Chapter 415: The Strongest Enemy Z (XI)"Come... my comrade! Let us use our fists to draw a period for our ridiculous justice!!!"Zephyr's voice echoed atop the volcano.Black and red Haoshoku lightning crackled wildly around him, like countless vengeful spirits breaking free from hell's shackles, making his battered body look like a Shura returned from the Nine Nether Depths.Sengoku, who had fallen dejectedly to the ground, propped himself up and stood up bit by bit with great difficulty.His gaze was locked onto his dear friend, a hundred meters away, who was both familiar and a stranger.He wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth. The color that had drained from his usually wise and dignified face due to shock rushed back—a flush formed by extreme grief and anger."Zephyr..."His voice was as raspy as if it had been ground by sandpaper, each word weighing a thousand pounds."Do you really... have to go this far?""For a truth that has long since rotted, for things that have long since passed, are you going to negate everything... the conviction that you and I, that we both spent our lives protecting?!!"He took a step forward, and the volcanic rock beneath his feet cracked."Do you remember?! Zephyr!!! When we first put on these uniforms and swore our oaths under the flag of Marineford!""You said you would use these fists to protect all the weak in this world!Garp said he would use his fists to blow all the bad guys away!And I said I would use my wisdom to clear all obstacles in your path!!!""We swore to be each other's support, to plant this flag symbolizing justice in every corner of the world!!!""We did it! Together we ended the era of Rocks, together we witnessed the end of Roger, together... we brought the Marines to an unprecedented peak!!!""Was all of this... fake?! Is it all to be discarded because of one mistake, one... unforgivable mistake that I committed?!!"Sengoku's questioning was filled with blood and tears, full of heartache and confusion.He looked at his dear friend wrapped in black and red lightning, feeling only a sense of powerlessness in his heart.He had hidden the truth to protect this scarred family, to protect these two friends whose characters were more unyielding than anyone else's, but in the end, it had resulted in the deepest harm.He knew that today, he had to personally end his friend's mistake.This was not just an inescapable responsibility as the former Fleet Admiral.It was the only thing he could do as a friend, an elder brother who had made a mistake—the final atonement.However, facing Sengoku's tearful questioning, Zephyr laughed.It was a smile more hideous than crying, filled with cold, bone-deep mockery."Protecting? Conviction? Don't make it sound so nice, Sengoku."Zephyr raised the fist entwined with black and red lightning and pointed it at Sengoku from afar."Your justice is built on the bones of my wife and child!""Your so-called 'Reigning over the World' is nothing more than being a running dog at the feet of the Celestial Dragons! Stop disgusting me with those hypocritical platitudes!""Enough talk! Sengoku!!!"He took a step forward, and the entire volcanic peak shook violently!"Let me see! Just how heavy is your 'Reigning over the World' justice, which you maintain at the cost of sacrificing everything!!!""Roar---!!!"Answering him was Sengoku's roar, equally filled with endless grief!"As you wish!!!"Sengoku no longer hesitated, nor did he try to persuade him further.At this moment, thousands of words had turned into pale dust.Since it was beyond recovery, then... end it personally!"Boom---!!!"A golden light so bright it made one unable to open their eyes suddenly erupted from Sengoku's body!The light instantly dispelled the darkness of the world, dyeing the entire volcanic peak in a sacred gold!Within the golden light, Sengoku's body expanded rapidly at a speed visible to the naked eye, transforming into a massive Buddha a hundred meters tall!On the face of that giant Buddha, the usual majesty of the Wrathful Vajra was gone, replaced by an endless sorrow, as if weeping for the suffering of the world."Since you have fallen into Shura Hell and cannot turn back..."The dark Golden Buddha raised his massive palm that blotted out the sun, his voice booming between heaven and earth like thunder."Then let me personally... release you from this boundless sea of bitterness!""Shockwave---!!!"The massive golden palm struck out suddenly, the air currents it kicked up even tearing a huge hole in the clouds in the sky!A visible golden Shockwave, with a momentum that could destroy heaven and earth, slammed towards the tiny Zephyr!Facing this terrifying attack that could easily erase an island from the map, there wasn't a hint of fear on Zephyr's face.Only madness!"Good timing!!!"Instead of dodging, he charged forward boldly towards that golden halo of death!During the charge, his Armament Haki was pushed to a brand new, peak-surpassing realm in an unprecedented way!Black Armament Haki condensed on his fist into a savage, roaring black dragon head!"black arm: Shura Path!!!"Zephyr poured all the grief, anger, and despair of his life into this single punch!The next second, the roaring black dragon head collided fiercely with the world-destroying golden Shockwave atop the volcano!"Boom!!!"Golden and black-red, two types of energy representing completely different convictions, like two ancient behemoths, bit, devoured, and collided crazily!At the center of their intersection, a violent energy storm swept in all directions, cutting and crushing the hard volcanic rock as easily as tofu.The entire volcanic peak was actually leveled by nearly a third under the clash of these two forces!In the distance, Garp had closed his eyes in pain at some point.He couldn't bear to watch any longer.As one of the top powerhouses in the world, he didn't even need his eyes to clearly "see" everything on the battlefield.He could feel that in Zephyr's fists, every strike was burning life force frantically. That aura was like a candle about to burn out, bursting with the most brilliant and deadly light before extinguishing.He could also feel that in Sengoku's palms, every impact carried deep-seated hesitation and pain. That power was strong and vast, yet it always held a trace of reluctance, a trace of tenderness wanting to pull the other back.This was two heartbroken men torturing each other in the most tragic way, and also holding a grand and sorrowful funeral for their friendship that had long since shattered into pieces.Garp's mind uncontrollably brought up images from decades ago.Back then, they were all still young.Zephyr would fly into a rage because a pirate escaped, Sengoku would stay up all night because a document wasn't written well, and he would be chased all over Marineford by the two of them for stealing their chicken legs.They drank together, fought together, and on the deck under the setting sun, they would put their arms around each other's shoulders and envision the future of the Marines.The sky back then was so blue.The smiles back then were so pure.But when did everything start to change?Garp couldn't figure it out.The first round of collision ended in a draw.The golden Shockwave dissipated, and the black dragon head also shattered into nothingness.Zephyr was panting heavily, a trace of blood leaking from the corner of his mouth, but his eyes, burning with black and red flames, became even brighter and more mad!He, completely abandoned defense!"Again!!!"He like a black cannonball, again charged toward that towering dark-Golden Buddha, completely ignoring Sengoku's oncoming massive Shockwave, which was enough to punch through an island!"Zephyr! Are you crazy?! Get out of the way!!!" Sengoku let out a roar mixed with shock and anger.However, Zephyr turned a deaf ear!He took this Shockwave head-on with his already battered flesh and blood body!"Pfft---!!!"A large mouthful of blood sprayed out from Zephyr's mouth like a crimson fountain!His chest caved in deeply at a terrifying angle. The sound of ribs breaking was so clear that even Garpin the distance heard it.But he also succeeded!Using the force of the Shockwave, he charged in front of the Golden Buddha in a suicidal manner!His prosthetic limb "smash" made of Sea Stoneerupted with an unprecedented pitch-black light under the enhancement of black and red Haki, firmly grasping Sengoku's Buddha arm!"Got you! Sengoku!!!"A savage and satisfied smile appeared on Zephyr's face. Extreme Armament Haki, mixed with his will to destroy everything, poured frantically from the prosthetic limb!"Crack... Crackle!!!"A tooth-aching sound of cracking rang out!On Sengoku's indestructible Golden Buddha body, a clear crack actually appeared on that massive Buddha arm!"Look at yourself now! Zephyr! This appearance of yours, willing to do anything for revenge—what difference is there between you and those pirates you hate the most!"From the Golden Buddha's mouth came Sengoku's incredibly painful questioning."Difference?"Zephyr coughed up a mouthful of blood mixed with organ fragments and laughed madly:"Of course there's a difference!!!""Pirates are just stealing money and lives! But I am judging!!!""I am judging you hypocritical partners of justice! Judging this rotten world you created that breeds monsters!!!"These words were like the sharpest knives, stabbing fiercely into the hearts of Sengoku and Garp!Garp suddenly opened his eyes. In those eyes that always carried a hint of laziness, there was now only endless pain and struggle.He wanted to rush up and stop this meaningless fratricide with a punch to each of them.He wanted to grab Sengoku by the collar and ask him why he didn't speak up sooner, and he also wanted to hold Zephyr's shoulders and make him stop.But what could he do?Helping Sengoku would be personally betraying Zephyr's despair, which was heavy enough to crush the world.Helping Zephyr would be completely negating his own Marine stance that he had protected all his life.At this moment, this man hailed as the "marine hero" discovered for the first time that he was so powerless. o(╥﹏╥)o"Bastard!!!"Garp suddenly smashed a fist fiercely into the ground beside him!"Boom!"The hard volcanic rock was smashed into a giant crater by his Iron Fist. The violent fist wind blew away everything around him, venting his anger and sadness that had nowhere to go.Finally, he stood up, his movements incredibly slow and heavy. He turned around, his back to the battlefield.This was the final and only respect he, as a friend, could give to these two equally pained dear friends.Letting them use their own way to draw a period for their own convictions and for their passed era.Garp's mountain-like back, illuminated by the alternating golden light and black electricity, cast an incredibly lonely shadow.It seemed to announce that an era belonging to the three of them had come to an end.
Chapter 416: The Strongest Enemy Z (Part 12)Saiken Island, a hidden harbor at the foot of the mountain, the thousand sunny.Unlike the sky-shattering sorrow and fury atop the volcano, the sunny was now enveloped in a different atmosphere—solemnity.*Gulp...*Usopp gripped the ship's railing tightly, his face as white as paper, and the cold sweat on his forehead felt like it would freeze into ice the next second.His legs shook uncontrollably and incessantly."You... You've got to be kidding... What the hell is going on..."Although his Observation Haki wasn't as strong as Luffy's or Zoro's, the three bursts of Haoshokupouring down from the summit were as terrifying as gods and demons. It felt like three invisible mountains pressing down hard on his soul, making it difficult even to breathe.That wasn't just mere presence. It was anger, sorrow, destruction... three extreme wills capable of making the world tremble were clashing head-on!!!"Hey, hey... for real?"Inuarashi and Nekomamushi, that pair of old rivals, were actually standing together for once. The fur on their backs stood on end like hedgehogs, their eyes filled with the primal fear and unease of beasts."This aura... there's no mistake... it's that bastard Garp!" Duke Inuarashi's voice was so heavy it could drip water.Master Nekomamushi's pupils shrank to pinpricks as he added:"And Sengoku the Buddha... plus another one... filled with despair and hatred, yet an incredibly pure Haoshoku... Why would these three monsters appear here at the same time?!?!""It's no longer a question of whether we want to get involved!"Franky, wearing his sunglasses, solemnly adjusted the angle of the Wind Laser. In his mechanical right hand, the energy indicator light was flashing frantically."I can feel it; the power rock inside that volcano is becoming super unstable because of their battle!""If this keeps up, forget fighting—the whole island will be blown away by them!"In the shadows of the cabin, Trafalgar Law's face was as dark as the bottom of a pot.He gripped the kikoku at his waist tightly, veins throbbing on his forehead, as he cursed under his breath:"straw hat's bastard grandfather... and Sengoku the Buddha... plus a completely berserk Z...""Three legendary old monsters gathered together. This island... no, this entire sea area is finished!"While everyone on the ship was panicking, nearly suffocating under that world-destroying pressure, their Captain, Monkey D. Luffy, stood quietly at the bow, contrary to his usual behavior.He didn't make a fuss about joining the excitement as he usually did, nor did he break into an excited grin upon encountering strong enemies.He just stood there, the shadow of his straw hatcovering his face, making it impossible to see his expression.But the aura emanating from him was like a stabilizing pillar, unconsciously calming the chaotic hearts of all his companions.'Grandpa really did come...'Luffy's inner state was far more turbulent than he appeared on the outside.He could clearly feel that among those three bursts of Haki, the most violent and unreasonable one belonged to his bastard grandfather—Monkey D. Garp.Another one, as vast as the ocean yet incredibly sorrowful, was Sengoku the Buddha.As for the third, that black-red Haki filled with hatred, despair, and a burning death wish—that was definitely Zephyr.'Three people, and not a single one of them is easy to deal with. Old man Zephyr definitely can't hold out alone.''And... with the old man's unreasonable temper, once he gets heated in a fight, he won't stop until he knocks his opponent flat. But I... I really don't want to use lethal force on him...'This was no longer a simple conflict between Marines and pirates; it was a tangled mess of grandfather-grandson bonds, mentor-disciple gratitude, and best friends turning against each other... a chaotic debt.A rotten debt that he had to settle personally!!!Thinking of this, Luffy took a deep breath and turned around.His gaze was like a knife, instantly sweeping over every companion on the ship, finally fixing precisely on the Mosshead swordsman leaning against the main mast with his eyes closed."Zoro!"Luffy's voice wasn't loud, but it was highly penetrating and left no room for doubt.*Clang!*Almost the exact same second Luffy spoke, Zoro's right eye snapped open, bursting with a terrifying sharpness.He didn't ask anything; he just lightly pressed his hand against the three swords at his waist.A simple action, a simple response."Yeah."This was the unspoken understanding between them that required no words.Luffy looked at him; those eyes, which were usually so clear, were now filled with trust and an unprecedented solemnity."The situation on the mountain is a hundred times more complicated than we thought.""This is my family business; I must settle it with my own hands.""However, old man Zephyr and his subordinates are innocent, and... that Great Buddha Sengoku is no pushover either."He took another deep breath, as if trying to suck the clouds from the sky into his lungs.When he spoke again, he emphasized every word, each one striking the deck like a nail!"After I leave, the command of the sunny and the safety of everyone is entirely in your hands!""I trust you!"The moment his words fell, the entire world seemed to have its mute button pressed.Zoro was stunned for a moment after hearing this, then a wide grin broke out on his usually cold face—a smile filled with natural confidence and excitement."Of course."He took his hand off the hilt of his sword, accepting this heavy entrustment with the most relaxed tone."But Captain, don't go and accidentally die at your own grandfather's hands.""Gahahaha!"Luffy laughed out loud as if he had heard the world's greatest joke. This laughter instantly dispersed the gloomy atmosphere and blew away the unease in his companions' hearts."I'm the man who's going to become the Pirate King!"Before his voice even faded, his legs kicked off violently!*Boom!*The entire sunny shook violently as he turned into a bolt of golden lightning, trailing a long plume of flame, and charged resolutely toward the volcanic peak where gods and demons danced!Watching Luffy's disappearing back, Zoro turned around, emanating a reliable aura that was only slightly less reassuring than the Captain's.He scanned the still-dazed companions and shouted with heroic spirit:"Alright, You lot! Prepare to move!"With that, he stomped his foot hard, his figure moving like lightning as he plunged headlong into the depths of the dense primeval forest—in the direction completely opposite to the volcano!"...""..."The entire crew was instantly petrified, and silence fell.On the deck, only the "whoosh" of the sea breeze remained, making the situation awkward as hell.A full three seconds passed."That Mosshead idiot—!!! Is he trying to run into the sea to feed the fish?!?!"Trafalgar Law's forehead veins throbbed wildly. He covered his face and let out his seventh—and most soul-crushing—roar of the week!"Wow! Mr. Zoro's training method is so unique! I want to go too!"Yamato, on the other hand, looked excited and didn't think anything was wrong at all. She shouldered her Spiked Club and was about to follow."You stay right there!!!"Law was quick to react, instantly activating his ability."ROOM—Tact!"He yanked the eager Yamato back and pinned her to the deck."Is this the time to get lost?! Huh?!"While the deck was in chaos, like a pot of boiling porridge.Amidst the confusion, a mature and elegant figure quietly pulled another worried and shy young girl to a corner of the railing."Uta."Robin's voice was as mellow as wine, softly sounding in Uta's ear."Ah... Sister Robin..."Uta seemed to have just woken up. Her small face was flushed with worry for Luffy, her hands nervously twisting the hem of her clothes, and her beautiful large eyes were watery and full of confusion."Are you worried about Luffy?"Robin asked with a light smile, her eyes—which seemed capable of seeing through anything—making Uta's heart skip a beat."Um..."Uta's voice was as small as a mosquito's buzz as she shyly lowered her head, looking like a startled fawn.Seeing her like this, a doting smile flashed in Robin's eyes.She reached out a finger and gently tapped Uta's lips, which were slightly parted from tension.The soft, cool touch made Uta tremble all over, as if an electric current had instantly surged from her lips through her entire body."If you're worried, you have to learn to take the initiative."Robin leaned down slightly, bringing her lips close to Uta's ear, and in a seductive voice that only the two of them could hear—almost like a devil's whisper—she said softly:"Men, especially after a satisfying battle, are at their most empty both physically and mentally. That's when they need comfort the most.""Just like this..."As she spoke, images of a certain night uncontrollably surfaced in her mind—in the swaying Captain's quarters, how she had proactively wrapped herself around Luffy's hot, firm body to feel that sense of security and power that could dispel all nightmares.That feeling of extreme pleasure in both soul and body made her unconsciously extend the tip of her tongue to lightly lick her lips, which were a bit dry from the memory.In that instant, her eyes shimmered like water with stars twinkling inside, and the ultimate charm of a mature woman burst forth.Uta stared blankly at the current Robin, seeing the unabashed, knowing seductive smile on her face and hearing those bold and alluring words.She was so embarrassed she felt like a freshly steamed bun; from her face to her neck, and even her delicate collarbones covered by her dress, everything took on an enticing shade of pink.Her mind went blank, and her heart beat so fast it felt like it would jump out of her throat.But miraculously, beneath that killing shyness, a glimmer of light saying 'I understand' and 'I'm so envious' quietly flickered in the depths of her eyes.'Af... after the battle... comfort...'These words were deeply engraved in her heart like a brand.Just as Uta's mind was still in a tug-of-war, an unbearable roar finally pulled this ship, which was about to veer off course, back to the right path."That's enough from all of you!!!"Law finally exploded. Looking at the increasingly terrifying energy fluctuations in the distance, and then at this group of people who were each more unreliable than the last, he felt like his blood vessels were about to burst."Franky-ya! Prepare the Wind Laser! Everyone else, stay on alert on the deck!""We must get those idiots back before the volcano completely erupts!!!"With his most rational orders, he temporarily took command of the ship and the mess created by this group of monsters.
Chapter 417: The Strongest Enemy Z (Part 13)Saiken Island, another battlefield atop the volcanic peak.If the battle between Zephyr and Sengoku was a requiem filled with sorrow and rage, then the battle here was more like a despairing... one-sided execution."Ha... ha... ha..."Ain knelt on one knee, her dual blades thrust deep into the scorching volcanic rock, barely supporting her swaying body.She breathed heavily, each breath triggering intense pain throughout her body. Blood dripped steadily down her porcelain-white arms, turning into wisps of white steam upon hitting the searing ground.Around her lay the members of the Neo Marine, scattered in disarray.They weren't dead, but the sensation of their bones being shattered, leaving them unable to even move a finger, was a helplessness more despairing than death.Beside her, Binz's condition was no better.His proud 'Mori-Mori Fruit' ability, capable of stimulating lush plant growth, was utterly countered on this barren volcanic summit where not a single blade of grass grew.He could only rely on his basic martial arts and Armament Haki to put up a futile resistance, like a mantis trying to stop a carriage.At this moment, he lay on the ground like a broken sack, a clear fist print sunken into his chest; he had clearly lost the ability to fight.The culprit behind all this, that man, stood before them with his hands in his pockets, looking utterly bored.The marine hero, Monkey D. Garp.Using only the simplest, purest martial arts supplemented by basic Armament Haki, he had easily crushed these Neo Marine elites—who were considered formidable even in the New World—one by one, as if swatting flies.He stood like an insurmountable mountain. There was no killing intent in his eyes, not even anger, only a sense of absolute authority that seemed perfectly natural."Give up, little girl."Garp looked at Ain, the only one left standing, his tone as flat as if he were advising a neighbor's girl who refused to go home."Your teacher has gone mad. Don't keep fooling around with him. This old man doesn't want to be heavy-handed with you children."Hearing this, Ain snapped her head up. In her beautiful purple eyes, which usually held a cold determination, an unyielding flame now burned."Shut up!"She let out a hoarse roar with all her might."You don't understand at all! You don't understand the pain... that Teacher carries!""For Teacher's long-cherished wish, we... even if we die, we will never take a single step back!"'No... we're in completely different leagues...'Though her words were tough, Ain's heart had long since been swallowed by endless despair.'Is this... the strength of the marine hero? We... we can't even manage to delay him for a single second...'She could feel that the opponent wasn't even warmed up.That absolute gap made even the thought of challenging him feel like a form of sacrilege.'Teacher Zephyr... I'm sorry... we... have no way out...'Watching her comrades fall one by one and feeling the frenzied aura of her teacher emanating from the other battlefield, Ain's heart sank inch by inch into a cold abyss.But even if she were to die, she would die on the path of the charge!"Yaahhhh~~~!!!"Ain let out a cry like a mournful wail, squeezing out the last of her strength. She kicked off the ground, transforming into a cyan phantom as her dual blades crossed, aiming to sever Garp's neck!However, facing this all-out strike, Garp didn't even blink.He simply raised his right hand casually.Then, he gently caught them between his index and middle fingers.*Clang~~~!!!*A crisp sound of metal clashing rang out.Ain's dual blades, sharp enough to cut through steel, were caught effortlessly between his two fingers.!!!Ain't pupils instantly constricted to their limit!She felt an irresistible, terrifying force transmitted through the blades. She tried desperately to pull her weapons back, but the two swords were as if welded in place, completely immovable!"Too slow, little girl."Garp sighed, seemingly losing the last of his patience for this boring "game." The fingers holding the blades twisted slightly.*Crack!*The two long swords, crafted by master smiths, snapped on command!Immediately following, his ordinary-looking fist slowly rose, aiming at Ain's pretty face, which was wide open due to shock.It's over.Ain closed her eyes in despair.Just at this critical moment!A bolt of crimson-gold lightning, as if it could incinerate all things, and a light as dazzling as the sun descended from the sky without warning!!!"Hmm?!"For the first time, Garp's movements stopped.In his eyes, which usually carried a hint of laziness, a trace of an emotion called "surprise" appeared for the first time.He snapped his head up and looked toward the sky!And Ain, who had closed her eyes to wait for death, subconsciously opened them because of the sudden descent of that terrifying, sun-like pressure.In the next second, she saw a scene she would never forget for the rest of her life.Time seemed to slow down infinitely in her world.She only saw a figure falling from the sky so fast it was impossible to track. The figure was so blurred that she couldn't even make out the person's appearance.The only clear thing was a foot wearing a flip-flop.That foot was entwined with domineering crimson-gold lightning!That lightning was so dazzling, so noble, as if everything in the world would pale in its presence!That foot, in a posture that tore through space and ignored time and distance, kicked hard toward Garp's face, which always wore a confident smile!*Boom~~~!!!*An extremely dull, massive explosion thundered!Immediately after, the "undefeated myth" in Ain's eyes, the marine hero Iron Fist Garp who seemed as invincible as a god to her—That face, which always wore a somewhat cynical smile, completely distorted for the first time due to extreme pain!He couldn't even put up a shred of resistance before being instantly sent flying by that unrivaled, terrifying force!He turned into a shooting star in the sky, trailing a long plume of dust, and vanished beyond the distant horizon in the blink of an eye.For a moment, the entire world fell into a deathly silence.The figure landed gently.He didn't look at Ain, who was right beside him, immediately. Instead, with his back to her, he slightly raised his head and gazed in the direction where Garp had disappeared.His messy black hair fluttered slightly in the violent airflow caused by that flying kick, revealing eyes as deep as the starry sky.The aura of silliness he usually carried had completely vanished, replaced by an innate, world-dominating arrogance and composure.He was like a sun walking among mortals, emanating a divine majesty like the blazing midday sun!That pressure made one dare not look directly at him, yet it was like the most lethal poison, making one unable to resist drawing closer like a moth to a flame!He grinned, revealing a smile.That smile carried an absolute confidence that was powerful to the core.This extreme contrast, for a woman who had just been rescued from the abyss of despair and was in her most vulnerable state... was the most potent poison, enough to instantly crush all her psychological defenses!In an instant, Ain was completely stunned.Her heart felt as if it were being gripped tightly by an invisible giant hand, and then, uncontrollably, frantically, and shamefully, it began to beat violently!*Thump! Thump! Thump! Thump!*The sound was so intense that she could clearly hear it herself, as if it were going to jump right out of her throat!A scorching current surged from her heart to her four limbs and hundreds of bones, finally all gathering on her beautiful face.Her face, which was usually frost-covered and devoid of makeup,Developed two extremely obvious blushes at a speed visible to the naked eye, so enticing they looked as if they could drip blood.She wore a tight Marine uniform tailored to highlight her curves. The breathtaking arc of her chest was now heaving violently at a dizzying frequency due to her rapid heartbeat and breathing.In those large purple eyes that were always full of determination and loyalty, all emotions were now cleared away, leaving only pure shock, confusion, and a spark of heat that even she hadn't noticed.Even her delicate earlobes, white as jade and usually strictly covered by her military cap, seemed to be on fire, burning bright red and emitting startling heat.'He... he is... Straw Hat Luffy? The great pirate... that Teacher Zephyr thinks so highly of...''But... why... why did he save us?''And... that kick just now... th-that kick...''My heart... it's... it's going to jump out...'Her brain had turned into a pot of boiling mush. All logic, all positions, and all hatred were shattered before the world-dominating back of that man.Subconsciously, she wanted to stand up, wanted to say "thank you."But her throat felt as if it were tightly blocked by something. Even using all her strength, she could only let out a faint, slightly coquettish hum from her trembling cherry lips."Um..."Luffy seemed to have finished dealing with "family matters" and finally turned around.He looked at Ain, who was still kneeling on the ground with a dazed and flushed face, and waved his hand casually."You guys should leave quickly. Leave this place to me."His voice returned to its usual clarity, as if the Sun God who had just kicked the marine hero away was merely everyone's hallucination."B-But... our teacher..."Binz struggled, wanting to say something.Ain also snapped out of her blurry state, a flash of hesitation and struggle appearing in her eyes.However, before she could finish her sentence—*Boom~~~!!!*From the distant sky, a world-shaking explosion like a meteorite impact suddenly rang out!Immediately following, a black stream of light tore through the sky at an even faster speed than before, crashing onto the nearby mountain rocks!As the dust cleared, Garp's figure reappeared.While rubbing the clear shoe print on his handsome old face, he let out a world-shaking laugh filled with surprise and excitement!"Gah~~~ Hahahahahaha!!!""Good grandson!! You've grown up!!!""You even dare to hit your grandfather now!!""Unforgivable!!!"There was no trace of anger in his eyes, only a supreme battle soul burning like a raging fire at having met his match!"Come on! Luffy!!!"He stomped his foot hard, making the entire volcano tremble. A Conqueror's Haki, more than ten times stronger than before, erupted!"Let your grandfather properly test your growth during this period!!!"
Chapter 418: The Strongest Enemy Z (Part 14)"Come on! Luffy!!!"Accompanied by Garp's loud laughter, an unprecedented, terrifying Conqueror's Haki, as if it were to completely press the entire island into the seabed, burst forth from his not-so-tall body!This time, Garp no longer held back in the slightest!That was the purest, most primal will of destruction from his decades of roaming the seas, having struck down countless legends into the dust with nothing but a pair of Iron Fists!Black and red lightning transformed into a substantial, terrifying torrent!They were like hundreds of millions of pitch-black flood Dragons seeking prey, crazily spreading in all directions with Garp as the center.Wherever it passed, the hard volcanic rock cracked layer by layer, turning into powder, and the volcanic ash clouds in the sky were forcibly shredded by this momentum, forming a giant dark vortex!The sea was churning for it!The air was wailing for it!This was the full power of the marine hero!Faced with this terrifying pressure sufficient to make even any of the Four Emperors pale, Luffy's expression did not change at all.He simply took a step forward, completely shielding behind him Ain, who was already scared out of her wits and was now blushing, gazing at him blankly, as well as Binz, who was struggling to stand up nearby.Then, he raised his head.Those eyes, which were always as clear as a youth's, suddenly lit up at this moment with a brilliant golden light that seemed to rival the sun and moon!"Boom—!!!!!"A completely different, yet equally domineering Conqueror's Haki, like an awakening Sun God, soared into the sky from within Luffy's body!It was not Garp's kind of pure dominance filled with destruction and ruin.It was a magnificent aura like the sun, full of vitality and supreme majesty—the bearing of a King!Red-gold lightning, like the divine fire burning on the body of the Sun God Nika in mythology, was sacred, noble, and inviolable!They circled and rose around Luffy, making him look like a true deity descending upon the mortal world, forming the sharpest contrast with Garp, who looked like a peerless Demon Lord on the opposite side!On one side was the pinnacle of the old era, pure destruction and ruin!On the other side was the dawn of the new era, all-encompassing freedom and rebirth!Two types of top-tier Conqueror's Haki collided fiercely at the summit of the volcano!"Rumble!!!"The black-red destructive lightning and the red-gold sacred thunder crazily eroded, bit, and annihilated each other in mid-air!"Crack... crackle!!!"Web-like cracks spread through the void!Ultimately, an immensely huge, bottomless scar in the heavens appeared abruptly in the sky between Luffy and Garp, tearing the entire sky in half!The sky had split!"This... this... this..."Binz, who was knocked back repeatedly by the aftershocks of this Haki, slumped onto the ground. He looked at the terrifying crack in the sky in utter horror, his teeth chattering."Is this... is this the world's top-tier Conqueror's collision?! Just... just a clash of momentum, and the... the sky was torn open?!"He felt his worldview being completely crushed at this moment.However, unlike his terror, Ain, who was firmly protected behind Luffy, could not feel any pressure.She felt as if she were in the center of a storm, yet it was the safest and warmest harbor in the world.She could only gaze blankly, with her burning hot face tilted up, at that broad back that blocked all the disasters of the falling sky for her.That back clearly wasn't particularly tall, but in her eyes, it was more magnificent and reliable than any mountain in the world."He... he protected me...""For me... for us Marines who he doesn't even know... he is fighting his own grandfather... fighting that legendary marine hero...""This man... he... what kind of person... is he exactly..."Ain's heart beat wildly, betraying her; she felt her body starting to go soft, almost unable to stand.A never-before-felt, bittersweet and strange feeling, like a bursting flood, instantly submerged her entire heart.The Conqueror's duel in the sky fell into a brief stalemate.Garp looked at his grandson, who remained perfectly fine under his full-power Haki and could even be distracted enough to protect others. On that face that always wore a confident smile, a truly satisfied wild laugh finally appeared!"Gahahaha! Not bad! Truly not bad, Luffy!""Just this Haki alone is enough for you to have the qualifications to challenge anyone on this sea!""But! Just having Haki won't defeat this old man!"The moment the words fell, he took the lead in attacking!His seemingly casual right fist was covered with a layer of pitch-black, ultimate Armament Haki. Then, black-red Conqueror's lightning coiled around it like a venomous snake!"Take this! You brat!""Fist of Love!!!"He threw a punch from hundreds of meters away! There were no fancy moves, only the purest, most ultimate power!Facing this Fist of Love that was enough to make even the Four Emperors wary, Luffy also began to laugh loudly."I don't want it!!!"Using the same method, he covered his right fist with top-tier Armament Haki, and then coiled all of that sacred red-gold Conqueror's lightning around it!Separated by hundreds of meters, the grandfather and grandson simultaneously threw their strongest punches!"Galaxy Impact!!!"Two energy spheres condensed from pure, top-tier Haki, seemingly capable of easily crushing stars, trailed long plumes of fire and collided violently in mid-air!Immediately after, a blindingly bright cross-shaped starlight, like a supernova explosion, suddenly lit up!That starlight silently and crazily expanded in all directions, emitting an indescribable, supreme sense of absolute pressure!"Boom—!!!"The terrifying energy storm finally erupted after a moment of silence!---Another battlefield.Sengoku, who was in a death match with Zephyr, and Zephyr, who was already acting like a mad demon, were simultaneously startled by this terrifying energy surge coming from afar.Both stopped their movements and looked in the direction of the energy in shock.Sengoku's giant golden Buddha face was filled with shock, but after the shock, there was more of a heartfelt relief and pride."Has that fellow Garp... finally forced out all of this kid Luffy's strength..."He looked at the Haki crack tearing through the horizon, feeling that magnificent divine power belonging to the new era that was not inferior to his or Garp's at all, and his heart was filled with mixed emotions."Dragon... did you see that... your son, he has already... grown to the point where he can stand together with us old guys of the old era..."Zephyr's reaction, on the other hand, was much more complex.He was covered in blood, his chest sunken, but those eyes burning with black-red flames stared fixedly at the two Hakis colliding crazily in the distance.His eyes were full of disbelief, confusion, and a hint of... wavering that he himself hadn't even noticed."Straw Hat Luffy... he actually... he can actually fight to this extent with that monster Garp...""And... he's doing it to save my subordinates...""A pirate, to save a group of Marines who oppose him, doesn't hesitate to fight his own grandfather, one of the world's top combatants, with his life on the line...""Pirates... what are they exactly... Justice... what is it exactly..."His heart, which had long been filled with hatred and despair and was as hard as a stone, developed a crack for the first time at this moment.But, it was only a crack.He knew better than anyone that he no longer had a way back!And now, was the best opportunity!"All personnel, evacuate!!!"Zephyr no longer had any desire to continue the fight. He used his last bit of strength to shout the final order toward Ain and Binz."This is an order!!"Hearing her teacher's resolute voice, Ain suddenly snapped out of it.She glanced at the back fighting for her in the distance, then at her blood-covered teacher whose aura was rapidly weakening yet was still giving the order to retreat, and her tears instantly burst forth."Teacher! I can't leave you alone!!"She struggled, wanting to rush over and fight alongside her teacher until the very end!However, just at this moment filled with tragedy and resolve.A somewhat out-of-place voice full of excitement suddenly rang out from the nearby forest."Oh oh oh! Found it! Found it! What a flashy battle! I'm coming too!!!"Accompanied by the voice, a green figure rushed out of the dense forest like a cannonball!The newcomer had his signature short green hair and three famous swords at his waist. It was Roronoa Zoro, who was acting on orders but had unsurprisingly gotten lost!As soon as he rushed out of the forest, he was immediately attracted by the huge, slowly healing Haki crack in the sky, and his single eye was bursting with battle intent!His gaze swept quickly across the battlefield, skipping over the confronting Luffy and Garp.Finally, it locked precisely onto the hundred-meter-tall golden Buddha who had just been knocked back by the aftershocks of the Galaxy Impact and was looking bewildered!Zoro's eyes lit up instantly!That look was like a beast that hadn't eaten for three days seeing the most succulent piece of roasted meat!"Hey! You big Buddha!"Under the shocked gazes of everyone, including Sengoku himself who hadn't reacted yet, Zoro said nothing more, bit the wado ichimonji in his mouth, gripped the sandai kitetsu and Shusui in his hands, and charged forward with high battle intent!"Your opponent is me!!!"