With the cover of Ivan's Earth Release ability, the two silently penetrated the outer defenses of the G-2 Branch.
He emerged from a corner of the camp with Perona, landing steadily in a secluded corridor.
Perona, holding her wine-red umbrella, floated lightly to the corner of the corridor, peering around cautiously. Her pink twin-tails swayed slightly as she spoke with a tone of mild concern:
"Hey, this place is crawling with Marines. Which way should we go to find the Devil Fruit?
Lord Moria said the fruit should be hidden in the core area of the branch, but where exactly is it?"
As the planner of this operation, Ivan naturally knew the exact location of the Devil Fruit.
"It should be over there." Ivan pointed toward a building. "My ability tells me there's a sealed space underground in that building, with guards several times denser than anywhere else. That's most likely where the Devil Fruit is."
Perona followed his gaze and snorted haughtily:
"Hmph, so many guards. It won't be easy to break in.
But it's fine. With me here, I can just use my Negative Hollows to drain their fighting spirit, and we'll get in easily."
"Don't be careless," Ivan reminded calmly. "This is the G-2 Branch. Even without the Three Admirals, there are plenty of strong fighters here. Your Negative Hollows might not work on everyone."
Perona's expression tightened slightly before she resumed her haughty demeanor, placing her hands on her hips and letting out her signature laugh:
"Horo horo horo, so what?
With me here, we'll definitely get the Devil Fruit first and deliver it to Lord Moria!
Hurry, let's take that earth tunnel over there to avoid the patrol ahead!"
Ivan nodded. The soil beneath his feet churned softly as another hidden tunnel formed. The two slipped into it one after the other, stealthily making their way toward the core building.
The patrolling soldiers in the corridor continued their vigilant rounds, completely unaware that two figures were closing in on the core they were guarding, shielded by the earth.
However, their plan was far from smooth. As they neared the room hiding the Devil Fruit, a sudden explosion destroyed everything around them!
The blast tore through the soil, hurling the two into the air as the surrounding buildings instantly turned to rubble.
At the epicenter of the explosion, two figures shrouded in black-red lightning were locked in a fierce clash, their overwhelming auras alone seemingly capable of destroying the entire G-2 Branch!
"Who… are they?" Perona whispered from behind a collapsed wall in the ruins, her eyes fixed on the center of the battlefield. "They're terrifying, even more than Lord Moria!"
Ivan also spotted the two figures confronting each other at the center and exclaimed in surprise, "Mihawk and the hero Garp? Why is Mihawk here too? Isn't he a pure swordsman? Does he also want the Devil Fruit?"
"Hey, let's get out of here. This place is too scary. I don't want the Devil Fruit anymore!" Seeing the terrifying scale of the battle, Perona immediately lost her nerve.
Ivan teased her, "What's wrong? Scared already?"
Provoked by his words, Perona puffed out her cheeks and retorted stubbornly:
"Who's scared? I'm just making a strategic retreat! Besides, aren't I worried you'll hold me back?
Fine, since you're not afraid to die, let's keep going. But if we run into danger, you better hide behind me…"
"Yeah, yeah," Ivan replied dismissively.
Just then, at the center of the battlefield, Garp and Mihawk clashed once more.
"Boom!"
The collision of iron fist and Black Blade unleashed a cataclysmic shockwave that instantly swept across the entire G-2 Branch.
"Even the World's Greatest Swordsman is here?" Garp took a step forward, his eyes fixed on Mihawk. "You're one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea. Are you here to join the fun too?"
Mihawk slowly raised his gaze, his golden eyes meeting Garp's without a hint of retreat.
He shook his head lightly, his voice low, clear, and carrying the solitary pride and certainty unique to a swordsman:
"I have no interest in those two fruits." His gaze shifted past Garp, toward a certain direction deep within the branch:
"My purpose here is solely for Vice Admiral Ivan.
I've heard he is also a formidable swordsman. After this operation, I wish to spar with him!
So, Vice Admiral Garp, I have no intention of opposing the Marines. Please step aside and allow me to pass."
"Step aside?" Garp roared with laughter, slowly raising his fist. Armament Haki spread like ink, coating his knuckles in a deep black:
"Whether it's for that kid or not, even if you were just passing by, how could you leave the G-2 Branch empty-handed?
This is a perfect opportunity for an old man like me to warm up with a fight!"
The moment his words fell, Garp's figure vanished.
In the next instant, an iron fist imbued with supreme Armament Haki smashed toward Mihawk's face.
Mihawk's eyes sharpened. With a flick of his wrist, Black Blade Yoru slid from its sheath.
A pitch-black slash shot out like a whip, colliding head-on with Garp's iron fist.
But at that moment, a tall, burly figure burst out from the ruins.
His body was composed of hard biscuits—it was Cracker, one of the Big Mom Pirates' Three Sweet Commanders:
"Perfect chance! The Devil Fruit is mine!"
Almost simultaneously, another roar filled with deep-seated hatred exploded across the sky.
The former leader of the Eight Treasures Water Force, Chinjao, charged toward Garp, his head coated in a thick, black layer of Armament Haki:
"Garp, you bastard! You crushed my skull! Today, I'll kill you to avenge myself!"
The remaining Marines and pirates nearby paled at the sight of the two, crying out in alarm:
"It's Cracker and Chinjao! Even monsters like them have joined the fight?"
"How are they here? Damn it, they're going to steal the Devil Fruit!"
Before the exclamations could fade, Garp and Mihawk reacted simultaneously.
Mihawk flicked his wrist sharply, and Black Blade Yoru traced a blindingly fast black slash that shot straight toward the charging Cracker without hesitation.
"Swoosh!"
The slash pierced through Cracker's biscuit armor in an instant, carrying a chilling edge as it slammed into his chest.
"Argh!" Cracker cried out in pain, his massive body sent flying like a broken kite. He crashed into a remaining wall, which collapsed instantly, burying him under rubble.
At the same time, without even turning around, Garp swung his left arm backward. His pitch-black Armament Haki-coated fist, carrying immense force, struck Chinjao's head with pinpoint accuracy.
A dull thud echoed as the clash of Armament Haki sparked blinding flashes. Chinjao felt a sharp pain erupt from his head before his body was sent flying uncontrollably, crashing heavily to the ground.
After this, neither Garp nor Mihawk paused for even a moment, their gazes locking onto each other once more.
In unison, their voices carried a mix of impatience and the arrogance of the strong. Though not loud, their words echoed clearly across the entire battlefield:
"Don't get in the way."