Lost in his thoughts, Garp stared out at the horizon until my voice broke his reverie. "Why didn't you continue the fight, Garp-san? I'm sure you could have pressed your advantage," I casually remarked from my position on the ship's rail.
Garp's gaze returned to the sea, his expression unreadable. "Rayleigh intervened. It wasn't wise to continue, and our forces were outmatched against the Roger Pirates," he replied, keeping his true thoughts guarded.
"But that's not the real reason, is it, Garp-san? Roger is sick, and you know it. Yet you haven't relayed this message to Headquarters, nor have you shared it with Bogard-san," I pressed, recognizing the deeper concerns beneath the surface.
"But our difference in combat strength was never an issue for you. I've seen you jump headfirst into battles, even when you were alone. There were so many times Bogard-san had to drag you back onto the ship after both you and Roger fell unconscious. I'm sure you could have handled the Dark King," I said with a smirk, needling Garp with my observations.
Garp turned to me with a stern look, expecting an accusation. "So what are you getting at, brat? Are you accusing me of letting Roger go?" He asked, his tone edged with suspicion, ready to retaliate.
"Why would I do that, Garp-san? I just wonder why you spoke to Kong-san and had him increase Roger's bounty. I don't think he has done anything recently that warranted such an increase," I replied calmly, pulling out a new set of bounty posters issued at Garp's behest. It seemed that Garp was looking out for Roger in his own way, using the increased bounty as a deterrent against other pirates and giving Roger and his crew some breathing space, especially now that Garp knew Roger was sick.
With a grunt, Garp took a copy of Roger's new bounty. The increase was significant, now standing at 2,886,900,000 Belly—a full 500 million increase from his last bounty. In the current era, a pirate with a 2-billion-belly bounty was considered an absolute overlord. Roger was now one of three pirates with more than 2 billion in bounty to their name, surpassing the other two competitors: the remnants of the Rocks pirates, Golden Lion Shiki, and Edward Newgate, aka Whitebeard. With this increase, Roger held the title of pirate with the highest bounty.
Normally, such a bounty increase could only be approved by the World Government, but somehow Garp had managed to secure it for Roger.
"So are we going to pursue the Roger pirates? And by the way, Garp san, do you know Kaidou's bounty has also increased?" I couldn't help but curiously ask, eager for Garp's response. However, Garp had other ideas.
"Brat, it seems like I've been lenient with your training. You have so much time to blabber all this nonsense instead of practicing. Come, let me personally teach you," Garp said, turning towards where I was sitting. With a swift movement, he reached out and caught me by the collar of my shirt, lifting me up effortlessly.
Despite my struggles, I couldn't escape Garp's firm grip. Resigned to my fate, I prepared myself for what followed—a grueling two weeks of hell, which Garp referred to as training. I endured it all until our marine ship returned to Marineford.
*****************************
In a remote port town nestled among the rugged seas of the New World, chaos reigned supreme as a ruthless pirate crew descended upon its unsuspecting inhabitants. The once peaceful streets now echoed with the sounds of terror and despair as the pirates unleashed their wrath upon the defenseless town.
Amidst the chaos, a young woman with fear in her eyes huddled with her child in a dark alley, desperately trying to avoid the marauding pirates.
"Shh, my dear, stay quiet," she whispered to her children, her voice trembling with fear. "We must hide until the pirates pass."
But her efforts were in vain as a group of pirates, their faces twisted with malice, stumbled upon them.
"Well, well, what do we have here?" One of the pirates sneered, his voice dripping with cruelty. "It looks like we've stumbled upon a little family reunion."
The woman clutched her children tighter, her heart pounding in her chest as she braced herself for the worst.
"Please, spare us," she begged, her voice barely above a whisper. "We have nothing of value; just let us go."
But the pirate's laughter echoed off the walls of the alley as he advanced menacingly towards them.
"Nothing of value, you say?" He scoffed, his eyes gleaming with greed. "I'll be the judge of that."
As the pirate reached out to grab them, a sudden commotion erupted from the other end of the alley. A group of townsfolk, armed with whatever makeshift weapons they could find, emerged from the shadows, ready to defend their home.
"Leave them alone, you filthy scum!" one of the townsfolk shouted, brandishing a rusted sword.
The pirate's expression darkened, his amusement turning to fury as he turned his attention to the would-be defenders.
"Looks like we've got ourselves a little resistance, boys," he growled, his hand tightening around the hilt of his sword. "Let's show these fools what happens when they dare to defy us."
With a bloodcurdling roar, the pirates charged forward, their weapons raised high as they clashed with the brave townsfolk.
Amidst the chaos, the young woman seized the opportunity to escape, clutching her children tightly as she fled into the night, the sounds of battle fading behind them.
Just as she was about to escape the clutches of these pirates, an axe buried itself into the woman's back. Three pirates stepped forward, mocking the woman, who had been planning to escape with the children.
The young mother and her children found themselves cornered by the merciless pirates. Hope seemed to wane with each passing moment, but a glimmer of courage sparked within one of the children as she bravely brandished a stick, determined to protect their mother at all costs.
Ignoring the child's brave defiance by kicking the child away, the pirates closed in on the terrified woman, their intentions dark and sinister. With cruel laughter and lecherous grins, they discussed her fate with callous disregard for her pleas.
"She's a beauty, ain't she?" One pirate sneered, his gaze lingering on the woman with predatory hunger. "I reckon the captain would enjoy her company."
His companion chuckled darkly, suggesting a more sinister fate. "Nah, she won't last long. Let's have fun and be done with it. A slit throat's quicker than a slow death."
The mother's desperate pleas fell on deaf ears as the pirates advanced, their intentions clear. Desperation clawed at her heart as she urged her remaining child to flee, but the young one remained rooted to the spot, tears streaming down her cheeks as she clung to their mother.
Suddenly, the alley was bathed in a spray of blood, shocking the pirate, who lay on top of the woman, into silence. Two severed heads rolled at their feet, a gruesome testament to the arrival of an unexpected savior.
A figure emerged from the shadows, towering over the scene with an imposing presence that seemed to command the very air around him. His name struck fear into the hearts of even the most hardened criminals: Whitebeard, the legendary pirate known as one of the most powerful man in the world.
At around 40 years old, Whitebeard stood at an astonishing height, his massive frame dwarfing those around him. His broad shoulders seemed to carry the weight of countless battles, each scar on his weathered skin a testament to his strength and resilience. Despite his appearance, there was an undeniable aura of vitality and power that radiated from him, as if he were a force of nature unto himself.
Whitebeard's face was weathered and rugged, and his sharp and piercing eyes held the wisdom of a man who had seen it all, yet they also glinted with a fierce determination that refused to be extinguished.
His attire reflected his status as a formidable pirate captain. He wore a long, flowing coat adorned with the Jolly Roger of his crew, the Whitebeard Pirates, and his iconic pirate hat cast a shadow over his face, adding to his mystique. Across his broad chest, the scars of countless battles crisscrossed, each one a testament to his indomitable spirit.
In his hands, Whitebeard wielded a fearsome weapon: a massive polearm adorned with intricate carvings and symbols of his authority. With each step, the ground seemed to tremble beneath his feet, a reminder of the raw power that he possessed.
As he emerged from the darkness, his presence alone was enough to send shivers down the spines of the remaining pirates, who were now ravaging the town.
In his arms, he cradled the child that had been kicked aside by the pirates earlier, his expression solemn as he gazed down at the innocent soul in his care. The child, wide-eyed and trembling, found solace in the safety of Whitebeard's embrace.
"White…..White….Whitebeard!"
With a feeble attempt at defiance, the trembling pirate stuttered Whitebeard's name, but before he could muster any courage, justice was swift and unforgiving. Whitebeard's weapon cleaved through the darkness, delivering swift retribution and splitting the villainous pirate into two halves.
"Boom!" Whitebeard planted his weapon on the ground, unleashing a seismic shockwave of Conqueror's Haki that radiated outward from him like a tsunami. The force was so immense that it stirred the very atmosphere, conjuring up ominous thunderstorm clouds overhead. Lightning crackled from Whitebeard's imposing figure as his Haki swept across the island town, rendering many of the rampaging pirates unconscious in its wake. The sudden eruption of Haoshoku brought the chaos to a temporary halt, leaving even the most hardened pirates stunned into silence. Those who remained standing trembled in fear, realizing they faced none other than Edward Newgate, the renowned Overlord of the New World and the strongest man alive.
"Run, run for your lives, you bastards! It's Whitebeard..." The enemy pirate captain, though defiant, knew better than to challenge such a formidable opponent and swiftly ordered a retreat. Whitebeard's fury was palpable as he bellowed commands, his voice carrying the weight of impending doom.
"Kill them! Kill them all!!!" With a mighty swing of his arm, he focused his energy into a concentrated shockwave, forming a devastating sphere of power that he unleashed toward the anchored pirate fleet. In an instant, the massive ships splintered and shattered into pieces, consumed by the unstoppable force of Whitebeard's attack.
And like a pride of hungry lions, the Whitebeard pirates descended upon the fleeing pirates, hunting them down mercilessly despite their desperate pleas for mercy. The skirmish was swift and decisive, as Whitebeard and his formidable crew systematically eradicated the pirate group from existence.
However, despite the timely intervention and heroism displayed by the Whitebeard pirates, many among the townsfolk remained hesitant to approach them. The stigma associated with pirates lingered heavily, casting a shadow of fear over the grateful but wary populace. Despite this apprehension, two young children played fearlessly next to Whitebeard, who sat in a relaxed posture, indulging in a large vat of wine.
Sitting next to Whitebeard was Oden, a formidable figure with a rugged yet noble appearance. His muscular frame exuded strength and determination, accentuated by his weathered features that bore the marks of countless battles and adventures.
"Oden, how about we stay on this island for some time? It would be good for your child," Whitebeard suggested, regarding Oden as a brother and respecting him for his strength and adventurous spirit.
Oden's wife, Toki, had recently given birth to Momonosuke, so Whitebeard felt it would be better for Toki and the child to stay on land rather than in the open seas for the time being. Oden, already flushed with wine, nodded with gratitude towards his captain. He had recently been promoted to the second division commander, and he would always be grateful to Whitebeard for allowing him aboard his ship.
"Oden, are you not worried? It seems like that brat Kaidou somehow escaped from Garp's clutches and has now nestled himself in Wano." Whitebeard couldn't help but express his concern, knowing well the ruthless nature of Kaidou from their days under Rocks pirates.