"Hahaha, it seems they're nearing the end, and the battle is about to be decided..."
Meanwhile, Garp led the officer to the vicinity of Ship Number Three, where he suddenly saw Hawk-Eye and Luo Chen engaged in their final duel.
Both stood at a distance from each other, their auras surging and converging into the blades in their hands. With his sharp eyes, he immediately realized that the fight was nearing its end and burst into laughter.
"Hmm... what's going on? I don't understand at all. Vice Admiral Garp, could you tell me how you figured out they were having a final showdown? It seems they're holding back; this battle shouldn't be over so quickly!"
Although he was also a former officer of the main force, he hadn't participated in many battles since leaving the elite training camp for new recruits, so he couldn't see the difference in their current state at a glance like Garp could.
"Hahaha, look closer. Although they both seem to have plenty of energy left, subtle differences can still be seen in their behavior."
That young upstart Luo Chen, wasn't as relaxed as Hawk-Eye. You could tell from the beads of sweat on his forehead that he was nearing his limit. If he didn't finish the fight this time, he would be defeated by Hawk-Eye without a second thought.
Hawk-Eye seemed to have noticed the change in his opponent, giving him a chance to unleash his full power, and with that next strike, he brought the battle to a complete end.
Garp carefully guided him, and indeed, as he said, Luo Chen was about to give up, gathering his last bit of strength to end the battle with this final move.
Buzzing...
Although the two had not yet made a move, their auras had already clashed and collided, causing transparent ripples and waves to rise in the surrounding air once again, and the spreading auras Extreme Speed enveloped the area like an air shield.
"Hmm... it seems they're about to make a move. I should stop them now. If this continues, who knows how much more damage our headquarters will suffer. I don't want to hear that bastard Sengoku roaring and yelling in my ear... Shave!!"
call out...
After saying that, Garp's body trembled, and he disappeared from the spot in One Flash, rushing towards Luo Chen and the others at Extreme Speed.
"Drink!!"
Swoosh...
Swoosh...
Both of them roared at the same time and Rush forward.
"Sword technique... Crouching Tiger, Coiling Dragon... Dragon's Roar and Tiger Roar!!"
Chant...
roar...
As Luo Chen swung his sword down, a Giant Dragon and Raging Tiger roared and charged forward.
"Hmph, I already told you those boring moves wouldn't work on me, didn't you listen? Fine, then let me show you what a real slash looks like... Black Blade Straight-Edge Slash!!"
Even so, Hawk-Eye remained completely calm, his eyes unwavering. Facing the charging Giant Dragon and Raging Tiger, he flicked his wrist and swung his blade upwards.
Clang!!
Bang bang...
A white blade of energy flashed, instantly annihilating the Giant Dragon and Raging Tiger into ashes, its power undiminished as it continued its attack on him.
"Ugh... Oh no, I'm out of energy to dodge it, I'm doomed..."
As Luo Chen unleashed his final strike, he was astonished to see his attack so easily extinguished, and the blade still hurtling towards him. His expression changed drastically, and he watched the blade hurtling towards him with a bitter smile, but he had no strength to move his body and dodge it.
call out...
"It seems that at this crucial moment, I'll have to step in myself. You'd better kneel down first, Luo Chen..."
Bang...
Just then, Garp suddenly appeared in front of him, punched him, and knocked the powerless Luo Chen to the ground. Then he turned to face the slash.
"Ouch, that hurts... Is that... Garp the Hero?"
Before he could react, Luo Chen was suddenly punched on the head and fell to the ground. He struggled to lift his head and saw that familiar back, muttering to himself.
"Hoo... It's been a while since I used Haki. Hawk-Eye, let this old man test whether your strength has improved... Fist Bone... Straight Punch!!"
Garp used the momentum of his leap to briefly hover in mid-air. Watching the incoming slash, he stretched out his right fist, exhaled a breath of air, and then enveloped it in a dense Armament Haki, before unleashing a powerful punch at the slash.
boom...
Just as the slash was about to cut him in two, Garp's fist slammed out, the immense force of which seeped from his hand and struck the Flying Slash.
Bang...
The immense power instantly annihilated it, shattering it into specks of white light. The resulting shockwave continued to spread outwards, causing ripples to spread across the sea not far from them. The shockwave also reached the Shichibukai, drawing their attention.
"..."
Seeing that his attack had been blocked by Garp, Hawk-Eye glanced at him indifferently, then sheathed his sword and turned his back to them.
call out...
clatter...
"Ugh, this is so tiring, so tiring! That Sengoku guy always makes me do these hard jobs, he doesn't take care of this old and frail person at all..."
As Hawk-Eye sheathed his sword, Garp landed back on the ground, shook his hand, and complained.
"Heh, you're old and frail? Then there's no one strong and healthy on this entire ocean..."
Hearing Garp's complaints about Sengoku, Luo Chen's eyelids twitched, and he mentally scoffed.
clatter...
clatter...
clatter!!
"Although this battle was interrupted, I had a great time. Pirate Luo Chen, I acknowledge your strength now, and I hope to have another chance to fight you next time."
Over here, Hawk-Eye, who had turned his back to them, took a few steps forward, then suddenly stopped, turned back to Luo Chen, and said...
"Hmm, I lost this time, but I'll definitely beat you next time. Just you wait, Hawk-Eye, I'll take your title as the World's Greatest Swordsman..."
Luo Chen had regained some strength by then, and, full of fighting spirit, declared to him.
"Hahaha, a naive young man said something similar last time. If you can do it, then come on! I'll be waiting for you to challenge me on this strongest virtual throne. I hope you won't disappoint me..."
After speaking, Hawk-Eye didn't look at him again and walked straight towards headquarters.
"Heh heh heh, I never thought that incredibly proud man like Hawk-Eye would actually acknowledge you. It seems you're becoming a growing threat to our Navy, Luo Chen. Tell me, should I eliminate you now to prevent the Navy from being intimidated by you in the future...?"
Seeing that Hawk-Eye actually acknowledged Luo Chen's strength was simply unimaginable to him. Garp turned around, bent down, and extended his hand to Luo Chen, speaking half-jokingly.
"Heh heh heh, Vice Admiral Garp, do you really want to get rid of me, this thorn in your side, for the Navy? If that's the thought, then I advise you to act quickly, lest you regret it later..."
Even though Luo Chen saw a hint of murderous intent mixed in with Garp's joke, he wasn't worried. Putting aside the fact that Garp himself didn't care about the government, given his capricious personality, he wouldn't do such a thing. So Luo Chen wasn't worried about Garp's safety. Instead, he solemnly declared to him in a serious tone.
"... Hehehe, I have no intention of serving those high-ranking government officials to the death. Forget about you, I'm retired anyway. This generation's affairs should be left to their own; it has little to do with me. Get up, come with me to meet Sengoku, otherwise he's getting impatient!"
After saying that, he reached out and pulled Luo Chen up, gesturing for him to follow in his footsteps.
Ta-da-ta-da...
"Heh, Vice Admiral Garp, if you miss this chance, you might never have another opportunity to deal with this menace!"
Having regained some of his strength, Luo Chen followed after him, reminding him again.
"Don't provoke me like that, Luo Chen. I said I wouldn't kill you, and I won't. If there's any real threat, that's something for Aokiji and his generation of Marines to worry about, not for this old man... Hurry up and leave!!"
Despite being reminded again, Garp still didn't take it to heart, or rather, given his personality, he couldn't bring himself to do it.
The two chatted as they walked toward the headquarters.