Chapter 129: Consequences

Garp has dedicated his life to the Marines, and his loyalty runs deep. Faced with a choice between death and betraying them, he'd undoubtedly choose death.

Fortunately, neither Ace nor Luffy has ever forced him into that position. Their actions, while risky, are simply the choices of pirates. They take risks, but they also bear the burden of the pirate label.

It's a distasteful title, to be sure. Some concepts in the Pirate World are truly warped.

As an adventurer, with Garp backing them up, even if they provoke the Marines, they could simply find Garp and resolve the situation. But as a wanted pirate, how would Garp choose?

In Luo Ning's opinion, Garp was the most pitiable figure in the Summit War. Honestly, if Akainu had truly killed Luffy with one punch, all hell would have broken loose.

Garp would likely go berserk, and figures like Dragon... well, let's just say Akainu wouldn't stand a chance.

"There you are. I challenge you! Defeat you, and the title of strongest belongs to me!"

Before the ship drew closer, a burst of flame erupted skyward, landing on Luo Ning's deck and solidifying into Ace.

"Strongest in the world? Take it if you can, but you seem incapable of bearing such a title!"

Luo Ning eyed Ace with amusement. He hadn't experienced the harsh realities of the world. It was just like Luffy, always chasing the dream of becoming Pirate King.

"Are you scared?"

Ace's thought process was truly bizarre. He genuinely believed Luo Ning was cowering in fear.

"Scared? You have the audacity to ask. Very well, Ace, I'll offer you a chance. As long as you can walk towards me right now, I might consider a different title for you."

Luo Ning smiled. Seeing this, Nami and others familiar with Luo Ning cast pitying glances at Ace. This pirate was in for a rough time.

"Huh? What kind of joke is this? What do you mean 'walk towards you'?"

Before Ace could finish, a mountain-like pressure slammed into him. Had he not reacted instinctively, he might have collapsed onto his knees.

"Let's begin. Remember the conditions. Reach me on your own two feet, or you'll face arrest as a pirate."

Luo Ning unleashed a sliver of Reiatsu on Ace, a minuscule amount truly, yet for Ace's current strength, it was unbearable.

Ace's complexion contorted in the face of this force. All his strength was dedicated to resisting it. Elementalization? The pressure completely blocked him from entering that state, rendering his abilities useless.

"What's wrong? You seemed awfully arrogant just moments ago. Is taking a single step such a struggle now?"

Luo Ning lounged on his recliner, amusement lacing his voice.

Furious at Luo Ning's words, Ace attempted to move forward. However, the effort caused him to stumble, nearly collapsing entirely.

The deck beneath him had been reinforced by Luo Ning, otherwise it would have buckled under Ace's strain. After all, Ace was exerting himself to the utmost, creating a reciprocal effect.

Just taking a single step had him drenched in sweat, his breaths coming out in ragged gasps.

Luo Ning's Reiatsu actually changes according to Ace's movements. As a result, Ace can't walk in front of him.

Ace seems powerful at this stage, but like Enel, he hasn't encountered anyone who can restrain him. Once he meets someone who can use Haki, let alone someone strong, Ace's advantage disappears, and he can be easily defeated due to carelessness.

In the end, after spending more than ten minutes, Ace only managed to take five steps forward.

By this point, Ace's physical strength is basically gone. He's relying on willpower to persevere, which isn't bad.

"It seems you can't reach me. What gave you the courage to challenge me? Ignorance?" Luo Ning asked Ace.

"No... Impossible... The world... It's impossible to be so far away!"

Ace was completely bewildered at this moment, and he fell into a state of extreme self-doubt.

"Isn't that what Zoro should say? You said it first, but your vision is indeed too limited. With your strength, you're no match for even Whitebeard's captain, let alone Whitebeard himself. As for me, Whitebeard is no opponent of mine. I have to say, your guts are really something."

"Now I declare your pirate career is over!"

As soon as Luo Ning gave the signal, his crew rushed to the other ship and arrested everyone on board. Although the people on the other ship weren't weak, Luo Ning's jailors weren't pushovers either.

They were specially trained by Luo Ning, and it's a pity he doesn't have more Devil Fruits. Otherwise, their strength would be even more terrifying.

Just like that, Ace and his crew were all arrested.

"This guy brought it all on himself. Why did he have to provoke us?"

Seeing Ace in this state, Nami and the others shook their heads in disbelief.

"This kid just needs a reality check," Luo Ning said, looking at the unconscious Ace being dragged away by the jailer. "He's Roger's son, but he's not cut out for a pirate's life. Don't even think about being a pirate in the future."

"Roger's son?!" Nami and the others were surprised. After all, Luo Ning had mentioned this when he faced off against Shanks, but hadn't spoken of it further.

They didn't expect to run into him now, and for him to be arrested by Luo Ning.

"What do we do with him next?" Nami asked curiously.

"Let him stay in our ship's prison for a while, then take him to Impel Down for reform," Luo Ning said. "This kid hasn't really acted like a pirate. He's just an adventurer under a pirate flag."

"Educate him properly. He probably won't want to be a pirate anymore after that."

Put a Seastone collar on him when he reaches Impel Down and have him work there for a few decades. Without his powers and with the Seastone shackles, he can't escape at all. He's not Luffy.

"And he didn't intend for him to do heavy labor, so the Seastone collar won't be a weakened version. That guarantees he'll never escape for the rest of his life.

Honestly, when he go back, he plan to use is fantasy power to transform Impel Down into a research institute that requires ID. Escape will be even more impossible for Ace then.