Chapter 23: [Garp] Finally Arrives

[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!』

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[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.