Monkey D. Garp is one of the strongest, most experienced, and respected Marines in the world of One Piece. He is known for his superhuman strength, extreme mastery of Haki, and unparalleled mental toughness. Despite his impressive accomplishments, Garp chose to remain a Vice Admiral rather than accept the offer to become an Admiral.
In fact, Garp has refused to accept promotion 27 times, and his reason for rejecting the position of Admiral is directly related to the Celestial Dragons or Naga Langit. The God Valley incident, in particular, left a lasting impact on Garp’s memory, especially his involvement with Roger and the Celestial Dragons. Though he bears no ill will toward the Marines, Garp despises the thought of being associated with the Celestial Dragons in any way.
An Admiral in One Piece is required to answer directly to the Celestial Dragons and provide immediate assistance whenever they face problems. For Garp, this is a definition of a nightmare, and that is why he never wanted to become an Admiral. So instead, he chose to remain as a Vice Admiral in the Marines and continue to use his superhuman strength, mastery of Haki, and mental toughness to protect civilians and punish pirates.
Garp’s outstanding achievements and unparalleled strength make it more than justifiable for him to become an Admiral, and maybe even hold the position of Fleet Admiral after Sengoku’s term. However, Garp has his reasons for not taking the promotion, and that is his strong connection to his principles and how he views the world. He cares about justice, protecting innocent lives, and keeping the peace in the world of One Piece, but he also despises the arrogance and entitlement of the Celestial Dragons.
In a world full of people who obtain power through Devil Fruits, Garp is an exception. He never ate a Devil Fruit and still managed to go toe-to-toe with some of the toughest sea monsters in One Piece. That’s why he’s considered a legend among the Marines and a hero to the civilians.
In conclusion, Garp’s refusal to become an Admiral is due to his strong opposition to the Celestial Dragons and their views. He wants to continue to serve in the Marines and uphold justice without any restrictions or obligations to those who seek to exploit it. Garp’s actions speak louder than words, and his principles have earned him respect and admiration from both friend and foe in the world of One Piece.
