Having been sent flying by Garp's punch, Katakuri, with blood seeping from the corner of his mouth, still had eyes filled with astonishment.
Is this the strength of the 'marine hero'?
After his body snapped countless trees in succession, he finally began to descend.
Katakuri also snapped out of his dazed state; his gaze sharpened, his neck stiffened, and he threw his head back violently.
Bang!
His head hit the ground, and the massive impact caused a buzzing explosion in Katakuri's mind.
He struggled to twist his body, using his head as a pivot to flip over, landing on one knee and sliding dozens of meters before coming to a stop.
Huff... huff...
After a few heavy breaths, he shook his head; white mochi surged out, and the depression Garp had smashed into him returned to its original shape.
His chest heaved as he coughed up a mouthful of blood.
After resting for a moment, Katakuri stood up, cast one more look toward the coast, and turned to head toward the West Blue coast.
Just after walking a short distance, his gaze turned cold. With a flick of his wrist, he gripped his trident, and his entire body was enveloped in a murderous Aura.
"Get out here!"
From the side, dozens of meters away, Lucci and the other two stepped out from behind the trees.
"Katakuri, do you want to kill Taro?"
Katakuri gave Lucci a cold look. Remembering Stussy's schemes, the tsuchiryū in his hand began to spin rapidly.
"This island is full of Marines, and the hero Garp is here too. Are you sure you want to move against us, representatives of the World Government?"
Katakuri thrust the tsuchiryū directly at Lucci, his arm instantly turning into mochi and stretching out.
Behind Lucci, that tall man's body shook as he prepared to dodge.
But just as he moved, he felt the coldness radiating from Lucci and immediately didn't dare to move.
Boom!
The tsuchiryū struck in front of Lucci's trio, gouging a large crater into the ground.
In an instant, mud mixed with rainwater splashed in all directions.
"What are you trying to say?" Katakuri's tone was ruthless.
Lucci had his hands in his pockets, looking full of confidence.
"Taro is also a thorn in the side of the World Government. Our goal is the same as yours."
"He colluded with Moria to defeat Jack and intentionally let Redfield go. These are all unpardonable crimes. If you are willing..."
Hearing this, Katakuri retracted his arm and sneered.
"This truly is the face of the World Government!"
Saying that, he turned to leave.
Lucci's lips moved, just about to speak,
When Katakuri spoke again, his tone even more contemptuous,
"You are afraid! Afraid of being treated as a discarded pawn. I can feel it!"
"How pathetic!"
"To kill Taro, I will do it myself! Save your little schemes!"
Lucci's face immediately darkened, no longer maintaining his previous calm appearance.
Until Katakuri left, the giraffe Kaku hesitated before stepping forward.
"Captain, now..."
Lucci turned around abruptly. In the moment he turned, he completed his transformation; his thick, powerful leopard tail was like a spear.
Immediately following, Armament Haki was applied,
A flash of cold light struck first,
Stabbing directly into the tall man's throat.
"Ah, Captain..." Kaku cried out in alarm.
"Luc... ci, you..."
The tall man gripped the leopard tail pierced through his throat with both hands, his eyes full of disbelief, which gradually turned into confusion, and finally into resentment.
Lucci's eyes were cold as he exerted force again. The leopard tail instantly pierced a large hole through the back of the man's neck.
Watching the light fade from the man's eyes as his body went limp, a flash of hatred also crossed Lucci's eyes.
"Don't blame me. Katakuri rejected the proposal for cooperation; I have to find another way!"
"The Celestial Dragons, the World Government, Taro, Doflamingo... there are too many people who need an explanation."
"With such low strength, you are more useful dead than alive! Now is the time for you to show your value!"
After speaking, Lucci retracted his leopard tail, shook off the blood, and deactivated his leopard-man form.
After the initial shock, Kaku also calmed down, understanding that Lucci was 'cutting off his tail to survive.'
"Captain, just his life... I'm afraid that won't be enough..."
Lucci looked coldly at Kaku.
"Of course I know it's not enough. There's also Stussy, and Spandam. Whoever's life Taro wants, he can have it. Do you understand?"
A flash of shock appeared in Kaku's eyes. He lowered his head and said solemnly, "Understood!"
... "Smoker, take your men and go capture the pirates. There's no need to stay here!"
Vice Admiral Garp sized Taro up and down, then gave Smoker his orders.
In the heavy rain, Smoker's cigars didn't go out. He took a deep drag, exhaled smoke, and waved his hand behind him.
That bunch of Marine Soldiers from G5, who looked somewhat unreliable, had very strong execution. They began searching the entire island with loud shouts.
"Tashigi, you come with me too!"
Smoker knew Garp was sending them away because he clearly had something to say to Taro.
On Tashigi's face, rain and tears were mixed together; she was crying very sorrowfully.
Taro was completely bewildered, frowning.
"Uh, Smoker, what's wrong with her? Why is she so sad?"
There was only confusion in Taro's tone, no anger. This caused Smoker's expression to freeze. He looked deeply at Taro and shook his head in response,
"She is just lost."
Taro was stunned. He tilted his head, remembering that Garp had once said Aokiji also seemed to be lost.
He thought to himself, it seems the mental state of many Marines isn't very good!
"Hmm... in that case, how about learning about 'Jiannan Teaches You How to Plant the Flowers of Morality'?"
Taro murmured softly.
"You brat, what did you say?" Garp raised an eyebrow, glancing sideways at Taro.
Taro shrank his neck, his eyes darting away. "Ah, no, nothing!"
Every time this kid puts on this act, he's lying!
Garp's brow furrowed, and his Aura suddenly intensified.
Taro quickly changed the subject, putting on a sycophantic smile,
"Oh, Old Man Garp, that punch you delivered falling from the sky just now was seriously cool!"
Garp didn't respond, merely casting a faint glance at Smoker.
Smoker took the hint and pulled Tashigi,
"Tashigi, follow orders!"
Hearing this, Tashigi snapped to attention with a 'clack' and gave a military salute. With tears still in her eyes, she shouted loudly:
"Your 'justice that honors the true heart' is the true justice! Vice Admiral Taro!"
After saying that, she broke through the curtain of rain and ran off.
Smoker followed closely behind.
"What... what did she say?"
Taro was dumbstruck. What 'justice that honors the true heart'?
What kind of meme is this? Why don't I know about it?
Garp looked at Taro with disdain,
"There's no one else here. Who are you putting on this act for?"
"Huh?" The confusion in Taro's eyes deepened.
Garp's eyes widened in anger, his disdain growing,
"Those Marine Soldiers under you are now constantly patting their chests and saying, 'Justice does not reside above race or status, but right here.' Didn't you say that?"
Eh?
It seems I did say those words,
Back when I was fighting Hody Jones on Fish-Man Island.
Holy crap, is someone backstabbing me again?
Who is it?
Seeing Taro's face changing colors, Garp got even angrier and let out a cold snort,
"Since you said it, just admit it openly. What's there to hide?"
"'justice that honors the true heart'... this is very good!"
---------------------------------
I hope you're enjoying the fanfiction so far! If the story has you hooked and you can't wait to see what happens next, you can unlock 30 chapters in advance over on my Patreon: patreon.com/TLHimejima1
Every bit of support means the world to me so if you're loving the ride, don't forget to drop a Power Stone and let me know.