The flag of the Blackbeard Pirates was spotted in the distance, fluttering imposingly on the horizon, and Garp recognized it immediately without a shred of doubt. That symbol was impossible to mistake.
With his Observation Haki expanded to its limits, he sensed the presence of every individual aboard that ship.
Zephyr narrowed his eyes, focusing intently as he spoke in a grave tone, "Marshall D. Teach… has that man entered the battle as one of the Shichibukai?"
At the same time they identified Blackbeard and his crew, Teach and his men also noticed the massive Neo Navy warship led by Garp, as well as the ships of Big Mom's fleet dominating that stretch of sea.
On the pirate ship's deck—
Lafitte slowly lowered his binoculars, his refined demeanor contrasting with the tension in the air. Turning to the man behind him, he spoke softly, "Captain… it's the Neo Navy under Garp's command. However… something about this feels off…"
Around them, pirates drank recklessly, roaring with laughter as they prepared for the approaching confrontation. The atmosphere was chaotic, yet brimming with excitement.
And there were many of them.
Monsters gathered under a single flag.
Their captain: Blackbeard, Marshall D. Teach.
Shiryu of the Rain, former chief jailer of Impel Down.
Avalo Pizarro, the so-called "Corrupt King."
Catarina Devon, the "Crescent Moon Hunter."
Sanjuan Wolf, the colossal battleship of a man.
Vasco Shot, the "Heavy Drinker."
Doc Q, the crew's doctor, accompanied by his sickly horse, Stronger.
Beyond them stood even more terrifying figures—Level 6 prisoners from Impel Down, erased from history by the World Government due to the sheer brutality of their crimes.
Douglas Bullet, the "Demon Heir."
Byrnndi World, the "World Destroyer."
Each of them was a living calamity, beings whose very existence was considered a mistake by the world.
Many of their crimes had been covered up. Their names erased from the papers. Yet here they stood—gathered once more, ready to plunge the world into chaos.
"Garp…?"
Blackbeard dropped the chunk of meat he had been eating, slowly stood up, and took Lafitte's binoculars. As he looked into the distance, his expression shifted slightly.
"That old man… looks younger than before…"
"They're coming straight at us!" Lafitte warned, now more serious.
Blackbeard burst into loud laughter. "Zehahaha! Then we retreat! Now's not the time to fight Garp and the others. That's not why we came here! We head to Totto Land first!"
Without hesitation, he gave the order.
The pirate ship turned sharply, changing course to avoid direct confrontation.
But Navy warships were no ordinary vessels. Built with superior technology, they were faster and more resilient than most pirate ships.
"We won't be able to shake them…" Blackbeard frowned in irritation. "Doc Q, use your ability to slow them down."
Doc Q, lazily sprawled over Stronger, let out a crooked smile—more melancholic than amused. "I'll try… hehehe…"
He gently stroked the horse's neck.
In the next instant, Stronger sprouted a pair of massive wings.
Zoan — Uma Uma no Mi, Model: Pegasus!
Despite his illness and runny nose, the horse took flight, carrying Doc Q straight toward the warship.
"Something's coming…" Zephyr muttered, his gaze sharp.
Within seconds, the winged figure was already before them.
Doc Q raised a basket filled with red apples, smiling in a disturbing manner. "Please… stop chasing us… we're not here to fight… as an apology… accept some apples…"
Garp grinned casually. "Marines hunting pirates don't need gifts."
Without hesitation, he stepped forward and leapt.
His fist was coated in Haki, condensed like a destructive projectile.
BOOM!!
The explosion engulfed Stronger and Doc Q completely.
But at the very moment of impact, a purple mist began to spread from Doc Q's mouth.
Paramecia — Shiku Shiku no Mi, the Disease Fruit!
As he activated his ability, he and his horse were blasted into the sky.
The surface of the sea below was devastated, a massive crater opening in its wake.
"What… is this?!"
Midair, Garp froze for an instant.
His body began to change.
Within seconds, he went from a vigorous old man… to an even more frail elder, as though decades had been stripped away from him.
---
Onigashima — Rooftop of the Skull Dome
Alexis Bunting had been split in half by Luffy's wind blades.
But there was no blood.
In place of flesh, there were only dense layers of paper.
"Paper Angel!"
Thousands of sheets swirled around his body, forming a pair of wings behind his back. His torso floated in midair, sustained by that unusual ability.
"I am a man who ate the Paper Fruit!" Bunting declared arrogantly. "Ordinary cuts don't work on me!"
Luffy watched calmly.
His advanced Observation Haki had already predicted that outcome.
"Paper Fruit… a Paramecia, huh?"
He analyzed.
It wasn't just bodily transformation—there was also creation involved.
Something similar to Katakuri's ability.
"So cutting doesn't work… what about impact?"
In the next instant, Luffy vanished.
"Too fast…!"
Bunting's eyes widened. His wings flapped frantically as he tried to gain altitude.
But it was too late.
Luffy appeared beneath him and delivered a devastating kick.
BANG!!
The lower half of Bunting's body exploded into scraps of paper.
"Hahaha! Blunt attacks don't work either!"
Bunting dove back down, sword in hand, aiming for Luffy's head.
"You understand nothing, Straw Hat!"
"No fear of cuts… no fear of impact…" Luffy murmured. "A good ability. But it's still just paper."
White horns emerged from his head.
Sun Dragon God Form!
He opened his mouth.
"Blazing Breath!"
BOOM!!!
A sea of flames engulfed Bunting completely.
"FIRE?!"
His eyes widened in shock.
"The intel was wrong…! Gomu Gomu… Gura Gura… and now fire?!"
Before he could react, he was struck head-on by the explosion.
The sky trembled from the impact.
At that exact moment—
A golden flash appeared behind Luffy.
"Light Sword: Ame no Murakumo!"
Kizaru appeared at blinding speed, wielding his light blade in a perfect surprise attack.
But Luffy didn't even fully turn around.
"Too slow, Kizaru."
His voice was calm.
In that same instant, a blade appeared—and intercepted the light attack.
(End of Chapter)