Armament Haki: Ryuo! A Monster's Talent

"I can't let Rono join the Rocks Pirates!"

Garp was utterly certain.

A genius like this would surely upset the balance between the two great forces.

But fortunately!

I still have a chance!

I have to defeat Rono here!

And on my next strike, I have to give it everything and win in one blow!

If I don't knock him down, he'll probably get even stronger!

Honestly, what a troublesome enemy.

"Come on!"

Garp roared, and the aura around him suddenly surged!

The next moment, his already broad chest swelled even further.

His crisp white Marine uniform burst open, revealing thick, corded muscles covered in bulging veins!

The air around him formed a huge swirling gale, with Garp at its center!

The massive gale spread out, radiating an intense pressure!

There was no doubt about it: his next strike would be unleashed with everything he had!

[ Ding~ Congratulations, host, you successfully picked up 7,826 points of Strength! ]

[ Ding~ Congratulations, host, you successfully picked up 6,587 points of Strength! ]

[ Ding~ Congratulations, host, you successfully picked up Advanced Armament Haki. Current progress: 93% ]

[ Ding~ Congratulations, host, you successfully picked up Advanced Armament Haki. Current progress: 95% ]

[ Ding~ Congratulations, host, you successfully picked up Advanced Armament Haki. Current progress: 97%! ]

"Interesting..."

As he watched Garp's aura continue to rise, Rono's expression turned serious as well.

He'd picked up an enormous amount all at once. Garp was going all out.

This next strike would decide the winner!

Sure enough, the next moment-

Boom!

In the span of a breath, Garp's figure vanished from where he stood.

"Rokushiki Ogi: Fist Bone: Meteor!"

The next moment, Garp appeared beside Rono.

This absolute strike, combining Rokushiki Ogi with Iron Fist, felt as though it could smash even a small mountain to pieces!

"As expected of Iron Fist!"

"Divine Departure!"

Sensing the terrifying energy packed into this punch, Rono swiftly drew Kotetsu and unleashed Divine Departure!

That's right, Divine Departure was one of Roger's signature techniques. After fighting Roger last time, Rono had naturally learned it too!

Garp's fists were hard enough that Rono had to give this everything he had!

Without a doubt, Divine Departure was also one of Roger's killing moves!

Like Iron Fist, Divine Departure greatly enhanced Swordsmanship!

Boom!

Fist clashed with blade!

In an instant, the tremendous collision of their Haki and strength erupted into a terrifying shockwave.

The shockwave surged outward, and red lightning and cracks appeared in the air, visible to the naked eye!

In the sky, the spectacular sight of the clouds splitting apart appeared once more!

"This guy's good with a sword too!"

Feeling the terrifying energy coming from his opponent's blade, Garp was shaken once again!

To withstand his Rokushiki Ogi: Iron Fist-

His Swordsmanship had to be at least Great Swordsman level!

Garp formed an entirely new assessment of Rono!

This guy had dabbled in Haki, Hand-to-Hand Combat, and Swordsmanship!

Aside from Devil Fruit Ability, he was a well-rounded fighter!

No, I have to stop him here!

"It's not over yet, Rono!"

The next moment, Garp increased the power of his Iron Fist once more!

Not only that, he drew on all the Armament Haki in his body, channeling it to his knuckles and releasing it wildly!

"That's... Advanced Armament Haki, Ryuo!"

Whitebeard, who had been watching with Observation Haki active, was also taken aback!

Ryuo was the name for a type of Advanced Armament Haki. In Wano Country, it was known as Ryuo!

It could bypass an object's surface, reach its interior, and destroy it from within!

There was no way to defend against this kind of Armament Haki!

Ryuo was also an advanced form of Haki that only a handful of powerful figures in this sea could use!

[ Ding~ Congratulations, host, you picked up Armament Haki. Current progress: 100%! ]

[ Ding~ Congratulations, host, you successfully broke through. Armament Haki has advanced to Top-Level Armament Haki! ]

[ Ding~ Your Armament Haki has broken through to Top-Level Armament Haki. Congratulations, host, you have comprehended Ryuo! ]

At the same time, Rono felt a deep, rich power pass through his body, warm and comfortable.

"I've won, Rono!"

Garp roared, confident that victory was in his grasp!

Haki that destroyed things from within couldn't be defended against!

But the next moment-

Crack, crack~

Feeling the Haki transmitted through Kotetsu's blade, Garp froze completely!

That's right, his Ryuo had been stopped by the Haki in Kotetsu!

There was no doubt about it: only Ryuo could stop Ryuo!

When did this guy...?

Garp looked at Rono, his eyes full of astonishment!

Could this guy use Ryuo too?

Or had he just learned it?

"Garp, I really have to thank you for giving me such a wonderful gift!"

Rono smiled faintly!

Excellent! Absolutely excellent!

His Armament Haki had successfully advanced to Top-Level Armament Haki-in other words, Admiral-Emperor level.

He'd also comprehended Ryuo!

Not only that, his strength had increased again, reaching Admiral-Emperor level as well!

"Comprehending Ryuo in the middle of a battle!"

At that moment, Garp was completely stunned by Rono's talent!

This guy was a super monster who grew stronger and kept improving as he fought!

With talent like that, as long as you didn't knock him down instantly, he would keep growing and getting stronger!

What a troublesome opponent!

"Someone else is coming! It's the Marine reinforcements!"

Just then, Whitebeard suddenly spoke to Rono at the center of the battlefield.

Whitebeard's Observation Haki had sensed powerful figures rushing here!

There was no doubt about it: they were Marine reinforcements!

There were a lot of them, and their auras were all over the place!

But Whitebeard could clearly sense the presence of Admiral-level fighters among them.

More than one, in fact!

"In that case, let's settle this, Garp!"

Rono had clearly sensed the reinforcements too.

He still wanted to keep fighting Garp, but this was far enough.

He'd already gained plenty this time. If the Marines got him tied up, it would be troublesome.

"It's not over yet, Rono!"

Garp clearly didn't want to let Rono escape.

Boom!

Garp increased his strength again, holding Rono back with all his might.

Letting a monster like him get away would only lead to endless trouble!

And Garp's Observation Haki had sensed it too: reinforcements were coming!

Admiral Kong was bringing Zephyr and Sengoku, and they were racing here at full speed!

He had to buy time-buy time until the reinforcements arrived, and keep Rono here.

Rono had also sensed what Garp was thinking.

In that case, there was only one option: finish this quickly!

Huff... huff...

Huff... huff...

Suddenly, Garp sensed that something was a little off about the situation before him!

The temperature around them was climbing rapidly, growing hotter and hotter!

His skin could already feel the heat!

Garp's eyes suddenly widened as he recalled the Heavenly Tribute incident from before!

Hadn't Rono stolen the Flame-Flame Fruit?

Could it be...?!!