Chapter 462: The Natural Home
As other ships seized the opportunity created by Garp's clash with the Sea Kings to speed away, some Marines on the dog-headed warship felt a pang of frustration.
Why were they the ones acting as a shield?
Watching the sea beasts and Sea Kings surge toward them with fervor, they were at a loss for words.
Rumble!
A leopard-headed sea beast, dozens of meters tall, emerged suddenly from behind the warship.
Rosinante glanced at Garp, who was gleefully battling ahead, showing no sign of turning back to check the rear.
Seeing this, Rosinante sighed.
He had no choice but to act himself.
He pulled off his cloak.
As a Marine Headquarters Commodore, Rosinante had not risen through connections.
As a Commodore, he faced the sea beast head-on.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Using the Six Styles' Moonwalk, Rosinante leaped swiftly, arriving above the leopard-headed sea beast.
He swung his Armament Haki-infused fist.
Boom!
The beast's forehead caved in.
Woo! Woo! Woo!
It let out a pained cry, its eyes blurred with tears.
It plunged into the sea with a splash and did not resurface, clearly fleeing.
Clatter!
Rosinante landed on the warship's mast.
He gazed at the direction where the beast had fled.
He felt like a bully picking on a weaker foe.
Rumble!
While Rosinante stood on the mast, slightly dazed, more sea beasts and Sea Kings emerged from both sides and behind the warship.
As they attacked simultaneously, Rosinante found himself in a bind.
Protecting one side meant neglecting the other and the rear.
Rumble!
Just as Rosinante struggled, the warship's cannons fired.
A warship was no harmless wooden boat.
Its artillery was deadly to sea beasts.
The gunfire shredded the approaching creatures, sending them fleeing in pain.
As for a Sea King hundreds of meters behind, a powerful slash cut through its tough skin.
Blood spurted out.
It sank beneath the waves.
Rosinante jumped off the mast, looking sheepishly at the surrounding Marines.
At that moment, a Marine in a brown suit and justice robe slowly sheathed his sword.
He adjusted his western cowboy-style hat and said seriously, "Commodore Rosinante, do not freeze in battle!"
"I am sorry, Bogart-san." Rosinante said, even more embarrassed.
Though a Commodore, Rosinante rarely led troops alone, often staying under Sengoku's wing.
He lacked experience in sudden situations.
"That was incredible, Commodore Rosinante!" a young Marine exclaimed.
"And Rear Admiral Bogart took down that massive Sea King with one strike." another added.
"Of course! I do not know much about Commodore Rosinante, but Rear Admiral Bogart holds a ninth-level swordsmanship certification from the Kendo Association. He is very strong." a third said.
"Ninth level? That is close to a great swordsman!" another marveled.
"It is amazing! With that level, he could be a Vice Admiral!" yet another chimed in.
Hearing the Marines' whispers, Rosinante gained a deeper understanding of Bogart, his senior.
After the Kendo Association's establishment, it divided swordsmanship into twelve levels based on skill.
Swordsmen joining the association could be evaluated for free or pay for a review.
Bogart was registered with the association.
"That really Impressive, Bogart-san." Rosinante said with genuine admiration.
Bogart remained expressionless.
He cared little for fame.
Now was not the time for chatter.
New sea beasts and Sea Kings were charging again.
Drawing his sword, Bogart attacked while thinking.
Despite witnessing Vice Admiral Garp's strength, the creatures kept rushing in droves.
This was unusual for Sea Kings, who instinctively avoided danger.
Was it the stage's unique nature? Or was something forcing them to attack?
Bogart glanced at the ships escaping under Garp's cover.
His eyes, shadowed by his hat, glinted with a calm intensity.
After a while, a familiar voice echoed across the sea.
"Dear viewers and contestants." Morgans said.
"The Marines in the third stage are now entangled with sea beasts and Sea Kings."
"As you can see, Marine Hero Garp is displaying terrifying power. Even hordes of sea beasts and Sea Kings cannot stop him."
"As expected of a Marine hero, he remains full of vigor."
Hearing Morgans' broadcast, Tsuru, on a warship nearing the third layer's edge, shook her head.
To put it kindly, Garp's energy was like that of an unruly child.
How reckless, Garp!
Gion would need to act later; her abilities, inherited from Asdeath, could handle this.
Tsuru turned her attention to a ship drawing parallel to their warship.
It was the Sister Sword Society's vessel.
Gion had already leaped over to speak with them.
Tsuru turned and told her adjutant to follow suit.
Morgans' voice continued to boom across the sea.
"Thanks to Marine Hero Garp, other forces are seizing this gap to advance."
"Leading the pack is the Natural Home of the Magic Pattern Guild."
"Countless vines and branches are spread around their ships."
"Approaching sea beasts and Sea Kings are repelled by the wildly moving vines."
"It looks like they are in agony!"
"What is happening?"
"Let us zoom in."
With Morgans' words, the Den Den Mushi's focus sharpened.
"Oh, oh, oh, the mystery is solved. The vines and branches are covered in barbs."
"Imagine being struck by those—it must be excruciating."
"Clearly, the Natural Home is a formidable challenge to sea beasts and Sea Kings, like a hedgehog too tough to bite."
"This is a commendable strategy."
Hearing Morgans' commentary, Kakuzu, the top magic pattern user of the Natural Home, grinned.
They were now famous worldwide.
Those Great Tornado folks, flying so impressively—what are they now?
They could not even compare to the Natural Home's brilliance.
If they secured the treasure, their guild could grow stronger.
Perhaps they could rival the official magic pattern guilds.
Time passed again.
Spurred by the Natural Home's advance, many forces unleashed their full strength.
Those with abilities accelerated.
Those without pushed their engines to the limit.
They no longer interfered with each other, focusing solely on their path.
Otherwise, they might miss even the scraps.
Though the treasure's shadow remained unseen.
"Kuwahahaha, we have reached the most anticipated part of the island landing competition." Morgans said while laughing.
"The Natural Home has reached the end of the third stage."
"Following them is the Magic Pattern Guild's Freezing Wave."
"The third is the Thunder Spear of the Magic Pattern Guild, flying mid-air."
As for the Great Tornado, entangled with Sea Kings at low altitude, Morgans did not mention them.
Without a ranking, they lacked the spotlight, and Morgans saw no need to highlight them.
On Mythical Beast Island, Morgans flashed a peculiar smile and shouted, "Let us reveal it! The treasure of the Beast's Gift."
(End of Chapter)