Chapter 137 - 25

Chapter 227Zoro said no more, fighting spirit blazing in his eyes. "Then let me see how much you're really worth, you impartial fellow!"Almost immediately, when the battle broke out, Luffy and Rayleigh had already sensed it."Do these guys not care about the Celestial Dragons at all?"Luffy hadn't expected things to develop in this manner."Then let's just kill these useless guys."Nika, who had remained behind, stared at the Celestial Dragons with a sickly smile.Just as Luffy turned his head, even Rayleigh hadn't reacted in time."That won't do,"A strange voice sounded beside Luffy."Have you ever been kicked at the speed of light?"Luffy's pupils constricted. Before he could even see the person, a flash of yellow light appeared in his eyes.Chapter 315: Celestial Dragons? They're just pests; kill them if you want.After receiving orders from the Gorosei, Kizaru was the first to rush back.Taking advantage of Luffy being distracted by the situation at Sabaody Archipelago, he launched a surprise attack."That's truly scary, Straw Hat~"Kizaru stood where Luffy had been just a moment ago. For some reason, that kick hadn't landed with a solid impact.The situation before him looked good.Luffy's figure shot backward like a cannonball, crashing through the thick roots of several Yarukiman Mangroves, before finally managing to steady himself amidst a cloud of dust."That hurts, you bastard."Luffy knelt on one knee, rubbing his somewhat numb chest.The power of Kizaru's kick, concentrated with light speed and Haki, was truly not to be underestimated.The speed was so fast that he hadn't even reacted."Don't lie to me, you bastard Straw Hat." Kizaru's mouth twitched.Even a Supernovas would have bled if they had taken that kick.Luffy? He was like nothing had happened.However, Dark King Rayleigh, who stood in place, did not immediately guard against Kizaru's next move."So there's more than just you?"Rayleigh narrowed his eyes slightly, his gaze crossing the devastated battlefield and looking toward a direction further away.That expression, usually nonchalant and relaxed, changed in a rare display, his brows furrowing imperceptibly."Hey, hey, why would an old guy like you come here? This shouldn't be right."Rayleigh shouted, "Garp!""Pwahahahaha! Can't be helped. After all, this old man hasn't retired yet. You know the orders of that old guy Sengoku."Accompanied by laughter.An exceptionally burly and sturdy old man, like an iron tower, walked from the end of the broken street in the distance with oppressive strides.He wore a standard white Marine suit, with an equally pristine white Marine cloak draped over his shoulders.Although his hair and beard were white, his bulging muscles and upright posture displayed the terrifying power hidden within his body.Compared to the older generation Luffy had encountered, like Zephyr and Golden Lion, they all had a sense of being old and frail.Yet, one couldn't see a trace of that on Garp."This old man is also in a difficult position."As Garp walked, he picked his nose with a thick finger as if no one were watching, his posture casual.Navy Hero, Monkey D. Garp!"Would the Navy Hero really listen to Sengoku's orders?"Rayleigh spun the intact longsword he had picked up at some point, the tip pointing obliquely at the ground, his tone teasing, "This doesn't seem like the you I know.""After all, among those we have to deal with this time, there is you, Dark King Rayleigh."Garp flicked the booger he had picked away without a care, his gaze sweeping over Rayleighbefore finally landing on Luffy, who had just stood up, his voice booming, "Remnants of the old era, popping up one after another; one must give them enough attention.""This old man doesn't want to get involved in such troublesome matters either, but that guy Sengokugave a hard order. I have no interest in saving that trash, the Celestial Dragons.""But if I let you cause such a commotion here, the Marine's reputation will be completely destroyed."Clang!A crisp metallic ring sounded. Rayleigh flicked his wrist, and the longsword in his hand was suddenly raised, the sharp tip pointing precisely at Garp as an invisible, sharp aura spread out."Do you intend to show no mercy, even to your own grandson?" Rayleigh shouted."I am a Marine! Isn't it only natural for the Marine to catch pirates?!"Garp put his hands on his hips, puffed out his chest, and said loudly, "Since that brat chose to wear that Straw Hat and embark on this path of no return, he must be prepared to bear all the consequences. Not to mention causing such a world-shaking incident today. Right, Straw Hat, Monkey D. Luffy!"His gaze locked onto Luffy again, carrying a complex, indescribable emotion.It was both anger at his lack of resolve and a hint of undisguisable pride?It was indeed very proud.Garp had never felt anything for that trash anyway, and his own grandson had done what he had never been able to do because of his status as a Marine.And he had caused such a big commotion.A Navy Hero plus two Admirals... that was the kind of treatment only Roger and his group had back in the day.A very complex feeling.Almost the moment Garp's voice fell, a sudden change occurred.Luffy looked at Kizaru."Rubber~ Mole Pistol!"The area where Kizaru had originally been standing fluctuated violently as if it were a living creature, instantly turning into elastic Rubber."Hmm?"Abruptly, a fist wrapped in pitch-black Armament Haki, with black and red arcs of electricity jumping on its surface, broke through the Rubber ground with astonishing speed like a long-dormant giant python emerging from its den, quickly striking Kizaru's abdomen from below.Bang!A dull, drum-like impact exploded."Don't space out at a time like this."Garp reminded him, watching the scene before him.Kizaru seemed not to have expected that Luffycould launch such a strange counterattack so quickly after taking his kick.Caught off guard, he was solidly struck in the abdomen by this punch containing terrifying Haki.His whole body turned into a golden stream of light, flying backward faster than he had come, crashing through the ruins of several buildings behind him, and was finally buried in a pile of rubble, kicking up a sky full of dust."Oh~ that's truly so scary~ Straw Hat."A slightly mocking voice came from the ruins. Amidst the flashing golden light, Kizaru's figure re-formed, looking somewhat disheveled.The shockwaves slowly subsided, and the layout in the center of the battlefield became clear.On one side stood Dark King Rayleigh, sword in hand, his aura steady as a mountain.On the other side was the newly appeared Hero Garp, in whom heroism and majesty coexisted.And on the flank, Luffy, who had just completed a beautiful counterattack, stared at the two enemies before him.Kizaru, who floated up from the ruins, said, "You really can't let your guard down for even a moment."Four powerhouses standing at the pinnacle of the sea, their auras intertwined and collided, the invisible pressure making the air in this area seem to solidify."So, you've rejected the deal I proposed?" Luffyasked."Yes, the higher-ups didn't agree to your rude deal."Kizaru said, "Besides, a transaction between pirates and the Marine is impossible to even imagine. We will not compromise with criminals.""That's not what you said before, you bastard monkey."Luffy's eyes showed killing intent, and terrifying Conqueror's Haki swept out.Haki leaked out.The ruins were struck by red and black lightning, and dust scattered everywhere.The offensive power wasn't high; after all, as an Admiral, he possessed an incomparably strong willpower, so it was unlikely to achieve the effect of knocking him out with Conqueror's Haki.But the deterrent power was immense.Kizaru brushed the scattered dust off his suit, tilted his head to look at Luffy, and then looked at Garp, "Mr. Garp, your grandson is truly full of surprises, time and time again.""Pwahahaha, right? Right? Even this old man doesn't dare to let his guard down against him now."Garp crossed his arms and let out his signature loud laugh, "After all, this old man trained him according to the standards of training the most excellent Marine soldiers!"The way he looked at Luffy was filled with the pride of a parent seeing their child succeed.If Sengoku were here, Garp might have restrained himself a bit.But since there was only Kizaru here.Amidst the laughter, Garp's eyes shifted slightly downward, staring at Luffy as he said, "Straw Hat, are you ready? Are you ready to face the consequences of challenging the Marine, of challenging the established order of this world?"Luffy took a deep breath, his chest heaving, calming his churning blood."Grandpa, don't you know that Ace has been captured?"He didn't believe that Garp, as the Navy Hero, wouldn't know about this.Clearly, this was a fact Garp didn't want to face.His heroic smile instantly froze on his face, and the arms crossed in front of his chest also relaxed unconsciously.Silence.A brief silence enveloped the Navy Hero."This is the fate you chose by becoming pirates."Garp's voice lowered slightly, "Since you were children, I told you over and over again that you should become the most excellent Marine soldiers in the world, but why didn't you listen to this old man?!"If they had followed the path he had laid out, this wouldn't be happening now.Ace's identity wouldn't have been exposed.And Luffy wouldn't have been wanted as a pirate with such a high bounty."Because this is our dream!"Luffy responded loudly without hesitation, his eyes firm and unwavering, "Ace has Ace's dream, and I have my dream! Becoming the Pirate King is my dream!""Then pay the price for your dreams!"Garp's emotions seemed to be ignited as well, his voice suddenly rising, "If you chose this path, you must be prepared to lose your life at any moment and cause pain to your loved ones!"The old man and the young man stared at each other.At this moment, both their emotions were ignited.Garp was like an elder who had laid out a path for the next generation, hoping they would live well according to the path he had paved.But things went against his wishes.They all chose paths opposite to the one Garp had laid out.Was he wrong, or was the path wrong?Garp couldn't figure it out.