Chapter 24: Finally, the Admiral Has Arrived! Rono VS Garp
On the streets of Mock Town, Whitebeard and Rono were both stunned.
Their Observation Haki had both sensed it.
An extremely powerful aura was rushing toward them at high speed!
"Did you feel that, Whitebeard? We have a guest."
Rono suddenly stood up and looked at the sky.
The newcomer's aura was no weaker than Whitebeard's!
"It seems you're quite proficient with Observation Haki, too."
Whitebeard also stood up, tossed aside the wine gourd, and pulled Murakumogiri from the ground.
"What's wrong with these two? Are they going to fight again?"
The spectating pirate lackeys noticed that Whitebeard's and Rono's auras had changed again!
Both of them seemed to have become vigilant. Were they going to fight again?
Just as the lackeys were wondering, an agile figure suddenly appeared in the sky!
"Someone's coming...!"
"Who is that? He can fly!"
"How is he doing that?!"
The pirate lackeys were stunned!
With their limited knowledge, they didn't know this technique was one of the Rokushiki, "Geppo" (Moon Walk).
Soon, the figure drew closer. Arriving directly above Mock Town, the crowd finally got a clear look at the newcomer!
Neat black hair!
A prominent scar running from below his left eye to his forehead!
A broad physique that almost burst out of his Marine uniform!
And the "Justice" coat flapping on his back!
It was none other than...
The current Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral, and one of the three Admiral Candidates—
"Iron Fist" Garp!
Although called an Admiral Candidate, Garp undoubtedly already possessed Admiral-level strength!
If an Admiral position became vacant, Garp would immediately ascend to the throne!
"He's here? The Celestial Dragon's savior!"
"So fast? The Marines really sent an Admiral!"
"It's 'Iron Fist' Garp! He's the most prominent Marine right now!"
Seeing Garp, the pirate lackeys on the scene instinctively scattered.
Forget a Headquarters Vice Admiral like Garp; these lackeys would flee in terror just seeing a Branch Vice Admiral.
"Garp!"
Seeing Garp, Whitebeard and Rono were both stunned.
A tough one had arrived.
With no Devil Fruit ability, just a pair of iron fists, he made countless pirates tremble in fear!
A mere mortal man, yet he could fight toe-to-toe with the greatest pirates without falling behind. Garp's strength was clear!
"Damn it, am I too late!"
Garp began to assess the scene.
He immediately spotted the two men below him!
Rono. And the 1st Division Captain of the Rocks Pirates, Whitebeard, Edward Newgate!
It seems what Admiral Kong said was true. Rocks really did send Whitebeard to recruit Rono!
Looking at the surroundings...
The entire street had been razed to the ground!
On his way here, he had sensed the clash of Conqueror's Haki.
Without a doubt, the two people on site who possessed Conqueror's Haki could only be Whitebeard and Rono!
They must have been the ones clashing with Conqueror's Haki.
What terrified Garp even more was that, based on the environment and the fact that both Whitebeard and Rono were unharmed...
Their Conqueror's Haki... was an even match!
Rono's Conqueror's Haki is on par with Whitebeard's?
Garp broke into a cold sweat at his own speculation.
This kid's strength... it seems it's far beyond the Advanced Conqueror's Haki reported in the intel. It's Top-tier!
Good grief. He's not even 20, and his Conqueror's Haki is at the Top-tier!
Taking another look at the mutilated Celestial Dragon hanging from the clock tower, Garp's eyes filled with disgust.
If it weren't for these lawless, trash Celestial Dragons, a monster like Rono would never have been created!
"I didn't expect this, Garp. I'm surprised the Marines sent *you* here."
Rono had noticed the disgust in Garp's eyes when he looked at the Celestial Dragon.
This was interesting.
The Marine high command must know that Garp has never gotten along with the Celestial Dragons.
Why would they send someone who hates Celestial Dragons to capture him?
Weren't they afraid he'd go easy?
"Rono, I've read your file. I know your history with the Celestial Dragons. That's why I volunteered for this mission."
Garp answered Rono's question.
"Oh? Then who do you think represents evil in this world: me, or the Celestial Dragons?" Rono asked mockingly.
"I won't answer that question."
"But I can tell you this: I don't hate you for the crime you committed!"
"But if you're joining the Rocks Pirates... that's a different story!"
As he spoke, the Haki around Garp began to thicken.
It was a clear warning.
"The Rocks Pirates don't just hunt Celestial Dragons; their targets also include many innocent civilians!"
"If you join a gang of villains like that, then you are one of them!"
"And I will bring you to justice in the name of... Justice!"
Garp said, word by word.
He *had* to stop Rono from joining the Rocks Pirates!
Just then, Whitebeard suddenly attacked!
Swinging his Supreme Grade Blade, Murakumogiri, a sharp flying slash shot up from the ground!
Combined with the power of the Paramecia-type Gura Gura no Mi, the air itself cracked from the force!
"Soru!"
Garp's reaction was just as fast. He instantly vanished, reappearing on the ground, having dodged the flying slash!
The slash soared into the sky, shattering the clouds!
"Enough talk, Garp! Rono is a member of the Rocks Pirates now!"
"If you've got the guts, try and take him."
Whitebeard said to Garp in a low voice.
This was Whitebeard's magnanimity!
Once he recognized you as a companion, as a friend, he would immediately step up for you!
"Damn it!"
Hearing this, Garp felt his heart sink into an abyss.
They... they actually sealed the deal!
Rono really joined the Rocks Pirates!
This was bad!
The Marines, with their current strength, were already finding it extremely difficult to suppress the Rocks Pirates!
Now, with the addition of a genius like this, the Marines would very likely be *overpowered* in the future!
More importantly, Garp knew he couldn't take on both Whitebeard and Rono at the same time!
If Rono and Whitebeard got away, the entire balance of power on the seas would shift!
The Marines might never be able to suppress the Rocks Pirates again!
"Whitebeard, wait."
Just then, Rono suddenly stretched out a hand, blocking Whitebeard.
"Garp, you want to capture me, right?"
"I'll give you a chance!"
"You and me. A 1-on-1, man-to-man duel. How about it?"
Rono looked at Garp, a fervent light flashing in his eyes!
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