The snow was falling heavily, blanketing everything in a layer of ice and freezing cold.
If Law were left lying here unconscious in this weather… there was no doubt he would freeze to death before long.
"Since this boy is here, it means Doflamingo must be on this island too. He is part of the Donquixote Family, after all."
"He is still young, but he is a pirate nonetheless. I don't know what happened within their family to make a child like Law end up here in the snow holding the Op-Op Fruit…"
"But this is their internal affair. It is best we do not get involved. We have the fruit now. Our priority is to leave this place immediately and deliver it safely."
Tsuru stared down at Law and voiced her opinion.
Their main objective today was simply to retrieve the Op-Op Fruit. They had succeeded in that.
As for what would happen to Law… while they felt some concern, he was a pirate and they were Marines. The wisest course of action was to stay out of the Donquixote Family's business.
"You are right. Let's go." Sengoku nodded in agreement.
If this had been an ordinary child caught up in events, they would have taken him back to headquarters without hesitation and saved his life.
But… Law was a member of Doflamingo's crew. He had chosen the life of a pirate, and with that choice came the acceptance of risk and danger.
They were Marines; they could not help a pirate, no matter how young he was.
The four of them glanced at Law one last time, then without further delay, they turned and ran swiftly toward the coast.
But before they could take more than a few steps… an overwhelming, crushing pressure suddenly descended upon them.
It was an incomparable weight, like the sky itself had collapsed down upon them, carrying with it an terrifying force that shook their very souls.
Thud! Thud! Thud!
With the exception of Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr, and Tsuru, almost every single Marine behind them instantly rolled their eyes back and collapsed to the ground, knocked unconscious instantly.
"Th-This is… Haoshoku Haki!"
"So intense… only one man in this world possesses Haki of this level! He is close!!!"
"Damn it! We just got the fruit! Has that monster El already found us?!"
"Dammit! If we had just one more minute, we could have reached the ship and escaped! Why now?!"
The few Marines who remained conscious looked into the distance in terror.
Every sailor who had come on this mission was at least a Rear Admiral or higher!!!
Yet under the pressure of El's Conqueror's Haki, even Rear Admirals fell like flies. Even many Vice Admirals were knocked out cold.
Only a handful of the most veteran Vice Admirals were able to stand, trembling and barely keeping their feet.
They were horrified. They had successfully taken the fruit from Law's hands. They needed just one more minute to reach the coast and get away.
But unfortunately… El was already here.
Thump! Thump! Thump!
Clear, crisp footsteps echoed through the snowy forest. Everyone held their breath as they stared in that direction.
A man with an extraordinary presence emerged from the trees and came into view.
It was none other than El, the most powerful pirate in the New World!!!
"Long time no see, Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr, Tsuru."
El looked at the four legendary figures before him and greeted them politely.
Garp, Sengoku, Zephyr, and Tsuru were not ordinary men. They were among the strongest beings in the world.
Together, their combined power was said to be capable of destroying the world.
But… El felt absolutely no fear facing them. He had absolute confidence in his own strength.
Not to mention the abilities he had gained from Ōtsutsuki Kaguya… even just the power of the Sage of Six Paths alone was more than enough to defeat them.
"So… you really are here."
Cold sweat formed on Sengoku's forehead as he stared intently at El.
"Damn it. Since he's here, we execute the plan!"
Garp clenched his fists, his eyes burning with fighting spirit.
They had made a plan before even setting foot on the island. If they encountered El after securing the fruit…
Garp, Sengoku, and Zephyr would hold him off, while Tsuru escaped with the fruit!
"Go now, Tsuru! Take the fruit and get away! We will stop him here!" Zephyr shouted.
"Understood!"
Tsuru did not hesitate. She turned and began running as fast as she could toward the sea.
But the very next second, she felt an immense, terrifying gravitational force seize her body. It held her tight, rendering her completely immobile.
This was one of El's abilities: Banshō Ten'in — Universal Pull!!!
It exerted an irresistible attraction toward a designated target.
Despite Tsuru's own considerable strength and power… she could not move a single muscle against this force.
"Do you think I would allow you to take the Op-Op Fruit away from me?"
El looked at them coldly.
He had been searching for this fruit for nearly ten years. It was right here within his reach. There was no way he would let Tsuru take it now!!!
"El! We will never let you get your hands on that fruit!" Garp roared.
"Do you really think you four can stop me?" El sneered.
Unless Kong, Kuroba, Akainu, Kizaru, and Aokiji all came here together, they might barely stand a chance.
But right now, Garp and the others were simply not enough. As for the Vice Admirals behind them? They were irrelevant.
They could barely stand under his Haki; they would have absolutely no impact on the outcome of this battle!!!
"Don't underestimate us!"
Garp ripped off his iconic Marine cape and loosened his collar, staring at El with a solemn and serious expression.
"Let's go! The three of us will stop him at all costs! We have to buy enough time for Tsuru to escape!" Zephyr clenched his fists, killing intent flashing in his eyes.
They knew full well that the three of them together might not be enough to defeat El. They knew they were facing extreme danger, perhaps even death.
But… there was no other choice. They could not allow a monster like El to obtain immortality!
"We will be your opponents today, El! As long as we stand, you will not take another step toward her!" Sengoku declared coldly.
As soon as he finished speaking, Sengoku stomped his foot and shot forward like a cannonball. The speed was so great it split the air.
Tsuru was currently frozen in place by El's gravity ability. Sengoku needed to close the distance immediately and disrupt El, forcing him to release his hold on her so she could escape.
Seeing Sengoku charge in, Garp and Zephyr did not hesitate either. They roared and rushed toward El as well!
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