Cut in Two

Loud laughter tore through the storm and reached Xia Le's ears, instantly easing the grim expression on his face.

Along with that laughter, the storm that had frozen across the sky began moving again.

The figure, no larger than a black speck, landed on the Dog-Head Warship.

"Vice Admiral Garp!"

"It's Vice Admiral Garp! Thank goodness!"

"We're saved!"

Every officer beside Xia Le burst with excitement.

In this era, Hero Vice Admiral Garp was the strongest man in the Navy, a living symbol who could steady hearts and raise morale.

His illustrious achievements had been earned through genuine, hard-fought battles. There was nothing false about them.

A short while later, the two warships met up.

Xia Le and the others were taken aboard the Dog-Head Warship. Only then did Simboo, Saron, and the others breathe sighs of relief and smile.

"Hahahaha!"

"Well, Xia Le? What did you think after seeing those two?"

Garp walked over and asked with a hearty laugh.

"I still have a long way to go!"

Drawing a deep breath, Xia Le answered solemnly.

Indeed, merely watching the battle had made him keenly aware of the gulf between himself and the world's greatest fighters.

Maxed-Out Conqueror's Haki might drastically narrow that gap, but it certainly did not mean he stood on the same level as those powerhouses.

Observation Haki, Armament Haki, physical strength, reflexes, and combat experience were all factors he could not ignore.

"You're right. You still have a long way to go!"

"But one day, you'll become just as strong as they are!"

Garp's smile faded as he spoke seriously.

Deep down, he firmly believed that Xia Le could inherit his legacy and become a powerhouse just like him.

Xia Le nodded firmly.

"Powerhouses are forged through battle after battle, tempered on the edge of life and death!"

"And you possess the most important ingredient for becoming one. You'll grow faster and go further!"

Garp reached out and patted his shoulder.

Then he looked up at the storm ahead and suddenly grinned.

"I'm going after Roger."

"Got the guts to come with your teacher?"

Xia Le's eyes narrowed.

Go after Roger?

Witnessing those two fight in person had filled him with unease and fear.

Could I really stand against someone that powerful?

But only a moment later, he nodded.

"Yes!"

Garp laughed again at his answer. With his back to Xia Le, he spoke softly amid the storm.

"You have the potential to become a world-class powerhouse, a monstrous ability, and extraordinary talent."

"But your foundations are too weak. You haven't even undergone systematic training as a Marine."

"Sengoku thinks we should give you an environment where you can ease into your growth, letting a promising seed like you mature before facing the storms."

"But..."

Pausing, Garp grinned.

"As your teacher, I disagree with him. You're destined to be different from everyone else. Even Kuzan, Sakazuki, and Borsalino can't compare to you."

"You cannot die. You've endured gunfire, beheading, shelling, poison, and more. Nothing can kill you, but those experiences have forged your iron will."

"You even awakened Conqueror's Haki before mastering a single combat technique!"

"You were born to grow step by step through desperate situations and adversity, without fearing death."

"A greenhouse is no place to raise a monster like you!"

Listening to Garp, Xia Le's expression grew serious before he broke into a smile.

"I'd rather stay by your side too, Teacher Garp, and learn everything you have to teach!"

Garp roared with laughter and patted his student's shoulder again.

"I'll make you the strongest Marine in history!"

With that, the Hero Vice Admiral, now in his prime, turned and walked away.

Amid the storm, Xia Le watched his tall, powerful back, his heart brimming with emotion.

Looking at the entire Navy, Garp's life was undoubtedly one of hardship that stirred sympathy.

He had raised a son, a student, and two grandsons, hoping to make Marines of them all, only to fail every time. Three became pirates, and one joined the Revolutionary Army.

All his life, Garp had worked to maintain a false peace.

Everything he did was a struggle for the justice he believed in.

Roger was his close friend, yet for the justice he held in his heart, he had personally tried to capture him time and again.

When the grandson he had raised faced execution before his eyes, he could only sit and watch. When that grandson was finally killed by a fellow Marine, his fury drove him to shout those words at his longtime friend.

"Just keep holding me down, Sengoku!"

"Otherwise, I won't be able to stop myself from killing him!"

Two years after the Paramount War, he would face Kuzan, the student he had personally raised, on Hachinosu.

Xia Le's expression was complicated. The Garp he remembered had graying hair. Though still powerfully built, his back had begun to stoop, making him look old, and sorrow and loneliness always lurked behind his smile.

But the man before him now...

This man was domineering, wild, and forceful!

He was at the very peak of his life. Outwardly carefree and unrestrained, he lived with more freedom, happiness, and passion than he would on any day twenty years later!

These were Garp's youngest, happiest years!

They were also the years when he was strongest.

This was his era—the era of Garp, Hero of the Navy.

"And it's my era too!"

Xia Le raised his head into the storm-filled sky and murmured.

Cut in two

Rumble!

This was almost certainly the wildest storm Xia Le had ever seen.

It was as though a god stood above the dark clouds, pouring seawater into the ocean, as though the celestial river had become a waterfall cascading from the heavens. Fierce winds howled overhead, tossing the warship beneath their feet until it could only drift with the waves.

More frightening still, the storm was growing increasingly violent.

"Hurry, hurry! Bail out the water!"

"Don't let the rain flood the ship!"

"This storm is too strong! The weather in these waters is so unpredictable!"

Shouts kept ringing in his ears, and Xia Le soon joined the effort.

Rain hammered down, striking his back and forehead painfully. When he looked out at the sea, he could see bubbles rising everywhere across its violently churning surface.

It was as though an enormous tsunami was brewing.

"Xia Le, go to the stern!"

Already soaked through, Kuzan shouted with a wooden bucket in his hands.

Rumble!

Thunder boomed deafeningly, and lightning cast flickering light and shadow over their faces. Xia Le nodded, his feet splashing against the rain-soaked deck as he vanished from the spot.

When he reached the stern, he found Sakazuki there too.

"Hmph. Xia Le!"

Sakazuki looked up at him, then snorted and lowered his head again, rapidly scooping water into a wooden bucket and throwing it overboard.

Xia Le glanced at him, noting the sword at his waist and his icy expression, then bent down to scoop up water as well.

Gradually, both men's hands began moving faster.

Suddenly, they raised their heads and exchanged a look, sparks flashing between their eyes.

An unspoken contest began. Sakazuki's hands moved so quickly that the water around his feet visibly receded. His hands had already become a blur, while Xia Le let out a low growl.

Finally, when the water on the deck had dropped as low as they could get it, Xia Le plopped down and panted heavily.

Sakazuki was just as exhausted, but he forced himself to remain standing with his arms folded. Looking down at the young man, he wore a trace of disdain, as though saying, Is that all you've got?

"What a childish contest!"

After a long while, Xia Le stood and spat out the words.

Sakazuki's expression shifted slightly. He was about to retort, only to see that Xia Le had already turned and walked away.

The storm continued, its unimaginable winds and rain causing enormous trouble for everyone.

Not only was visibility severely impaired, but even their heading had become unclear. Looking around from the ship, they could find no landmarks at all.

They had also lost track of Roger and his crew.

"Bogard, was this the direction Roger and his men were heading before they disappeared?"

Garp shouted the question.

"There's no mistake."

Bogard wiped the rain from his face and nodded.

"This damned storm!"

Garp cursed angrily.

Then he turned toward Xia Le, who stood staring blankly nearby, and shouted again.

"Brat, what are you spacing out for?"

Xia Le did not answer. Instead, he pointed ahead at more than a dozen pirate ships that had suddenly appeared through the curtain of rain, listing and scattered every which way.

Garp froze for a moment. Then his expression changed, and he laughed again.

"Hahahaha!"

"Looks like this storm completely scattered Shiki's fleet!"

The rain was so heavy and visibility so poor that by the time the two sides spotted each other, they were already dangerously close. The nearest ship was even about to collide with theirs.

"All hands, listen up!"

Garp suddenly roared.

Even the storm seemed to fall silent as everyone aboard instantly stood at attention.

"Clear every obstacle in our path!"