Hero Garp

A youth covered in wounds plummeted from high in the sky, crashing into the water and sending up a massive splash.

Under normal circumstances, falling into water from such a height was no different from landing on solid ground—an ordinary person would have died on impact.

The boy's body was covered in cracks, like a piece of porcelain that had been shattered and pieced back together. Being enveloped by seawater caused him no discomfort at all. He smacked his lips contentedly and actually fell asleep right there in the water...

His body sank deeper into the sea.

A surge of powerful life force, imbued with strange energy, drew the surrounding fish toward him.

The fish gathered in greater and greater numbers, forming a dense, massive sphere around the youth.

"So hungry... but a little scared too..."

How strange...

They sensed a threat from this bizarre creature that far surpassed even the Sea Kings.

The enormous cluster of fish cautiously probed, drawing closer and closer to Leon's body.

Finally, a brave fish emerged, driven by instinct to overcome its fear. It opened a gaping mouth half the height of a man and bit down hard on Leon.

A searing pain spread through its mouth, and the brave fish instantly recoiled.

The massive fish ball scattered in an instant, then slowly regrouped, returning to its original state.

Unfortunately, they never saw another fish brave enough to step up.

The commotion in the water attracted a starving predator.

A colossal Sea King, nearly a kilometer long, covered in black-and-white stripes like a zebra!

Its terrifying maw opened wide, like a black hole, swallowing the fish cluster and Leon whole.

Then, with a graceful turn, it vanished into the pitch-black depths of the sea.

The endless ocean surface was utterly calm, with only a Marine warship, its figurehead shaped like a dog's head, sailing across the water.

"What! A newspaper costs 50 Beli?!"

Aboard the ship, a Marine officer complained to the seagull beside him.

The News Delivery Seagull, wearing a sailor hat, lifted a wing to scratch its head, showing no sign of backing down.

"Honestly, even newspapers are going up in price."

The Marine muttered as he fumbled out 50 Beli. The seagull took the money, dropped the newspaper, and flew off without a word.

The officer shook his head, picked up the newspaper, and walked into the cabin.

"Vice Admiral Garp, Admiral Sengoku! The latest newspaper has arrived."

"Good, thank you."

Watching the officer leave, Sengoku, then serving as a Marine Admiral, set aside his calligraphy practice and began reading the latest issue.

<A New King Is Born! The Terrifying Beast That Destroyed Mary Geoise!!!>

The eye-catching headline was plastered across the front page. Sengoku snorted coldly.

As a Marine Admiral, he had learned the details the moment the incident occurred.

Two major events—the execution of the Pirate King and the attack on the holy land of Mary Geoise—had happened in a single day, stirring up chaos across the seas.

The ideal of peace seemed further away than ever...

Sengoku sighed softly. Nearby, Garp lounged in a chair, idly picking his nose.

"Garp, there shouldn't have been any Giant Tribe members who ate a Zoan fruit on Roger's ship, right?"

"Probably not. I don't really remember."

"Roger was executed, Shiki was captured, and of the three great powers roaming the seas, only Whitebeard remains, who has no ambition to be king. I thought these pirates would lie low for a while, but instead..."

"Garp, have you really considered taking the position of Admiral?"

"I have a feeling this sea is about to get a lot more chaotic. As the Hero of the Marines..."

"Hey! Garp!!!"

Sengoku was rambling on when he turned to find Garp already asleep in his chair, still picking his nose.

Pop!

The snot bubble burst.

Meeting Garp's dazed gaze, Sengoku let out another sigh.

"Is it time to eat? I'm getting a bit hungry."

Garp stood up, yawning as he walked out of the cabin.

Admiral?

I'm not about to take orders from those Celestial Dragon bastards.

As he stepped out, Garp came face to face with a Marine officer rushing toward him.

"Vice Admiral Garp, it's great that you're here. Come out and take a look."

"Is it time for chow already, Bogard? What's the rush?"

Garp followed his adjutant onto the deck with a puzzled look, squinting as he shaded his eyes in the direction Bogard pointed.

In the distance, the once-calm sea was churning like boiling water. Massive Sea Kings leaped from the surface, stirring up waves in the Calm Belt.

To save time, Garp's Dog Head Warship was cutting straight through the Calm Belt back to Marineford. The hull, reinforced with Sea Prism Stone, made the ship blend in as part of the sea itself to the Sea Kings.

Garp scratched his head. Had these Sea Kings gone mad?

The spot where the Sea Kings were clashing lay right on their course, and taking a detour now wasn't practical.

Since they couldn't go around, they'd have to wipe them all out.

"Bring me the cannonballs."

"Aye, sir!"

The Marines gathered on the deck snapped to attention, grabbing the shells while calling out to their buddies.

What? Was Vice Admiral Garp about to step in himself!!?