Three days later.
The skies were clear, the ocean calm.
A pirate ship flew a skull-and-crossbones flag as it cruised leisurely three hundred miles north of Twin Cape in the East Blue, utterly unafraid of Navy pursuit.
The flag rippled in the breeze like a white ostrich.
This was…
the White Ostrich Pirates.
Their captain, Kukari, possessed a Zoan-type Devil Fruit. His bounty: 11 million Berries.
The crew numbered more than three hundred men, with a collective bounty close to ten million.
Together, this crew's total worth was nearly twenty million Berries.
In the East Blue, that made them a formidable force indeed!
"Captain, yesterday we plundered a merchant ship—turns out it was loaded with premium wine! We've struck it rich."
"Hah! The East Blue really is weak. The pirates here are weak, the Navy's even weaker!"
"That's why we came back from the Grand Line. Out here, we're kings!"
"Don't forget, our captain's a big-shot pirate with over ten million on his head!"
"In the East Blue, who would dare cross us? Even the Navy won't act rashly!"
The pirates laughed wildly, their voices filled with arrogance and expectation.
Recently, the White Ostrich Pirates had looted countless ships, burning and plundering their way across the seas.
Their infamy spread rapidly through the East Blue.
Especially after a Navy branch dispatched a warship to pursue them—only for Kukari's crew to sink it. Their morale soared, their arrogance knew no bounds.
"Boys, drink your fill!"
"Bring out the haul from yesterday—let's get drunk!"
Kukari was a burly middle-aged man with a scar like a centipede across his forehead, twitching when he spoke. His broad chest and scarred body radiated the aura of a battle-hardened veteran.
These scars were his badge of honor.
"Drink, brothers!"
The ship roared with celebration.
Meanwhile—
Five kilometers east, a massive Navy warship closed in silently.
On deck, a young marine reported:
"Vice Admiral Garp, we've sighted the White Ostrich Pirates."
"Good. Full speed ahead!" Garp's eyes gleamed.
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
Then, Garp turned to the boy beside him. His tone grew heavy:
"Kai, it's your turn. Are you ready? Alone, you'll be facing a pirate crew with a bounty worth over ten million!"
Nearby, Ace's throat went dry.
He looked at Garp, then at Kai in disbelief.
Kai simply nodded.
"I've been ready since three days ago."
"Good!" Garp laughed heartily, full of approval.
"Then I'll say no more. What weapons do you need? Guns? Blades? The ship's arsenal is at your disposal."
Kai shook his head. His eyes burned with excitement.
"No need. A real man fights with his fists! Only weaklings rely on weapons because they doubt their own strength. I prefer the clash of flesh and bone!"
For a moment, Garp blinked.
Then he threw back his head and roared with laughter.
"Well said! A real man fights with his fists! I like that!"
That was Garp's way too. With nothing but his Iron Fist, he had carved a legend across the seas.
Hearing Kai's words, Garp's heart swelled.
At last… My successor has arrived!
Ace, however, panicked.
"Kai, are you insane? Taking on an entire pirate crew alone? And one worth over ten million? Old man, you're sending him to his death!"
"Relax."
Garp ruffled Ace's hair, grinning.
"You're underestimating him. Kai's power is far beyond what you imagine. If he goes all out, he'll wipe out that crew by himself."
"Just sit back and watch the show."
Ace opened his mouth, but Garp silenced him with a glance.
Half an hour later, marines lowered a small raft from the warship.
"Boy, don't get careless," Garp warned.
"Those pirates are vicious killers. One moment's negligence, and they'll tear you apart."
"So listen well:
Against such scum, show no mercy. Cast aside any softness in your heart—or you may not live to regret it!"
"I understand."
Kai drew in a deep breath, then turned toward the sea.
With a leap, he landed lightly on the raft.
Under the watchful eyes of the marines, the tiny vessel drifted away, riding the waves toward the distant pirate ship.
Watching his back fade into the horizon, Garp's trusted aide, Bogard, asked hesitantly:
"Vice Admiral… are you sure this is wise?"
"Don't worry," Garp said firmly. His eyes shone with pride.
"My grandson is no fragile flower. Remember—this boy awakened the Conqueror's Haki at the age of three!"
"He is my grandson!"
"A once-in-a-century genius!"
"And for him, a pirate crew worth only ten million? They won't even be a challenge."
"Watch closely. His talent and strength will surpass anything you've ever imagined."
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