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[email protected]/Heroicverse
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Ooomph!
A terrifying surge of Armament Haki exploded outwards.
Beyond the initial black lightning that crackled in the air, a massive, black four-pointed star illuminated the sky. It was dark, deep, and ominous, like an apocalyptic catastrophe straight out of myth!
"Fist of Impact!"
Garp roared with excitement, his body plunging from the heavens like a meteor.
The air around him fractured inch by inch, letting out a painful, screeching wail.
"Shunko: First Form!"
A dazzling white light gathered in Soi Fon's fist, the terrifying Reiatsu fluctuation no less potent than a fully-chanted, high-level Hadō!
Thump!
Soi Fon's figure shot straight up.
She absolutely could not allow Garp's punch to land on the ocean surface; otherwise, the Desert Rose would certainly be destroyed! Worse, the Soul King-sama himself might even be injured!
"Kuhahaha... Excellent move!"
Garp burst into a hearty laugh, unhesitatingly swinging his mighty fist.
The white light and the black light slammed violently into each other.
BOOM!
A ball of searing, intense light rose high into the air, making the sky look like it had a second sun when viewed from afar.
Ooomph!
The horrifying shockwave instantly swept away the surrounding clouds. The surface of the sea began to depress, as if a massive, sunken crater had formed!
"Prepare for impact!"
Aboard the Navy battleship, Garp's Vice Admiral saw the immediate danger and quickly ordered everyone to brace themselves.
On the Desert Rose, Auguro had already begun preparations the moment Soi Fon flew out.
"Rangiku, Rukia, use Binding Spell #81 for defense!"
"Pride of the heavens, castle of iron, dragon's roar, lion's bellow, tiger's hiss, wolf's sprint, before the collapse, sever the earth and sky! Bakudō #81: Dankū!"
Three transparent Reishi barriers lined up in a row, shielding the side of the Desert Rose.
RUMBLE!
The shockwave rolled in like a crushing stone mill.
The three Reishi barriers shuddered violently, letting out a cracking sound, but they ultimately held the line of defense.
Garp's Navy battleship, however, was in a much sorrier state. While there were no major casualties among the personnel, the hull was damaged in multiple places, and the deck was covered in a network of cracks. When they returned, the ship would likely have to be sent to the dockyard for a good long while!
As the light subsided, the two figures reappeared in everyone's sight.
Neither of them looked to be in peak condition.
The uniform on Garp's right arm was completely shredded, and the skin beneath was covered in scorch marks.
Soi Fon's right fist was tightly clenched, a thin trickle of blood seeping out from her palm.
"Oh ho! You can fly, too!"
Garp looked utterly surprised as he watched Soi Fon hang silently suspended in the air. He was currently only able to maintain temporary flight by continuously kicking off the air with Geppo (Moonwalk). Compared to her, he was far inferior.
Soi Fon remained silent, instead raising her guard to the maximum. This old man was simply too powerful! She was certain he hadn't used his full strength yet!
This terrifying sense of oppression reminded her of the Head-Captain who had stood as the absolute authority over the Soul Society for a millennium!
Garp, seeing Soi Fon's intense caution, secretly thought that he might have overdone it. He waved his hand, flashing the trademark Monkey family smile.
"Don't misunderstand, I don't have any malicious intent in coming here!"
Soi Fon was so angered that she almost laughed. "No malicious intent? You attack us with no malicious intent?!"
Voom!
Powerful Reiatsu surged again. Soi Fon was resolute—she could not allow such a powerful enemy to continue to exist! Even if it meant a mutual annihilation!
Garp hastily cried out, "Hold on! That was my bad! I was simply 'seeing a worthy opponent and getting a little excited', wanting to test your strength, little lady! But I really came here for a legitimate matter with Sith Auguro!"
Garp, of course, wouldn't admit he was merely "testing" them. Although he seemed like an amiable simpleton, he wasn't a fool. Saying that out loud would definitely offend people, so he decided to just admit his mistake.
Noticing that there was no killing intent coming from Garp, Soi Fon's vigilance eased slightly. However, she absolutely would not allow Garp to meet Auguro. If such a powerful individual were to suddenly lash out, no one could guarantee Auguro's safety!
"You can tell me what you need to say, and I will relay it!" Soi Fon said coldly.
Garp's head immediately shook like a rattle-drum.
"That won't work! Only he can make the decision on this matter, and I must hear the decision from his own mouth!"
Soi Fon's face darkened slightly. Why wouldn't this old man listen to reason?! Who would dare risk letting you meet Soul King-sama? In that moment, Soi Fon deeply regretted not having Kuchiki Byakuya accompany them. If they had two Captains present, the situation would be much more manageable.
"Captain Soi Fon, Soul King-sama has commanded that Vice Admiral Garp be allowed," Kuchiki Rukia suddenly appeared beside Soi Fon, relaying Auguro's order.
Auguro had overheard most of their conversation using Observation Haki (Kenbunshoku Haki). He was also very curious about why Garp had come to find him.
As for whether Garp would suddenly go berserk and attack? If it had been Akainu, Auguro wouldn't have been so sure. But Garp was fine! This old man might seem unreliable, but he wouldn't do something so shameless and dishonorable.
Hearing Auguro's command, Soi Fon, though worried, could only comply. She flew back to the Desert Rose first, taking a position right beside Auguro to ensure she could intervene instantly.
Kuchiki Rukia offered a solemn, respectful bow to Garp.
"Vice Admiral Garp, please."
Garp gave her a deep, thoughtful look, then slowly flew toward the Desert Rose using Geppo.
Another powerful person who can fly!
In the Grand Line, where flying ability is extremely rare, the probability of so many such individuals gathering together was simply too low!
"Could it be that every member of their crew can fly? Is it a Devil Fruit power or some other technique?"
Garp was secretly perceptive despite his rough exterior, constantly gathering information during their brief exchange.
On the Desert Rose, Auguro had someone bring a chair over for Garp.
"May I ask what business you have with me, Vice Admiral Garp?" Auguro inquired calmly.
Garp chuckled.
"Haha! It's nothing major! It's just that Sengoku told me to invite you to take the place of Crocodile and become the new Warlord of the Sea (Ōka Shichibukai)!
Auguro was taken aback for a moment, then burst into a surprised laugh. Although it was somewhat unexpected, it made perfect sense. Given their powerful fighting strength and lack of major wrongdoing, they were naturally the best candidates for the Navy to try and recruit.
However...
"How dare you! You intend to make Soul King-sama a dog of the World Government!"
Before Auguro could even open his mouth, Soi Fon was already roaring in furious condemnation.
Garp raised an eyebrow.
"Soul King, you say? It seems your ambition is quite significant!"
"Heh heh," Auguro smiled nonchalantly.
"When you're sailing the seas, who doesn't have a little ambition?"
"Kuhaha... You're right! So, is your final decision a refusal?"
Garp's expression turned serious, a terrifying aura of dominance erupting from his body. It was as if the moment Auguro uttered the word "refuse," he would immediately make his move!
Soi Fon started to move to shield Auguro but was stopped by a wave of his hand.
Auguro sat calmly in his chair, not giving a single thought to Garp's overwhelming pressure.
As Soi Fon had stated, he was a man destined to become the lord of a Divine Realm; how could he possibly become a lackey for the World Government!
"That's right! I refuse!"
ROAR!
A heaven-shaking surge of imposing aura burst forth from Auguro, seemingly determined to dominate all under heaven!
Garp's face instantly became grave.
This is...
Conqueror's Haki (Haoshoku Haki)!