In any case, it's best to maintain some respect for now.
Thud!
At that moment, Garp landed from the sky. He picked his nose, completely indifferent to the conversation on the phone, and laughed heartily:
"Finished talking? So, Shano, can I take the marines back now?"
"Go ahead, old man."
Shano shrugged nonchalantly, "We don't have time for a spar this time. I hope next time we meet, you'll give me a thrill."
"Heh heh heh, I hope that day comes, but at the same time, I dread it!"
Garp flicked away his booger, spread his legs, and laughed with arms crossed, "Well then, goodbye, kid!"
Splash!
Just as he finished speaking, the old man's stance cost him, and the floe beneath him split apart, sending him plunging into the sea.
...
The vast icefield was shattered beyond recognition.
Walking was troublesome, requiring constant attention to the cracks underfoot, but for warships, it allowed for the freedom to move again.
Some of the low-ranking marines, previously knocked out by the Supreme King, were still unconscious, while others had awakened.
Watching their superiors, disheveled and supporting each other back onto the deck, they exchanged puzzled glances, utterly bewildered.
What happened?
They were only unconscious for a little while...
The Navy Headquarters was already defeated?
"What else did you expect?"
Kuina sheathed her sword and shook her head at Momousagi across from her, "You got so into it that you didn't even notice all your subordinates and superiors losing miserably, did you?"
"Not at all!"
Momousagi smacked her forehead in frustration, "I was having too much fun fighting you! I didn't even notice when little Garp came over."
She had a habit of referring to familiar and intimate old marines like Garp, Sengoku, and Tsuru in this way.
"Anyway, you and I are the only ones who ended in a draw on this battlefield."
Kuina looked at her coldly, "For me, that's a disgrace. Next time, I'll be stronger. I'll challenge you again then."
"I should be the one saying that. Is not defeating an Admiral Candidate considered a disgrace?"
Momousagi gave her an annoyed look, sheathed Konpira, and waved her hand, "I'm leaving, I'm leaving. Honestly, talking to an oblivious brat like you is pointless!"
Kuina remained motionless.
She silently watched the tall figure draped in the Cloak of Justice board the warship and gradually depart, then looked in another direction.
We won...
A Navy Grand Admiral, an Admiral Candidate, a member of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and a large fleet led by several veteran Vice Admirals from the headquarters.
Such a luxurious lineup, and yet they were still straightforwardly forced to retreat by us!
A great victory!
After this battle, not only the captain but the entire Endgame will become the brightest presence in the New World!
And I imagine, in the eyes of the world, I will be on par with people like Katakuri, King, and Marco, right?
She glanced at the Wado Ichimonji in her hand, the blade still bore the fine scratches from the clash with Momousagi, but its edge remained sharp.
Kuina smiled slightly.
"Big sis! Big sis!"
Jack walked over with his hands behind his head, trying to look indifferent, and said:
"So, how'd I do? Those two veteran Vice Admirals were beaten by me till their teeth scattered everywhere; they couldn't even stand!"
"Yes, I saw. Well done."
Kuina nodded slightly, a rare smile at the corner of her mouth, "But don't get too cocky. The deeper you go into the New World, the more dangerous it gets, and you'll eventually face tougher opponents."
"Heh heh, don't worry, big sis!" Jack grinned happily, patting his chest, "With Lord Shano with us, we'll only grow stronger and stronger!"
On the other side, Kuma also walked over slowly, his massive figure casting a giant shadow in the moonlight.
"The crisis in Dressrosa is resolved, Lady Kuina."
He spoke gently, "King Liku personally came to me just now, wanting to invite us into the city to hold a grand celebration feast."
"A celebratory feast?"
Kuina furrowed her brows, "Although the Navy has retreated, the World Government might not let it go that easily. Shouldn't we..."
"No need to worry."
Kuma adjusted his glasses, "The Five Elders have personally promised not to interfere with Dressrosa anymore, nor will they oppose us."
"The Five Elders?"
Kuina was a bit surprised, "I thought the captain only did it for Garp's sake... Why? Did the captain talk to them about something?"
"Who knows?"
Kuma shook his head and smiled, "But to make those high and mighty people bow their heads in compromise, probably only Lord Xiano could achieve that."
Just then, a round of cheers erupted from afar.
Everyone turned to look, only to see Xiano surrounded by the citizens of Dressrosa, with King Liku stepping forward and bowing deeply in thanks.
"Lord Xiano!"
Violet stood beside her father, her face glowing with a smile, "Thank you so much. Without you, Dressrosa might have..."
"Alright, enough with the pleasantries."
Xiano rubbed his stomach and burst out laughing, "Since there's a celebration banquet, let's not dawdle. Let the good wine and meat do the talking! We've traveled for so long and fought all day; we're starving!"
"Hahaha, alright!" King Liku laughed heartily, "Someone, prepare the banquet immediately! Tonight, we will celebrate nationwide!"
...
As night fell, the Royal Capital of Dressrosa was brightly lit, and the square in front of the palace buzzed with people, with a sea of celebration engulfing the entire island.
To properly welcome the visiting Endgame group, the banquet ordered by King Liku was unprecedented in scale.
In addition to the soldiers and civilian warriors who defended the city, many ordinary citizens who had not been on the battlefield also rushed over.
Women led children, and elders walked with canes, coming purely out of curiosity, eager to see the real face of their benefactor Xiano.
Even the Tontatta Race from Greenbit to the north turned out in full force.
Though small in stature, these dwarves had loud voices, and at this moment, they surrounded Kyros, chattering and asking about battle details.
"Mr. Kyros! Did that shiny Navy Grand Admiral really get punched into the sea by Lord Xiano?"
"Princess Mansherry is said to have participated in the battle too. Really, wasn't she knocked to tears with one punch?"
"And also, they said that god that controls lightning, how come he couldn't hurt Mr. Kuma? That's incredible!"
"What nonsense god... You all really believe anything."
Kyros felt a headache from the noise, chuckled wryly while downing a drink, and was just thinking of finding an excuse to slip away when suddenly he saw the crowd splitting like a tide—
Xiano was making his way through, holding a wine goblet, with cheers and toasts in his wake.
"Lord Xiano! Please try our specially made ham!"
"And this is our Tontatta Race's century-old honey wine, please accept it too!"
Faced with the overly enthusiastic crowd, Xiano maintained a gentle smile, accepting toasts without refusal, seemingly unable to get drunk no matter how much he drank.
This is a true hero, a real man.
For unrelated strangers, he did not hesitate to travel thousands of miles to confront the Navy Fleet led personally by a Navy Grand Admiral...
How many people in the world can do that?
Kyros mused to himself.
Even though he was too far away to be seen by the other, Kyros still raised his goblet and toasted from afar with a smiling face.
The night gradually deepened.
Yet, the sound of laughter continued to echo across the island's night sky, lingering for a long time.
...
In the blink of an eye, after several rounds of drinks, it was past midnight.
Xiano, his face flushed, found an excuse of being a lightweight and left the banquet, heading alone to a concealed giant rock.
Ah Yin was already waiting there, seeing his arrival, its eyes lit up, and it quickly rushed over, placing two items it was holding in its mouth in front of Xiano, then raised its head expectantly, waiting for a pat.
One was Enel's "Divine Body," and the other was Kizaru's arm.
In situations where it was inconvenient to handle corpses, Xiano would give Ah Yin a glance for it to substitute, which Ah Yin was long accustomed to.
When the Klik Pirates invaded the East Sea, that's how the tasks were distributed.
"Well done, Ah Yin."
Xiano smiled and extended his hands, vigorously rubbing Ah Yin's dog head, and it closed its eyes, purring comfortably from its throat before finally lying down contentedly.