[1] Before the mountain bandit [Dadam Family]'s dwelling.

  [2] [Garp] suddenly clenched his fists, his entire demeanor changing accordingly.

  [3] His thought process was extremely simple.

  [4] If [Sige] truly had connections with [Roger] and approached [Luffy] with certain purposes...

  [5] Then he, as a grandfather, couldn't pretend to know nothing.

  [6] 『[Dadam], do you know where this [Sige] lives?』

  [7] [Garp] grabbed [Luffy] with one hand and asked.

  [8] 『I need to personally thank him for "taking care" of my grandson!』

  [9] Seeing [Garp]'s demeanor, [Dadam] and others instinctively retreated two steps.

  [10] When this eccentric old man got serious, there were very few people in the entire sea who could oppose him.

  [11] As for that self-proclaimed [East Blue Bandit King] in [Goa Kingdom]?

  [12] Perhaps this name would completely disappear from now on.

  [13] ......

  [14] Moments later.

  [15] In the mountains, [Sige Bandit Group]'s stronghold.

  [16] The bald bandit stood before a large group of bandits conducting daily routine training.

  [17] 『For the [Bandit King]'s glory!』

  [18] 『For the [Bandit King]'s glory...』

  [19] The unified slogan from this large group of bandits shook the mountain forest.

  [20] While shouting slogans, commotion suddenly arose before the stronghold.

  [21] A burly old man with graying hair, carrying a child in hand, appeared before the stronghold gates.

  [22] 『Hey hey, did you take a wrong turn old man? This is bandit territory!』

  [23] 『Actually bringing a child to bandit territory, what was this old man thinking?』

  [24] The bandits had already surrounded [Garp] and the child with ill intentions.

  [25] But before they could act, a loud shout came from behind.

  [26] 『Are you Boss [Sige]'s... guests? Here to visit Boss [Sige]?』

  [27] Unnoticed, a bald man emerged from the crowd to stand before the bandits.

  [28] Looking at the burly old man before him, the bald man's heart raced wildly.

  [29] Having originally been [Marine] personnel, he naturally recognized this most famous [Naval Hero].

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  [30] Remembering the recent visit from the [Revolutionary Army] leader, the bald man's mind kept shaking.

  [31] 『Our Boss [Sige] chats and laughs with [Four Emperors], successively receiving visits from the [Revolutionary Army] leader and the [Naval Hero]!』

  [32] 『Which top-tier force in the whole world hasn't had contact with Boss [Sige]?』

  [33] 『Visit? Correct, I came specifically to visit.』 [Garp] nodded slightly.

  [34] His confirmation made the bald man's heart surge with excitement again.

  [35] 『Boss' destined rival has finally come, finally getting to see Boss make his move!』

  [36] 『No wonder when Boss learned of [Garp]'s arrival at [Windmill Village], he didn't take initiative to attack - he already knew [Garp] would deliver himself!』

  [37] Thinking this, the bald man immediately shouted at the bandits to clear a path, then quickly ran into the wooden house to report.

  [38] 『Boss! The person you've been waiting for, your destined rival...』

  [39] 『He has come!』

  [40] [Garp]'s movements weren't much slower either, following closely behind the bald man into the wooden house.

  [41] Before him sat a tall yet lean figure on a chair.

  [42] 『Yo, [Sige]-uncle!』

  [43] [Luffy], being carried in [Garp]'s hand, proactively greeted.

  [44] 『So you're [Sige]...』

  [45] [Garp] stared at [Sige]'s face, eyebrows slightly furrowing.

  [46] He had originally thought this would be a familiar face, possibly like [Shanks], another former member of the [Roger Pirates].

  [47] But now seeing it, it was completely unfamiliar.

  [48] 『Whatever, regardless of who you are, this old man must properly "thank" you for "taking care" of my grandson.』

  [49] [Garp]'s voice gradually deepened, his massive fist clenching again.

  [50] At this moment, he resembled a volcano about to erupt, scorching and violent rage ready to burst forth.

  [51] 『Boss [Sige]... The earth-shaking great battle finally begins!』

  [52] 『Boss I must confess - when observing [Garp]'s warship on the mountaintop before, I had slight doubts about your grand plan!』

  [53] 『I actually thought there was the slightest possibility you might want to avoid the battle with your destined rival - I was truly too naive!』

  [54] The bald man felt deeply moved again.

  [55] Facing all this, [Sige] sitting on the chair calmly spoke: 『Wait first.』

  [56] 『Are you planning to let [Luffy] watch here?』

  [57] This statement made [Garp]'s momentum slightly stagnate.

  [58] Then the tall seated figure ordered his subordinates: 『Take [Luffy] away, the farther the better, preferably wait at the mountain base.』

  [59] The bald bandit and others outside the door all trembled simultaneously.

  [60] 『Boss has prepared to battle [Garp the Fist]!』

  [61] 『He worries the aftermath of this shocking battle might affect us...』

  [62] 『For Boss-level experts to fight, merely staying on this mountain would be dangerous! The gap between us and Boss is actually this huge!』

  [63] Instantly, all bandits teared up.

  [64] 『Boss sorry, we're too weak, unworthy of being your subordinates! Can't even watch from the sidelines!』

  [65] 『Decided! From today I'll train hard to become subordinates worthy of Boss! At least next time...』

  [66] In the crowd, the bald bandit rubbed his shiny scalp, eyes brimming with hot tears: 『Next time, we subordinates won't let Boss fight alone!』

  [67] 『Well said! I'll get stronger too!』

  [68] The bandits all cried out while taking [Luffy] far down the mountain.

  [69] Within moments, only [Garp] and [Sige] remained in the wooden house and entire mountain.

  [70] 『Although I don't know who you really are, having the courage to face battle is commendable.』

  [71] [Garp] cracked his knuckles, his volcano-like momentum ready to erupt.

  [72] Having witnessed this scene, rare excitement emerged in his heart.

  [73] In this world, people qualified to be his opponents were already few.

  [74] He remembered the names of those great pirates [Luffy] had mentioned.

  [75] Those who knew these names absolutely couldn't be ordinary characters.

  [76] Many of the battle achievements [Luffy] described were clearly boastful.

  [77] But there were several even [Garp] couldn't confirm.

  [78] These captured great pirates were speculated to have been defeated in battles between pirates, captured by the [Marines] while severely injured.

  [79] But who defeated them remained unknown to the [World Government] to this day.

  [80] The captured pirates remained tight-lipped about their defeats, even refusing to acknowledge being beaten, never revealing any useful information.

  [81] [Garp] didn't dwell on these matters.

  [82] The truth could wait until after defeating this [Sige] before letting the [Marines] slowly interrogate.

  [83] Verbosity wasn't [Garp]'s style.

  [84] He took a deep breath.

  [85] His foot stomped down hard, wooden floorboards instantly cracking as his burly figure appeared before [Sige].

  [86] Gathered energy - fist unleashed!