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The scorching sun made the ground of the training field sizzle, but a crisp sea breeze blew in from the distance, dispelling the worst of the heat. On the deserted grounds, Goku and Garp stood facing each other, each sizing the other up.
"Grandpa Garp, you have to be careful. I'm very strong now!" Goku warned seriously, dropping into a horse stance and striking a classic opening pose.
"Oh really? Hahaha! Just come at me," Garp laughed carelessly. He looked completely relaxed, even taking a moment to casually pick his nose. Seeing this, Goku felt underestimated and a flash of annoyance crossed his face. He stopped talking, stomped his short legs, and shot toward Garp like an arrow from a bow. When he reached his opponent, he leaped up, aiming a tender white fist straight for Garp's face!
Bang!!
With a crisp sound, Garp's large, fan-like palm appeared out of nowhere to block the strike, firmly catching Goku's small fist. Goku was startled and tried to pull his hand back, but he found that no matter how hard he struggled, he couldn't break Garp's grip. Thinking fast, he used Garp's palm as a pivot point and swung his legs around, launching a kick toward Garp's chin with a sharp whoosh.
The attack was fast enough to whistle through the air, yet it failed instantly. Garp's other hand rose just as quickly, snatching Goku's feet out of the air. Now caught by one hand and two legs, Goku struggled desperately with his one free limb, but it was no use.
"Goku, your strength doesn't seem that great after all," Garp teased, laughing as he watched the boy squirm.
"Damn it! Let me go!" Goku shouted, his face flushing red. Garp released him, and Goku shot backward to create distance. Shaking his hand and looking at the red palm print left behind, he gasped, "Sugoi! Your strength is really great!". He realized Garp was a formidable opponent and took a serious stance. "That was a mistake! Now I'm getting serious!".
"Oh really? I'm waiting," Garp replied, flicking away some earwax.
The sea breeze blew again, tugging at Goku's black hair and Garp's white Marine cape. This time, Goku didn't rush. He carefully observed Garp, but the old man seemed full of openings, as if he could be hit from anywhere. That's strange, how did he block me before? Goku wondered. Deciding to try a different approach, he chose to use a new move and attack from behind.
His entire body suddenly vanished from the spot. The next moment, he appeared behind Garp, launching a flying kick aimed straight for the kidney. It was the same Soru attack he had used to leave an imprint of Major Bogard on a steel plate. But Garp was not Bogard. Just as the kick was about to land, Garp's body vanished as well. As Goku flew forward due to his own inertia, Garp appeared behind him and slammed a massive fist downward!
Bang!!!
The fist made "intimate" contact with Goku's head, driving him face-first into the ground with his feet in the air. Two large bumps immediately appeared on his head with a distinct "duang-duang" sound.
"It hurts, it hurts, it hurts!!" Goku sprang up, clutching his head with tears in his eyes. Once the pain subsided, he asked in shock, "When did you appear behind me?". Even with his budding Observation Haki, he hadn't been able to track Garp's movements.
Garp, who was now leisurely eating a bag of senbei, replied casually, "Guess?".
Goku gritted his teeth in frustration. "Hmph! Then let me show you this move! I invented it myself!". He launched another surprise attack, posing for a flying kick in mid-air toward Garp's face. Garp reached out to block, then paused as Goku's body suddenly froze in mid-air. Simultaneously, a second Goku appeared behind Garp with a triumphant smile, launching a fierce kick!
Whoosh!!
The kick cut through thin air. Goku lost his balance and flailed his arms like a featherless bird before barely managing to land on his feet. He turned around to see Garp standing safely on the other side.
"Grandpa Garp, how did you dodge that? Did you know I was behind you?" Goku asked blankly. He had figured out this Afterimage Technique on his own, creating an image convincing enough to fool almost anyone.
Garp was secretly impressed—he had actually been fooled by the afterimage for a split second. If his Observation Haki hadn't alerted him to the real Goku behind him, the kick might have landed. However, he kept his poker face. "You think your little tricks can fool me? You're dreaming!".
"Sugoi! I didn't expect you to see through that!" Goku gasped, disappointed that his new move had failed.
Garp let out a provocative yawn. "So, is this all you've got? I'm so bored I'm falling asleep!".
Angered until his hair stood on end, Goku gritted his teeth. "Hmph! Then just watch! Next, I'll definitely make you admit defeat!".