Chapter 287 - 145

Chapter 145Now was not the time to argue with Garp.Study! He needed to study!Robin was still holding Luffy, covering his mouth.Because whenever Garp over there said something about capturing Luffy, Luffy would immediately retaliate fiercely.The way this grandfather and grandson interacted was truly unusual.The timing of the plan made Luffy desperate to speak, so he could only resort to Robin's hand.He couldn't bite her.In his desperation, Luffy had a sudden idea and stuck out his tongue to lick the palm of Robin's hand that was covering his mouth.Sure enough, he got his chance to speak."Ah!"Robin gave a soft cry and pulled her hand back as if she had been electrocuted. A blush instantly bloomed on her cheeks, and she gave Luffy a somewhat reproachful glare. "You...""Robin, let's study!"Having finally regained his freedom of speech, Luffy immediately said to Robin at a rapid-fire pace, "Just like before, let's continue studying the ancient script. Let's start now!"If they didn't start, his body wouldn't be able to hold out.Robin was stunned for a moment. Although she was incredibly surprised that Luffy had the mind to study at such a critical moment, she still nodded when she saw the undeniable seriousness and urgency in his eyes.Getting Luffy to quiet down and focus on knowledge was better than him shouting aimlessly and wasting his physical strength.Teacher Robin was quickly on the job.This posture was far too suitable for teaching and dispelling doubts, but it felt very strange. So, she gently placed Luffy's head on her Lap Pillow and began to explain the pronunciation and meaning of an ancient script character in a low voice.Thus, a bizarre scene appeared on the turbulent waters outside Enies Lobby.In front, a Goat-headed Pirate Ship was fleeing for its life; behind it, a Dog-headed Warship was in hot pursuit. In between, cannonballs flew back and forth, exploding. Meanwhile, on the deck of the pirate ship, their Captain was comfortably lying on the Archaeologist's lap, seriously studying ancient history.This scene fell clearly into Garp's eyes as he held up his telescope.Garp's jaw nearly hit the deck. He had just been wondering why that brat Luffy had suddenly gone quiet.And what did he see?His single-minded grandson, who only knew about eating meat and fighting and had just fought an Admiral to a standstill, was now actually studying in a beautiful woman's arms... and it looked like he was actually learning?His first reaction was:"Am I going to be a great-grandfather?!"Chapter 211: Grandson vs. GrandfatherBut based on Garp's understanding of Luffy, the probability of such a thing happening was about the same as Red-Haired Shanks suddenly announcing he was joining the Marine.Moreover, the grandson who was just cordially interacting with him had, in the blink of an eye, thrown himself into a beauty's Lap Pillow, completely ignoring his own grandfather?Garp was so angry that a mysterious surge of jealousy and irritation rushed to his head.He began to curse directly, and this time he sounded much more sincere: "You bastard Luffy! You brat, stay right there and surrender! What kind of Navy Hero's grandson becomes a pirate?!"He grabbed another specially-made chain ball, leaned back, straightened his legs, and exerted force from his core. Like a baseball player throwing with all his might, he hurled it fiercely toward the going merry's mainmast.Fist Bone: Mast Breaker!The chain ball spun, whistling as it tore through the air, its speed even faster than the previous cannonballs."Not good!"Sanji and Zoro moved at the same time.Sanji leapt up, kicking out repeatedly to try and change the chain ball's trajectory, while Zoroswung his swords again, slashing at the chain connecting the iron balls.Clang!Boom!The two of them joined forces and barely managed to deflect the lethal chain ball.The chain ball fell into the sea, the explosion kicking up a wave like a small tsunami, shaking the going merry so violently it nearly capsized.Luffy was instantly enraged. He looked up from the ocean of knowledge and Robin's Lap Pillow."You old bastard, just go and retire properly! Don't interrupt my studying!"Then, he recovered a bit of strength and shouted to Usopp:"Usopp, give me cannonballs!"Usopp hurriedly brought over a crate of cannonballs.Luffy grabbed one, mimicking Garp's posture. His muscle memory was activated; he twisted his waist and poured his remaining strength into his arm, throwing it with a sudden snap."You think you're the only one who knows how to throw?!"Boom!!A pitch-black cannonball, with speed and power not at all inferior to Garp's throw, sliced through the sky and accurately smashed into the area around the Dog-headed Warship's bow.This sudden strike was shockingly powerful, and because it was like a mirrored attack, even Garpwas stunned for a moment. Beside him, Bogard's eyes widened as he looked at Luffy in astonishment.That posture and that power-generating technique...It was Garp's move.When did he learn it?!"Grandpa, I saw you use this move many times when I was a kid!" Luffy shouted triumphantly.His Photographic Memory talent played its part at this moment. The essence of a strong person's moves was mostly the same.Luffy's physical strength was still some distance from Garp's, but by utilizing the unique properties of the Gum-Gum Fruit, it was easy to perfectly replicate Garp's unique throwing technique.Luffy reached out and hurled another cannonball, shouting, "Grandpa, if you keep chasing me, I'll sink your dog-headed ship!""Puhahahaha!"Garp was more delighted than angry. He threw his head back and let out an even more boisterous laugh. "So you've learned my move! This is getting interesting. I just wonder how much of it you've mastered!"He also grabbed a cannonball and threw it using the same Fist Bone technique.Boom!The two cannonballs collided violently in the middle of the two ships, exploding into a brilliant fireball. The shockwave dispersed a ring of white vapor."Then how about this!"Garp grinned, revealing two rows of gleaming white teeth.His hands seemed to disappear, turning into afterimages as he continuously grabbed cannonballs from the ammunition crate beside him and threw them forward at an incredible frequency.Fist Bone: Meteor Shower!In an instant, the pitch-black cannonballs covered the sky like a real meteor shower, raining down toward the going merry.This density was enough to blast a large warshipinto pieces in an instant."Waaaaah, we're doomed!" Usopp ran around in a panic.But Luffy's competitive spirit was also ignited."Fist Bone: Meteor Shower!!"He also let out a great roar, his hands moving like afterimages. He continuously took cannonballs from the crates Usopp and Chopper brought over, then used almost the same posture and technique to throw them out frantically.Boom, boom!The surface of the sea between the two ships was completely covered by continuous explosions, soaring water columns, and smoke.The crews of both sides watched this wondrous sight tensely. This was practically a duel between human artillery batteries. Any single cannonball that slipped through could cause fatal damage to the ship.Moreover, this battle between grandfather and grandson seemed to involve no holding back at all.Especially the Marines on Garp's ship; it was their first time hearing that Vice Admiral Garp actually had a grandson, and that he was such a great pirate who had just caused an uproar at Enies Lobby.However, the bomb-throwing match with his grandfather was just an unplanned event.Thus, something jaw-dropping happened: Luffywas actually discussing academic issues with Robin while throwing cannonballs."Robin, did that symbol just now represent water or the sea?""It's the sea. It has connotations of vastness and freedom... Luffy, watch out on the left!""Oh! Then what about 'dawn'? How is it different from'sun'?"...Visibly, the expression on Garp's face turned incredibly dark.To Garp, this was practically an insult!He could be insulted by anyone, but being so disregarded by his own grandson was absolutely intolerable!After Garp threw a normal cannonball, he grinned and locked his eyes on a particularly heavy solid training ball.His large, calloused hand was covered in pitch-black Armament Haki, as if plating the cannonball in a layer of black steel."Luffy, you brat, take this."Luffy glanced back, his pupils shrinking."A solid ball?! Grandpa, are you trying to kill me?!"With a solid ball combined with Garp's monstrous strength and Armament Haki, its power could well be imagined.Garp grinned, showing his forest-white teeth. "Did you think I was joking when I said I was going to arrest you?""Usopp! Where are our solid balls!" Luffy shouted, refusing to be outdone.Usopp and Chopper exerted all their strength to roll out an equally heavy solid ball from the storage.Luffy took a deep breath, mobilizing the sliver of Haki he had just recovered. That black-and-red, Ryou-like Haki wound around his arm and onto the solid ball.Almost at the same time, both sides assumed a full-power throwing posture and fiercely hurled the heavy, Haki-wrapped solid balls at each other.Fist Bone: Meteor!Boom—!!!The two pitch-black solid balls collided violently in mid-air. What followed was no longer the sound of an explosion, but a dull, heavy roar like a giant bell being struck. A visible ring of air pressure exploded from the point of impact, and there were even faint flashes of black-and-red lightning.The gazes of the old and the young met in the air, piercing through the smoke and water mist of the explosion.One was old, his eyes filled with boldness and the complex relief of seeing his descendant grow, laughing heartily.One was young, his face written with the stubbornness of being unyielding and challenging authority, baring his teeth.After a moment of standstill, the battle resumed.Chapter 212: Bounty MeetingNeither of them would back down.Anything that could be thrown by hand became a tool for this long-distance communication between grandfather and grandson.This scene was much more intense than the occasional ship cannons fired by the warships, and the amount of ammunition consumed was even more staggering.Of course, the physical exhaustion from such moves was also enormous.Especially for Luffy, who hadn't recovered much stamina to begin with. Fortunately, Sanji and Zorotook care of many of the stray cannonballs.At this time, the going merry's speed advantage became apparent; it was difficult for the warships to keep up. Even Garp, riding in such a special Vice Admiral's flagship, only followed for a while before the distance widened.Relying on its smaller size and Vivi's wind-powered boost, under Mini Merry's control and Nami's precise navigation, the going merry was soon to escape the encirclement.Boom!After another cannonball collided and exploded in the air, Garp watched the goat-headed boat receding into the distance and grinned. His voice remained clear even through the sea breeze: "Luffy, you brat, you've grown up fast!"It had only been a few months.When Garp had gone back to Marine Headquarters to report on his duties, he had accidentally let Luffy set sail, but he had been very clear about how much Luffy was worth before he left.After the tempering Luffy had received from childhood, he was barely at the Shichibukai level.However, the gap between a Shichibukai and an Admiral was enormous.Having grown to this extent after only a few months at sea, it seemed that growing up in comfort really didn't suit him.