Sabaody
Near the Archipelago, several naval warships advanced from headquarters, slicing through the waves like steel beasts. On the prow of the most eccentric ship was the carved head of a dog, the unmistakable symbol of "Garp the Fist."
Garp: "They won't escape... especially that damn water brat. He'll regret taking my son from me."
The resentment in his voice was heavier than steel. Garp still bore the wound from Dragon's death, unable even to recover his body. That emptiness gnawed at him every night, a constant reminder of the day he received the news: the death of his firstborn. Beside him was his old comrade, Sengoku the Buddha, whose gaze fixed on the oppressive aura surrounding Garp. He spoke in a firm voice but with a hint of concern.
Sengoku: "Don't make that face. The time has come to uproot the evil before it spreads and endangers the world. Don't let pain cloud your vision... this ends today."
Crack
Crack
The bones in Garp's fists creaked under the strain of his fury. A single tear trickled down his weathered cheek.
Garp: "Thank you, Sengoku... HAHAHAHA! You're right. I'll take the initiative; leave the rest to you."
Before Sengoku could stop him, Garp bent his knees and launched himself forward with Geppo, running toward Sabaody like a cannonball.
Sengoku gritted his teeth, veins pulsing in his temples. "This idiot... even in pain, he refuses to follow the plan".
And so, the warships tightened their circle around Johan's fleet, sealing off any escape routes, while Garp sought only one thing: the man who had taken his son's life.
On the other side, Laffitte stood calmly at the helm, his staff twirling between his fingers as he watched the encirclement.
Laffitte: "Hohoho... looks like the navy has given it its all. Two Admiral-level opponents... it's not something you see every day."
From the shadows of the deck, Crocodile exhaled a smoke ring.
Crocodile: "Hmph. We don't need to crush them. We just need to cross the Red Line. The real problem is the delay... I hope Johan has a show prepared." Around them, the Pillars and hundreds of pirates were preparing. Hands gripped swords, cannons loaded, hearts beating with eager anticipation.
---
Mangrove 1
The auction hall had become a slaughterhouse. Blood stained the walls, entrails were scattered on the floor, and bones crunched beneath Rose's boots as she advanced with cold indifference.
"W-wait! Don't kill me! I'll give you all the slaves at half price! Please!"
The trembling man was lifted into the air by the claws of Bullet's shadow, the sole survivor of the massacre. Pirates, nobles, traffickers—all had been torn to pieces by Rose's shadows.
Rose: "Fifty percent? Is that all they can offer? The slave traders are in crisis, and the merchandise is worth less with each passing day."
Auctioneer: "No, no... please, I can find more, I..."
*Crunch*
His skull shattered under Bala's grasp, and a spurt of blood marked the end of his plea. A few drops fell on Rose's cheek; she didn't even blink.
From behind, Dragon emerged, dragging a chained Long-Arm Tribe captive.
Rose sighed, wiping the blood off her coat.
Rose: "Well... something's better than nothing. Let's move before we attract too much attention."
She grabbed a Devil Fruit and several weapons from the auction room. Behind her, the shadows of minor pirates worth less than 100 million berries each followed silently.
---
Ten minutes later
Rose and Elric arrived at Mangrove 10, where the fleet was preparing to depart.
Rose: "Hey, idiots! Where the hell is Johan? We're surrounded: ten warships, five vice admirals, and Sengoku himself! What's he doing at a time like this?"
Elric's gaze darkened.
Elric: "The master has just arrived at the center of Sabaody. His gaze... turned fierce as he said it. Could it be...?"
A thunderous voice tore through the sky:
*GALAXI IMPACT!*
*Explosion*
*Tremor*
The earth split beneath their feet as shockwaves shook every ship. Waves surged violently, tossing the armada's blockade like toy boats. In the distance, a flaming sphere of fire and raw power
It rose even higher, swelling before their eyes.
For a moment, silence reigned. Then, the Pillars' hearts leaped with understanding: this was the legendary power of the Hero of the Navy.
Crocodile sternly: "That was... Garp. The captain must be fighting him. We have to move. Now!"
Rose: "Are you crazy?! How the hell will we survive this? An Admiral is bad enough, but this is suicide!"
Elric placed a hand on his shoulder, his voice firm but urgent.
Elric: "Calm down. We only need to stall Sengoku. The master will find a way."
The Heart of Sabaody
In the center of the mangroves stretched a crater hundreds of meters deep. From its depths, Johan sat up, blood trickling from his lips.
Johan: "So... this is the top of the sea... hahaha... nghh."
Across the battlefield, Garp stood tall, his cape flapping in the wind, his eyes burning with rage and pain. Though gray streaks covered his hair, his presence radiated the same overwhelming force as the days he fought the Pirate King.
Johan wiped the blood from his chin, his mind racing.
In this state... I doubt I can beat him. My strength can rival an Admiral's, and my body is at its peak... but in a fistfight? Against him?
Garp's voice boomed, shaking with pain and fury.
Garp: "Brat... don't think you'll escape unscathed after such an atrocity. You killed... MY SON!"