Chapter 106: Strong Despite the Age
"This compensation is something I definitely want. Since he's unwilling to give it, well, I'm sorry, but his several sons can just become the sea's nourishment. Hehe, if his three sons die and his daughter doesn't want to return, let's see who he'll find as his successor," Rodney said with a wicked smile.
In this situation, if Ichiji and his two brothers died, and Reiju didn't want to go back, there was really nothing Jduge could do. Cultivating a new heir would require a lot of time, effort, and resources, and Jduge didn't have the energy to create another "Soldier."
So, the missing Sanji might be his only choice.
Reiju couldn't defy Judge's orders for now, but if she didn't go see him, he also had no way to resolve this. There was only one path before Judge, and so when all else failed, he had no choice but to spend the money and redeem his three sons.
"Kid, you must be rich, right?" Sengoku asked.
This guy exchanged so much bounty with the pirates; logically, he shouldn't be short of money. Why did he act like he had never seen money before?
"Hehe, don't say that. I'm just demanding the compensation I deserve from Judge. Besides, who would complain about having more money?" Rodney chuckled. "Moreover, it's just to make my crew member feel a bit better. Even though it won't completely erase her past, it can still make her happy."
"Germa's Crown Princess, right? Hahaha, Rodney, have you found someone you like?" Garp asked with a laugh.
"No, no, it's not like that. Just ordinary friends," Rodney quickly denied. "I'm just showing concern as a captain for my crew member. Don't jump to conclusions."
"I don't care! Get this matter resolved quickly for me! Judge keeps sending me countless applications, and I'm busy. Don't think of the Fleet Admiral as someone with too much free time," Sengoku said while sipping his tea and opening a bag of senbei.
This way of convincing isn't very convincing at all.
Rodney looked at Sengoku, who seemed to be idling at work, and silently complained in his mind.
"Alright, I'll call him again when I get back. Please rest assured; I'll handle it," Rodney assured. He needed to continue irritating Judge, tighten the strings in his mind until they snapped, and then make him collapse, handing over the money and the Devil Fruit.
This visit to the Marine Headquarters was a profitable one. Getting in here wasn't easy at all; he had to submit an application three days in advance and get Sengoku's permission to enter. Without a Marine escort, he couldn't roam freely. This was really...
After chatting for a while, Garp finished all the donuts and was about to reach for Sengoku's senbei when he got a glare from Sengoku. He awkwardly smiled and turned to Rodney, his eyes lighting up. "Rodney, let me see how much you've improved during this time."
"Huh? Alright. Who will spar with me?" Rodney asked, standing up.
"Me!" Garp pointed to himself, patting his belly. "It's a good time to stretch and digest. I'll give you some pointers on Rokushiki."
"With you?"
Rodney was dumbfounded. Spar with Garp? He'd probably get beaten to a pulp. Even though Garp was aging, his strength probably hadn't declined much from his prime. He might have less stamina now, but the thought of getting pummeled by Garp's iron fists made him shake his head like a rattle.
"Haha, young man, don't be so timid. Old man like me isn't scary," Garp laughed heartily.
Ignoring whether Rodney was willing or not, he grabbed him by the collar like a chick and threw him out of Sengoku's window. Then he jumped out himself and landed in the Marineford plaza.
Rodney adjusted his body in mid-air and landed on the ground, leaving a hole about two to three meters wide.
On the other hand, Garp's landing was quite dramatic; he sunk into the ground.
"Hahaha, too heavy, old man?"
Garp emerged from the ground unscathed, dusting himself off. Sengoku stood by the window, roaring, "Garp! You bastard! All Marines on the plaza, retreat! Vice Admiral Garp and Shichibukai Rodney are going to train."
He had to evacuate the crowd immediately. Who knew what would happen when Garp and Rodney sparred? Darn it, the plaza would need repairs again, more expenses. Couldn't Garp make his life a bit easier?
Thinking about it, he felt a dull pain in his stomach. His old ailment was acting up again. Every time Garp caused trouble, this pain would return. Tsuru, Zephyr, why don't you come back and help me share the burden? Dealing with this guy alone might lead to my death from this stomach illness.
The Grand Fleet Admiral dying from a stomach ailment, if his old rivals found out, they'd probably die laughing. He couldn't afford to lose face like that!
Under his orders, the Marines who were patrolling the plaza quickly became excited. They retreated to the edges of the plaza, eagerly discussing Garp and Rodney's battle. After all, Garp was a Marine hero, and many of them had grown up hearing stories about him. Some even joined the Marines because they admired him and wanted to become heroes like him.
Their discussions weren't about who would win in a fight between Garp and Rodney but rather how long Rodney could last against Garp.
Well, they didn't have much confidence in Rodney's strength.
Rodney faced Garp with full determination. This wasn't like fighting Moria or Crocodile, who relied on Devil Fruit's abilities. This was a man who stood at the pinnacle of the world's strongest fighters with his martial arts and Haki. Even if he had aged, Rodney couldn't afford to underestimate him.
"Alright, here I come, Vice Admiral Garp!" Rodney assumed a fighting stance and faint Haki surrounded his fists. After all, he had only recently learned Armament Haki.
"Bring it on! Let me see how much you've grown, kid!"
Soru!
Rodney's speed was astonishing, and many in the audience couldn't even see when he had left his original position. His speed even impressed Garp. Unlike regular Soru, he added something else to it, making him even faster. Was this a technique he developed himself? Not bad, kid!
His powerful punch hit Garp's face, sending him flying and creating a large crater when he landed, with dust and debris flying everywhere.
"Vice Admiral Garp!" someone exclaimed in surprise.
"Hahaha, not bad at all. Your strength has improved significantly," Garp said with a hearty laugh. "Take this punch from an old man!"
Pow!
Garp's counterattack was swift and powerful. He narrowly avoided Rodney's counter, raised his leg high, and kicked him in the chin.
Garp soared into the air, and just as Rodney was about to intercept him with Rokushiki, he twisted his body in mid-air. With the agility one wouldn't expect from someone his age, he whipped his sturdy thigh through the air, creating a burst of air pressure like a whip aimed at Rodney.
Garp demonstrated that he was still the boss here.