Garp's Iron Fist Packs a Punch

Linley had to admit that the current situation was a bit different from what he had imagined.

He hadn't waited for Shanks at Makino's tavern.

Instead, the one who pushed open the door was the Marine Hero nicknamed "Iron Fist" – Monkey D. Garp!

At this time, Garp still had a full head of black hair, though his temples were already showing some gray.

He was wearing his Marine uniform, sitting at the bar counter, and holding Linley's bounty poster in his hand.

What exactly did Garp want?

Linley's mind quickly ran through several possibilities.

He first ruled out a command from the Celestial Dragons.

After all, during the World Conference years later, Garp was a man who dared to call the Celestial Dragons fools without restraint!

So, was it a chance encounter?

That didn't seem right either. Garp was holding Linley's bounty poster, clearly having come prepared.

Linley finished his orange juice and said with a smile, "It's an honor, Vice Admiral. To think you know my name."

"Can't help it, who told Zephyr, that stubborn old man, to keep talking about you?" Garp said, digging in his ear with a look of helplessness.

But suddenly, Garp's aura changed drastically, and the air around them seemed to freeze.

He glanced sideways at Linley and slowly asked:

"So, you still haven't answered my question."

"BOSS" Linley Barek, what is your purpose for coming to the East Blue?"

Facing Garp's persistent questioning, Linley told the truth:

"To learn Haki."

Garp's expression was somewhat surprised upon hearing Linley's words.

He had initially expected Linley to give reasons like "living in seclusion" or "hiding."

But learning Haki?

Garp's face darkened.

"I see, so you're also an ambitious man who has set his sights on this era."

"A wanted criminal dares to speak such big words in front of me. Are you confident, or are you ignorant?"

Upon hearing this, Linley suddenly burst into laughter and retorted, "Mr. Garp, are you here to arrest me?"

Swish!

Before he could finish speaking, Garp's fist, wrapped in terrifying wind, swept towards Linley!

The attack was incredibly fast, and Linley, unable to dodge, could only raise his arms to block it forcefully.

Bang!

Garp's fist struck Linley's forearm, sending him and the bar stool flying backward.

Bang!

Crack!

In that instant, Linley felt as if he had been hit head-on by a cannon. His arms throbbed with pain, and his head was spinning.

When Linley regained his senses and opened his eyes, the first thing he saw was the clear blue sky.

He had been blasted out of the tavern by that single punch!

Looking up, Linley saw Garp stepping over the smashed tavern door and walking towards him step by step.

"You arrogant brat, do you think I'm as easygoing as that stubborn Zephyr!"

As he spoke, Garp reached Linley and swung another punch down!

Boom!

Garp's fist smashed a large pit into the ground, but Linley was nowhere to be seen.

The moment the fist descended, Linley slapped the ground with both hands and leaped up in an exaggerated, ground-parallel pose!

In mid-air, Linley used his Energy Value to recover his numb and swollen arms, unable to help but sigh:

Garp's Iron Fist really packs a punch!

After all, he was the man who chased the Pirate King Roger all over the world.

He was also the one who turned the people of the old era into remnants!

Just as Linley was marveling, Garp suddenly leaped up and appeared beside him.

Linley's eyes widened:

"..."

He had only managed to say half of the word "wait" before Garp brought his hands together and delivered another heavy blow towards Linley in mid-air!

Boom!

Linley was smashed to the ground by Garp from mid-air, hitting the ground heavily and kicking up a large cloud of dust.

Makino, in the kitchen, heard the commotion outside and quickly ran out. Her eyes widened, pupils constricting, as she stared at the scene before her in disbelief.

The front door of the tavern had been smashed to pieces. Outside the tavern, in the open space, dust billowed everywhere, with dozens of Marines surrounding the cloud of kicked-up dust.

However, to her surprise, the Marines all wore expressions of confusion, as if they were all wondering what had just happened.

When the dust settled, Makino could see that her old acquaintance, Mr. Garp, was standing there. Linley lay sprawled on the ground in front of Garp, the ground beneath him smashed into a large crater!

Before Makino or the other Marines could speak, Linley, who had been motionless, suddenly flipped backward and stood up. He then took several consecutive backward steps, creating distance between himself and Garp.

Only then did Linley have the time to observe his surroundings.

What happened?

Why were there so many Marines around?

Was Garp really here to arrest him?

But then, Linley noticed that the surrounding Marines also looked bewildered.

The Marines' murmurs reached Linley's ears.

"Hey, hey, didn't Vice Admiral Garp say he was thirsty and going for a drink? Why is he fighting now?"

"Who is that kid?"

"Never mind who that kid is, can anyone really block Vice Admiral Garp's punch? He's a monster!"

"Maybe Vice Admiral Garp wasn't using his full strength?"

"Are you blind? That crater on the ground isn't a joke!"

The waves of discussion reached Linley, making him even more confused.

The accompanying Marines didn't know about his existence, so what was Garp's intention?

Linley didn't understand, but he still mobilized his Energy Value to recover his body.

Immediately after, Linley half-clenched his fists, one in front and one behind, assuming his usual fighting stance.

It was his instinct.

Seeing this, Garp's previously grim expression could no longer be maintained. He suddenly slapped his thigh and burst into laughter.

"Hahahahaha! Just like Zephyr said, he's a crazy brat!"

Linley was stunned by this turn of events.

Garp, on the other hand, was laughing so hard tears streamed down his face. "Zephyr said there was a brat who didn't even know Haki but dared to fight him head-on. I didn't believe him at first, but it turns out there really is such a brat!"

Hearing this, Linley felt a surge of indignation.

He felt like Garp was toying with him!

But no matter what, Garp didn't seem to intend to arrest him, which was a great relief.

After all, Zephyr could barely be considered a semi-civilian, but Garp was an out-and-out combatant.

With just two casual punches, he could barely stand steady!

He should catch his breath first, then ask Garp what he wanted.

With that thought, just as Linley was about to retract his stance, Garp suddenly clapped his fist into his palm.

Snap.

"Hey, hey, brat, why are you retracting your stance? Didn't you want to learn Haki?"

Linley froze.

Garp continued, "Zephyr said he owes you a huge favor."

"So, let this old man repay it for him!"

"However, learning Haki is very difficult. I don't have Zephyr's patience."

Garp twisted his wrist, producing a series of cracking sounds.

He grinned broadly.

"So, brat, as an entrance exam, let's fight!"