144Section 144AI Model: gemini-3.0-flashChapter 144A giant Rubber fist, entwined with black-and-red lightning, clashed violently with the absolute zero ice released by Admiral Aokiji.Blinding white light swallowed everything, and a deafening roar resounded through the heavens and earth, as if even space itself were trembling.A massive shockwave spread in all directions, tossing the nearby warships about and sending the Marines on board tumbling.As the light dissipated, the upper half of the First Pillar where Admiral Aokiji stood had completely vanished, and Admiral Aokiji had been sent flying.Did it work?Luffy didn't know, but he couldn't move a muscle now; having ended Gear 5, he drifted straight down from the sky.He gasped for air, gritting his teeth as a figure quickly appeared atop the collapsed First Pillar.Did I still fail?I guess I'm still not working hard enough!This is dangerous. If Admiral Aokiji jumps down, he could completely freeze this entire sea area. No matter how powerful the going merry is, being frozen would make them like lambs to the slaughter, not to mention the giant warships surrounding them.Admiral Aokiji was clearly thinking the same thing.He was half-kneeling on the broken edge, a trickle of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth, and his Admiral's Cloak was severely damaged, making him look quite disheveled.Luffy's life-risking strike had forced him to pay a significant price as well.Enduring his injuries, he walked out to stand at the edge of the broken pillar, his gaze cold as he watched the falling Luffy and Robin and the others who were trying to catch him.Though his heart might have been slightly conflicted, at this moment, his duty as a Navy Admiral overrode everything else.He didn't want to experience the power of that punch again. Now, he only needed to jump down after Luffy and freeze the sea's surface to end it all.He wanted to go easy on them.But with Marines all around, he couldn't go easy on them."Let's go down and end this."Admiral Aokiji muttered to himself, preparing to leap down and completely freeze the sea to terminate this farce.However, at that critical moment—"Straw Hat!"A coarse, heroic, and somewhat familiar loud voice, like a thunderclap, came from the direction of the surging waves beneath the storm.A massive Navy warship appeared beneath the waterfall at some unknown point. At its bow was the iconic dog-head design, and it plowed through the wind and waves, charging forward with an overbearing posture.At the bow, a robust old man wearing a Navy Vice Admiral's cloak was clutching a giant cannonball in one hand, letting out a deafening laugh toward Enies Lobby:"Pwahahahaha! This old man has come to catch you!"Admiral Aokiji, who had just been about to give chase, froze instantly upon seeing the Dog-headed Warship and the familiar figure at its bow. He couldn't help but grit his teeth as the 'what a pain' expression on his face reached its peak. Ultimately, he simply plopped down on the edge of the broken pillar and rubbed his forehead."This old man arrived too quickly."Now he had a perfectly valid reason not to take action.With Navy Hero Garp personally taking action, what was wrong with an Admiral who had just fought a major battle taking a rest?Even if Fleet Admiral Sengoku scolded people at the meeting, the first one to be scolded would definitely be Garp.Admiral Aokiji even suspected that Garp had timed his appearance perfectly.How could it be such a coincidence?Let a hero catch a hero, a brave man catch a brave man, and a grandfather catch his grandson.He wouldn't care anymore, and he couldn't care anyway.Didn't you hear that the sound of the warship's cannons had lessened significantly?The Navy was far too focused on personal relationships and social graces.Garp's signature loud voice was like a thunderclap, piercing through the explosions of cannonballs and the howling of the gale to strike Luffy's eardrums precisely."Grandpa?"Luffy's whole body shuddered, and cold sweat broke out instantly, immediately soaking the bandages Chopper had just tied on him. He subconsciously turned back to Robin and asked, "Is it the Dog-headed Warship?"Robin took a look and nodded. "It should be that Navy Hero Garp."Grandpa really is here!He was currently completely drained of strength and unable to move, so he could only be held tightly in Robin's arms.Although the sensation from behind was exceptionally soft and warm, he didn't have the slightest bit of romantic thought at this moment; his mind was filled with only one word.Run!Beside him, Zoro and Sanji both looked like their fighting spirits were burning.He hurriedly shouted, "Don't fight! Whatever you do, don't fight! Let's go quickly, we absolutely cannot fight him."It was the first time Nami had seen such clear fear on Luffy's face. Even when facing Admiral Aokiji, he had charged forward relentlessly."Is your grandfather really that scary?""Of course he is!"Luffy blurted out, his voice carrying a hint of imperceptible trembling."That old man is a monster among monsters!"The psychological shadow of being subjected to hellish training by Garp's Fist of Love since childhood gave Luffy a natural fear of Garp.A certain saying was very appropriate here."If you do not cultivate, you see me as a frog in a well viewing the moon in the sky. If you do cultivate, you see me as a single ant viewing the blue heavens."Luffy could definitely be called a top-tier powerhouse on the sea now, and it was precisely because of this that he could recognize Garp's bottomless strength.Luffy was incredibly clear-headed right now.Having just fought a life-and-death battle with Aokiji, and with his companions exhausted after their battle with the Marines, the entire crew was in poor condition. Facing his grandfather, they would definitely not come out on top!From the day he became a pirate, he knew that one day his grandfather would come to catch him. He just hadn't expected this day to come so soon, and while he was in such a pathetic state.Luffy had even fought an Admiral; was he still afraid of a Vice Admiral?Fear was fear, but it was impossible for him to be a coward!The best way to break fear is to face it.Luffy had Robin take him to the most conspicuous spot on the deck and roared out rebellious words: "You old geezer! Aren't you almost retired? Why aren't you in Marineford drinking tea and reading the newspaper instead of wandering around here!""Pwahahaha! You really have some nerve, you won't even call me Grandpa anymore? You brat, Luffy."Garp stood at the bow of the Dog-headed Warship, laughing with his hands on his hips, his voice shaking the four seas. "This old man's greatest wish before retirement is to throw all you bratty pirates who disrupt the order of the sea and don't do any proper work into Impel Down!"You really are my flesh and blood grandfather!"You old man should just honestly go drink tea and eat rice crackers!""Pwahahaha, why should this old man listen to the words of a bastard pirate like you?"Before his voice had even faded, Garp casually grabbed a giant cannonball taller than a person from beside his feet. His arm muscles bulged as he threw it with seemingly effortless ease.Fist Bone Meteor!The speed at which the cannonball left his hand was startlingly fast, letting out a shrill whistle in the air as it headed straight for the going merry's mast.Chapter 210: This Old Man is Getting a Promotion?If this hit home, the Merry would lose its power instantly.It looked merciless, but the adjutant Bogard beside him had already seen through everything.Vice Admiral Garp's performance was far too clumsy, just like he was playing around."The force is too small."Beside Garp, Bogard, the adjutant who had been silently clutching his sword, shook his head slightly and whispered in a voice only he could hear.Having followed Garp for over half a century, he knew his old superior all too well.This performance was far too clumsy, just like he was playing around.Back when he was chasing Roger and the Rocks Pirates at God Valley, the ruthlessness and force Garp used when throwing cannonballs were worlds apart from now.How energetic was Garp back at God Valley? With one punch, he sent several of the current Four Emperors scurrying for cover.But this was his own grandson, after all; could he really deal a lethal blow?He had also watched Luffy grow up since he was a child, and Luffy had even called him 'Uncle'.How exaggerated was Garp's strength?Even without using his full power, the speed was not only fast but impossible to see clearly; one could only hear a whistling sound as the pitch-black cannonball already reached the side of the going merry's deck.Luffy subconsciously wanted to stretch his arm to block it, but a wave of weakness hit his body.He gritted his teeth. "Robin, throw me out."Bounce the cannonball away.He was a Rubber Human!But Robin didn't listen, still holding him firmly in her arms.At a time like this, it was time to trust in the strength of his companions.A green blade-light flashed; Zoro had already acted, his wado ichimonji accurately striking the side of the cannonball to deflect its trajectory. The cannonball grazed the gunwale and fell into the sea, kicking up a massive spray of water."Hey, Luffy, are we fighting? I feel like that old man is not to be trifled with."Zoro flicked his sword, looking toward the Dog-headed Warship with a solemn expression. He particularly noticed Bogard standing there clutching his sword beside Garp; that sharp aura of a master swordsman was not to be underestimated.Although Luffy really wanted to spar with his current grandfather, he also knew they couldn't fight."No fighting! There's no need!"Luffy made a split-second decision. "Nami! Vivi! Merry! Full speed ahead, let's get out of here!""Understood!"Little Merry gave an excited response. As a Klabautermann, she was one in heart and mind with the going merry. Even without anyone directly controlling the helm, the ship's hull gave a violent shudder under her guidance, utilizing the massive whirlpool current below to surge in speed once again.And Nami, as the ship's Navigator, quickly had everyone attend to their duties.As a top-tier Navigator, Nami immediately entered her state and shouted commands: "Zoro, Sanji, you're responsible for intercepting all incoming cannonballs! Usopp, Chopper, go adjust the secondary sail angles and use the crosswinds to accelerate! Vivi, use your ability to push us as far as you can!""Leave it to us!"Though Usopp and Chopper were so scared their legs were weak, they still scrambled toward the sails.Vivi stood at the stern, her hands spread wide as air currents surged around her. The powerful wind thrust behind the Merry, causing the ship to shoot out like an arrow from a bow.Robin was responsible for firmly holding down Luffy, who was still trying to have a 'friendly' grandfather-grandson conversation with Garp, especially covering his mouth.Because as soon as Luffy heard Garp shouting about arresting him, he would scream in anger, with all sorts of 'bastard old man' and'stinky grandpa' comments popping out. This was clearly not conducive to his recovery and could easily further provoke the opponent.Zoro watched the pursuing Dog-headed Warshipand lamented, "As expected of Navy Hero Garp, to have such a powerhouse by his side."He felt a powerful Great Swordsman up there; was that Garp's subordinate?It's probably Uncle Bogard.Luffy had some impression of him; many times when Garp returned to Foosha Village, Bogardwould be following beside him, though he hadn't really seen him take action.But none of that mattered anymore.For Luffy, the goals of reclaiming Robin and declaring war on the World Government had been achieved, and the temporary plan was complete.[Automatically following up and adjusting based on physical condition; the goals of reclaiming Robinand declaring war on the World Government have been reached. The temporary plan duration has ended.][Adjusting to adapt to the character's current state; essential knowledge is necessary for becoming the Pirate King, which helps in better developing fruit abilities.][Random study project... Study together with Robin. Please execute immediately.][Warning...]It's back, that familiar voice."Mmph mmph mmph!"Luffy's mouth was covered, so he could only make muffled sounds as he watched the line of text on the plan panel flash continuously.He grew even more anxious.
