If one were to choose the most renowned Marine in this world, it wouldn't be Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the current leader of Marine Headquarters, nor would it be one of the three Admirals known as the "Greatest Military Powers." Instead, it would undoubtedly be Monkey D. Garp, the man hailed as the "Hero of the Marines."
Monkey D. Garp was a legendary figure within the Marines, having repeatedly cornered Pirate King Roger in the past. In the decade-plus since the Great Pirate Era began, as Roger's fame grew, so too did Garp's reputation and prestige.
Not only did Garp possess the strength and achievements to drive the Pirate King into desperate situations, but his disdain for power and authority made him an ideal role model for the World Government and Marines to promote as a positive figure.
The Admirals of Marine Headquarters served as both symbols and representatives, combining exceptional personal strength with the authority to mobilize entire fleets. They rarely deployed casually, as their every move drew worldwide attention and could easily cause misunderstandings with other major powers. Their positions, while prestigious, came with numerous constraints. For this reason, Garp had repeatedly refused promotion to Admiral, choosing instead to remain active as a Vice Admiral all these years—though everyone knew he could easily ascend to Admiral rank with just a nod of his head.
Such a renowned figure, especially one hailing from the East Blue, was someone William couldn't fail to recognize.
The Marine officer who had removed the dog-head mask revealed a head of short gray-white hair and an aged face. Despite his years, his broad chest and the muscular contours beneath his clothing indicated a physique more robust than most young men's.
The moment William saw the officer's face, his expression turned grave. Without hesitation, he activated his Devil Fruit ability, entering his Overheat state.
This man was none other than the Hero of the Marines, Monkey D. Garp!
William hadn't anticipated that Marine Headquarters would deploy Garp himself, much less deliberately conceal his presence until the final moment.
"Attack!"
William shouted, and as he spoke, a jet of white steam shot from his mouth like an arrow.
In his Overheat state, William's strength and speed were astonishing. He threw a punch with such force that the rushing air made it sound like a cannonball. Smoker, caught off guard, was struck squarely in the chest. In the next instant, a burst of high-pressure steam erupted from William's fist with a thunderous explosion. Smoker's body disintegrated into wisps of smoke—had he not been a Smoke-Smoke Fruit Logia user, William's punch would have killed him instantly.
Without pausing, William drew his sword and unleashed an Iaijutsu strike enhanced by his Steam-Steam Fruit powers, slashing directly at Vice Admiral Strawberry.
Meanwhile, Kuro, following William's orders, leapt backward while swiftly retrieving a Den Den Mushi from his pocket, dialing a number with practiced efficiency.
"So this is the power of the Steam-Steam Fruit?" Strawberry remarked as he drew his twin swords. Marine Headquarters had been secretly gathering intelligence on William for some time. However, due to the extensive collusion between many East Blue Marines and William, they had limited their investigation to avoid alerting him prematurely. As a result, their knowledge of William's forces and personal capabilities came largely from World Economy News reports.
A blade of condensed steam, radiating intense heat, roared through the air toward Strawberry. He crossed his swords defensively, blocking the attack, but the searing heat still caused his meticulously maintained beard to curl and singe.
Seeing his strike deflected, William bent his knees, the steam within him surging powerfully. With an explosive leap, jets of steam erupted from his feet, propelling him skyward like a rocket.
But just as he ascended, William noticed the light above him dim. A towering figure, silhouetted against the sun, had somehow materialized above him. The figure was positioned at an angle, right arm drawn back in a motion resembling a fully drawn bow.
It was Garp!
William's pupils contracted into dangerous pinpoints as he raised his sword, Wado Ichimonji, in defense. Simultaneously, Garp's fist descended, the sheer force of the wind generated by the punch causing William to squint.
Garp showed no intention of avoiding the blade in his path. His fist collided directly with it.
BOOM!
William was sent hurtling to the ground like a cannonball, his descent even faster than his initial ascent.
"William!" Edmond shouted in alarm.
Seizing this opportunity, Vice Admiral Dalmatian lunged at Edmond with blinding speed, appearing before him in an instant. His appearance had transformed dramatically—his head now resembled that of a spotted dog, with only his mouth retaining human features.
His physique seemed even more powerful, his body still humanoid but his legs adopting a canine-like reverse joint structure. Sharp claws extended from each fingertip.
With a single claw outstretched, Dalmatian drove it toward Edmond's chest, using the momentum of his charge.
Finger Pistol!
Edmond instantly recognized the technique Dalmatian was employing.
Dalmatian was a user of the Dog-Dog Fruit: Dalmatian Model, a Zoan-type Devil Fruit. While transforming into a spotted dog might seem comical at first glance, in the hands of a powerhouse like Dalmatian, this seemingly modest ability became anything but laughable.
CLANG!
Dalmatian had clearly used the Shave technique from the Six Powers to achieve his blinding speed. Edmond barely managed to raise his treasured sword Kogarashi in defense. The impact of Dalmatian's claw against the blade produced a sharp metallic sound, even scattering sparks.
Nearby, Selkirk seized the opportunity to deliver a powerful kick. Though positioned at a distance from Dalmatian, his kick generated a slicing air wave that targeted the Vice Admiral's waist.
Simultaneously, Kuro, having completed his call, vanished from his original position. In the blink of an eye, he reappeared beside Dalmatian, his bladed metal claws aimed directly at the Vice Admiral's heart.
Facing this three-pronged attack, Dalmatian rapidly stomped his feet, employing Moonwalk to propel himself several meters into the air, narrowly evading the encirclement.
"Six Powers?!" Having escaped the coordinated assault, Dalmatian's face showed no trace of satisfaction or relief—only burning rage. He had recognized that both Selkirk and Kuro had just employed the signature techniques of the Marines. His heart filled with murderous intent toward the East Blue Marine branches that had colluded with William.
Meanwhile, the dust cloud from William's impact gradually settled, revealing him half-kneeling on the ground. The once-solid cement beneath him had shattered into fragments from the tremendous force.
Garp's punch had relied on no Devil Fruit powers—only raw physical strength. William found it difficult to comprehend that a man approaching seventy could still wield such overwhelming power, not merely matching but substantially exceeding his own Overheat state.
Even Golden Lion Shiki, during their battle, had needed to rely on his Devil Fruit abilities to maintain an advantage. In close combat, Shiki had been no match for William's Overheat form—yet here was Garp, demonstrating power that far surpassed it.
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