In Garp's mind, the cold mechanical voice still echoed.
[Congratulations on clearing the instance: strongest spear]
[Issuing instance clear rewards...]
[Congratulations, you have received the reward: Chakra Refining Technique (A-rank)]
The moment the voice fell.
A massive, unimaginable flood of information, without warning, rushed into Garp's mind!
It was a completely different kind of knowledge about energy utilization and cultivation.
Meridians, acupoints, Chakra... A whole new world dramatically unfolded in his mind!
Garp's pupils suddenly contracted, and his entire body stiffened.
He could feel it.
Within his body, besides the 'Haki' that he had cultivated his entire life and knew to his bones.
Another brand new energy was slowly being born!
"This... this is..."
Garp subconsciously spread his palms, feeling the faint but real exotic energy within his body, his expression one of unprecedented shock.
This was not some Devil Fruit.
This was another, completely independent, new power system, separate from Haki!
Just like that... given to him directly?
One million Berries, bought a complete cultivation method?
What kind of international joke is this!
Just as he was still in utter shock, his body had already completely turned into specks of light, disappearing into the ravaged canyon... At the same time.
East Blue, Foosha Village.
"You super invincible big idiot—!"
"Mmm mmm mmm... So painful! Ace!"
The two brats were still wrestling, creating a ruckus.
White Night still propped his chin, watching with an amused expression.
Suddenly.
On the market street, right next to where the two brats were wrestling, a figure appeared out of thin air, then stumbled, almost falling to the ground.
Garp was back.
It's just that his current appearance was rather miserable.
His entire body was covered in wounds, his iconic 'Justice' coat was nowhere to be seen, his bronze upper body was covered in bloodstains and bruises, and a trace of blood still hung from the corner of his mouth.
"..."
"..."
The playful noise abruptly stopped.
Luffy and Ace, the two little rascals, completely froze.
They stared blankly at their grandpa, who had suddenly appeared and looked so disheveled, their eyes almost popping out.
The next second.
"Gran—pa—!"
Luffy's iconic loud voice, laced with a cry, once again echoed through the sky!
He released Ace's cheek, and like a small cannonball, he rushed over, grabbing Garp's thigh!
"Grandpa! You're back!"
Luffy looked up, saw the injuries on Garp, and tears instantly welled up.
"You're hurt! You're bleeding so much! Who beat you up like this!"
Ace also rushed over; although he wasn't as expressive as Luffy, the pale color on his face and his tightly clenched fists betrayed his inner fear and anger.
"Old man! Are you alright!"
Their grandpa, who in their hearts was as unconquerable as a mountain.
How could he be so injured!
"BWAHAHAHA!"
Garp's characteristic boisterous laugh made the windows along the entire street buzz.
He pushed away Luffy, who was clinging to his thigh, crying with snot and tears all over his face.
"What are you crying for!"
"Didn't this old man come back perfectly fine!"
He spoke lightly, but a storm raged in his heart.
That instance world.
That dark-skinned muscular man covered in lightning.
And that terrifying giant octopus.
Every single one of them was a powerful enemy that could push him to the brink.
Especially that final life-or-death clash; if he had been even slightly careless, he wouldn't just be returning in a sorry state now, but would have been completely finished there!
And that was just... a beginner instance?
What a joke!
Garp's gaze, without a trace, fell upon the white-haired kid still lazily leaning behind the stall.
In his eyes, for the first time, there was complete solemnity and scrutiny.
This guy... what exactly is the background of this guy who can create such a terrifying world with a flick of his hand?!
White Night slowly stood up from behind the stall, stretching with a big yawn.
He ignored the two brats still wrestling on the ground, and he ignored the astonished glances from passersby.
His gaze went straight to the blood-soaked man who still stood ramrod straight.
"Yo, old man."
White Night walked over with his hands in his pockets, a playful smile on his face.
He stopped in front of Garp, looking him up and down, examining his wounds.
"How was the experience?"
White Night chuckled, rubbing his fingers together in a shrewd manner right in front of Garp.
"I'm telling you, that one million Berries was absolutely worth it, no tricks, right?"
Luffy and Ace were stunned.
They looked up at the white-haired kid who was chatting casually in front of their grandpa, momentarily forgetting to cry and fuss.
"BWAHAHAHA!"
Garp suddenly burst into a hearty laugh, his voice full of vigor, making the surrounding air hum.
He looked down at White Night, and in his deep eyes, there was no longer any of the previous disdain, replaced by an unprecedented solemnity.
"Worth it!"
Garp bared his blood-stained mouth, spitting out a single, resolute word.
"It was so damn worth it!"
He nonchalantly pulled out a small notebook and a pen from his pocket, quickly scribbled a line of text, and then tore it off.
He shoved the slip of paper into White Night's hand.
"Take it!"
"A specially approved check from Marineford, go collect the money yourself later!"
White Night unceremoniously took the slip of paper, whistled, and tucked it into his pocket with satisfaction.
"Doing business with a hero is always straightforward!"
Just then.
The wild laughter on Garp's face instantly receded.
His weathered face became incredibly serious.
A heavy aura emanated from him.
"Now, it's your turn to answer my questions."
Garp's voice deepened, his eyes fixed on White Night's.
"Who exactly are you?"
"And what exactly is that so-called instance?"
The atmosphere solidified at this moment.
Even Ace felt something was wrong, subconsciously pulling Luffy back a step.
White Night, however, still looked lazy.
He tilted his head, pointing to his own nose.
"Me?"
He smiled.
"I'm just an ordinary Traveler."
"A humble Traveler, merely journeying between the myriad worlds."
Myriad worlds?
Garp's pupils suddenly contracted.
This was a term he had never heard before.
"As for that instance..."
White Night extended a finger, lightly tapping the air.
"You can understand it this way."
A mysterious curve appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"I merely intercepted a small fragment of time that was occurring in other worlds."
"And then... sold it to you to play with."
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