Sigh!
Garp took a deep breath in to calm the raging emotions surging through his heart.
He currently stood at the edge of the coast of Foosha Village. The massive hall-like structure that had been present there showed no signs of its existence.
He put his hands in his coat pockets and pulled out the jade that was still cool to the touch.
The surge of energy bursting through his blood, the cold jade with the butterfly engraving on it, and the memories of the Polarity Forging skill made it clear that it was not an imagination or a trick. As unbelievable as it sounded, his experiences were all true.
He wasted no time at all and gathered his unit to hurry back to Marineford.
Bogard, Garp's adjutant, looked at Garp with clear awe and inquisitiveness as he boarded his classic dog-masted ship.
It had been a few hours at most since he had seen the old man, but the vibes of the geezer could not be more different.
Previously, Garp looked every bit like a shameless old buffoon who was a bit on the jacked side. His Haki and his physical powers were all under the complete control of the old man. Even seasoned veterans like himself were unable to gauge the strength of monsters like Garp and Sengoku.
But now things were completely different.
Garp was exuding a power so oppressive and intense that it made it hard for him to remain calm beside him. Garp had already noticed his lack of control over his own power, so he had shut himself in the training facility directly after setting the crew on their way to Marineford.
In the facility, Garp restrained his Haki completely and started training his own body and mind. It was not a training session to improve his strength. No, it was a session for his mind to catch up to his body. Intense power may be useful, but power without control was useless to top-tier fighters like himself.
A week passed by like a flash.
Garp had already used his authority to call a meeting in Marineford.
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, the most powerful men and women of the Navy had gathered at Garp's call.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku, The Resourceful General.
Admiral Kizaru, The Pioneer of Lazy Justice.
Admiral Aokiji, The Pioneer of Burning Justice.
Admiral Akainu, The Pioneer of Absolute Justice.
Former Admiral Zephyr, The Marine Instructor.
Vice Admiral Tsuru, Navy Chief of Staff.
Admiral Candidate Gion.
Admiral Candidate Tokikake.
Garp was a legend, but he had never issued a call of this level after Roger's execution. Even hardliners like Akainu gave this call a significant amount of respect, even leaving the New World branch in the hands of his subordinates for the duration of the meeting.
Garp entered the hall alone. Even Bogard, his most trusted adjutant, was not invited to this meeting.
As soon as he entered the room, every attendee's face changed. The laziness in Borsalino's face was completely wiped away, and even Kuzan stood straight up after sensing Garp's aura.
"Garp, what the hell happened to you?" Sengoku's voice was unusually stiff as he looked at his best friend.
Garp sat down and started talking.
"Sorry about this. Too much has happened, and I need some time to adjust to my new strength.
"I encountered a strange hall a week ago in East Blue..."
Garp narrated his experience and the peculiarity of the Guild and the Guild Master to the attendees, not missing a single detail.
"...When I was leaving, that brat Doflamingo entered the hall. From what I can tell, it was his first time entering the hall as well. After that, I rushed to Marineford without mentioning this to anyone."
"Unbelievable," Tsuru finally remarked after taking in the information given by Garp.
"So, how strong are you now with this Titan's Bloodline?" Zephyr asked with deep gravity in his voice.
"I haven't adjusted fully to my strength, but even now, I can tell you that I can take on myself in my prime with ease. Even that Linlin's Steel Balloon looks like child's play compared to my physique."
Garp had carried a stern expression throughout the meeting. Even now, his face was grave, without a hint of his usual impulsiveness and goofiness.
"According to that brat, the Guild itself will choose twelve members before it becomes open to the public. Even then, he said one needed to reach a certain height to be able to interact with the Guild.
"I have already become a member. That brat, Doflamingo, will not let go of an opportunity. That makes two of us. Even then, there are still ten slots left before the Guild opens to everyone.
"I plan to complete every one of these monthly missions before that happens. The sea is going to change, and we need to be ready. I can sense that this Guild will cause a much larger wave than Roger ever did."
Everyone present took in the information given by Garp, and their expressions turned grave as well. They finally saw the consequences of the Guild's missions.
Even Garp, an old monster who stood at the peak of the world, saw a significant boost in his own power. If those in power in the New World or above the Red Line obtain this power, the seas would plunge into chaos right away.
"For now, no one is to speak of this matter outside this circle. Garp, continue monitoring the Guild and inform us if new members join. Keep us updated on the missions and the Guild's actions. Kizaru, take a unit and head straight to Dressrosa. I want every movement of Doflamingo and his cohort monitored and reported to me."