Boom!
Smoke and dust billowed.
Giant trees formed dense forests, and a flock of birds scattered into the sky. Looking down from above, a rugged path snaked through the woods.
Clang!
The crisp sound of metal clashing echoed, sharp and ear-piercing. Leno's sword, wrapped in black Haki, slashed fiercely against Garp's arm.
Or rather, the air in front of it.
Garp's Haki formed an invisible armor around him, rendering Leno's attacks useless. As one of the world's top powerhouses, Garp's Haki had reached levels far beyond what Leno could currently achieve. His strength could shatter mountains and pierce through ice fields.
Fortunately, Garp seemed more interested in teaching Ace and Luffy a lesson than in crushing Leno. He fought defensively, holding back his true power.
After all, in Garp's eyes, Leno was just a kid—no enmity, no real threat.
The two exchanged over a dozen moves, with Garp mostly on defense.
"Can you practice two kinds of Haki in East Blue?" Garp asked, genuinely surprised.
Haki training was scarce outside of the New World and the Grand Line. The separation of the Four Seas, Grand Line Paradise, and New World made communication difficult, and the World Government actively restricted powerful fighters from leaving the New World.
Could it be that Leno hailed from the New World? Garp wondered, recognizing a style reminiscent of the warriors of Wano.
"Amazing, as expected of Garp!" Leno praised, genuinely impressed by Garp's prowess. His admiration was heartfelt, not flattery.
Garp's Haki was like an impenetrable shell. Leno's sword waves, slashes, and Haki-infused attacks barely scratched it. Techniques like Gale Slash were useless against Garp's overwhelming defense. To truly challenge him, Leno would need to master [Emission], a higher form of Haki.
"Hey boy, join the Marines!" Garp shouted, dodging effortlessly and extending an offer. To him, Leno had the potential to become a Marine Admiral.
Leno countered with a smile, "Hey, Vice Admiral Garp, join our Hunter's Guild!"
"What?!" Garp was taken aback. "Hunter's Guild? What's that?"
Nearby, Kuina, Kuro, and Luwell watched with incredulity.
"Leno really has guts, inviting Garp!" Luwell remarked.
Luffy scratched his head, confused. "Ace, what's the Hunter's Guild?"
Ace shrugged. "How should I know?"
Garp furrowed his brow. "Are they pirates?" he asked as he punched Leno back.
Leno stabilized himself and launched another attack. "No, we're dream hunters. Anyone with a goal and a dream can join us."
"Dreams, huh?" Garp scoffed. He was an old Marine hero, loyal to his duty, not one to chase new affiliations.
With Luffy and Ace watching, Garp decided to step up his game. "Marines stand for justice! Young people should join the Marines!" he roared, vanishing from sight.
Leno remained calm, using his Observation Haki to detect Garp's movement. Sensing a gust of wind, he instinctively swung his sword.
Clang!
The sword wave clashed with Garp's Haki and was deflected, cutting down trees in its path.
Ace's eyes sparkled. "So strong!"
Luffy clenched his fists. "How can he be this powerful? Shanks didn't fight back when they met... maybe he knew Garp was too tough to handle."
The three onlookers—Kuina, Kuro, and Luwell—watched the battle unfold with growing tension.
"Garp, the Marine Hero, truly lives up to his name," Luwell remarked, her eyes fixed on the fight.
Kuro nodded. "He's the only one who ever captured the Pirate King, Roger. Of course, he's strong."
But Kuina, with determination in her eyes, declared, "Leno will surpass Garp one day. We're still young—our time is just beginning!"
The clash continued, with Garp's sheer strength and mastery of Haki overshadowing Leno's attacks. Garp's years of battling legends like Rocks, Roger, and Whitebeard had honed him into a fighter that training alone could never match.
Boom!
Garp's iron fist sent Leno flying, carving a massive trench through the forest.
"Leno!" Kuina and the others rushed to his aid.
Garp chuckled, rolling his shoulders. "It's a shame... If you were stronger, this would've been more fun."
From the dust, Leno emerged, breathing heavily but still standing.
Garp was impressed. "Want to go again?"
Leno shook his head, grinning. "Not today. Next time."
Garp laughed heartily. "Alright, kid. I'll be waiting!"
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+30 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg
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