Garp, Don't Die!

Chapter 42: 042. Garp Better Not Die!

"Pfft!"

Mercer surfaced, spitting out the lake water that had entered his mouth.

The next second, the remaining two also surfaced, gasping for air.

Looking at the stubborn expressions on their faces, it was clear they had lost the underwater tussle. At that moment, Garp, not far away, grinned and suddenly shouted:

"You three brats~ Since you've already learned to swim, we'll start the real swimming training now."

Saying that, a sinister smile tugged at the corner of his mouth, his expression playful. "Don't you dare die!"

As the words fell, he raised his right fist. Mercer's eyes twitched because wind pressure began to gather on that fist. With a low growl from Garp, he slammed his fist onto the water's surface.

Splat!

The lake surface, ten meters in diameter with him at the center, began to concave. Three seconds later, it suddenly swelled outwards, then exploded with a boom.

A man-made wave surged, whistling towards Mercer and the other two.

At the same time, Garp's laughter echoed, "When sailing the seas, the weather is unpredictable. This is Grandpa's special 'sea of love' wave, simulated just for you. Little brats, you absolutely must not die.

Ah~ Hahaha!!!"

In the blink of an eye, a five-meter-high wave crashed towards their faces.

Mercer glanced at Ace and the others, seeing their dumbfounded expressions, a snot bubble forming.

"Stop being silly, quickly dive underwater."

He said briefly, took a deep breath, and plunged underwater the moment the wave hit.

The next instant, Mercer felt himself being swept along by the wave, propelled in the direction of the rushing current.

Fortunately, it's just this straightforward.

He thought, precisely controlling his body to swim with the current. But after swimming less than ten meters, Mercer's mind stirred, and he quickly changed direction, swimming upstream against the current.

He vigorously swung his arms and kicked his legs, looking at Garp fifty meters away, who was pushing the lake surface with his hands, creating more two-meter-high waves.

Mercer swam upstream against the waves, seizing the brief gaps between each one to quickly take a breath.

Garp, watching Mercer's performance from afar, had surprise and satisfaction flash through his eyes. "As expected of Mercer, that little guy has potential."

He then noticed the two, Ace and the other, about twenty meters behind Mercer, at the edge of the waves. Seeing Mercer's actions, they too, unwilling to be outdone, joined in.

Garp was even more satisfied with this.

He then spun his left wrist, sending a swirling current mixed with the waves pushed by his right hand.

The upgraded current, carrying an undertow within the waves, struck again.

Mercer swam with all his might, clearing his mind. In the Unity of Heaven and Man state, he clearly perceived the change in the water current.

But even so, his rhythm was immediately disrupted.

His body spun and was pushed back several meters.

Mercer had to readjust his movements in the water, increasing his Strength to resist.

Amidst the rushing sound of water, Mercer's eyes were firm. He slightly adjusted his body movements, perceiving the water current's changes with even greater focus.

However, Ace and the other behind him lacked Mercer's Perception. Their rhythm was instantly thrown off by the changes in the water, and they were swept even further back by the whirlpools in the lake.

Garp watched the three with amusement. Seeing Mercer still struggling.

"Little brats, this move of mine is called 'Leaping the Dragon Gate.' If you have the guts, swim over and cross this wave."

He cackled.

Garp also became more vigorous.

It was like moving against a blizzard, only the ground had been replaced by water.

His expression was serene.

Mercer perceived the changes in the water, imagining himself as a large fish swimming upstream.

Hands and feet. Arms and legs.

He treated the turbulent currents as opponents, Mercer swung his arms and kicked his legs, sometimes taking a deep breath and leaping out of the water to avoid the undertow, other times diving underwater to dodge the large waves.

He struggled with all his might to cross.

Experiencing the impact of the water flow, feeling the sensation of his feet hitting the water.

Through repeated attempts, he integrated the Qi and Strength within his body using Qi to permeate his entire body, concentrating Strength in his legs, and kicking forcefully, recalling the leg-power techniques of Soru.

He tightened the muscles in his legs, perceived the flow of the water, coordinated his thighs and calves, and unleashed Qi from the soles of his feet.

Although the water was not the same as the ground, and there was the drag of the undertow, it still had some effect.

Mercer's body gradually stabilized in the water, no longer so disheveled.

But merely not being disheveled was not Mercer's goal. Looking at Garp not far away, Mercer swam forward with all his might.

As if sensing Mercer adapting, Garp's lips curled, and he began to play with higher difficulties in various ways.

Or simulating waves cresting one after another.

Or creating vortices with his left and right hands that collided near Mercer's body, causing an explosion.

Or raising large amounts of lake water to simulate a downpour.

In less than ten minutes, Ace and Sabo were out, washed up on the shallow bank on the other side of the lake.

Half an hour later, seeing Garp smiling brightly about thirty meters away, Mercer was speechless and exhausted, sinking to the bottom.

Garp was having a blast.

His mouth hadn't stopped smiling.

He dove into the water, swam over, grabbed Mercer's arm, and surfaced, bringing him to where Ace and the others were.

Crunch!

Crunch!

At this moment, seeing the two of them eating lotus root dug from the shallows, Mercer laughed in exasperation.

"Is there any left? Give me a piece too, I'm a bit hungry."

Sabo grinned, "Of course there is, the lotus root here is so sweet."

As he spoke, he reached under the water beside him and pulled out two sections of lotus root, washed clean of mud and sand.

Their exterior was quite white.

He handed Mercer and Garp a section of lotus root, each as thick as an arm.

Mercer took his, shook off the water, and took a big bite, crunching as he ate, replenishing his fluids. He had to admit, it was quite sweet.

Caw~

Just then, seeing Mercer reach the shore, Karasu flew down and landed on Mercer's shoulder, carefully avoiding breaking his skin.

"Eat, what is it?"

Mercer smiled, crushed the back half of the lotus root, and held up the pieces. "Lotus root, it's medicine, food, and fruit. It's delicious."

Karasu blinked, pecked at a piece, and swallowed it as soon as it came out of the water.

It was like fruit, quite crisp, and juicy.

"What's on your crow's feet?" Ace asked at this moment. "I've wanted to ask for a while, you have quite a bit."

Mercer smiled, "It's wild honey I found on the way to find you. I was planning to give it to you all when we got back."

Ace's eyes lit up, and he reached out to take it.

But the next second, as soon as his hand extended, he quickly pulled it back under the pressure of a dark shadow.

He glared at Karasu, looking displeased. "Why did you peck me?"

Karasu cawed strangely, "Squawk~ Mercer, don't move if I don't say anything."

Ace: "…"

"Hey! If you want to eat, don't rush. You'll get some later. By the way, do you want to know the exact location of the wild beehive?

I only took most of the honey, and the honey inside should be replenished after a while."

Ace nodded, "Of course I do! Tell me quickly, and I'll never lack honey again."

Mercer smiled and told him the location. Since he was leaving in a few days anyway, he might as well tell Ace. It was better to keep it within the family.

At this moment, Garp said, "Let's go, that's enough for today. Let's go hunt and eat."

He waved his hand and walked towards where their clothes were.

Crackle!

Sparks flew.

A large bear, skewered on a wooden stick, was roasted to a glistening sheen.

Mercer opened a packet of honey and spread it evenly over the meat, sharing a piece with each of the four of them to whet their appetites.

The final step was complete.

Using Cold Dew, he divided the whole roasted bear into pieces and placed them on clean lotus leaves on the ground.

"Mmm! Let's eat."

He handed Garp a piece of bear thigh. Garp beamed and took it, eating it in large bites.

As for the rest of them, Mercer didn't bother. Eat whichever piece you want.

The main idea was: take whichever piece you want.

Undeniably, the bear meat was incredibly delicious, roasted to a crispy exterior and tender interior. Combined with the sweet fragrance of the honey and the tender chewiness of the meat, it was a perfect match.

He ate heartily, controlling his stomach and intestinal movements, digesting quickly. Streams of warmth surged within him.

The abundant nutrients were absorbed by his body.

His bones were finally crushed, and even the marrow was completely eaten.

Looking at the sky, it was already afternoon. Garp said, "You guys go to Dadan's place. We'll meet by the lake again tomorrow."

With that, Garp got up, patted his butt, and left with a bag of honey given by Mercer.

Ace's eyes flashed with defiance, and he snorted, "Tomorrow it is, who's afraid of who. Let's go, back to sleep."

Sabo hesitated, "Am I going too? I won't be a bother, will I?"

Ace patted his chest, nonchalantly saying, "It's fine. We'll just hunt a prey on the way back and bring it with us. Dadan won't mind."

Sabo's face broke into a smile at this, but then he coughed twice, his breathing becoming a little chaotic.

Seeing this, Mercer chuckled, "Remember to practice the breathing method I taught you well. Ace has been learning for two years. If you don't work hard, he'll just leave you further and further behind."

Sabo nodded seriously, his expression touched. He said to Mercer, "Don't worry, Mercer, I'll definitely work hard to surpass Ace."

This made Ace indignant. He said with a look of disdain, "You think you're the only one working hard? I learned it two years before you did."

Mercer smiled and handed over a bag of honey, "You two go to Dadan's. I have something else to do. See you tomorrow."

After speaking, he called out to Karasu, and Mercer left them behind, dumbfounded.

Ace was speechless, "Everyone's busy, everyone has things to do. Where do so many mysterious things come from?"

Sabo nodded in agreement and got up to extinguish the fire, preventing the forest from catching fire.

Walking in the forest, Mercer recalled what happened before the barbecue.

The bear was killed by Garp.

However, the firewood was gathered by Mercer and the others.

While gathering firewood, Ace came over alone and asked Mercer if he could teach the breathing technique to Sabo.

Mercer did not refuse. Sabo's character was indeed commendable.

With Ace's connection and their interactions today, even though it was short, Mercer also approved of him.

Since he wouldn't be around Ace for a long time, if Sabo got stronger, the two of them could cooperate better.

Therefore, During the barbecue, Mercer taught him the "Free Breathing Method" and also corrected Ace's shortcomings during his practice.

He was fiddling with a surgical knife in his hand.

Mercer walked towards Foosha Village.

By the time he left the mountain forest, Mercer had two plump rabbits in his hands, with visible wounds on their necks.

As dusk settled.

Mercer knocked on Makino's door. Upon seeing Mercer, Makino puffed out her cheeks, "Why are you back so late?"

Mercer grinned and lifted the plump rabbits in his hand, saying, "I ran into them on the way. They looked quite plump. Have you eaten? We can eat this later."

Makino took them and said helplessly, "You weren't back yet, and I didn't know what you wanted to eat, so I haven't cooked anything."

"Hey! You don't have to wait for me. I've been training on the mountain with my grandpa and the others lately. Sometimes I don't even know if I'll make it back in time, so you don't need to wait specifically for me. Eat when you should eat, drink when you should drink."

Karasu landed from the air and said to Makino, "Honey, there's one for you."

He said this while gesturing to the lotus leaf package on his claw towards Makino.

Makino looked confused, and Mercer simply explained.

After understanding.

A sweet smile appeared on her face.

They entered the house and went to the bar on the first floor. Makino said, "I'll find a jar to put the honey in for you later, so it'll be easy for you to take your portion. By the way, you should go upstairs and take a bath first. I'll start cooking."

Mercer nodded.

He quickly washed up and also washed his clothes.

Top floor.

Looking at the clothes swaying in the wind, Mercer smiled. He then went downstairs again, and soon after, he had a meal with Makino.

Second floor.

Silver needles were inserted into Makino's body, further deepening her impression of breathing.

After a long while, as her body began to tremble, Mercer removed the needles one by one.

Taking a deep breath, her body was drenched in sweat. She coughed lightly and after a moment to recover, Makino said, "I'm going to take a bath."

Time passed.

When Makino came out, she saw that Mercer had already fallen asleep. A smile appeared at the corner of her mouth, and she said softly, "He's asleep. Looks like he's tired today. He's not as annoying right now as he was yesterday."

She tucked the corner of the blanket around Mercer.

As soon as she turned her head, she saw Karasu staring at her with wide eyes. He raised his left index finger to his lips, then smiled.

She happily returned to her room to rest.

The next day.

Mercer woke up early.

Just as he finished washing up, he saw Makino's room door open.

Makino, wearing her pajamas, walked out and smiled when she saw Mercer.

"Good morning, are you going for a run?"

"Yeah!" Mercer asked curiously, "Why are you up so early? Did I wake you?"

"No, I usually wake up around this time too."

"You go for your run. Come back for breakfast later."

"Okay. Thanks, then."

"Mmm, why thank me? Little Mercer, you don't need to be polite with me. After all, you're my brother."

"Tch, still got your hopes up."

"Heh heh! Get lost. Why are you still cursing?"

After breakfast.

Mercer left his house and headed towards Mount Colubo.

Halfway there, as he neared the forest, he ran into Garp, who still had sleep in the corner of his eye.

The two stared at each other.

Garp looked confused. "Mercer, you didn't sleep at Dadan's last night?"

Mercer pouted. "There were too many people. I'm not used to sleeping there."

"Then I didn't see you go back to the warship either."

"Oh, I slept at Makino's place."

"Huh?!" Garp's eyes widened. "When did you two get so close? How come I didn't know?"

"Huh?!" Mercer was also confused. "Haven't we always had a pretty good relationship?!"

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