A Punch to the Face, Knocked Unconscious

Facing an action-first guy like Garp, who started fighting at the slightest disagreement, Wright actually rather admired him... my ass!

What was wrong with this dead old man? Did he enjoy beating up kids?

But... I wasn't just any ordinary kid!

Wright's gaze sharpened. Ashes slid from its sheath as he met Garp's fist. "Just what I wanted! Please instruct me, Vice Admiral Garp!"

Golden Armament Haki coiled around the blade. Ashes, which had been infused with Holy Light Power for three years, seemed forged from gold itself, radiating a faint golden glow. It was breathtakingly beautiful, like a work of art.

Wright's Armament Haki had been unusual ever since his Awakening. Perhaps because both were forms of bodily energy, his Haki had combined with Holy Light Power and developed additional effects.

Observation Haki, combined with the spiritual properties of Holy Light Power, had gained the ability to sense living creatures' emotions and inner thoughts. Armament Haki, meanwhile, had combined with the three major traits of Holy Light Power—Punishment Power, Protection Power, and Healing Power. Its color had changed from black to gold, and it now possessed the boosts of Holy Damage, defense, and self-recovery granted by Holy Light Power.

Wright's current Armament Haki meant that any part of his body covered in Haki simultaneously gained weakened versions of the Seraphim Holy Seal, Holy Protection Spell, and Eternal Fire, without requiring additional Holy Light Power to activate those skills. His Holy Light Power could instead be used to restore his stamina and keep his Haki flowing endlessly.

Terrifying indeed!

And so—

Clang!

Boom—!

Before the Marines could even react, Garp and Wright had exchanged just a few words and started fighting? Was this Pirate Hunter's head really that hard? Did he not know how absurd Vice Admiral Garp's Fist of Love was?

Blade and fist collided. The clash of Armament Haki unleashed wave after wave of storms. Many Marines on the deck could not withstand it and were blown away, while even the warship's massive sails were blown askew. Bogart hurriedly ordered the Marines to lower the sails and drop anchor, planning to set sail again once Vice Admiral Garp had finished warming up.

"Not bad, kid!" Garp grinned. "Is that golden stuff a Devil Fruit ability? Not bad, not bad. This old man is going to put some more strength into it!"

Boom!

Wright did not dare slack off. He activated King's Blessing and Seraphim Holy Seal at full power. His enhanced stamina and soaring Holy Fire barely managed to withstand Garp's heavier punch.

This is the strength of a Marine hero? Armament Haki that could be called unparalleled in the world?

Wright secretly marveled at the terrifying strength Garp had revealed, though it was only the tip of the iceberg. He had no choice but to apply Holy Protection Spell to bolster his defense, preventing his arms and body from collapsing under the overwhelming contest of strength. Golden mist swirled around Wright—Movie Emperor or not, even while getting beaten up, he had to turn the special effects all the way up!

"He actually blocked Vice Admiral Garp's fist, and the Vice Admiral has already increased his strength... The title of East Blue Strongest Pirate Hunter really is well deserved." Bogart's Justice Coat flapped wildly as he watched from the side, but his body did not move in the slightest. "And that golden... is it a Devil Fruit ability? Why does it look so much like Armament Haki? It would be impossible to withstand Vice Admiral Garp's fist without Armament Haki... Could it be a product of combining a Devil Fruit ability with Haki?"

Unaware that the usually quiet man had silently guessed his secrets, Wright struggled to block Garp's increasingly heavy fists. Before long, he was on the verge of collapse. This is the power of one of the world's top fighters? Even Shanks would probably have no choice but to obediently take a beating if he met him!

This is why I said I should keep a low profile first. What kind of coincidence is this, running into a big boss like Garp right now?!

"Good kid! There aren't many people in the entire Grand Line who can take this old man's punch at your age!" Garp's smile gradually turned sinister. "But you only have one sword, while this old man has two fists!"

Wright's expression changed instantly. Before he could even start cursing, a fist wrapped in Armament Haki appeared before his eyes.

Don't hit my face!

That was Wright's final thought before passing out. His previous thought had been: This shameless old bastard!

"Vice Admiral Garp, you broke the deck again." Bogart helplessly shook his head. Looking at the huge hole in the deck and Wright, who had been punched into the cabin and lay unconscious, the corners of his mouth drooped even further. He called for the Marines to carry Wright back up, then quickly repair the deck.

"That kid withstood your fist for so long. You didn't beat him to death, did you...?"

"Hahahaha, it's rare for this old man to find a kid who interests me. I used a little too much strength, but he won't die." Garp scratched his head and waved dismissively. "For a kid his age, in the East Blue, to develop skills like these, yet still hesitate about joining the Marines... Since we ran into him, he's coming back to Headquarters with this old man! With talent like a monster's, the Marines might produce another figure capable of shaping the future!"

"Indeed, Wright's talent is terrifying. He is a healing-type ability user like Whitebeard's ship doctor Marco... perhaps even stronger than him. And his abilities are extremely well-balanced, with attack, defense, and healing forming a single whole..." Bogart paused, and the corners of his mouth seemed a little less downturned. "Rumor has it that he can see through the good and evil in people's hearts, possibly a special form of Observation Haki."

"The Dawn Divine Healer hates evil with a vengeance. He shows no mercy to wicked pirates, yet he is like the dawn to ordinary civilians. Regardless of status or identity, as long as someone sincerely wishes to do good, he treats all kinds of difficult and incurable illnesses without charging a single coin. It is said that his dream is 'World Peace'..."

"Oh?" Garp's playful expression disappeared. He turned and sat back in his chair, instinctively reaching into his clothes before realizing he had long since finished all his rice crackers. "...At such a young age, to possess such character. Judging from what he has done, this so-called wish does not sound like empty talk... Has his background been investigated?"

"According to intelligence, Wright was the second son of a noble family in the Goa Kingdom. From an early age, he disliked the intrigues of nobility and instead loved art and swordsmanship, especially swordsmanship." Bogart still wore the same expressionless face, but a glint of sharp light flashed beneath the shadow of his hat brim. Clearly, he had done his homework. "After achieving some skill with the sword, he secretly left home to study diligently at a dojo. He became active three years ago. His first act after making his debut was to encounter an accidental poisoning incident, save everyone aboard a ship, and accept not a single coin. The title of 'divine healer' spread voluntarily through the grateful passengers. From then on, he traveled the East Blue as a Pirate Hunter and built a tremendous reputation."

"So he's from this old man's hometown?" Garp threw back his head and laughed. "This old man is getting more and more interested in that kid. With such a background, yet such character—able to remain true to himself amid the tides of the Great Pirate Era—he's a born Marine!"

"Like this old man said, leaving talent like his in the East Blue is a waste! At his current level, the East Blue can basically no longer provide the pressure or motivation he needs to grow—the Grand Line holds far more possibilities!"

"Ah, my grandson has to become like Wright in the future too! This old man will definitely train Luffy into an outstanding Marine filled with a heart of justice!"