Chereads / One Piece : Brotherhood / Chapter 247 - Chapter 247

Chapter 247 - Chapter 247

Marineford, Grand Line

"Elder-sama! Are you alright?" A CP0 agent hurried to the scene, his voice laced with urgency as he approached the massive crater where Elder Ju Peter had crashed.

The agent's eyes widened as the Elder emerged from beneath the rubble, pushing away tons of concrete and twisted metal with sheer brute force. Dust and debris clung to his robes, but what emanated from him was far more terrifying—pure, unadulterated rage.

Ju Peter's aura was palpable, a seething mass of fury that sent chills down the spines of those who dared to approach. When was the last time anyone had dared lay a hand on him, let alone strike with the intent to kill? Garp had crossed a line that should never have been approached.

The Elder's cold eyes scanned the battlefield as he began to gather his strength, but before he could fully regain his bearings—

"Blue Hole!!!"

Garp was already upon him, a blur of movement powered by raw, untamed fury. His entire body was cloaked in advanced Armament Haki, making him appear as though he were made of living iron. The sheer force of his presence sent shockwaves through the air, and the ground beneath him buckled as he launched a devastating fist aimed directly at Ju Peter.

The CP0 agent, sensing the lethal intent in Garp's attack, tried to intercept. But Garp's punch was unstoppable. As the agent moved to block, the air itself seemed to tremble, and in the next moment—

"BOOM!!!"

Garp's fist obliterated the CP0 agent with terrifying ease. The agent didn't even have time to scream as his body was torn apart, disintegrating under the sheer pressure of Garp's strike. The impact didn't stop there—the force of the punch continued, piercing through the very foundation of Marineford.

The ground split open, creating a massive crater hundreds of meters wide. The walls of the surrounding structures cracked and groaned, and the sea itself seemed to recoil from the power of the attack.

Ju Peter had managed to create some distance just in time, his instincts saving him from the brunt of the blow. But as he steadied himself, his eyes narrowed at the sight before him. The man who had once been an asset, a hero of the Marines, was now an unstoppable force of destruction. Garp's fury was like a storm, unrelenting and merciless.

"Garp! Do you want everything and everyone connected to you to be erased from this world?" Ju Peter roared, his voice cutting through the chaos like a blade.

Even now, facing the brink of life and death, Ju Peter hesitated to make Garp a true enemy of the World Government. He knew well the unpredictable nature of the man before him—a wild card capable of tipping the balance of the world itself.

But Garp was beyond reason. The fire in his eyes spoke of a wrath that could not be quelled by threats or pleas. He launched a barrage of blitzkrieg punches, each one faster and more devastating than the last.

His fists rained down like meteors, the air crackling with the force of each strike. Ju Peter countered with his own formidable attacks, his body moving with the precision and speed that only one of the Five Elders could muster. But even as he blocked and parried, he was being steadily pushed back.

Each time their fists collided, the very earth seemed to groan under the strain. Garp's relentless assault tore away chunks of the Marineford coastline, the ground crumbling and falling into the sea. Buildings near the shoreline trembled, their foundations shaking as if an earthquake had struck.

Despite his seething anger, Garp's years of discipline held—his attacks were devastating, but he was careful not to let the innocent be caught in the crossfire. But the scale of his fury was such that even with this restraint, the destruction was immense.

Ju Peter gritted his teeth, feeling the strain of the battle wearing on him. For every powerful blow he landed, Garp answered with a dozen more. The Elder's strength was legendary, and yet, in the face of Garp's onslaught, he found himself being driven back, inch by inch.

The battle between them was felt across the entire Marineford. Marines who had once stood tall now cowered as the ground beneath them shook violently. Walls cracked, and the skies seemed to darken under the weight of the two titans' Haki clashing. Many who watched felt a growing dread—the realization that they were witnessing a fight that could reshape the world itself.

Garp's fists were relentless, a torrent of wrath that seemed without end. Ju Peter, for all his strength and status, was finding it increasingly difficult to hold his ground.

Each impact sent shockwaves rippling across Marineford, and those who hadn't already fled could only watch in awe and terror as Garp, the Hero of the Marines, steadily pushed back one of the world's most powerful men.

This was no longer just a fight—it was a statement. Garp was showing the world, the Marines, and the World Government itself that even in his fury, he was a force that could not be subdued. Ju Peter was formidable, but he was facing the embodiment of justice unchained, and the world trembled in the wake of their clash.

The chaos around Marineford had reached a fever pitch as Garp, fueled by an overwhelming fury, tore through everything in his path. Elder Ju Peter had already felt the full brunt of Garp's rage, and now the Marine Hero was poised to do even more damage. But just as Garp was about to deliver another devastating blow, a booming voice echoed through the battlefield.

"Garp…!!" Sengoku roared, launching himself into the fray in his massive Daibutsu form. His golden, Buddha-like figure loomed large, radiating an aura of immense power. But Garp, lost in his fury, seemed more like a force of nature than a man. His eyes were locked on Ju Peter, his target, and nothing was going to stand in his way.

"Stop this madness, Garp!" Sengoku bellowed, his voice carrying a mixture of desperation and command. He infused his arm with advanced Armament Haki, the blackened fist glowing with the strength of his will. With a mighty leap, he aimed a powerful strike at Garp's chest, hoping to knock some sense into his old friend.

"Vajra Buddha Strike!!!"

The attack was swift and precise, but Garp was faster. Before Sengoku could even make contact, Garp moved in a blur, his movements almost impossible to track. With a thunderous slap, Garp sent Sengoku flying.

The Daibutsu form was supposed to be an embodiment of unshakable strength, but it was nothing against Garp's raw power. Sengoku's massive form was hurled through the air, crashing through buildings and leaving a trail of destruction in its wake.

"Damn it!" Sengoku grunted as he struggled to rise from the rubble, shaking off the debris that clung to his golden form. He knew Garp was strong—everyone did—but the sheer ferocity of his attacks was beyond anything Sengoku had anticipated. The Marineford itself seemed to tremble under the weight of Garp's wrath.

Meanwhile, Admiral Hazard, the Plasma Logia user, had already taken action. With a gesture, he summoned the full power of his Devil Fruit.

"Heaven's Pillar!!!" he shouted, and a dozen massive plasma pillars erupted from the ground, encircling Garp. Each pillar crackled with energy, radiating heat intense enough to melt solid steel. These were not mere attacks—they were capable of tearing apart entire islands.

The plasma prison blazed with light, the pillars forming an impenetrable cage around Garp. Hazard watched, his brow furrowed in concentration, knowing that this would be enough to contain anyone—anyone except Garp. His suspicions were confirmed when Garp, undeterred by the searing plasma, simply clenched his fists and charged forward.

With a roar that shook the heavens, Garp tore through the plasma pillars as if they were nothing. The sheer force of his will and the power behind his fists shattered the pillars, sending sparks and molten plasma flying in every direction. Hazard gritted his teeth, channeling more power into the remaining pillars, but it was futile. Garp was unstoppable, his fury burning brighter than the plasma that surrounded him.

"Damn it, Vice Admiral Garp! We're supposed to be on the same side!" Hazard growled, summoning another wave of plasma, but the realization was sinking in—against Garp, his attacks were mere annoyances.

Raylene, was standing at a distance, her face etched with conflict. She was not just a Marine—she had her own grudges against the Elders, her own reasons to resent the World Government.

And seeing Garp, a man she respected, a man who had always embodied the spirit of the Marines, go on this rampage, stirred something deep within her. She hesitated, torn between her duty and her beliefs.

Instead of attacking, she focused on containing the destruction, using her mythical tiger form to create barriers using the destroyed buildings, redirecting debris and blasts away from the evacuating Marines.

She knew the devastation Garp could cause, and while she couldn't bring herself to fight him, she could at least try to minimize the collateral damage.

"Garp! Please, you have to stop this!" Tsuru's voice cut through the chaos as she appeared at Garp's side, her hands moving in the familiar gestures of her Wash-Wash fruit. She was trying to bind him, to slow him down, but her heart wasn't in it, as her true concern was to secure the safety of the Elder. "You're going to destroy everything we've worked for! This isn't you!"

For a brief moment, Garp hesitated, his eyes meeting Tsuru's. There was a flicker of recognition, of the old friendship and trust they had shared for decades. But it was fleeting. The rage that consumed him was too deep, too overwhelming. He shrugged off Tsuru's abilities, breaking free from her grip with a surge of Haki that sent her staggering back.

"Sengoku, Tsuru, Hazard—stay out of my way!" Garp's voice was a thunderclap, his tone leaving no room for argument. "This is between me and them!"

But Sengoku was not a man who would back down, not when everything they had built was at stake. Bloodied and battered, he forced himself back to his feet, his golden Daibutsu form gleaming under the harsh light of the battlefield. "Garp, I won't let you do this!" he shouted, charging forward once more.

"Buddha's Wrath!"

Sengoku launched another powerful strike, the ground quaking beneath his feet as he propelled himself at Garp. The force of the attack was immense, the air rippling with energy as his Haki-infused fist hurtled toward Garp. But Garp was ready.

He met Sengoku's attack head-on, their fists colliding in an explosion of power that sent shockwaves through the entire island. The ground beneath them cracked and buckled, and the sky above seemed to split as their haki clashed.

Despite his power, Sengoku was no match for Garp's fury. The Marine Hero's strength was overwhelming, and even in his Daibutsu form, Sengoku found himself being pushed back. Garp's fists were like hammers, each blow driving Sengoku further into the ground, crushing the earth beneath him.

"Is this all you've got, Sengoku?!" Garp roared, his voice filled with both anger and a deep sense of betrayal. With a ruthless, devastating punch, he sent Sengoku crashing into the earth, the impact creating a crater that swallowed the Fleet Admiral whole.

Hazard, seeing Sengoku fall, knew he had to act fast. He unleashed a torrent of plasma, the searing energy forming into a massive wave that he directed at Garp.

"Plasma Surge!" he shouted, hoping to at least slow Garp down. But Garp, with a single sweep of his arm, dispersed the plasma wave, the energy dissipating harmlessly into the air.

Raylene, who had been holding back, clenched her fists. She could no longer stand by and do nothing. With a deep breath, she prepared to join the fray, but as she moved forward, she found herself hesitating once more. Garp's rage was justified—she knew that.

The corruption, the lies, the atrocities committed by the World Government, all of it had driven him to this point. And in her heart, she couldn't bring herself to fight him, not when she understood his pain.

"Admiral Raylene, we need you!" Hazard shouted, desperation creeping into his voice as he watched Garp close in on the downed Sengoku. But Raylene remained where she was, her inner conflict tearing her apart.

Garp, sensing the hesitation in his former comrades, pressed his advantage. He towered over Sengoku, his fist raised for another blow. "Don't you dare get in between!" he bellowed, his voice filled with finality.

But before he could strike, Tsuru's voice cut through the chaos once more, softer this time, pleading. "Garp… please. Don't do this. We need you. The Marines need you. Are you going to kill Sengoku too…? Are you planning to bury all the Marines here on Marineford??"

Garp's fist wavered, the words cutting through his rage like a knife. He glanced around, seeing the destruction he had wrought, the friends he had nearly killed. The fury that had driven him began to falter, replaced by a crushing weight of guilt and sorrow.

For a moment, the battlefield fell silent, the only sound being the distant roar of the ocean and the crackling of flames from the destroyed buildings. Garp's arm slowly lowered, the Haki that had surrounded it dissipating into the air.

Sengoku, bloodied and beaten, looked up at his old friend, his eyes filled with pain. "Garp… don't do this. Don't make yourself our enemy."

******

Donquixote territory, New World

A tent was erected on the shore of an unnamed island, its dark fabric rippling in the coastal wind. Surrounding it were ranks of Cipher Pol agents, their stances rigid, eyes sharp, ready for anything. This was no ordinary encampment.

Inside the tent sat one of the Five Elders, Elder Jaygarcia Saturn, a man whose very presence signified the absolute authority of the World Government. His gaze was cold, calculating, as he sifted through the reports of the latest developments.

Just then, the silence within the tent was broken by the entrance of a CP0 agent. The man stepped forward with crisp precision, bowing slightly before he spoke. "Elder-sama, Doflamingo has arrived," he announced, his voice steady, though there was a trace of tension beneath his professional demeanor.

Elder Saturn's brows lifted slightly in surprise. He had not truly expected Doflamingo to show up in person, given the circumstances. The former Celestial Dragon's defiance was well-known, but this was bold, even for him.

It seemed the blood of gods ran strong in the Donquixote brothers, a sharp contrast to the pampered fools who still paraded themselves as deities in the Holy Land, sheltered from the world's true darkness.

"Let him in," Elder Saturn commanded, his voice a smooth blend of curiosity and authority.

Before the agent could leave to relay the order, a low, mocking chuckle echoed from the tent's entrance.

The flaps of the tent parted as Donquixote Doflamingo stepped inside, his signature grin wide on his face, radiating confidence and arrogance. He strolled in with the ease of a man who had long ago decided that fear was a luxury he couldn't afford.

"Fufufufu! So, to what do I owe this pleasure? An Elder, one of the highest authorities in the world, has come all this way to visit my humble abode," Doflamingo drawled, his voice dripping with sarcasm. His tone was light, but there was an underlying edge, a challenge hanging in the air.

He didn't bother with formalities; instead, he pulled out a chair and seated himself directly across from Elder Saturn, his posture relaxed, but his eyes sharp. It was a daring move, one that openly disregarded the chasm of power and influence between them.

Elder Saturn couldn't help but admire Doflamingo's audacity. Few would dare to walk into the presence of one of the Five Elders with such blatant disregard for their authority. Even fewer would sit as an equal, without fear or hesitation, especially under the watchful eyes of the CP0 agents, who stood poised to strike at the slightest provocation.

As Doflamingo made himself comfortable, the Elder's gaze shifted momentarily to the figure standing just behind him—a blind swordsman whose presence exuded a quiet, but undeniable, power.

The man's calm demeanor belied his true strength; Elder Saturn could sense that this swordsman was a force to be reckoned with, potentially on par with the Marine Admirals. Though his eyes were clouded, his awareness was sharp, as if he could see through the very fabric of reality itself.

"I did not expect you to personally make a trip to come meet me, Doflamingo," Elder Saturn remarked, his tone even, though there was an undercurrent of appraisal in his voice. He folded his hands in front of him, leaning forward slightly, his eyes narrowing as he studied the former kin.

"You've always been bold, but I wonder, do you truly understand the gravity of the situation you're in?"

Doflamingo's grin widened, a glint of mischief in his eyes. "Fufufufu! Gravity? Oh, I understand it perfectly. But you see, Elder Saturn, I've never been one to let the weight of the world crush me. Quite the opposite, actually—I like to see how much I can make it bend to my will." His words hung in the air, laced with a mix of arrogance and challenge. It was clear that Doflamingo was not here to play the subservient role.

Elder Saturn's expression remained inscrutable, though a spark of interest flickered in his eyes.

"You've always had a knack for challenging the established order, haven't you? But you must know that defiance comes with a price. Are you prepared to pay it?"

Doflamingo leaned back in his chair, crossing one leg over the other. His posture was casual, but there was a steely determination in his gaze.

"I've already paid plenty, and rest assured sooner or later I will make everyone responsible pay. But I didn't come here to talk about debts. I came because I'm curious. Curious about what brings someone like you to a place like this, and why you'd seek out someone like me."

The tension in the tent was palpable, a silent battle of wills unfolding between the two. The CP0 agents remained at the ready, their eyes darting between Doflamingo and Elder Saturn, unsure of what might happen next.

But Doflamingo showed no fear, no sign of intimidation. He had walked through the flames of hell before, had seen the ugliest sides of both the world and himself, and he had come out the other side, scarred but unbroken.

The man sitting before him was one of the most powerful figures in the world, but to Doflamingo, power was just another tool—one that he had wielded with ruthless efficiency his entire life.

Elder Saturn regarded him silently for a moment, the faintest hint of a smile playing on his lips.

"You may have lost your title, Doflamingo, but it seems you haven't lost your nerve. That's good. Nerve is something I can respect. But remember this: Even the boldest of men have fallen when they've crossed the wrong line."

Doflamingo's grin didn't waver. "Fufufufu! Lines are meant to be crossed, Elder-sama. Otherwise, how would we ever know what lies beyond them?"

The two men stared each other down, the air thick with unspoken threats and promises. Doflamingo had made his statement clear—he was not here to bow down or to beg. He was here as an equal, or perhaps even as a potential rival, depending on how this conversation played out.

Finally, Elder Saturn broke the silence. "Tell me, Doflamingo, what are you really after..?"

*****

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