On the third day, Kaoru Tsubasa and his crew finally completed reinforcing their ship's plating.
"Then, we set sail," Kaoru said, standing proudly on the deck, looking down at Rayleigh and Xia Qi on the shore below.
Rayleigh smiled faintly and took a casual sip of his wine. Two nights ago, he and Roger had talked at length—more than enough for a lifetime of reflection.
"Set sail," Kaoru repeated, his tone calm but resolute.
The ship slowly descended into the deep blue, diving toward the bottom of the sea. Since Kaoru only needed to pass beneath Mary Geoise using the seabed route, there was no need to dock at Fishman Island.
Before long, their vessel reached a depth of nearly 5,000 meters—deep enough to cross directly beneath the Red Line and emerge into the New World.
"Kaoru, look! That is…" Olvia gasped, her voice trembling slightly as her eyes darted toward the dark silhouettes surrounding them.
Towering, serpentine shadows glided through the depths—the legendary Sea Kings.
These colossal beings usually dwelled in the Calm Belt surrounding the Grand Line. While a few occasionally appeared in the Four Seas, such numbers as this could only be seen here, in the true depths of the Grand Line.
Olvia, who had once embarked on archaeological voyages from O'Hara, had only explored the first half of the Grand Line, never venturing this far.
"That's a Sea King," Kaoru said with an amused grin, watching the titanic creatures drift past. "A sight like this exists only in this world—nowhere else."
Sea Kings rarely attacked unless provoked or drawn to bright lights on ships moving through the abyss. Kaoru's ship was indeed illuminated, but he quietly released a wave of Conqueror's Haki, and the beasts gave them a wide berth.
With smooth precision, Kaoru guided the ship through the oceanic trench, crossing the Red Line and emerging into the New World.
Half a month later, Kaoru and Olvia finally reached the peaceful shores of Redoria.
"Hey… is that you?" Olvia asked in surprise, noticing another Kaoru seated calmly by the shore.
The one on land gave her a knowing smile—it was Kaoru's physical clone.
When the ship docked, Kaoru reabsorbed his clone and led Olvia to a small wooden cabin overlooking the sea.
"Stay here for now," he said gently. "I have some things to take care of."
Olvia nodded silently. Sitting at a wooden table, she took out her notebooks and pens and began writing. With O'Hara destroyed, only she and Robin remained—the last bearers of its knowledge.
The duty to preserve that legacy now rested with them.
Meanwhile, Kaoru stepped outside, the sea breeze brushing against his hair as he glanced out over the horizon. He sensed another ship approaching Redoria from afar—a strong presence carried on the waves.
Before long, a familiar silhouette broke through the mist—a massive dog-headed warship.
"…That's Garp's ship," Kaoru muttered with mild amusement.
Moments later, Vice Admiral Garp disembarked, spotting Kaoru immediately.
"Hmm? Kaoru Tsubasa? What are you doing here?" Garp asked, brows raised in surprise.
He had come to Redoria because a masked man from Baterilla Island had told him that he'd buried Luju's body here. The last thing Garp expected was to find Kaoru—a man who had promised Sengoku he wouldn't appear on the seas for ten years.
"I'm just living a quiet life here," Kaoru said nonchalantly. "A hermit's life suits me."
Garp grinned. "Good boy. Since you're here… how about a fight?"
Kaoru sighed, half amused. Ever since losing to Kaoru in Rogue Town, Garp had been training relentlessly for another chance.
"You want to fight me?" Kaoru asked, raising an eyebrow.
"That's right!" Garp cracked his knuckles, excitement gleaming in his eyes.
Kaoru exhaled, shaking his head. "You really don't know when to quit. Picking a fight with me here, of all places…"
He was, after all, invincible on Redoria. Even if the entire Navy descended upon the island, they'd end up flat on their backs.
"Cut the chatter!" Garp roared, throwing a massive punch coated in Armament Haki.
Kaoru vanished in a blur—teleporting behind him.
"Old man Garp, are you seriously doing this?" Kaoru said, voice edged with disbelief.
Garp smirked. "Armament—Six Steps Secret Art: Six Kings Spear!"
Kaoru's eyes sharpened. "No Sword Style—First Form: Heaven-Splitting Blade!"
The two titanic forces collided, unleashing a shockwave that tore through the island. Redoria itself trembled violently.
"Damn!" Kaoru muttered as the ground shook beneath them. He immediately pulled back his attack, cloaking himself in Armament Haki to absorb the impact.
The next instant, Garp's blow sent him flying into the ocean.
Garp hesitated for only a moment before leaping in after him. If Kaoru were a Devil Fruit user, he'd drown—if not, Garp would simply continue the brawl underwater.
"Unbelievable… he actually jumped in!" Kaoru growled as he steadied himself in the dark water.
He had withdrawn his attack earlier to avoid destroying Redoria entirely. A few more uncontrolled strikes, and the island would've sunk beneath the waves.
"Spiritual Art—Attack Form: Azure Sea and Sky!"
Kaoru raised his hand, manipulating the sea itself. A colossal surge of water erupted, blasting Garp more than a thousand meters into the air.
"Moonstep!" Garp recovered instantly, stepping on air as though the sky itself were solid ground.
Kaoru smirked. "Alright, old man… try my new blade."
He sheathed his twin swords, sending them back into his system space, and drew a crimson blade wreathed in heat.
"Everything burns…" he murmured. "All turns to ash."
The sea boiled around him as a fiery pillar roared toward the heavens, evaporating seawater in an instant.
"What the—flames?!" Garp's eyes widened. "Could he be… a Flame-Flame Fruit user?"
No, that couldn't be—if Kaoru were a Devil Fruit user, he wouldn't be able to move freely underwater.
Unable to make sense of it, Garp simply coated his arm in hardened Haki once more.
"Armament Secret Art—Iron Fist of Steel Bone!"
His punch ripped the very air apart, sending a black wave of energy crashing toward Kaoru.
"Torch!" Kaoru shouted, slashing downward. The crimson sword—Ryujin Ruka—released a torrent of fire that met Garp's black energy head-on.
The sea ignited in blinding light. The black energy shattered, devoured by flame.
For a brief moment, the world went still.
And then—Garp smirked. The corners of his mouth curled up as the shockwave rippled outward.
That was his strongest punch.
And he was certain—this time—he could finally defeat Kaoru Tsubasa.
...
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