"C-Could this be...?"
Sai, Chinjao's grandson—more accurately, young Sai—was stunned.
"Is this the power of the New World?"
At just nine years old, Sai knew well that Uncle Diao was not some nobody. He was one of the elite fighters on the ship. How could he be defeated by one punch from this supposed disciple of Garp? That youth didn't seem very old at all.
Sai had followed Chinjao to the New World to broaden his horizons and understand the vastness of the sea. He never expected to be blocked at the gateway to the New World by an old man and a young boy. This was a massive blow to his psyche.
"Damn Garp... He's really here to cause trouble!"
Seeing Garp's excited expression, Chinjao knew today's event wouldn't end quickly. He looked at Hailan, who seemed relaxed as if he hadn't warmed up yet, and then at Garp, whose eyes were burning with enthusiasm. Resisting the urge to crush the boy personally, he called out another name:
"Lin! You're up!"
Resigned, Chinjao stopped playing around and sent out the Happo Navy's thirteenth-generation pillar—Sai's father, Lin.
The so-called pillar referred to the next candidate for the leader of the Happo Navy. Chinjao was the twelfth generation; without unforeseen events, Lin would be the thirteenth and Sai the fourteenth. Unforeseen events refer to dying in battle or voluntarily giving up the position. If such events occurred, the vice-pillar would become the pillar, and if both the pillar and vice-pillar were out of the picture, the ranking would shift accordingly.
Lin stepped forward and gave Hailan a respectful bow.
"I am Lin, the thirteenth generation pillar of the Happo Navy."
"May I ask for your distinguished name, friend?"
Hailan returned the bow courteously, "I am Hailan, the top-ranking student of the Marine's 14th Elite Training Camp!"
"Is dueling me beneath your status?"
Lin quickly smiled, "You jest, friend. Let's begin."
Lin seemed polite, but he was still a pirate, no matter how courteous he was. The Happo Navy, despite its name, acted as pirates, robbing gold and silver treasures wherever they went. The Marines could not acquit them just because they spoke nicely. Chinjao's bounty of 500 million Berries resulted from the Marines' frustration; they couldn't act against Chinjao due to the Flower Country's status as a World Government affiliate. But it would be a different matter if a bounty hunter captured or killed Chinjao.
Lin shook his naginata, "Friend, do you use weapons?"
Hailan shook his head, "The Marine's Six Powers are enough."
"Rankyaku!"
A clear sound rang out as Hailan lifted his leg, sending a blue-green vacuum slash flying toward Lin.
"Armament!"
Lin's eyes narrowed as he roared, his naginata wrapped in Armament Haki slashed at the vacuum wave.
Clang!
The blade met the slash, producing a sharp grinding sound like a whetstone. The Haki-infused blade easily cut through the vacuum wave like it was slicing through the fabric.
Lin grinned, "No wonder you don't need weapons!"
As the rumors said, the Marine's Six Powers's core was to train every body part into a lethal weapon.
"Soru!"
As Lin cut through the vacuum slash, Hailan flickered to his back, hands forming fists, ready to strike.
"Eight Impact Fist: Armed Elbow!"
Lin turned swiftly, his left elbow wrapped in Armament Haki, combining the Eight Impact Fist's shockwave technique, aimed directly at Hailan's face.
The Eight Impact Fist's impact couldn't be defended against; it had to be endured. Fortunately, Hailan, whose mastery of the Iron Body peaked, was unfazed by hard impacts.
Blocking Lin's elbow strike, Hailan endured the shockwave that made his hair and collar flutter. Hailan's rapid close combat left Lin's naginata useless.
Thud!
Thud!
Thud!
Their fight grew fiercer, like a storm meeting a tempest. Because of the Eight Impact Fist's unique technique, their clashes produced muffled thuds, as if distant thunder rumbled.
Lin was a true pirate, hardened by countless life-and-death battles. His aura was as fierce as a demon's, and his moves were sharp and cunning. Hailan, no sheltered student, had fought numerous times alongside Marine veterans and seen plenty of bloodshed. Competing in the bullfighting arena, as Garp suggested, had exposed him to the killing intent of the New World's ruthless fighters.
Experience from countless real battles, combined with the Marine's best training resources, made it difficult for Lin, even with his level of Armament Haki, to inflict significant harm on Hailan.
Suddenly, Hailan's body wrapped around Lin's.
Lin's heart skipped a beat, "Damn it!"
With a crisp snap, Hailan mercilessly broke Lin's right arm.
Watching the fight, Chinjao's face turned grim. Forget honor and rules—he couldn't let the future leader of the Happo Navy be crippled before his eyes. Physical injuries could heal, but psychological trauma could destroy a warrior. Chinjao knew this all too well.
Waiting for this moment, Garp said, "Chinjao, you can't interfere in a duel between the younger generation!"
"GAARP!!!" Chinjao roared in fury.
Garp had shattered his dreams, and now the future of the Happo Navy's thirteenth generation was at risk of being destroyed by the Marines.
Bam!
Garp punched Chinjao back, taunting, "It's a shame, Chinjao. You've gotten bald and weak!"
Unable to stop Hailan, Chinjao could only watch as Lin was incapacitated.
As if to further provoke, Garp declared, "If the Happo Navy dares to leave the West Blue again, I'll beat you every time I see you!"