Garp's fists were slowly enveloped in a domineering armor of Haki.
That jet-black fist struck fear into the hearts of everyone, a terrifying clash of titans echoing throughout the entire Marine Headquarters. Who on the seas didn't know of Garp's fist, lethal as a cannonball? A single blow could leave you dead or crippled.
Moreover, with the reward from the live screen for the first time...
Today's Garp had once again elevated his strength, an unknown peak. As a Marine Hero, evenAkainu may struggle against him.
Yet, Akainu's heart, filled with justice, tolerated no darkness.
Even if it meant defying his predecessors or the world, he would not yield. Faced with Garp, who seemed ready to strike at any moment, Akainu stood firm.
Magma surged on his body, as if daring Garp to make a move.
Crocodile, Doflamingo, and the others promptly retreated.
After all, in a real fight, their only option was to run.
"Enough!"
The Peace Talker, Sengoku, appeared.
Angrily, he questioned, "In your eyes, do I not exist as a Fleet Admiral?"
"In the very halls of the Marine's headquarters, you provoke each other and still intend to fight?"
"One is an Admiral, the other a hero. Are you still children?"
Akainu spoke coldly, "Fleet Admiral, Luffy is a pirate and must be killed, even if he is the grandson of Vice Admiral Garp!"
"I believe merely issuing a Buster Call is no longer sufficient. Both Admiral Garp and I should act simultaneously, and I'll personally handle them!"
"Sakazuki! Hold!"
Garp could bear it no longer, leaping forward to throw a punch at Akainu's face.
But, the Fleet Admiral took the lead, standing before him.
He understood the terrifying power of Garp, so without hesitation, he activated Haki and his Devil Fruit ability.
In an instant, a golden light covered his arms and chest. In his experience with his old partner, this should suffice to defend against the oncoming fist!
However... Bang!
The Fleet Admiral was sent flying upside down, dragging Akainu along. If not for the swift movement of Kizaru, he might have been caught in the collision. The two flew at least ten meters before crashing heavily into the wall.
In an instant, numerous menacing cracks spider-webbed across the walls, leaving everyone in awe!
"What the... Did you really just do that?"
"This power is beyond terrifying, isn't it? Even the Fleet Admiral couldn't contain it, and the Admirals themselves got caught up in it?"
Not just shocked, at this moment, both Sengoku and Akainu sat on the ground, equally bewildered.
They knew Garp's strength was formidable, but the force behind this punch was overwhelmingly intense. Especially Sengoku, who, as the person most familiar with Garp, understood the boundaries of his power.
That punch seemed deceptively simple, yet the impact it created felt like it could beat one to death.
In fact, Garp himself was a bit perplexed.
He stared at his fist in disbelief, then glanced at the two figures in the corner.
"Good grief! Have I become this strong?"
Everyone: "…"
You're so powerful that you don't even realize it yourself? But soon, the realization dawned upon everyone.
This had to be the enhancement Garp received during the first time of the reward distribution.
However, after the boost, he hadn't been using it, so no one truly understood the extent of his newfound strength.
Garp, too, lacked a clear understanding of his current power.
So, mastering that strength proved a bit challenging at the moment...
Honestly, when he struck, he was genuinely furious, driven by the desire to take down Akainu.
Naturally, he went all out!
Yet, reason returned a bit after the strike, and seeing that Sengoku had stepped in, he subconsciously held back most of his strength.
Unexpectedly, the power unleashed was still overwhelmingly formidable.
"Are you guys... alright?"
Sengoku stood up speechlessly, dusting himself off and giving Garp an eye roll.
"Don't worry; I won't die! In fact, your strength is only a bit superior to mine now."
Upon hearing this, Garp chuckled.
Akainu rose with a blackened expression, his face as gloomy as an impending storm.
Garp's punch had knocked half of his arrogance out of him.
Others looked at Akainu with mixed expressions.
This guy remained as audacious as ever. If it were anyone else, they might let it slide. But openly declaring his intent to bombard a person's hometown with a Buster Call, and as a Admiral, personally executing Marine Hero's own grandson?
That was beyond what anyone could endure!
Had Garp not been a part of the Marine, there was no doubt that he'd engage in a full-blown brawl with Akainu right then and there—a fight to the death.
"Enough!"
"Let's put an end to this matter. Garp, as a senior, don't be so impulsive. As a Fleet Admiral, I don't condone arrests without proper cause. Anyone who dares to make a move?"
"Sakazuki, as an Admiral, can't you handle matters with a bit less rashness? True, Luffy attacked Enies Lobby, but that's a glimpse into the future. Currently, he's just a civilian residing in Windmill Village."
Akainu wanted to retort, but Sengoku dismissed him with a wave of his hand, "Alright, no need to belabor the point. As long as I'm Fleet Admiral, you all will follow my lead!"
"Furthermore, if Luffy were to die, both Garp and Dragon would go berserk. You can't restrain Garp; do you think you can contain a Dragon?"
"And Shanks, he shares a close bond with Luffy, the little guy, and his brother, Fire Fist Ace. As the captain of the Whitebeard Second Division, he won't stay idle."
"I don't want the entire sea to plunge into chaos just because you captured Luffy."
"As long as Luffy doesn't pose a real threat to the safety of the sea and the world government, there's no reason to arrest, let alone kill him outright!"
Akainu was left speechless by these words.
For a while, silence prevailed.
However, judging by his extremely grim expression, it was unclear whether he had truly abandoned the idea of killing Luffy.
Meanwhile, the sky live screen reappeared!
[The Enies Lobby arc is complete. The winners' list is now announced, and the opportunity to call is open!]
[Upon completion, the next ranking on the list will commence...]
[Congratulations to Ace, Usopp, Robin for selecting the correct answers!]
[Winners are now being announced...]
[Congratulations to Ace: Acquire the Conqueror Haki power boost!]
[Congratulations to Usopp: Obtain weapons - slingshots, Black pocket, and enhanced shooting skills. Also, gain the ability to use various peculiar green seeds!]
[Congratulations to Robin: Develop the fruit ability, and refine the Flower Fruit ability once again!]
At the nearby sea restaurant, a black slingshot with five pillars materialized in Usopp's hand.
Thousands of peculiar, plant-like seeds also appeared in his hands.
Most importantly, information about these seeds appeared magically in his mind, and the technology had greatly advanced.
"This is..."
"Sargassum, Overlord Flower, Skeleton Exploding Grass, Humanoid Grass, Trampoline Flower..."
Yes, these seeds were special plant seeds from the Boeing Islands, which were supposed to be released after Usopp's training there a few years later, but now...
With the distribution of rewards, his abilities had improved significantly!
As for Robin, a warm current flowed through her body.
She could sense that her understanding of flower fruit had deepened.
Her moves were more potent, she could release more arms, and most importantly...
She had learned some new combo moves!
Whitebeard Pirates!
Ace received his reward again, feeling a shock.
The Haki enhancement didn't fluctuate much, but he could clearly sense it.
His own Conqueror Haki was more powerful, far more terrifying than before!
If released, it could potentially render countless miscellaneous soldiers unconscious in an instant, even impacting some formidable individuals.
Such elevation was truly terrifying...
Countless captains and crew members were also astonished. The improvement in Conqueror Haki? Ace, did you choose the right one again?
Oh, you're Emperor Luck, right?
All three times, I must choose with you next time...
The rewards received by the trio were witnessed by people worldwide, immediately stirring envy.
They didn't know about Usopp's reward, but it sounded incredible! Robin's fruit development was also a potent reward! Most importantly, Ace... He had chosen correctly again?
Moreover, he had achieved a Conqueror Haki promotion!
This was a symbol of a king. The captain of the Whitebeard Pirates' second division actually possessed it!
And now, it has been elevated.
Terrifying!
However, the next moment, Luffy's reward was announced, causing countless shocks once again.
[Since the Enies Lobby chapter arc is complete, special rewards are now being issued!]
[Congratulations, Monkey D. Luffy, your strength has been enhanced again!]
[Physical fitness improvement, the side effects of the second gear completely disappear, and it can be used for an extended period!]
[And master it in advance, gain the ability to use the Haki!]
**********
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