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"The… sky split open!"
Gazing at the split sky, the Marines couldn't believe their eyes. Was this truly something a human could accomplish?
In the center of the battlefield, as the released Conqueror's Haki completely dissipated, Daichi and Garp simultaneously leaped backward to create distance, then looked up at each other, laughing heartily.
"Bwahahaha!"
"Jiehahahaha!"
After laughing, both men knelt on the ground, panting heavily.
Garp looked at Daichi wearily, praising him without reservation. "Kid, I didn't expect you to reach that level!"
"I have you to thank for that, Garp. It's inevitable for new people to replace the old. You're just a remnant of the old era!"
Daichi gasped for air, every part of his body aching. Fighting in human form was ultimately still quite inferior to his opponent.
But the gains were also immense!
Combat is the best teacher!
Among the strong individuals he had encountered so far, the only one who fought with fists and feet was the old man before him. Their similar fighting styles made this battle incredibly helpful to him.
Especially the Advanced Conqueror's Haki!
With his physique and Haki, he had long reached the threshold of Advanced Conqueror's Haki, only lacking time or an opportunity.
After catching his breath for a while, Garp grinned.
"Kid, can you still fight?"
"Who do you think I am?!"
Daichi snorted, straightened his body, raised his fists into a fighting stance, and glared at Garp like a tiger.
Just as the two were about to fight again, a cannonball landed on the battlefield.
"Boom!"
A large amount of sand and dirt splattered.
Their gazes turned cold as they looked out at the sea.
Over a hundred pirate ships appeared—it was the Grand Pirate Fleet of the North Blue!
"Annoying trash has arrived."
Daichi turned away in annoyance, waving his hand in farewell. "Old man, seeing as you helped me train my Haki, I'll let you off this once and help you deal with this trash!"
"Let me off? Help me?"
Garp's veins immediately bulged.
"You stinky brat, who do you think this old man is?!"
"Jiehahahaha!"
Daichi burst into laughter.
"Then let's have a competition and see who sinks more pirate ships!"
"Bastard, how dare you underestimate me!"
Garp angrily returned to his ship.
"Bring the cannonballs!"
At this moment, the fleet had approached, and the pirate Captains grinned, raising their swords.
"Those two monsters are about to fall!"
"Haha, a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!"
"If we take them down, we'll become famous!"
"Quick, fire!"
The foremost pirate ship began its bombardment.
A certain ominously decorated pirate ship in the rear.
A man with flowing golden hair and a melancholic face held a tarot card, divining the outcome of the upcoming battle.
"Battle defeat rate, 100%."
"Escape success rate, 77%."
"Survival death rate…"
His subordinates gathered around, anxiously asking. "Captain Hawkins, the fleet has already begun its bombardment, we're falling behind!"
"Don't rush."
Hawkins stood up and looked at the battlefield.
A significant figure had come to the North Blue. It would have been a pity not to witness it. Now, his objective was achieved.
And according to the divination result…
"Retreat!"
"Eh?!!!"
His subordinates were completely stunned.
Such a massive pirate fleet, just to deal with two exhausted individuals—the odds seemed overwhelmingly in their favor.
But the Captain's order was not to be questioned.
"Retreat!"
As the pirate fleet bravely advanced, a few pirate ships quietly fell behind, some even turning around and leaving.
"Captain, it's the Heart Pirates!"
"The Drake Pirates!"
"And…"
The great pirates dominating the North Blue had rarely gathered in one place, seemingly all wanting to witness this war as a send-off into the Grand Line.
"Boom!"
The pirate ship at the front of the fleet exploded!
Immediately after, one pirate ship after another exploded in succession, like a string of firecrackers whose fuse had been lit.
The sea was engulfed in a massive fire.
The Captains watched the scene of cannonballs being thrown with bare hands, instantly annihilating the Grand Pirate Fleet, and cold sweat broke out on their backs.
Despite having fought a major battle, they still possessed such formidable power.
"Monsters!"
If they hadn't been rational enough, they probably would have been wiped out here too.
"Boom!!!"
A pirate ship observing from not far away exploded.
Law, Hawkins, and Drake all changed their expressions simultaneously, not expecting to be attacked from such a great distance.
"Retreat quickly!"
Amidst the storm of cannonballs, the three giants of the North Blue fled like wolves and foxes.
Groudon, deck.
"They run pretty fast!"
Daichi grinned, watching the few pirate ships disappear from sight, and casually put the cannonball back.
Meanwhile, Ulti and her brother had completed their mission, returning with a group of subordinates, each carrying a large bag of treasure.
They had reaped a rich harvest.
"It's time to retreat."
Groudon turned around and departed.
Behind them, the dog-headed warship pursued relentlessly.
"You brat!"
Garp stood on top of the dog-headed ship, shouting dejectedly into a Den Den Mushi loudspeaker. "Quickly return King Cozia and the Princess!"
He had completely forgotten about that!
Rescuing the King and Princess was his primary mission.
Daichi heard the shout and smiled eerily.
"Gazelleman, you go and…"
After hearing Daichi's instructions, Gazelleman felt a bit unnerved.
"Captain Daichi, you're truly wicked!"
"Shut up, go do it!"
"Yes!"
Dog-headed warship.
Garp and the Marines watched the activity on Groudon, and soon saw the pirates pushing out two large cannons.
"Huh, what are they going to do?"
"Oh no, the pirates are stuffing King Cozia and the Princess into the cannons!"
"This is bad, they'll die!"
"!!"
With two cannon shots, King Cozia and the Princess screamed as they flew out of the cannon barrels, landing in the distant sea like cannonballs.
"Boom!!!"
Huge waves exploded!
"Waaahhhhhh!!!"
The Marines screamed, clutching their heads!
It's over, it's over, it's over, it's over!
If King Cozia and the Princess died, they would definitely be punished.
"Quick, go save them!"
The warship performed a ninety-degree drift turn and rushed frantically towards the explosion site, no longer caring about pursuing Daichi.
"Jiehahahaha!!!"
Groudon sailed away triumphantly.
Garp gazed at Groudon for a long time before letting out a sigh.
He had no confidence in being able to keep Daichi.
"Vice Admiral Garp, a call from Marine Headquarters!"
"Give it to me."
Marine Headquarters, Fleet Admiral's Office.
Sengoku sat with his hands clasped under his chin, his glasses reflecting the light, showing no emotion as the Den Den Mushi reported the battle situation.
"Sengoku, I've clashed with Daichi."
"In my judgment, Daichi is no longer an opponent the Marines can easily engage in battle. Acting recklessly will only increase losses."
"Sengoku, are you listening?"
"Kacha."
Sengoku hung up the Den Den Mushi and walked to the window.
According to Garp's report, Daichi had reached that realm, possessing strength comparable to a Yonko.
This meant that the Beast Pirates had two Yonko-level combatants. Even if the Marines went all out, it would be difficult to achieve results.
The North Blue might not be defensible anymore!