One of the biggest mysteries surrounding Monkey D. Garp is why he never truly forced Luffy or Ace to become Marines in One piece.

Yes, Garp constantly told them to become Marines when they were children. He trained them harshly and dreamed of seeing his grandsons wear the Marine uniform. But once they grew older and chose the path of piracy, Garp never seriously tried to arrest them or force them to change their minds.

Considering Garp’s position as the Hero of the Marines and one of the strongest Vice Admirals in history, he could have easily captured both Luffy and Ace and kept them imprisoned until they gave up on becoming pirates.

Spoiler Warning: This article contains spoilers from the One Piece manga, including events from Chapter 1159 and later chapters. If you’re not caught up with the manga, read at your own risk.

So why didn’t he?

This One Piece Fan Theory explores the possibility that Garp’s true dream was never for Luffy and Ace to become Marines—it was simply for them to become strong enough to live freely.

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Garp Only Pushed Them When They Were Children

Throughout the series, Garp repeatedly tells Luffy and Ace that they should become Marines.

At first glance, it seems like Garp is obsessed with making them follow his own dream.

However, there’s one important detail many fans overlook.

Once Luffy and Ace became teenagers, Garp stopped trying to force them.

He still complained about their decisions, but he never used his authority to arrest them or drag them back into Marine Headquarters.

Instead, he allowed them to choose their own path.

That feels very different from someone who truly wanted to control their future.

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God Valley May Have Changed Garp Forever

My theory is that the God Valley Incident completely changed Garp’s perspective.

During God Valley, Garp witnessed events that the World Government later erased from history.

The latest manga chapters reveal just how much of the truth was hidden from the world.

If Garp saw innocent civilians suffering while the World Government covered everything up, he would have realized that justice isn’t always as simple as the Marines claim.

That experience may have taught him one important lesson:

Strength matters more than status.

Whether someone becomes a Marine, a pirate, or a revolutionary, they must be strong enough to protect the people they care about.

Garp’s Brutal Training Had a Different Purpose

When we look back at Garp’s training, it seems almost unbelievable.

He threw Luffy into dangerous forests.

He left him in the wilderness.

He trained Ace, Sabo, and Luffy through life-threatening situations.

At first, it looked like cruel training.

But what if Garp wasn’t trying to create Marines?

What if he was simply trying to make sure they could survive any future they chose?

After everything Garp witnessed, he likely understood that the world was far more dangerous than children could imagine.

No matter which path they followed, they would need incredible strength and courage.

Dragon’s Story Supports This Theory

Another interesting clue comes from One Piece Chapter 1159.

We learn that Monkey D. Dragon once served in the Marines.

In that chapter, Dragon witnesses his superior attacking innocent civilians.

If Dragon saw the darker side of the Marines with his own eyes, it’s easy to imagine him discussing those events with Garp.

After both the God Valley Incident and Dragon’s experiences, Garp may have realized that the Marines were not always the symbol of justice they claimed to be.

That could explain why he never truly forced Luffy or Ace to join the organization.

Instead, he allowed them to choose their own definition of justice.

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Garp Never Wanted to Take Away Their Freedom

Even after Ace and Luffy became famous pirates, Garp had countless opportunities to capture them.

But every encounter felt different.

Instead of treating them like dangerous criminals, Garp behaved more like a disappointed grandfather than a determined Marine.

He chased them because it was part of his duty.

But he rarely acted as though he genuinely wanted to imprison them.

This suggests that Garp valued something even more than the Marine uniform.

He valued their freedom.

As long as Luffy and Ace were alive, healthy, and following the path they believed in, Garp could accept their choices—even if he disagreed with them.

Marineford Revealed Garp’s True Feelings

The greatest evidence comes during the Marineford War.

As Ace is about to be executed, Garp asks him:

“Why didn’t you just live the way I told you?”

These weren’t the words of a Marine speaking to a criminal.

They were the words of a grandfather who was about to lose someone he loved.

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Later, when Akainu kills Ace and begins chasing Luffy, Garp completely loses control.

He openly tries to attack Akainu and has to be restrained by Sengoku.

This is one of the few moments in the entire series where Garp allows his emotions to overcome his duty.

If Sengoku hadn’t stopped him, Garp may have killed a fellow Admiral.

That moment proves that family always meant more to Garp than the Marines.

Why Luffy Never Gives Up

Years later, we also learn why Luffy remains calm in situations that would terrify most people.

His childhood training under Garp forced him to overcome fear itself.

Every impossible challenge prepared him for the harsh reality of the New World.

Perhaps that was Garp’s real goal all along.

Not to create Marines.

Not to create pirates.

But to create people who would never break, no matter what life threw at them.

Final Thoughts

This theory suggests that Garp’s dream changed after witnessing the truth about the World Government.

He realized that becoming a Marine wasn’t enough to protect the people he loved.

Instead, he devoted himself to making Ace, Sabo, and Luffy as strong as possible.

He pushed them relentlessly when they were children because he knew the world was cruel.

But once they became old enough to choose their own path, he respected that choice.

Deep down, Garp didn’t care whether they became Marines, pirates, or revolutionaries.

He only wanted them to be strong enough to live freely.

And in the end, that may have been the greatest lesson Garp ever taught them.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Why didn’t Garp arrest Luffy after he became a pirate?

Although Garp had the power to arrest Luffy, he never seemed truly determined to do so. This fan theory suggests that Garp valued Luffy’s freedom more than forcing him into the Marines.

Did Garp really want Ace and Luffy to become Marines?

When they were children, yes. However, as they grew older, Garp stopped forcing them and allowed them to make their own decisions, suggesting his priorities had changed.

Did the God Valley Incident change Garp?

The manga hasn’t fully confirmed this, but many fans believe the God Valley Incident deeply affected Garp and changed how he viewed the World Government and justice.

How does Dragon support this theory?

Chapter 1159 reveals Dragon’s time in the Marines and shows him witnessing corruption firsthand. It’s possible that Dragon shared his experiences with Garp, reinforcing Garp’s doubts about the Marines.

Why did Garp train Luffy so harshly?

According to this theory, Garp’s brutal training wasn’t about turning Luffy into a Marine. It was about making him strong enough to survive in a dangerous world, regardless of the path he chose.