Bogard watched the two young men's rivalry with a rare smile on his stern face.
He turned his head and gazed toward the distant stretch of beach, where Luffy was being beaten black and blue by Garp, yet still stubbornly refused to fall.
Looking further out, the approaching red ship on the horizon came into view—a vessel symbolizing the new era, carrying countless dreams and hopes.
A trace of solemnity flashed in Bogard's eyes, containing both anticipation for the new era and concern for the unknown future.
"The winds of the era... are changing direction," he murmured, his voice scattering in the sea breeze and disappearing along the coastline.
...
Elsewhere, Garp was leisurely eating rice crackers when a series of frantic, anxious footsteps echoed from the forest path like drumbeats.
Dadan came running, panting heavily.
Her chest heaved with each breath, sounding like a broken bellows.
Her face was etched with anxiety, large beads of sweat rolling down her forehead and soaking her hair.
"Garp!" Dadan shouted in her booming voice, showing no concept of polite language, her words carrying a straightforward bluntness.
"That red-haired bastard is here! His ship docked, and it looks like he's coming for Luffy!"
Garp's fist, which he'd been about to swing, froze in mid-air.
His face became shrouded in shadow, darkening rapidly.
His already stern expression now resembled the sky before a storm, so oppressive it felt suffocating.
The veins on his forehead bulged, winding like small snakes, as if they might burst through his skin.
"Shanks...!" Garp squeezed the name through gritted teeth, his voice deep like muffled thunder, terrifying in its intensity.
He retracted his fist, the muscles on his thick arm tensing, knuckles cracking as if bones were grinding against each other.
But Luffy's eyes lit up, sparkling with excitement.
"Shanks?!" He jumped up, his energetic body springing like a rubber band, his arms stretching as he prepared to dash toward the seaside.
"Stop right there!" Garp roared, grabbing Luffy by the collar with a hand that clamped down like iron pliers, easily pulling him back as if handling a kitten.
"That red-haired bastard..." Garp growled, the burning anger in his eyes like blazing flames ready to devour everything in sight.
His gaze revealed his fury.
"He tricked you into becoming a Pirate, then disappeared when you needed him most! If I hadn't arrived in time, you'd have..."
Garp's words cut off, his expression stiffening as if struck, unwilling to recall that painful past.
That memory was a deep scar, bringing piercing pain with every touch.
He released Luffy, the hand that had gripped the boy's collar dropping to his side, trembling slightly.
Then he tore off his Marine coat in one swift motion.
As the coat fell away, his powerfully built upper body was revealed, the bulging muscles like carved works of art, brimming with strength.
Every scar told the story of countless battles he'd experienced.
"Today, I'll make sure he understands the price of kidnapping my grandson!" Garp's voice filled with determination and rage.
Garp's fists became covered in jet-black Armament Haki.
The color was far deeper than Luffy's, absorbing the surrounding light like two black holes.
Beneath that dark Haki, a mysterious glow shimmered.
The ground beneath his feet began to crack, fractures spreading like spiderwebs.
That powerful aura spread outward from Garp like a storm.
Fine black lightning appeared in the sky, streaks of electricity weaving through the dark clouds as if the heavens themselves were startled by Garp's rage, unleashing this awe-inspiring power.
"Grandpa!" Luffy hopped anxiously, his face filled with worry as he tried to stop him. "Shanks, he..."
"Shut up!" Garp roared without turning back. "No one's stopping me today!"
Dadan and Luffy instinctively stepped back—they'd never seen Garp so enraged.
The oppressive feeling was suffocating, making it hard to breathe.
The surrounding air grew thick, each breath requiring immense effort.
"Dadan!" Garp bellowed, his voice echoing through the forest. "Keep an eye on this kid! Don't forget Luffy almost died!"
Dadan nodded vigorously, her eyes filled with determination. "Don't worry, with me here, Luffy isn't going anywhere!"
Garp's figure vanished, leaving only an afterimage and cracked ground behind.
In the distance, the thunderous sound of trees collapsing echoed through the island.
Garp charged toward the coast at terrifying speed, leaving a trail of devastation in his wake as if a hurricane had swept through.
Luffy grew frantic, wanting to chase after him, stomping his feet like a trapped wild animal.
But he was firmly held back, Dadan's hand clamping down on his shoulder like an iron vise, making it impossible to break free.
"Let him go," Dadan sighed, a trace of helplessness in her eyes. "Some grudges... must be settled sooner or later."
...
By the seaside, turbulent waves crashed against the shore, splashing layers of white foam.
The Red Force slowly docked along the coast.
The sea wind howled, sweeping across the deck with a mournful whistle.
Shanks stood at the bow, his red hair billowing in the wind.
He narrowed his eyes, gazing at the familiar coastline, complex emotions stirring in his heart.
As if touched by an invisible force, Shanks' expression changed. His calm face grew solemn and alert.
"Everyone, step back!" Shanks shouted, his voice carrying over the sea breeze.
At the same time, the Griffin in his hand slid out of its sheath with a sharp swish, its blade gleaming under the sunlight.
In the same instant, a dark figure shot out from the dense forest like a cannonball!
The figure moved with incredible speed, kicking up a cloud of dust.
Like a demon emerging from the darkness, its approach was fierce and menacing.
"Shanks!!!" A furious roar shattered the tense atmosphere, the voice carrying from the depths of hell, filled with boundless rage.
Garp's tall, burly figure loomed like a mountain, his eyes burning with blazing fury, locked tightly on Shanks.
With that roar, his iron fist, coated in jet-black Armament Haki, descended, carrying world-shattering momentum as it slammed toward Shanks' face.
"Shanks! You bastard still dare show yourself before me!" Garp's voice echoed through the air, each word carrying immense weight.
The wind stirred by the fist swept up all the sand and gravel on the beach, spinning rapidly to form a small tornado.
This punch contained not just immense power, but the long-suppressed anger and deep worry of an old man.
"Boom!"
A dull, heavy impact shattered the clamor, resonating like beating war drums, shaking everyone to their core.
Shanks' cheek caved in as if struck by a boulder, his body stumbling backward several steps.
Yet he never attempted to dodge the blow, nor did he draw his sword to block.
Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, dripping down his chin onto the white sand.
The crimson formed a stark contrast against the pale beach, blooming like vivid red flowers.
Garp's second fist was already poised to strike, his arm raised high with muscles tensed.
But when he saw Shanks willingly accept the punishment, his arm froze mid-air.
The old Marine's arm trembled, veins bulging beneath the skin, struggling to restrain the fury and emotion raging within him.
"You...!" Garp's eyes burned with even greater fury, his gaze seemingly capable of devouring someone.
"Why didn't you dodge?!"
Shanks raised his hand to wipe the blood from his mouth.
His single arm trembled, yet his hand remained firmly gripping Griffin's hilt as he struggled to steady himself.
His gaze traveled past Garp, settling on Luffy, who was being restrained by Dadan in the distance.
A flicker of relief passed through his eyes, mixed with guilt.
"This punch... is what I owed you." Shanks' voice was low and sincere, each word carrying heavy weight.
"You're right. I failed to save Luffy in time."
Garp's fists clenched until they cracked, the sound clear in the quiet air.
His heart was engaged in a fierce conflict—angry at Shanks' failure, yet deeply understanding this man's character and convictions.
He knew this man too well.
If Shanks had been determined to dodge, even Garp might not have landed such a solid hit.
"Get out!" Garp roared, unleashing his pent-up anger. "Take your damn ship and leave Foosha Village immediately! Don't let me see you again!"
The sea wind turned biting, howling across the waters like an enraged beast.
It swept through, whipping their clothes about as the fabric snapped in the gale.
Shanks' red hair danced in the wind.
The scar left by Blackbeard appeared prominent, telling the story of that battle from the past.
Instead of leaving, he turned, casting a resolute look at Garp.
"Garp-san," Shanks spoke, his voice steady amidst the howling sea breeze, carrying an indescribable determination.
"Luffy is destined to change this world. You understand this better than anyone. From the moment he set foot on these seas, he's carried a longing for freedom in his heart."
Garp's pupils contracted, a complex emotion flashing in his eyes.
He turned his back to Shanks, his fists clenched so tightly his knuckles turned white.
"Get lost before I change my mind!"
The crew of the Red Force watched the scene, worry and vigilance written on their faces.
Beckman's finger rested on his pistol, the cold metal keeping his nerves stretched to the limit.
His gaze remained fixed on Garp, ready to pull the trigger at the slightest movement.
Yasopp's sniper rifle was aimed at Garp's back, his sharp eyes peering through the scope like an invisible blade, prepared to deliver a fatal strike.
But Shanks shook his head, signaling them to stand down.
"Let's go," Shanks said, his voice tinged with reluctance.
He took one last look at the anxious Luffy in the distance, his eyes filled with concern and expectation.
Just as he was about to speak, Garp's deep voice cut through.
"Shanks..." Garp's voice squeezed through gritted teeth, carrying both warning and finality. "Next time we meet, I won't hold back."
Shanks remained silent for a moment, his hand resting on the hilt of Griffin.
His gaze burned as he looked at Garp, revealing unwavering resolve.
"Garp-san," his voice was firm, each word landing heavily on the sandy beach. "Luffy's journey shouldn't end here."
"The balance of the seas has been shattered. The decisive battle between Whitebeard and Kaido was just the beginning... That earth-shattering conflict plunged the entire ocean into chaos. Countless lives were lost, countless powers reshuffled in its wake."
"And Luffy, he's like a shining star, illuminating the path forward in this dark night. He possesses the power and courage to change it all."
The sea wind turned biting, whipping at their robes.
Shanks' cloak fluttered in the wind, revealing Griffin at his waist.
---------
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