destroy the mysterious Rocks Pirates happening long ago and his holding back in Marineford, Garp is still a powerhouse worthy of his legendary reputation. Now that readers have seen his attack, Galaxy Impact, devastate the Blackbeard Pirate’s Base on Fullalead Island and make the terrifyingly powerful Kuzan look weak, there is no doubt that Garp could have helped save Ace. One Piece‘s Egghead Arc has now shown how devastating Luffy’s Grampa Garp can be if he’s in a situation that his heart is also into.
