The End of a Legend

The predawn wind was cold, making Steel Bone Kong, whose life was nearing its end, a little more lucid.

He forced himself through the exhaustion, barely prying open his eyelids. Once his five senses regained awareness of the outside world, he discovered an old yet powerfully built man before him...

"Cough, cough... It's Garp! I never thought I'd get to see you again before I died!" Once he recognized the visitor, Steel Bone Kong smiled from the heart. Nominally speaking, Steel Bone Kong was half a mentor to Garp, and Garp's formidable martial arts had more or less been influenced by him. The two were both teacher and friend.

"Fleet Admiral Kong!" Garp's face darkened. He, Sengoku, and Tsuru had all once served as soldiers under Steel Bone Kong. In his youth, Garp had been impulsive and often made Steel Bone Kong clean up after him. Later, Steel Bone Kong rose to become Fleet Admiral of the three armed forces, while Garp and the others became top-tier powerhouses in the eyes of outsiders. Even so, the bond between them was beyond words.

"Hahaha! No need to be sad! My time was running out anyway. Dying on the battlefield is a fitting end! What's wrong? Pull yourself together! Men need no tears when they part!" Steel Bone Kong lay in Garp's arms and laughed loudly. Not only did the grieving Garp fall silent, but the Marine officers also stopped what they were doing. They lowered their heads in mourning for this legendary hero.

Even Whitebeard set down his weapon on the pirates' side. Though they were absolute enemies, that did not stop Whitebeard from admiring Steel Bone Kong. Ever since the Rocks era, Whitebeard had dealt with Steel Bone Kong more than once. From Whitebeard's perspective, Steel Bone Kong had absolutely