[1] 『Ca... cannonballs?』

  [2] Hearing Vice Admiral [Garp]'s order, all officers froze.

  [3] Many broke out in cold sweat, imagining a terrifying possibility.

  [4] 『Vice Admiral [Garp], you couldn't possibly be planning to...』

  [5] 『This is too dangerous! We're not that pressed for time... Normal navigation would be better.』

  [6] Facing officers' dissuasions, [Garp] glared:

  [7] 『Military urgency permits no delay! This is the fastest method! Are you doubting my control?』

  [8] The officers could only smile bitterly.

  [9] Moments later.

  [10] On the warship's rear deck, sailors watched [Garp] warming up beside crates of cannonballs with confusion.

  [11] 『What's Vice Admiral [Garp] doing?』

  [12] 『Why take out cannonballs?』

  [13] 『I heard [Garp] likes throwing cannonballs barehanded in combat... But there's no enemy now?』

  [14] New recruits chattered while veterans paled and fled towards cabins.

  [15] 『What's happening? Why retreat to cabins?』

  [16] As confused recruits lingered, an officer shouted: 『Silly kids, run!』

  [17] Before they reacted, [Garp] roared:

  [18] 『Fist of the Shooting Stars!』

  [19] [Garp]'s bulging right arm hurled cannonballs seaward with terrifying speed.

  [20] 『Any sea kings there? No - too close!』

  You could be reading stolen content. Head to the original site for the genuine story.

  [21] A recruit shouted before--

  [22] BOOM!

  [23] The underwater explosion created surging waves that violently propelled the warship forward.

  [24] This was just the beginning.

  [25] [Garp] continuously launched cannonballs, explosions echoing nonstop.

  [26] Layered waves from the ship's rear created continuous thrust.

  [27] Occasional off-target shots nearly capsized the ship, requiring [Garp] to adjust trajectories.

  [28] 『Feels like we're back in [Grand Line] storms!』

  [29] 『Is [Garp] trying to dismantle this ship?』

  [30] Sailors screamed as the vessel creaked alarmingly.

  [31] Yet propelled by artificial currents, the ship far exceeded normal maximum speed.

  [32] ......

  [33] Two days later, [Gray Terminal] mountains, [Sige Bandit Group] base.

  [34] 『Boss! Good news!』

  [35] The bald bandit burst in excitedly.

  [36] 『The person you've been waiting for has arrived!』

  [37] His loud voice attracted surrounding bandits' attention.

  [38] (Internal monologue: Who am I supposedly waiting for? Stop adding settings to me...)

  [39] Sige calmly uttered: 『Speak.』

  [40] 『Naval Hero [Garp]! We spotted his warship at [Windmill Village]!』

  [41] 『Boss! Finally an opponent worthy of you in [Goa Kingdom]!』

  [42] Sige leapt up, heartbeat thundering, pressure radiating.

  [43] One hour later.

  [44] Sige and guides reached a mountain peak overlooking [Windmill Village], where [Garp]'s damaged warship lay anchored.

  [45] 『Found [Garp]'s trail?』

  [46] Sige asked while accepting binoculars.

  [47] 『He appeared briefly before taking a child away...』

  [48] Through lenses, Sige saw the warship's shocking condition - intact bow but shattered rear railings and cracked deck.

  [49] 『Naval battle damage?』

  [50] 『What [East Blue] force could damage [Garp]'s ship?』

  [51] Sige inhaled sharply, sweating.

  [52] 『Return to base!』

  [53] 『Everyone lay low... no - all become shut-ins!』

  [54] The bizarre order stunned subordinates.

  [55] The bald bandit asked incredulously:

  [56] 『Boss! Your long-awaited rival from the old era has come! Don't you plan to...』

  [57] Sige's eyelid twitched.

  [58] Under expectant gazes, admitting cowardice proved difficult.

  [59] 『This... is part of the grand plan. No more questions.』

  [60] (Internal: Stay calm. Look on the bright side.)

  [61] 『[Shanks] corrupted Luffy, not me. Why panic?』

  [62] 『Just an extra. Luffy probably forgot me.』

  [63] 『Exactly!』

  [64] ......

  [65] [Mt. Colubo], remote mountains in [Goa Kingdom]'s lawless zone.

  [66] [Garp] carried struggling Luffy up mountain paths.

  [67] 『Release me! I'll be [Pirate King]!』 Luffy pounded [Garp]'s thighs.

  [68] 『Enough pirate nonsense! Listen well!』

  [69] [Garp] growled angrily.

  [70] 『You and [Ace] will become the strongest marines...』

  [71] Their argument continued until reaching a wooden cabin.

  [72] 『Where's this?』 Luffy paused struggling.

  [73] 『[Dadan Family]'s mountain bandit hideout. Your new home.』

  [74] [Garp] pounded the door.

  [75] 『Mountain bandits?』

  [76] Luffy's raised hand froze mid-swing, recalling a certain bandit acquaintance.