Snatching Someone

"By the way, since Garp's such a brute, would he make his move during the day?"

Ross walked over to the window and looked toward Rouge's house across the way.

From where he stood, he could see Rouge holding Ace by the window, while Zany rested on the sofa beside her.

As if sensing his gaze, Rouge lifted her head in confusion, and her eyes met his.

When she saw Ross looking her way, delight appeared on Rouge's face. She lifted Ace's little arm and waved it in Ross's direction in greeting.

Ross smiled back and waved as well.

Watching this, Zephyr found it rather strange.

A Celestial Dragon having a friendly exchange with Roger's wife and child—no matter how he thought about it, it felt odd.

"From what I know of him, if I weren't here, he'd definitely make a move. But he knows I'm here, so he'll certainly try to lure me away," Zephyr said honestly.

Garp was not reckless enough to snatch someone right in front of him. That would not be brute behavior—it would be idiocy.

Trying to take someone before his eyes was no different from writing 'I want to become a Navy Traitor' across his face.

Even if he wanted to secretly scout the situation, Garp would not show up openly in broad daylight.

Garp simply hated thinking and preferred his fists to his brain. That did not mean he did not know what he could and could not do.

Otherwise, Garp would have fallen out with the Celestial Dragons long ago.

"In that case, we'll wait for nightfall. I heard Garp doesn't like using Observation Haki?"

Zephyr sneered. "His physique is even stronger than mine. His Armament Haki leans toward offense, and his defense is somewhat lacking. He also has Conqueror's Haki, so his overall Strength is greater than mine. But when it comes to Observation Haki, he might as well not have it."

"Does Observation Haki become much less useful once you reach your level?" Ross asked curiously.

Observation Haki was one of the three types of Haki. It sharpened a person's five senses and produced a kind of extra-sensory perception, allowing one to detect the auras of nearby living beings and changes in emotion. It could also be used to predict and evade danger.

Those who trained it to a profound level could even gain special abilities.

Seeing the future, reading minds, and hearing the voice of all things were all abilities derived from Observation Haki.

"It's not useless. Admirals come in many different types. Sakazuki and Blamenco, for example, are completely different."

Zephyr shook his head and explained seriously:

"With Sakazuki's physique, even if his Observation Haki were somewhat weaker, he'd have no problem fighting opponents of the same level. His offense and defense could make up for it. But if Blamenco's Observation Haki were somewhat weaker, Sakazuki could severely injure him the moment he caught an opening."

"Observation Haki is very useful, but once one's physique can sustain high-intensity battles against opponents of the same level, its role becomes less significant. If they do not use direct clashes to exhaust their stamina, fighters at the Admiral level can throw punches nonstop without pause. There is simply no point in dodging."

"So against an enemy like Garp, using speed to keep him occupied doesn't mean much?" Ross mused.

"Saint Ross, you are a genius. I acknowledge that. Perhaps in a few years, you'll have the Strength to surpass both Garp and me."

Zephyr grinned. He sparred with Ross every day, so he knew Ross's situation inside and out.

"But for now, if you ever run into Garp, please do not hesitate—run immediately. If he has no interest in chasing you, you might have a chance to get away."

"Strong in both power and speed?" Ross raised a brow.

"That's right. Garp is Strongest in both speed and power. Only his defense and Observation Haki are slightly weaker. But with his speed, an ordinary person's Observation Haki simply can't react in time."

"Even I can't look for an opportunity to counterattack while evading his attacks. Trading blows is the best solution. If you had Blamenco's fruit and awakened it, then you could consider wearing him down from range," Zephyr explained.

They were treating Garp as a hypothetical enemy now, so he had to make Ross understand just how terrifying the man was.

He truly feared Ross might suddenly get some idea and charge into the battlefield between him and Garp.

Although Ross was quite strong—stronger than some Navy Vice Admirals—it was still too early for him to involve himself in an Admiral-level battle.

"Understood."

Ross nodded lightly, without much reaction.

He had possessed his current Strength for less than two months, even counting from the very beginning.

There were still at least twenty-two years before the Celestial Dragons ran into trouble.

With so much time, killing just one C-rank pirate every day would be enough for him to surpass Garp.

There was no shortage of anything in this world except people.

Strong fighters were like crops—cut down one batch, and another would grow. Now that the Great Pirate Era had begun, once he harvested these leeks, everyone else would have to thank him for it.

Night quietly fell.

Garp uncomfortably shook his black robe as he emerged from the cave where he had been resting temporarily, then headed toward the island's settlement.

He had not spent the entire half-day doing nothing. Not only had he found a boat for their escape, he had also dried out his black robe.

This time, he had made thorough preparations.

It could be said that more than half the brainpower he had used in his entire life had gone into this operation.

Before coming here, Garp had been somewhat conflicted.

He had promised Roger that he would look after his descendant.

But he was also a Marine. Looking after the Pirate King's descendant was hardly a trivial matter.

But after arriving on the island and asking around for information, Garp quickly made up his mind.

Roger's child had not only been born, but it was also a boy named Ace. Moreover, that Celestial Dragon had been very close to the mother and son.

Many people in town were saying that the Celestial Dragon was Ace's real father.

Hearing this, Garp could no longer endure it.

Even if Roger had been the Pirate King, he had still been someone Garp respected as a kindred spirit.

The child of a hero absolutely should not be sullied by a Celestial Dragon.

He did not even dare imagine how tragic it would be if, after Ace grew up, it was revealed that he had become a Celestial Dragon's lackey.

So, the moment Garp heard the news, he decided to act that very night—take Ace and leave.

"Here it is..."

Dressed in a black robe, Garp arrived outside Rouge's house.

He considered his infiltration skills fairly decent. At the very least, his Observation Haki had not sensed anything. Meanwhile, Ross was already asleep in the other room.

The maid caring for Rouge was also resting beside Rouge's bed, while Ace lay not far from the maid.

As for Zephyr... forget it. Who cared where he was?

BANG!!!

Garp threw a punch, shattering the glass of Rouge's house into pieces.

His movements were incredibly swift as he charged straight toward Ace's crib.

The distance from the master bedroom window to the crib was less than five meters. All he had to do was pass Rouge and the maid.

"Who's there?!"

Zany shouted sharply. In the blink of an eye, she entered Succubus Form, her tail lashing at Garp.

Garp had not been on guard at all.

First, he did not believe a maid could possess any Strength. Why would someone powerful spend their time caring for an ordinary person like Rouge?

Second, he felt that his own Strength meant he did not need to care about any of this. As long as Zephyr had not arrived, he could easily escape several times over.

Rip!

The hood of Garp's black robe was torn apart by the Succubus Tail, exposing his square-faced visage.

But Garp was just as fast, already scooping the infant from the crib into his arms.

"Put Ace down!!"

Rouge had been jolted awake and let out a scream.

But if Garp had had the time to look at her expression, he would have noticed something slightly off.

It seemed Rouge's cry was not genuine emotion, but merely going through the motions.

Zany suddenly appeared in front of Garp and struck at him.

Garp did not bother with Zany at all. After casually forcing her back with a punch, he leaped out through the window.

With several quick flashes, he disappeared from sight.

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