Acting on impulse with no sense of organization or discipline, Garp rose directly from the sofa and turned to leave.
Ares's formidable physique, combined with his failure to capture Bundy World this time, left him deeply frustrated. Having realized that his own strength was still lacking, he decided to train properly!
Practicing his punches was not only to become stronger. It was also a way to vent his frustration.
Inside the office.
Kong's voice rang out: "Stop, Garp! I haven't finished speaking!"
Garp stopped at the doorway. He laughed unconcernedly and retorted, "You haven't finished speaking, but I've already finished listening!"
With that, he pulled the door open with a bang and walked straight out.
He could roughly guess what remained to be discussed. They might even suggest that he become a Marine Admiral to boost the Marines' morale and prestige.
There was no point in staying. He might as well go practice his punches. That would be more practical and satisfying!
The other officers remaining in the room began discussing and deliberating. They had long since grown used to Garp's habit, and the fact that he could become stronger was actually a good thing.
The rapidly growing Rocks Pirates had also made the Marines increasingly cautious and wary.
Back aboard the pirate ship.
After two days, the ship's mast had been repaired. Its speed had improved considerably, and it sailed through the wind and waves toward Hachinosu Island.
On the deck.
Ares sat sprawled on the ground with his back against the ship's railing.
The cabin was dark and damp, and the pungent smell of medicine made him spend most of his time on deck, breathing fresh air and feeling the sea breeze.
Fortunately, he was an official crew member, and his physique was enormous.
He had a room of his own.
Otherwise, he would have had to squeeze in with others, where the room would have been filled with the stench of sweat and even the sour odor of feet.
Ochoku was beside Ares, telling him about all kinds of strange and fascinating stories from the seas. Ares listened with great interest.
At that moment.
The commotion in the sky caught Ochoku's attention. He looked up and said, "Ares, those are News Coo. Their purpose is to spread the latest news from the seas throughout the world."
He pulled a green Berries coin from his body, raised it toward the sky, and waved it while shouting, "News Coo, bring me a newspaper!"
Among the dozens of News Coo flying in formation, one white bird flew down from the sky.
Ares looked at the News Coo curiously and said with a smile, "If only one day I could fly freely through the sky like a bird."
After completing the transaction with the News Coo, Ochoku opened the newspaper, while the bird flapped its wings and flew away.
As he read the newspaper, Ochoku said, "The Lone Red, Redfield, defeated another powerful swordsman? That man's swordsmanship has probably reached the pinnacle."
"Although that man is always alone, he is stronger by himself than many pirate crews."
He turned to Ares and warned him solemnly, "Ares, if you run into that man, don't recklessly charge at him!"
That man was even stronger than the World Destroyer, Bundy World!
He estimated that only Captain Rocks could contend with Count Red.
"Redfield..." Ares repeated the name. This was already the second time he had heard it from Ochoku.
He was even stronger than Bundy World, who had defeated Ochoku. He was definitely an exceptionally powerful pirate.
Ares raised his head toward the sky, his eyes filled with confidence. He vowed inwardly, One day, I will definitely forge my body into a Famous Sword that surpasses the Supreme Great Swords. When that day comes, I'll have Redfield test it.
We'll see whether my body is harder or his blade is sharper!
He knew that he was still very weak. The gap between him and Marine Vice Admiral Garp, Golden Lion, Whitebeard, and the others was enormous.
Moreover, forging his body was only the first stage.
Ochoku continued browsing the newspaper. Then he flipped it over, and his pupils suddenly contracted. He burst out laughing. "Hahaha... Ares, the Marines put a bounty on you!"
"From now on, you have a bounty too. Forty million Berries! That makes you a somewhat famous pirate!"
Excited, he crouched down and pointed at the bounty notice in the newspaper, chuckling. "Bloodhand—Ares. Bounty: forty million Berries."
"You were given a bounty of forty million on your first time. That's truly unexpected. This bounty is quite substantial."
"Bloodhand... Bloodhand... That's actually a pretty good epithet!"
Ochoku could not help recalling the strange state in which Ares's body had turned red and hot. He felt that the epithet suited Ares quite well.
It also sounded rather vicious.
Ares looked at the newspaper as well. It showed a picture of himself from the chest up. There was no mistaking that signature, smooth, shiny bald head resembling a peeled egg—it was definitely him!
He stared at his bounty notice.
For some reason, he felt excited. The corner of his mouth lifted. "A forty-million bounty... This bounty notice isn't bad!"
"Don't worry. Once we return to Hachinosu Island, you'll definitely have a bounty notice. I'll get one for you then and let you keep it as a memento," Ochoku said with a hearty laugh.
After all, this was the first time the Marines had placed a bounty on him. Many pirates collected their own bounty notices, whether to show off or to keep as souvenirs.
Ares was now somewhat eager to return to Hachinosu Island.
Not only because of the bounty notice, but also because he wanted to ask Captain John whether he had any way to make his injuries recover quickly.
After two days without training, he was already finding it hard to endure.
It was like an addiction.
Several days later.
The pirate ship successfully returned and arrived at Hachinosu Island.
On the deck.
Ochoku observed the ships in the harbor and said with a bitter smile, "Looks like we're the first ones back. We only completed half of this mission."
"But there was nothing we could do. Who could have expected us to run into the Byrnndi World Pirates and Marine Vice Admiral Garp halfway through?"
He then ordered the pirates behind him, "Unload all the supplies from the ship. Someone will come to inventory them later."
Then he looked at Ares and asked, "Are you heading back on your own first, or do you want to have Captain John take a look at your injuries?"
Several days had passed. Although Ares's injuries had improved considerably, they still had not fully recovered.
All he could say was that Garp's fists were truly powerful.
"I want to see Captain John!" Ares said urgently. He had gone several days without training, and having his body wrapped in bandages the entire time made him extremely uncomfortable.
Ochoku nodded in agreement. "Go ahead!"
He still had to handle the handover of the supplies.
Ares hurried off the ship. With a casual stride of his thick legs, he covered the distance of two or three ordinary steps.
He soon arrived at Skull Castle.
He found Captain John.
Inside the room, Captain John was reclining on the sofa. He took a swig of strong liquor and laughed. "Ares, the Marines put a bounty on you? The title Bloodhand... not bad!"
Seeing Ares covered in white bandages, along with the sudden appearance of his bounty notice, he knew that something had happened during the voyage.
However, since a bounty notice had appeared, it meant that Ares and the others were fine.
If the Marines had captured Ares and the others, they would not have gone to the trouble of issuing a bounty notice.
Captain John raised the bottle and smiled. "Ares, want a sip?"
"No. The ship's doctor said I can't drink," Ares said, shaking his head. He walked to the spot opposite Captain John and asked directly, "Ochoku said you're the best doctor on the ship, so I want you to see whether you can help my injuries heal faster."
"I haven't trained for several days."
Captain John rose from the sofa, swaying drunkenly with the strong smell of alcohol clinging to him. He walked up to Ares and began examining his injuries.
He pursed his lips. "Looks like you ran into Garp."
"Wait here. I'll get some medicine."
A moment later, Captain John returned with medicine and bandages and began removing Ares's bandages.
Ares took the opportunity to ask his question. "John, I want to know how to improve a person's recovery ability!"
If he possessed powerful recovery abilities, his injuries would heal quickly. Even when he increased the intensity and volume of his training, he would recover quickly and become stronger faster.
He had not thought much of it before, but after fighting Garp.
Ares felt that he needed even greater recovery abilities!!
Before you continue