Chapter 83: Garp's Surprise!
[Sabaody Archipelago - Grove 9 - Snack Street Ruins]
Garp's declaration was the spark that ignited the powder keg.
He didn't wait for a response. The moment his laughter ceased, the atmosphere shifted from jovial to lethal.
BOOM!
The cobblestone street exploded beneath Garp's feet. He didn't use Soru (Shave) or any fancy technique. He simply pushed off the ground with raw, unadulterated muscle power.
He shot forward like a cannonball fired from a battleship, carrying an unparalleled, fierce momentum. The air around him distorted, creating a vacuum tunnel as he broke the sound barrier instantly.
It was a charge of pure violence.
"Don't think you'll succeed!"
"Be careful, Mr. Ulquiorra!"
Dorry and Brogy roared. The two Giant Captains, loyal to a fault, reacted instantly. Their mountain-sized weapons—the Terry Sword and Bruiser Axe—whipped up gales of wind as they swung down to intercept Garp's flank.
"HAKOKU!"
However, they were fighting two Admirals today.
Flash.
A blinding golden light appeared in their path.
"Ooh... Giants are truly terrifying~"
Admiral Kizaru materialized in mid-air, his hands still in his pockets, his tone as relaxed as if he were discussing the weather.
"Although it's a hassle... I can't let you disturb Mr. Garp's reunion. He gets cranky when interrupted."
Kizaru raised a single leg. Light condensed at the speed of photons.
"Light Kick."
BANG!
The kick intercepted the massive weapons. A tiny leg against tons of Elbaf steel. Yet, the weapons were knocked back as if they had hit a mountain range.
"You two Giant Captains," Kizaru drawled, floating lazily. "Your opponent should be me. Try not to step on the ants."
On the other side, Kashi and Oimo roared and brandished their clubs, rushing toward the thousands of Marines surrounding them. The battle instantly erupted across the board, turning Grove 9 into a warzone.
But the center of the storm was elsewhere.
Ulquiorra stood his ground. His white coat fluttered violently in the gale caused by Garp's approach.
In his emerald eyes, usually devoid of emotion, a flicker of recognition appeared.
This pressure...
The aura exploding from the old man was deep as an abyss and vast as the ocean. It wasn't the hot, elemental rage of Akainu. It was a heavy, crushing physical dominance.
He is strong.
Ulquiorra understood instantly. Probing was meaningless. Against this man, hesitation meant death.
He slowly raised his hand and placed it over the hole in his chest.
"Enclose..."
His voice was a whisper, but it carried a terrible resonance.
"...Murciélago (Black-Winged Great Demon)!"
VRRRRMMMMM!
A pitch-black column of Reiatsu (Spiritual Pressure) erupted upward from him, dyeing the sky of Sabaody in the colors of despair.
Violent currents of air scattered the smoke and dust. The ground cracked under the spiritual weight.
Bone fragments began to form on his head, creating a helmet with two long horns. His white uniform tore away, replaced by a flowing white robe.
And from his back, a pair of massive, black bat wings tore free, blotting out the sun.
His entire presence escalated to a completely different dimension.
"Hm?"
Garp, who was mid-charge, narrowed his eyes. His pupils contracted.
"Just as the intelligence Sakazuki mentioned suggested!" Garp thought, analyzing the transformation in a microsecond. "A Zoan-Type Devil Fruit ability? Bat species? Vampire?"
He sniffed the air.
"No. The smell is different. It feels... dead. Is it some kind of mysterious Mythical Zoan Type? Or something else entirely?"
Ulquiorra had no interest in answering his muttering.
The moment his Resurrección was complete, he clenched his five fingers.
Zzzzt.
An emerald-green spear of light, composed entirely of condensed spiritual particles, materialized in his hand.
Luz de la Luna (Light of the Moon).
The next second, he flapped his bat wings.
ZWOOP.
His figure abruptly vanished from the spot. It wasn't speed; it was Sonido. He slipped through the sound.
"Fast!"
Garp's Observation Haki screamed a warning. A deadly chill rushed toward his throat.
But Garp was the Hero. His battle intuition, honed by forty years of fighting the Pirate King, made him act without thinking.
He didn't dodge. He punched.
"FIST OF LOVE!"
He slammed his iron fist, infused with top-tier, pitch-black Armament Haki, directly into the path of the light spear.
BOOM—!!!
The black iron fist collided with the emerald light spear.
The world went silent for a split second, then exploded.
A terrifying energy storm swept across the entire Snack Street. The ground was instantly ripped up, layers of bedrock pulverized. Countless architectural remnants—stalls, buildings, trees—were flung high into the air and disintegrated into fine dust.
The street, which had previously been filled with the aroma of food, was completely annihilated by this single clash.
Clang! Clang! Clang!
Amidst the deafening explosions and dust clouds, the two figures moved like blurs.
Ulquiorra stabbed, slashed, and thrust with his light spear. Garp parried, punched, and countered with his bare fists.
Black lightning from Garp's Haki clashed with the green energy of Ulquiorra's Reiatsu.
After one final, earth-shaking strike, both were forced back by the recoil.
They skidded across the ruined ground, creating trenches with their feet.
"Phew..."
Garp shook his slightly numb fist. Steam rose from his knuckles. An unprecedented look of solemnity appeared on his face.
This kid... is incredibly strong! Garp exclaimed inwardly.
He had originally thought the opponent was merely relying on the power of a Devil Fruit.
But having just clashed... his Haki (Reiatsu), physique, and speed—none of them have a single weakness! And his skin... it's hard as steel.
Even more terrifying was his battle intuition. Every move was calculated, precise, and devoid of hesitation.
He doesn't fight like a rookie. He fights like a veteran of a thousand wars. It reminds me of the New World monsters.
"Wahahahaha!"
Garp suddenly burst into hearty laughter again, his fighting spirit increasing rather than diminishing.
"Interesting! This is far too interesting! Finally, a punching bag that doesn't break!"
He cracked his neck.
"Alright, brat! Let's see how long you can keep up with an old man!"
He charged forward again, swinging his fist wrapped in pitch-black Haki.
[Sabaody Archipelago - Grove 13 - Shakky's Rip-Off Bar]
While the battle raged in Grove 9, a different kind of tension filled the air in Grove 13.
Inside the dim bar, Suzaku and Rayleigh had just clinked their glasses.
"To freedom," Rayleigh had said.
They drained their cups. The liquor burned pleasantly.
BOOM...
Suddenly, the floorboards vibrated. The bottles on the shelf rattled.
Both men stopped all movement at the same time. They instinctively turned their heads toward the window, their eyes narrowing.
Although separated by several islands (Groves), the collision of those two earth-shattering auras was like a beacon in the dark night.
It was clearly registered within the senses of powerhouses of their caliber.
"That Haki..." Rayleigh murmured, putting his glass down. "It's unmistakable. Only one man punches like that. Garp is here."
"And the other one..." Suzaku smiled, sensing the familiar cold pressure of his subordinate. "Ulquiorra is holding his own. Impressive."
The two exchanged glances, both seeing a hint of surprise and interest in the other's eyes.
"It looks like something very interesting is happening!" Rayleigh laughed heartily, the thrill of battle sparkling in his old eyes. He stood up first, grabbing his cloak. "Suzaku, kid, want to go take a look? It's not every day the Hero gets serious."
"Why not?" Suzaku stood up and followed him toward the door. "It's my crew, after all."
"Huh? What happened?" Shakky asked from behind the bar, wiping her hands.
"It's nothing," Rayleigh waved his hand without turning back. "Just some incredible excitement on the next island over! Garp is throwing a tantrum. We're going to join the fun. We'll be back soon!"
Shakky looked at their retreating figures and shook her head helplessly. She lit another cigarette.
"Then you better come back early, old man. And don't die."
She knew very well that with Rayleigh's strength, plus that young monster named Suzaku, there weren't many forces on this sea that could pose a danger to them. Even an Admiral would hesitate.
[Outside the Bar]
Just as Suzaku and Rayleigh stepped out of the bar door into the humid air of Grove 13, they saw a group approaching rapidly.
It was Albedo, leading Nami, Rem, and Ram.
"Lord Suzaku!"
Albedo spotted him and accelerated. She arrived in front of him in a few quick steps, her face flushed with a hint of concern and relief.
"I sensed a powerful battle erupting on the neighboring island," Albedo reported quickly, her eyes scanning him for injuries. "Fearing you might be in danger, I decided to abort the shopping mission and bring everyone back to you immediately! Are you unharmed?"
Hearing this, Rayleigh glanced at Albedo with interest.
Oh? Rayleigh thought, sensing her aura. Not only is the Captain himself a monster... but this woman. Her presence is dense. And the blue-haired maid... gravity manipulation?
This group of newcomers is more interesting than I imagined!
Close behind Albedo, Rem and Ram ran over, practically dragging a breathless Nami.
"Ha... Ha... wait for me!" Nami wheezed, leaning on her knees. "I can't... run... in these heels!"
All the ladies were carrying oversized bundles completely disproportionate to their figures. Bags upon bags of clothes, jewelry, and souvenirs bulged conspicuously—clearly the 'trophies' from their recent shopping spree. Nami was clutching a bag of gold bars to her chest like a baby.
"I'm exhausted, but we finally found you!" Nami gasped. "What is that noise? Is the island exploding?"
"With such a huge commotion, I reckon Ulquiorra and the Giants are probably responsible," Suzaku said, smiling helplessly at the mountain of shopping bags.
He gave an order.
"Perfect timing. We were heading out to meet up with them anyway. The Marines are here."
"Marines?!" Nami shrieked. "Is it an Admiral?"
"Two, probably," Suzaku shrugged. "Garp and Kizaru."
"TWO?!" Nami looked ready to faint.
"Rem, Ram," Suzaku instructed calmly. "Take Nami and your spoils back to the ship first. Get the Pola ready for departure. We might need to leave in a hurry."
"No problem, Lord Suzaku!" Ram replied crisply.
However, Ram paused. She cast a wary look at the old man standing beside Suzaku. Her instincts told her this "drunkard" was dangerous.
"Lord Suzaku," Ram whispered. "With Lord Albedo accompanying you, you are naturally safe. However... is it safe to let this old gentleman go with you? Who is he?"
Suzaku couldn't help but chuckle at her protectiveness.
"Don't underestimate him, Ram," Suzaku patted Rayleigh's shoulder casually. "This old man is a living legend."
He introduced him to the suspicious women.
"This man is the Right Hand of the former Pirate King, Gol D. Roger."
Suzaku grinned.
"Meet 'Dark King' Silvers Rayleigh."
"Wha... Wha... WHAT?!"
Nami's eyes instantly widened like copper bells. Her jaw dropped so low it nearly hit the ground. She pointed a shaking finger at the casually dressed old man in sandals.
"He... he is 'Dark King' Rayleigh?!" Nami screamed. "The legendary Vice Captain of the Roger Pirates?! The one in the history books?!"
"Hahaha! Guilty as charged, little girl," Rayleigh laughed, scratching his beard.
"Alright, stop standing around!" Suzaku waved his hand, cutting off the fan-girling. "Ram, Rem, quickly take Nami back to the ship and wait! The battle is heating up."
He looked at Albedo.
"Albedo, you come with us. We're going to retrieve Ulquiorra."
"Yes, Lord Suzaku!"
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