Chapter 6

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[Kaienreki Calender, Year 1507]

The crackling symphony of fire resonated throughout the surroundings, its fervent embrace reaching every corner of the land. The terrain itself seemed to be cloaked in a hardened layer of magma, an indomitable testament to the cataclysmic forces that had shaped this place. At the apex of the mountain, flames erupted with unyielding fury, painting the sky with tongues of incandescent heat.

The warship anchored at a cautious distance from the island, well aware of the volatile nature of the environment. Fifty Marines, their brows glistening with sweat, disembarked from the vessel and set foot on the land, their expressions a mix of determination and trepidation.

Among the group, Sakazuki, strolled leisurely, a cigar nestled between his lips. To him, this scorching level of heat merely whispered a soothing breeze against his powerful frame. With each stride, his presence exuded an aura of unwavering confidence.

Garp, however, stepped onto the land with a tautness in his body. Despite his towering stature and unrivaled strength, he couldn't help but feel a distinct unease deep within his core. His piercing gaze fixated instantly on the summit of the mountain, as if an invisible force drew his attention.

Sakazuki, his senses honed to a razor's edge, detected an unsettling presence lingering in the air. His brows furrowed in concern, his gaze shifting towards Garp with an unspoken understanding passing between them.

"Everyone, maintain your positions at the edge of the island," Garp commanded, his tone devoid of its usual joviality, now emanating authority and urgency. The protests from the other Marines dwindled into silence as a massive globule of molten lava erupted from the mountain's summit, cascading down with destructive force.

Sakazuki's body radiated intense heat as he transformed into living magma, propelling himself skyward with a mighty leap. With a resounding impact, he obliterated the fiery projectile, dispersing its dangerous potential.

"Conduct a thorough search of the perimeter," he ordered the group of soldiers, their duty clear in the face of impending danger.

[Scene change]

The deafening roar of flames grew louder, accompanied by an escalating surge in temperature. Sakazuki strode forward, undeterred by the scorching conditions, his gaze fixed on Garp's broad back. There was a mix of respect and admiration in his eyes.

As a wielder of the Magu Magu no Mi, Sakazuki was essentially a human made of magma, rendering him impervious to extreme heat. Any level of fiery intensity posed no threat to him. Garp, on the other hand, was a mere mortal, albeit an immensely powerful one. With his raw strength and awe-inspiring Haki, he stood atop the world, revered as the marine hero.

Together, Garp and Sakazuki ascended the blazing mountain as if it were a leisurely stroll in the park.

"Vice Admiral!" Sakazuki bellowed abruptly, coming to an abrupt halt.

"What is it? Have you found something?" Garp inquired, wiping away a bead of sweat from his forehead.

"Take a look at this!" Sakazuki gestured toward a spot near the mountain's base.

Garp stepped forward, his eyes widening in astonishment as he beheld the sight before him. Imprinted upon the scorching lava and magma were footprints, almost as large as his head, leading towards the edge of the island.

"Someone... capable of walking on lava... headed towards the sea," Sakazuki stated.

"You sure you're the only one with that magma fruit?" Garp asked skeptically.

"Of course! Only one person can possess a Devil Fruit power at a time," Sakazuki affirmed.

"Yes, yes," Garp responded.

His smile faded as he coughed into his hand, signaling for attention.

"Regardless, we should not be concerned with whoever that is," he declared solemnly.

Garp and Sakazuki exchanged a knowing glance and resumed their ascent. Soon, they stood at the mountain's peak.

Sakazuki positioned himself at the front, able to withstand the blistering heat.

"This is impossible!" he exclaimed.

"A volcano erupts only when it connects to the Earth's core! This is merely an enormous burning rock positioned over the sea," he added.

"Stand aside; we'll find out what's inside by punching it open!" Garp declared, cracking his knuckles.

Sakazuki was on the verge of objecting, but a massive hand grasped his shoulder and shoved him back.

Garp's hands became shrouded in Armament Haki, turning them black, and then he unleashed a powerful strike.

The mountain's summit was obliterated, causing the entire island to quake. A vertical crack formed along the length of the mountain. It split open, revealing a viscous, purple liquid. It bubbled and seethed, contained within the mountain's basin.

An intense wave of heat washed over Sakazuki and Garp.

"Hot!" Sakazuki cried out, perhaps for the first time in his life.

Garp swiftly leaped away, moving with incredible speed.

"Get away!" he shouted.

However, Sakazuki was slightly too late. His voice was stifled as a massive hand, nearly as large as himself, emerged from the liquid. It was composed of the same bubbling, boiling substance.

"Gah!" His scream pierced the air, reverberating across the island. In that fleeting moment, the hand struck Sakazuki, landing a blow to his chest.

Another resounding blast tore through the liquid, causing it to splatter across the island. Garp had unleashed yet another devastating punch, with the droplets scorching everything in their path, even hardened magma and rocks.

"Retreat to the ship, we are leaving!" Garp ordered with urgency.

"Yes, Vice Admiral!" Sakazuki replied, his voice strained. He covered his bloodied and burnt chest, the once vibrant red suit now charred and revealing a wound oozing with blood.

The marines quickly heeded Garp's command, retreating from the dangerous battleground. The island trembled as they hurried back to the safety of the warship, their hearts filled with a mixture of awe and fear at the destructive power they had just witnessed.

Garp and Sakazuki boarded the vessel, their expressions serious and minds focused on the imminent threat. As the ship set sail, leaving the burning island behind, Garp's gaze lingered on the mysterious purple liquid that had emerged from the fractured mountain. There was a sense of foreboding in his eyes, a recognition that they were facing a formidable and unknown adversary.

"We need to report this immediately," Garp said, his voice commanding yet tinged with concern. "There's more to this than meets the eye. We must gather the forces of the marines and prepare for what lies ahead."

Sakazuki nodded in agreement, his resolve undeterred despite his injuries. He respected Garp's instincts and knew that their next steps would be crucial in uncovering the truth behind the enigmatic events that had unfolded.

[Scene change]

Unaware of the happenings near the sea surrounding it, the town of Kargil buzzed with its usual liveliness, oblivious to the dangers lurking beyond. Nestled on the outskirts of Soragiri Island, it had become a haven for criminals and outcasts, where civilization and its seedy underbelly coexisted.

Kargil stood as a testament to the delicate balance of life, its rundown streets marred by potholes and scattered garbage. The pungent stench of sewage permeated the air, creating an unpleasant atmosphere. In the heart of the town, a dilapidated door led to a rowdy bar, from which raucous cheers and jeers echoed into the surrounding streets.

Amidst this desolation, a small figure trudged through the worn-out roads. It was midday, yet the sun's rays failed to penetrate the cold atmosphere. Beads of dew clung to a battered door, as if mourning the town's decay. The figure, a child slightly taller than the rest, pressed forward with bare feet, clad only in tattered red pants soiled with dirt and dried blood.

Remnants of burnt fabric adorned the pants, revealing glimmers of long-lost opulence buried beneath layers of grime. This child was none other than Ravok, his once-vibrant face now devoid of expression. His crimson eyes, once filled with life, had dimmed, reflecting the anguish that weighed heavily on his young shoulders.

With a sense of aimlessness, Ravok continued his journey, his body moving mechanically as he attempted to escape the haunting memories of what had transpired.

Veering away from the bustling center, Ravok's bare feet led him down a narrow alley, shielded from prying eyes.

The dimly lit passage revealed only one open end, casting an air of mystery upon its shadows.

"Vhvhvhvha, surreptitiously relinquish your jewelry and vanish, kid," a rough and gruff voice emanated from the alley's entrance.

It was evident that this voice had been tailing Ravok for quite some time, observing his every move.

Ravok offered no response, his lifeless red eyes simply fixated on his pursuer.

The thug's hair stood on end as their gaze locked, an unsettling feeling gripping his heart.

"I told you to abandon that jewelry and disappear! silently!" The thug's voice wavered, his confidence giving way to desperation.

Nevertheless, despite the growing unease, the allure of the golden jewelry adoring Ravok's dirt covered pants overwhelmed the thug's sense of caution. Determined, He took a step forward, resolved to resort to force.

In an instant, an imperceptible pressure engulfed him.

"Huh?"

A colossal shadow loomed over him, towering twice his height, adorned with six limbs, each more robust than his entire body.

"W-w-what is this? I-I-" His words dissolved into silence.

The sound of thunderous bangs reverberated through the once serene alley, momentarily shattering the stillness.

As abruptly as chaos erupted, it subsided, leaving behind an eerie hush that enshrouded the surroundings.

Emerging from the alley, a small figure, their feet caked in dirt and blood, ventured forth into the world.

Leaving behind a large chunk of something red.

Light slipped through the cold mist, illuminating the once dark alley.

A large crimson mush, bloody paste, with chunks littered the alley.