Monster-like Expert! Conqueror's Haki Collision!

Leon changed into fresh bandages; the wounds on his body that had nearly healed were now completely torn open.

Kraken, the underling who had been won over by Leon's strength, had a large bandage carefully applied to the gash on his forehead by Leon.

Kraken grinned wide, revealing a set of clean, straight teeth.

Then, with gentle movements, he used his tentacles to lift the Dog Head Warship onto his head.

With Kraken clearing the way, the sea monsters drawn by the commotion only lurked in the darkness, watching cautiously, not daring to act rashly.

Passing through a massive trench, the underwater world suddenly grew bright.

Fish-Man Island, encased in a giant double-layered bubble, appeared not far ahead, but Leon and his crew didn't linger due to their mission.

"Beautiful, isn't it."

Kuzan had somehow appeared beside Leon, his voice carrying a hint of emotion.

"Yeah, it's all pretty white."

Leon gazed at the Mermaid Girls playing inside Fish-Man Island and nodded in agreement.

"Huh?"

"I mean... the scenery here is beautiful!"

"Yeah, yeah, yeah."

Kuzan looked helplessly at Leon, whose face was clearly full of insincerity.

I'm about to reflect on life and spout some philosophy, and as a proper junior, you can't even play along?

The rest of the journey passed in silence.

The deep-sea giant Kraken cautiously asked Leon for permission to leave, and upon receiving it, he danced away quickly...

After crossing an undersea tunnel, Leon and his crew finally officially arrived at the latter half of the Grand Line, also known as the New World!

The Navy's influence in the New World was extremely weak, with only the G-5 branch established beyond the Red Line.

After rendezvousing with the rear warships, following the coordinates provided by the World Government and guided by the Magnetic Compass, the Navy fleet set off in full force toward the New World.

Garp, who had been quiet for many days, yawned as he emerged from the cabin and immediately spotted Leon sitting on the deck in a strange posture.

"Hey, Kid Leon, what are you doing?"

Leon closed his eyes and said calmly, "I'm meditating."

"Meditating?"

What's that? Never heard of it?

Full of confusion, Garp looked at Leon's profound and mysterious demeanor...

"Is this your training method?"

"This is called Five Hearts Facing Heaven, you ignorant old man."

"Once I sense natural energy, I might be able to activate Sage Mode..."

"You bastard Leon!"

Garp didn't understand what Leon meant by Five Hearts Facing Heaven or Sage Mode, but he clearly felt the contempt this student of his had for him as a teacher.

The result was another big lump on Leon's head from Garp's iron fist...

Leon kept his composure, simply pulling out his little notebook and adding another mark against Garp.

Having asserted his authority as a teacher, Garp felt refreshed and swaggered over to Kuzan, who was lying on a deck chair.

"You brat! All you do is sleep! Don't you see I'm here!!!"

"Huh?"

Kuzan pulled down his eye mask, confused by Garp's sudden act.

"I've discussed it with Sengoku—you and Sakazuki will take the lead in the upcoming battle!"

"Opportunities to fight against opponents of this caliber are rare!"

Garp stood at the bow with his arms crossed, where an unnamed island faintly appeared on the sea horizon.

Garp turned to look at Leon.

"Kid Leon, this is why I brought you here!"

"Remember to keep your eyes wide open and witness the true prowess of the strong on the sea!"

With that, Garp vanished from the bow in an instant, heading to the main ship to meet with Sengoku.

"Mr. Garp is still as cool as ever."

Kuzan stood up, gently shaking off his Coat of Justice.

The usually lazy Kuzan now radiated an astonishing fighting spirit.

"Well then, I'll be off."

"Stay safe, Leon."

Leon shook his head. Are they all looking down on me?

Want me to whip out something big to show them?

As the Marine fleet drew closer, Leon could finally make out the full view of the island ahead.

Smoke and gunpowder filled the air, ruins scattered everywhere, countless corpses littering the ground, blood staining the earth a dark crimson.

A heavily muscled man stood on the island, as if waiting for the Marines to arrive.

Garp and Sengoku stood side by side at the bow of the warship, their expressions grim.

Douglas Bullet.

This madman let out a roar directly at the Buster Call–level Marine fleet before him!

"Open fire!"

At Sengoku's command, the Marines' overwhelming firepower poured out, shells linking together to nearly blot out the entire sky!

"Marines!"

"Are you the ones who defeated Roger?!"

"If I crush you, I'll definitely become stronger than Roger!!!"

Explosions rang out in rapid succession. The Marines' terrifying firepower blanketed the entire island, the shockwaves from the blasts even kicking up massive waves across the sea surface!

As the smoke cleared, the island had been reduced to rubble.

Douglas Bullet, relying on his inhuman physique and top-tier Color of the Supreme King, Color of Armament, and Color of Observation, withstood the Marines' first wave of attacks head-on!

The left side of his body was badly scorched from the explosions, but the aura he radiated only grew fiercer and more unhinged!