Nightmare of the Source of Darkness

For the few who hadn't yet entered the Grand Line, the idea of a single strike sinking a landmass or a single sword destroying a nation was simply unimaginable. If they weren't intimidated by Garp's reputation as Marine Hero, they would have suspected that Garp was just an old fraud.

However, after recovering from her shock, Nami pondered for a moment and then looked at Garp suspiciously, "Aren't the Shichibukai subordinate to the World Government? Shouldn't they be allies with your Navy? If the Nightmare you just mentioned is really such a heinous demon, why would your Navy agree to let him become Shichibukai?"

Nami, now a devoted Sanji, had hearts in his eyes. "Nami is so clever! She saw through the Navy's scheme at a glance..."

Garp said irritably, "Do you think the Marine Headquarters and the World Government are unaware of that guy's threat? It's not that they don't want to, it's that they simply can't."

"Unlike the lone Golden Lion, that guy is not only incredibly strong, but his influence and network of connections span the entire sea. He has close ties with the Four Emperors 'Big Mom Pirate Crew, and most of the Shichibukai have had dealings with him. Even many underground kings hidden in the dark side of the world are all groveling before him."

"Such a figure's every move could influence the world order and change the course of the seas. That's why, without absolute certainty, neither the Marine Headquarters nor the World Government would want to offend him easily. As long as he doesn't declare his complete departure from the Shichibukai and side with the World Government, no matter what outrageous things he does, the politicians of the World Government will only choose to prioritize maintaining stability."

"Are you kidding me? He's connected to all the dark forces in the world, and even the World Government doesn't want to fall out with him. A guy like that..." Sanji was stunned, not even noticing that the cigarette between his fingers had fallen.

"Indeed, compared to such a figure, Arlong is nothing. No wonder even the proud Fish-Man dare not rebel against his rule," Nami murmured to herself.

"Is the Grand Line really that terrifying?" Usopp frantically pulled his hat brim down, trying to cover his eyes. "I can't take it anymore, I've got a disease that will kill me if I go to the Grand Line."

Seeing this, Garp shook his head self-deprecatingly, "Forget it, why should I tell you all this? Anyway, at your level, you can't possibly come into contact with people of that caliber."

Luffy, who had been looking serious and like he didn't understand anything despite Garp's obvious statement, turned red-faced and roared after hearing Garp's words, "Since that dream is also a pirate, I will defeat him sooner or later, because I am going to become the Pirate Kings!"

Upon hearing this, Garp glared at him with an extremely dangerous look, raising his Fist of Love. "You dare to mention becoming the Pirate Kings in front of me? It seems my loving education for you is far from enough, Luffy!"

"Aaaaaah... Sanji, Zoro, come save me..."

Bang bang bang!

Everyone watched this farce in silence, but Luffy's antics also dispelled the gloom in their hearts regarding the Grand Line.

The elusive Vice Captain appeared in a flash beside the two playfully fighting, adjusted his glasses, and said, "Vice Admiral Garp, the target has been identified. Please give your instructions."

Only then did everyone realize that the sunny sea had been shrouded in a "dark cloud" at some point, and a giant island was floating in the sky as if it had no gravity, completely defying the laws of physics.

"This is the power of the Golden Lion's Float-Float Fruit. Twenty years ago, countless towns were destroyed by this power," Garp said in a deep voice.

Zoro and the others stared wide-eyed. Unlike their previous fleeting glimpse, when the giant island floated steadily in the sky, their hearts were truly shaken. What terrifying power it must take to suspend such an island in the air!

They now understood what Garp had said earlier: those great pirates possessed the power to easily destroy a country. If such a large island fell, no matter what country it was, it would be destroyed in one fell swoop.

"Flying islands, that's so cool!" Luffy's a bit dim-witted, broke the heavy atmosphere with his eyes sparkling.

Everyone was speechless at Luffy's performance.

"You all stay on the ship quietly. I'm going to see some old friends," Garp said, waving his hand.

"By the way, there's something I've always wanted to ask," Sanji, looking up at the island in the sky. "How did you get up there, from this high in the sky?"

"Hahaha, although I can't do it as easily as the Golden Lion, it's still a piece of cake for me to climb this island." Garp's figure flashed, and he instantly appeared dozens of meters in the air. As if he were stepping on an invisible staircase, he rushed upwards and in the blink of an eye, he had already climbed onto the island.

"Could it be... that Vice Admiral Garp is Devil Fruit User?" Zoro asked in shock.

After all, with their limited knowledge, they couldn't think of any reasonable explanation other than the power of Devil Fruit.

"Vice Admiral Garp is not a Devil Fruit user. The technique he uses to fly into the sky is called Geppo," the Vice Captain patiently explained.

"Waaaaah..." Luffy suddenly yelled, "That old man really held back! He didn't teach me such a cool skill!"

"This is the Six Powers. If Luffy is willing to join the Navy, I think Vice Admiral Garp would be very happy to teach it to him." The Vice Captain squinted, enticing him like an old fox.

"Join the Navy? I think I'll pass." Luffy's refusal was decisive, without any hesitation, which made his Vice Captain quite disappointed.

"Garp... how dare you show your face in front of me!" A furious roar suddenly came from thousands of meters in the sky, accompanied by a violent Conqueror's Haki that swept across the heavens and earth.

"Has the battle... already begun?" The Vice Captain looked up at the sky, his palms sweating. After all, the enemy was none other than the Golden Lion Flying Pirate who had roamed the seas twenty years ago and even destroyed half of the Marine Headquarters.

"Nami- san, Nami- san, cheer up!"

"Usopp, Nami, what's wrong with you two? Wake up!"

Even if it was just the aftershock of the aftershock, it was still too much for Nami and Usopp to handle, and they instantly fainted with their eyes rolling back.

"Don't worry, they were just stunned into unconsciousness by Golden Lion's Conqueror's Haki," the Vice Captain explained, then exclaimed in admiration, "As expected of the Poseidon twenty years ago, he possesses such terrifying aura!"

"Conqueror's Haki... Haki?" Zoro and the others asked in confusion.

"You must have felt uncomfortable and short of breath just now, right?"

"Yes (that's right)," Zoro Sanji replied simultaneously.

"Huh, is that true?" Luffy asked, scratching the back of his head.

Fortunately, everyone knew he was thick-skinned and had a reaction time several times longer than others, so they pretended not to hear it.

"That is the Conqueror's Haki of the Golden Lion. You can also think of it as an aura. In front of that kind of man, ordinary people can't even maintain their own will. It's just that you guys are far away, otherwise you would have been dizzy like those two."