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[email protected]/Heroicverse
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Even Auguro himself hadn't expected to awaken Conqueror's Haki at that exact moment.
Thinking it over, the high probability was that the immense pressure from Garp's aura had created a massive stimulus! As the saying goes: the harsher the suppression, the stronger the backlash!
"Tsk, tsk!" Garp smacked his lips.
"These young ones nowadays are truly terrifying!"
Ugh, have you been infected by a certain slacking Admiral?
Truth be told, the instant Auguro awakened Haoshoku Haki, Garp had seriously considered making a move. Such a figure, with enormous potential and supreme subordinates, would certainly become a formidable enemy to the Navy if he ever decided to stir up trouble!
However, the thought only flashed through his mind. If you intend to kill someone before they even commit a crime, how are you any different from a pirate?
"Forget it! I'll leave this troublesome mess for Sengoku to worry about! I'm off to see my grandson!"
Garp couldn't be bothered with these complicated affairs, laughing heartily.
"Refusal is refusal! I'm leaving!"
With that, Garp didn't waste another second. He used Geppo (Moonwalk) and immediately returned to his battleship.
"Go, go, go! Head back to the East Blue! I'm going to see my grandson!"
Under Garp's urging, the battleship quickly turned its bow and set sail toward the East Blue.
After Garp left, Auguro suddenly felt a weight lift from his entire body. Only then did he realize that his back was completely drenched in cold sweat! He was, after all, a living legend. The pressure of facing him directly was something few people could ever imagine.
"Soi Fon!"
Auguro turned his head and asked earnestly, "You exchanged blows with Garp. What is his true strength?"
Soi Fon pondered for a moment, choosing her words carefully.
"He likely didn't use his full strength, but I also have trump cards."
"If it came to a life-or-death fight, it would most likely end in a mutual kill."
Soi Fon did not elaborate that the "mutual kill" she referred to was her taking Garp down with her, not a scenario where they fought until both perished together. Auguro, however, was keenly aware of this distinction.
Soi Fon's ultimate techniques, her Bankai and infinite Shunko, were not suited for sustained battles. The One Piece world, conversely, was full of 'human tanks' who specialized in war of attrition. A living legend like Garp stood at the very pinnacle of even the top-tier combatants.
After a brief pause, Soi Fon stated soberly, "If we wanted a guaranteed victory, I'm afraid only the Head-Captain could achieve it."
In reality, the Captains of the 5th Division, Aizen Sōsuke, and the 4th Division, Unohana Retsu, could also achieve it. After all, those three were on the level of being game-breakers. Garp, no matter how outrageous, still adhered to some form of reason. But those three...
If they cooperated flawlessly, the Thirteen Court Guard Squads (Gotei 13) wouldn't even need so many Captains! It was just that, aside from the Head-Captain, the true strength of the other two had yet to be fully revealed to all the Soul Reapers.
"Once the Soul King Palace is unlocked, I should let Soi Fon go there for enhancement as well!" Auguro thought, a plan forming in his mind.
The Reiatsu Cuisine and Reiatsu Hot Springs developed by the Royal Guard (Zero Division) could deeply tap into the potential of a Soul Reaper. If Soi Fon went through the entire regimen, her strength could at least double!
However, neither the Soul King Palace nor the Royal Guard was an entity Auguro could summon right now. It was best to proceed step-by-step.
Having witnessed the world's top-tier fighting force, the atmosphere aboard the Desert Rose became slightly subdued. Soi Fon even proactively approached Auguro to request training in Armament Haki.
"I was too complacent before! I thought the strong people in this world were nothing to worry about! For Soul King-sama, I must be fully prepared!"
Kuchiki Rukia and Matsumoto Rangiku were quick to follow suit, eagerly joining the training.
Auguro naturally agreed without reservation, carefully sharing his own experience and insights regarding Armament Haki with them.
After the explanation concluded, Robin, who had been hiding in the cabin, emerged. As the wanted "Demon Child," she dared not show her face in front of the Navy.
"By rejecting the Navy's invitation, you will likely be aggressively pursued by them afterward," Robin kindly warned.
Although the Warlords of the Sea were disparagingly called "lapdogs of the World Government," they were all individuals so powerful that they were seen as enormous threats, hence the invitation. By refusing, the Navy would inevitably have to find a way to neutralize that threat!
Auguro shook his head. "Accepting would have been the real trouble."
He pointed to the mast of the Desert Rose. "We have never flown a pirate flag. No matter how much others call us pirates, we can always deny it."
"But if we had accepted the invitation to become a Warlord of the Sea, our pirate identity would be cemented!"
"I am the Soul King of the Holy Spiritual Empire; I intend to build a nation the likes of which has never been seen! Do you think the common people would trust a King who was once a pirate?"
Robin was stunned, realizing Auguro had many more considerations at play.
"Oh, and about Haki, you should learn it as well," Auguro reminded her. "Some of the Poneglyphs are in the New World. If you don't know Haki, you won't be able to protect yourself in that land!"
Robin was an intelligent person; even if Auguro hadn't mentioned it, she had already planned to seriously study it.
A competitive fervor quickly spread throughout the ship. Even Nami and Yamada Hanatarō found themselves compelled to jump into the great trend of learning Haki.
At the Water Seven
The Desert Rose finally arrived at the famous water-based city, Water Seven.
"It's so beautiful!" Nami was completely captivated by the stunning scenery before her.
A gigantic fountain stood in the center of Water Seven, the falling water forming the main waterways that connected the inner and outer parts of the city. At points of elevation difference, there were sloping water channels for people to travel, making the whole place exquisitely designed, like a deliberate toy model. It could be said that over ninety percent of the city is waterway.
Robin smiled. "Water Seven is not only the sacred land of shipbuilding but also a tourist paradise, attracting millions of visitors every year!"
Auguro said, "After we take the ship to the dockyard for maintenance, we'll go explore Water Seven."
The most famous shipbuilding company in Water Seven was, naturally, the Galley-La Company. Since the best craftsmen were at Dock One, Auguro steered the Desert Rose right over and requested maintenance services.
Barth, one of the five foremen of Dock One, pounded his chest and guaranteed, "Don't worry! Any ship that comes through our hands will be returned to you looking and performing as good as new after maintenance!"
Auguro nodded. "In that case, I leave the ship in your care!"
"Auguro-sama, let's go eat some Aqua Laguna Meat! I hear that even chefs from the Food Capital come here to buy this delicacy!" Nami hugged Auguro's arm and pleaded playfully.
Ever since Matsumoto Rangiku achieved a great victory, Nami had launched multiple 'attacks' on Auguro.
"Alright! Let's go!"
Auguro ruffled Nami's hair and led the group to board a Yagara Bull, the aquatic creature used as a taxi. One Yagara Bull could seat two people, and the rental fee was one thousand Berries.
"What an interesting creature!"
Robin reached out and gently poked the Bull's neck. The Bull didn't take offense and remained very docile.
Just then, a shipwright wearing a tall, black hat walked into the dockyard carrying a massive piece of timber.
The moment he saw Robin, his eyes became incredibly sharp and menacing.
"That's... the Demon Child, Nico Robin!"