The sun was shining brightly.
Weiss snapped his eyes open from the lounge chair. Sword intent burst from his gaze, killing intent sweeping across the entire Chris. In a flash, he drew the sword resting beside him—its blade instantly coated with Armament Haki.
With a single step, he appeared on the deck, blocking a pitch-black fist that came crashing toward him with one clean slash.
Clang!
Scarlet light mixed with dark energy flooded the sky above the Chris. Tiny cracks spread from the deck all the way to the ship's railings.
Only then did Jack and Kadun react—someone was attacking Weiss!
"Garp!"
Weiss narrowed his eyes and spat the name through gritted teeth.
It was Garp indeed.
He had overheard some pirate talk in a tavern and leisurely wandered over. But seeing Weiss so relaxed? He couldn't resist the urge to throw a punch.
---
"Puhahaha! Weiss, kid, your strength's really grown fast!"
Garp laughed heartily, withdrawing his fist as if they were long-lost buddies.
Weiss glanced at the cracked deck, sword still pointed at Garp.
"You've got two options. One: we fight, and I fix the ship myself. Two: you fix it. Now."
If he could beat him, he wouldn't even ask. Hmph!
Did Garp know how painful this was for Weiss? Since they first set sail, the ship had only sustained minor damage during travel—never once in combat.
And now? Thanks to one punch from Garp, the entire deck needed replacing.
Thank the heavens Garp held back. Otherwise, that punch might've sent Weiss crashing through the ship like Buffalo.
If it were anyone else, Weiss might've drawn blood first. But Garp?
"Haha, no need to get so worked up. I'll fix it," Garp scratched his head sheepishly. They weren't enemies—yet—and smashing someone's ship right off the bat wasn't a great look.
"Good. Then fix it first. After that, we'll talk. I doubt you're just here for a friendly chat."
"Jack, go get the repair materials. Kadun, inform Karina about what just happened—don't want her getting scared."
That apocalyptic aura just now had scared the six people onshore half to death. Eagle guessed Garp came to arrest Weiss.
But reason suppressed the impulse to flee. Weiss wasn't a pirate—there was no justification yet. Better wait and see.
Sure enough, the terrifying aura disappeared as fast as it came. No one believed Sword Demon would fall to a single strike.
Once Kadun came down from the ship, the urge to escape vanished. Time to settle in and wait for ransom negotiations.
Karina sighed in relief too. That really was terrifying—she was surrounded by five notoriously dangerous killers.
Onboard, Garp held a hammer in one hand and nails in his mouth as he casually repaired the deck. For him, this was no big deal.
Face? He could take it or leave it. And if he really wanted face, who would dare deny him?
"Hey, Weiss! This how you treat your elders? Not even helping out when you caused some of the damage?" Garp grumbled.
"You're the one who opened with a punch! Would I have drawn my sword otherwise? We're not even that close!"
Despite his protest, Weiss moved to help. After all, Garp was one of the few powerhouses in the pirate world worthy of respect.
He grabbed a hammer, held a nail, and started hammering with a dull thunk-thunk.
"By the way, why'd you suddenly come looking for me? We've only met once, right?"
At first, Weiss thought Garp might've come to pay off Ace's debt.
But Garp probably didn't know Ace was even on the ship back then—and Ace would never contact him voluntarily.
Plus, would Garp ever pay off someone else's debt?
"Ah, I was heading back to East Blue to see my grandson, but someone summoned me last-minute to come keep an eye on you. Said you might cause trouble on Flying Bird Island."
"???"
"Don't tell me… those five old fossils? I don't go around starting trouble. Why are they so concerned with me?"
Weiss was beginning to wonder—had he really become that big of a threat? Did the Navy need to be this cautious?
"And it takes you, the Hero of the Navy, to watch me?"
"Nah, Sengoku sent me. Last time, our intel came in too late—we arrived after everything ended. This time, he wants us to be prepared."
"And why me? Well, I'm the most free right now. Akainu and Aokiji are in the New World, Kizaru's at Mary Geoise…"
Then Garp suddenly leaned in mysteriously. "Weiss, kid, do you really know about that technology?"
Ah—there it was. One of his real reasons for showing up.
"You're getting way too close, old man. How could I possibly have something like that? If it really existed, the World Government would've seized it already. No way it'd still be drifting around the seas."
Weiss looked utterly unimpressed. What was with this whole family?
"You sure?" Garp squinted, skeptical.
"Fine, yes, I have it! Want me to tell you? One touch, and I can confirm the truth. Seriously, trust me!" Weiss declared with exaggerated confidence.
"Yeah, right," Garp muttered, clearly not buying it as he continued repairing the Chris.
"Well, you've asked your questions. Can you leave now?"
Weiss didn't feel safe with Garp aboard. Who knew when he might randomly throw another punch?
"Don't be so cold, Weiss, kid! It's rare we get to meet. Let's catch up! No need to kick this old man out so fast."
Garp picked his nose… and hammered a booger straight into the deck.
Weiss looked on in horror.
Once Garp left, he was definitely having Jack replace that entire board. No exceptions.
"Puhahaha! Don't sweat the small stuff. Plenty of people become lifelong friends after one meeting!"
Weiss stared at Garp pretending to be an idiot. If only I could beat him… I'd kick him into the sea right now.
Wait a second. I can't beat you…
But your grandson owes me money.
Double the interest. And since he hasn't even set sail yet... heh.
"Why do I get the feeling you're plotting something rude?" Garp asked, suspicious as Weiss fell silent.
"Of course not. What nonsense. I'm a righteous man."
Weiss turned his head quickly so Garp wouldn't see the look in his eyes.
"Well, I'm not just hanging around. I've got some intel: someone's searching for you—all across the sea."
Garp fished out a bag of donuts and started munching. The deck was already half repaired—truly the speed of a master.
"Who? What info?"
"Hawkeye."
Garp didn't mention the other person who might also be looking for Weiss. No solid proof yet.
---
Weiss froze, hammer still in hand. After a moment's thought, he asked:
"How long are you staying?"
Garp scratched his chin, trying to recall Sengoku's instructions.
"Oh yeah. He said I just need to confirm you don't have that tech, and that you don't cause trouble during the auction."
"After all, the damage you caused on Canopy Island was... excessive."
"You're the strongest person on this island right now. Sengoku's worried you'll interfere with Navy operations."
Weiss gave Garp a side-eye. Strongest on the island? Really?
"I'm telling you, I really do have that tech! Don't doubt me!"
Then, with exaggerated solemnity, he added, "And about the auction—I can skip it. I'll sail away now! Problem solved, no trouble!"
"???"
Garp: utterly bewildered.
---
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(COMPLETED)