Chapter 124 – [124] : [BONUS] – Garp’s Intervention! The Aftermath! The World’s Most Dangerous Man!

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Accompanied by a terrifying thunderclap, a horrifying bolt of lightning, several meters wide, descended from the sky!

Its target—Garp’s warship!

“Lightning???” Gion and the others stared, their eyes wide with horror.

Especially Gion…

Lightning descending from the sky, containing such terrifying energy—on these seas, only one ability could achieve this!

BOOOOOOOOOM!

Amidst a roar of crimson-black lightning, Garp, enveloped in Haōshoku Coating, shot upwards!

CRACK!

Garp’s right hand—actually “caught” the massive bolt of lightning!

“Fist Meteorite——!” Garp roared with overwhelming power.

His full-force Haōshoku Coating directly seized the lightning itself! With a powerful throwing motion, he hurled the captured bolt far out into the distant sea!

BOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOM!

The combined force of Haōshoku Coating and the Rumble-Rumble Fruit’s energy exploded—blasting a terrifying abyss into the ocean.

Countless tons of seawater rushed back in, still crackling with wild arcs of lightning… Numerous sea creatures were instantly annihilated in the blast!

“Targeting my ship, were you, brat?!” Garp’s eyes blazed with a red light. Observation Haki—Future Sight!

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“What happened, Garp???” Sengoku’s anxious voice, strained from overexerting his own abilities and losing emotional control, crackled through the Transponder Snail.

“The power of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit… Targeting my warship, trying to sink it—Looks like Kuzan really is in deep trouble over there,”

Garp replied grimly, pushing his Observation Haki to its absolute limit to guard against further lightning strikes.

Those horrible lightning attacks, descending from an unseen assailant high above—on these seas, only one ability could do that.

The Rumble-Rumble Fruit—one of the Logias hailed as nearly invincible—which hadn’t been seen on the seas for who knows how long!

The sudden use of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit’s power completely validated Sengoku’s fears!

Someone was actively trying to prevent them from reaching and rescuing Aokiji—and Aokiji himself couldn’t stop this person from unleashing the Rumble-Rumble Fruit’s power…

One could only imagine how dire Aokiji’s situation truly was.

Garp’s expression was incredibly grave…

The Rumble-Rumble Fruit was no average Fruit—it was one of the absolute pinnacle powers among all Devil Fruits—

“WHAT DID YOU SAY?!” Sengoku’s horrified voice came through the Transponder Snail.

The Rumble-Rumble Fruit???

That fruit, hailed as one of the most invincible Logias, has reappeared on the seas??

And it’s being used to stop Garp from rescuing Aokiji??

This means one of Aokiji’s opponents is the Rumble-Rumble Fruit user—and for Garp to describe it as ‘Very strong’ means this person has mastered the fruit to its extreme!

No wonder his Buddha’s Deductions predicted Aokiji was in a terrible life-or-death crisis!

“It really is… the Rumble-Rumble Fruit!” Gion stared at the dissipating lightning on the distant sea surface, her heart still pounding with residual fear.

Her beautiful eyes still held a trace of horror—

The moment that scary power appeared, Gion’s Observation Haki had sensed the immense energy contained within. And that was a Rumble-Rumble Fruit ability unleashed from an unknown distance by an unseen assailant.

From afar—it could severely injure, even kill her…

Gion gripped her Meitō, Konpira, her expression grim. ‘Sky Sovereign Rowen… has a super-powerhouse helping him?’

At this moment, the thought that Rowen himself was the one using the Rumble-Rumble Fruit didn’t even cross Gion’s mind.

In Alabasta, she had personally fought Rowen.

Though she was at a disadvantage, his Haki and stamina were clearly inferior to hers. If the fight dragged on, though it would have been messy, Gion was confident she would have eventually won—

Only a few weeks had passed since the Alabasta incident—for Rowen to suddenly be capable of wielding this frightening power?? What a joke!

This was someone who could annihilate her from afar with a casual lightning strike, without even showing their face—

An absolute TOP-tier super-powerhouse of these seas! Those individuals were forged through countless bloody battles.

For Rowen to have strength capable of fighting her at his age was already unbelievable.

To become this kind of super-powerhouse??? Don’t be ridiculous!!

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“But Garp… it’s strange… A powerhouse using the Rumble-Rumble Fruit—why haven’t we heard any news before??”

Gion voiced her doubts while remaining vigilant.

As an Admiral Candidate, she had extensive knowledge of Devil Fruits.

Even an incredibly powerful fruit like Rumble-Rumble, though strong even unawakened, shouldn’t be able to unleash such devastating long-range attacks that left even her feeling powerless to resist.

To launch those attacks, one had to master the fruit to its extreme, achieve Awakening… And to awaken one of the most invincible Logias like Rumble-Rumble—wasn’t something achievable in a short period.

—Yet, before this, there had been absolutely no news of the Rumble-Rumble Fruit reappearing!

“It is indeed bizarre. Continue at full speed! Kuzan is in extreme danger!” Garp urged the ship forward, his Observation Haki spread wide, wary of another lightning strike.

If they were hit directly, his ship would be instantly destroyed—which was clearly the enemy’s goal: to prevent them from rescuing Aokiji.

But this also meant Aokiji wasn’t dead yet—otherwise, the enemy wouldn’t resort to such tactics.

“Counting on you, Garp!!” Sengoku’s voice came through the Transponder Snail.

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“Hero Garp, Sengoku the Buddha, Two annoying old geezers,” Rowen murmured, one finger pointed skyward, channeling his Rumble-Rumble Fruit power, his expression somewhat grim.

His Rumble-Rumble Fruit-enhanced Observation Haki had picked up Garp and Sengoku’s entire conversation.

The Buddha’s Deductions was even trickier than he initially thought—It had deduced Aokiji was in a life-or-death crisis, prompting Garp to come to the rescue.

Mythical Zoan abilities were far more bizarre and troublesome than standard Devil Fruits.

The Human-Human Fruit that made Rowen the ‘Ultimate Human’ vastly enhanced his cognitive abilities, even allowing him to analyze enemy weaknesses during combat—

—But the Buddha wisdom was even more problematic, capable of prophetic-like deductions. Though not always accurate, even a vague warning was annoying enough.

As for Luffy’s grandfather, Monkey D. Garp’s strength—even Rowen felt a profound sense of gravity.

Super-strong Haōshoku Coating… Stronger than his own.

This old man had nearly soloed Hachinosu Island, taking out almost all of Blackbeard’s crew except Blackbeard himself!

Even in old age, his combat strength was undoubtedly among the absolute pinnacles of this sea!

His fight with Aokiji was completely one-sided. If not for that idiot Koby, Garp wouldn’t have been injured and might very well have succeeded in a solo sweep!

This scary combat power—even Rowen at his absolute peak wouldn’t be a match. Let alone now, after a long, exhausting battle with Aokiji.

Rowen had originally planned to use the Rumble-Rumble Fruit’s super long-range attacks to unexpectedly destroy Garp’s ship and stop them. That time difference would have been enough to finish off Aokiji.

But Garp’s Observation Haki had also clearly reached its peak, capable of Future Sight.

His long-range attack was completely nullified…

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“Looks like… my luck hasn’t run out yet,” Aokiji murmured, seeing Rowen’s expression and guessing what had happened, a faint smile touching his lips.

REINFORCEMENTS HAVE ARRIVED!

And they were reinforcements that made even Sky Sovereign Rowen feel troubled. To achieve that, and appear here at this exact moment—it could only be one person!

GARP—

Aokiji clenched his fists, beginning to gather all his remaining strength.

Just hold out until Garp arrives—and he’d be safe! Perhaps even cooperate with Garp to capture Sky Sovereign Rowen!

“Have you forgotten my Human-Human Fruit ability, Aokiji?” Rowen asked calmly, looking at Aokiji.

The intelligence enhancement from the Human-Human Fruit allowed Rowen to rapidly calculate Garp’s arrival time, the time needed to defeat Aokiji, and the time needed to complete his escape.

Time was insufficient.

Rowen wouldn’t take such a huge gamble just for Aokiji. Now was not the time to fight Garp.

“….” Hearing this, Aokiji’s eye twitched.

The wisdom granted by the Human-Human Fruit wouldn’t allow him to make any tactical errors… This man wasn’t just a powerful Rumble-Rumble Fruit user.

He was also an Ultimate Human—Trying to outsmart him was impossible.

“You still lost, didn’t you, Aokiji?!” Rowen suddenly declared, his grim expression vanishing, replaced by a hearty laugh.

Though he didn’t get Aokiji’s Traits… defeating Aokiji still provided a substantial boost to his spiritual power for Haki—

Once he returned and recovered to his peak, assimilating this spiritual power with his Born of the Sea Trait—his Haki would become even stronger!

“This time—I’ll let you go for now. You should seriously consider what I said. Join me, and create a new future, Kuzan!” Rowen finished, pointedly using Aokiji’s given name, his voice booming with power.

BOOM!

With that, Rowen transformed into a bolt of lightning and vanished.

An ‘Ultimate Human’ acted decisively; all pros, cons, and possibilities had already been analyzed…

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Thump!

“Hah… Hah…” Aokiji collapsed wearily onto the ice, gasping for breath.

That was a brutal beating.

Aokiji felt his injuries, a wry smile on his face. If Garp hadn’t been on his way, he truly might have died this time.

As for surrendering?? Aokiji, still a Marine HQ Admiral, hadn’t reached that point yet.

But Rowen’s repeated invitations and words—had planted a seed in Aokiji’s heart, already conflicted about his own sense of justice.

Though Rowen couldn’t recruit Aokiji in such a short time—a seed, once planted, would begin to sprout when faced with major upheaval.

At that time—anything was possible.

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CRACKLE!

With a flash of lightning, Rowen reappeared on the Going Merry.

“ROWEN!” Vivi and Nami immediately rushed over, anxiously checking if he was injured. Robin followed closely, her expression also concerned.

“Rowen! Are you okay? Are you hurt anywhere??” Chopper scurried to Rowen’s side, his little medical bag already open, his face filled with worry.

“I’m fine—” Rowen reassured them, his heart warmed by their concern.

“Unfortunately, Garp is heading this way. Didn’t have enough time to capture Aokiji alive,” Rowen sighed with mock regret.

His words, however, made everyone else’s faces freeze.

“C-CAPTURE… ALIVE??” they all stammered.

Capture a Marine Admiral ALIVE?!

What was Rowen even saying?! They couldn’t comprehend it!

“Originally wanted to capture Aokiji. This time, only managed to break one of his legs. Guess that counts as getting even for you,” Rowen added, looking at Robin.

Rowen’s words made Robin’s eyes widen sharply.

‘Aokiji—one of the World Government’s Strongest Combatants—had his leg severed by Rowen?!’

Though she had witnessed firsthand how terrifying Rowen’s current power was, hearing this news still shocked Robin profoundly.

Didn’t this mean… Aokiji was defeated??

The deep-seated shadow in Robin’s heart, the terrifying image of Aokiji’s invincible power—in that moment… was completely swept away!

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“GRAMPS IS COMING?! WHERE?!” Luffy, however, reacted with his own trauma, instantly breaking out in a cold sweat, frantically looking around.

“Of course he hasn’t arrived yet! Have you forgotten how vast a range Rowen’s Rumble-Rumble Fruit enhanced senses cover?!” Sanji sighed, exasperated with the idiot captain.

“Set sail! Retreat! Now is not the time to fight Garp! Hahahaha!” Rowen declared, laughing boldly.

Though his words were of retreat, Nami, Vivi, and Robin looked at him, their eyes shining with admiration.

Rowen was too charismatic!

“SO COOL! ROWEN!” Chopper cheered, jumping up and down excitedly.

The Going Merry, under Nami’s command, quickly departed the sea area. Destination:

Water 7—

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“Arara… Finally here, are you?” Aokiji, sitting on a makeshift ice chair, commented as Garp’s ship appeared.

“KUZAN! You damn brat, you’re not dead yet!” Garp leaped from his ship, laughing heartily, genuinely relieved to see Aokiji alive.

“Almost killed… by Sky Sovereign Rowen,” Aokiji replied with a wry smile.

“Don’t be ridiculous! Kuzan! Killed by Sky Sovereign Rowen??? YOU??”

Gion also jumped down from the ship, looking at Aokiji with disbelief, then roaring with uncharacteristic agitation. But the moment she saw Aokiji’s current state, her words died in her throat.

Horrible!

Aokiji—was severely injured!

His body was covered in gruesome, shocking scorch marks. If not for his ice powers treating them, they would look even worse.

What shocked Gion most—was Aokiji’s right leg!

“Kuzan! Your leg!” Gion gasped in horror.

“Ah… Severed by Sky Sovereign Rowen. Mah… anyway, good thing I’m still alive,” Aokiji replied, scratching his head with a surprisingly casual smile.

“So… that Rumble-Rumble Fruit user—was Sky Sovereign Rowen after all?” Garp asked, looking intently at Aokiji.

“CORRECT,” Aokiji nodded in confirmation.

Aboard the ship, Tashigi covered her mouth, her eyes wide with horror.

“No way… How could he be the Rumble-Rumble Fruit user?? And how could he injure you like this?? In Alabasta—I fought him myself!” Gion cried out, utterly disbelieving.

“He has completely mastered Haōshoku Coating—possessing the power of an Emperor!”

Aokiji’s words left Gion completely stunned, speechless.

“Regarding Sky Sovereign Rowen… I will submit a detailed report to the Fleet Admiral. About that man—the most dangerous man in the world!” Aokiji finished, his expression incredibly grave.

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