The two sides had met, and time seemed to stand still, bringing a deathly silence.
Waves of cold hung in the air.
After all, the battlefield was on the ice.
Brimming with fighting spirit, Teach swept an appraising gaze over the many powerful figures.
As though sizing up prey, his gaze finally settled on Garp.
Since no one had moved, he would sound the horn of war.
Bang!
A gunshot rang through the air.
Teach had drawn his pistol and fired at Garp without hesitation.
More precisely, he had fired at the ice one meter in front of Garp.
Countless eyes turned toward Teach.
At that, Teach stepped forward.
"Leave Garp to me."
Teach spoke calmly, his words carrying absolute confidence.
Before anyone else could say anything, an utterly terrifying presence erupted from Teach.
His Conqueror's Haki burst forth, devouring everything like darkness.
It was as though darkness had shrouded the entire world in an instant.
Countless people felt a shadow fall over their hearts.
A junior who had yet to become an emperor had actually claimed one of the World Government's strongest fighters for himself.
Yet no one said anything.
A grave look flashed across each Sea Emperor's face, for the presence Teach had displayed was truly terrifying, far beyond their expectations.
They had all seen Teach fight Garp, but the aura he unleashed now proved that he was no weaker than they were.
That was the instinct they shared as monsters.
The realization left them somewhat shaken.
In just a few short years, Teach's fighting strength had taken another leap.
How frightening that was.
This was just as well. Anyone who faced Garp would have a hard time of it.
As public opinion across the seas equated Teach with Rocks through relentless brainwashing, the comparison took hold.
Without