As the intense battle began winding down, the yellow ape and Satoru both felt a powerful and feral aura approaching at an incredible speed. Kaido also noticed it. His eyes narrowed as he spotted a shadow moving faster than most could comprehend, stepping through the air with precision and power.
"Damn it," muttered Satoru, wide-eyed. "This old man's breaking the sound barrier!"
Before the figure fully materialized, a voice boomed across the battlefield, its power almost palpable.
"KAIDO! You bastard! If you've harmed my grandson, you'll regret ever being born!"
Even without seeing him yet, the sheer presence of Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp sent shivers through everyone, including Kaido.
"Garp..." Kaido murmured, his tone heavy with caution. Memories of his time as an apprentice in the Rocks Pirates flooded his mind—memories of a relentless marine who could break mountains with his fists and never backed down. Kaido, now one of the Four Emperors, had grown far beyond his apprentice self, but even in his current state, he wasn't eager to clash with Garp while already wounded and fatigued.
Without hesitation, Kaido transformed into his massive dragon form, his scales gleaming in the dim light. He shot into the sky, abandoning the battlefield with the speed of a predator retreating to survive another day.
Satoru and the yellow ape, battered and weary, stood dumbfounded. They had expected Kaido to hold his ground, but the monstrous pirate made a calculated decision to flee.
Kaido's voice echoed through the skies as he disappeared. "I'll remember this, Navy! And Garp, your grandson won't be safe forever!"
---
Moments later, Garp crashed into the ground like a meteor, creating a massive crater. Dust and debris flew in every direction. As the smoke cleared, his hulking figure emerged, his face a mix of rage and relief.
"That coward ran the moment he heard me coming. Typical Kaido!" Garp scoffed, slamming his fist into his palm. "If I caught him, I'd have ripped out his dragon guts and fed them to sea kings!"
Turning to Satoru, Garp's demeanor shifted to one of pride. He clapped a massive hand on Satoru's shoulder, nearly knocking him over. "Not bad, kid! You held out against Kaido long enough for this old man to show up. Proud of you!"
Satoru winced under the weight of Garp's hand but managed a tired smile. "Thanks... but I still need to get a lot stronger. If I had two more years, I could've handled him myself."
"Hahaha! That's the spirit!" Garp laughed, his booming voice echoing across the wrecked base.
---
But the joyous moment didn't last long. Garp's eyes shifted to the yellow ape, who stood nearby, battered but still standing. Garp crossed his arms, his gaze piercing.
"Yellow ape... you've disappointed me," Garp said coldly.
The yellow ape raised an eyebrow, feigning confusion. "Huh? What'd I do now?"
"Aren't you supposed to be a Navy admiral? And yet you couldn't take down a mere Four Emperors! What a joke. Do you have any idea how many young marines look up to you? You've let them all down!"
The yellow ape sighed, clearly uncomfortable. "Lieutenant General Garp, it's not as simple as—"
"No excuses!" Garp bellowed, cutting him off. "Maybe it's time you went back to Z's camp and re-learned what it means to be a marine!"
Before Garp could continue his tirade, the yellow ape transformed into a beam of light, his voice fading as he fled. "I'll, uh, take my leave. Important business to attend to. Later!"
"Hmph! Coward," Garp muttered, turning back to Satoru.
---
Satoru smiled weakly, trying to ease the tension. "Take it easy on him, old man. The yellow ape did his best. Kaido is just... built differently."
Garp sighed, patting Satoru on the head. "As long as you're safe, that's all that matters."
But before Satoru could reply, his legs gave out, and he collapsed forward. Garp caught him just in time, his massive arms cradling his grandson.
"Satoru! Stay with me, kid!" Garp yelled, shaking him gently. Panic flickered across the old marine's face.
"MEDICS!" Garp roared, but there were none left. Satoru had ordered everyone to evacuate earlier.
As despair began to creep into Garp's expression, a sudden gust of wind blew through the ruins. From the shadows, a figure emerged, cloaked and exuding an aura of calm strength.
"I'll handle this, Father," the figure said, stepping forward.
Garp's eyes widened in recognition, his voice barely above a whisper. "You... you're here?"
The figure knelt beside Satoru, pulling back their hood to reveal... **Monkey D. Dragon**, the enigmatic leader of the Revolutionary Army.
"Don't worry," Dragon said, placing a hand on Satoru's chest. "I'll take care of him."