Chapter 105: The Highest Reward

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.

[•———•——•———•]

Kong stood at the forefront of the warship's deck, shouting toward the large ship nearby, "Hina, Peacock, return to Marine headquarters with me to accept your punishment, and leniency may still be an option."

On the big ship, Peacock, with her hands on her waist and chest heaving, laughed. "Old Marshal, you're past your prime. I suggest you retire gracefully and not embarrass yourself."

Kong's expression turned cold. "Peacock, even your grandmother was once under my command. How dare you challenge me like this?"

Peacock smirked, her eyes locked on Kong. "Every generation brings forth new talent. It's time for the old to step down. You should retire before you tarnish your legacy."

Kong chuckled. "Seems your strength and confidence have both grown. Very well, let's see if you can make my name a footnote in history."

With those words, Kong leapt into the air, using Moonwalk to propel himself toward Peacock.

"Koby, now!" Peacock yelled. Koby, momentarily stunned, clenched his fists, and a white energy sphere formed around them.

Kong's eyes narrowed. "So, Koby has indeed consumed the Shock Fruit."

Koby thrust his fist forward, creating spiderweb-like cracks in the air as the power of the Shock Fruit erupted toward Kong.

Kong enveloped himself in Armament Haki, bracing against the Shock Fruit's force.

But Koby's true target was the sea itself. A massive wave, tens of meters high, surged toward the Marine warship.

Within moments, the wave capsized the warship, and strong sea winds filled the sails of the big ship, propelling it like an arrow into the distance. Peacock's voice echoed, "Old Marshal, chase us if you dare, but you'll be leaving your Marines to feed the fish!"

"Damn it," Kong cursed.

He watched the ship retreat, then glanced at the Marines struggling in the sea.

Gritting his teeth, Kong dove into the water.

With immense strength, he righted the Marine battleship, lowered a rope ladder, and the Marines climbed aboard one by one.

By this time, the big ship had gained considerable distance. Kong addressed the Marines, "Follow slowly. I'll go ahead."

Just as Kong prepared to pursue the distant ship, a voice called from behind, "Teacher, give me some face and let Hina and the others go."

Chiba flew in front of Kong, riding the Black Water True Dragon, blocking his path.

Kong regarded Chiba coldly. "Why are you here?"

"Commander, perhaps you want to know how Ethanbaron fared?"

"Don't worry, the Five Elders are still formidable. I couldn't kill him yet."

"He's alive and well," Chiba smiled. "But next time, who knows?"

Kong's face darkened. "Chiba, do you truly intend to betray the Marines and become a pirate?"

"Of course not."

"Then why are you doing this?"

"Commander, you forced my hand. I wanted to remain a research doctor, but you insisted I go to Mariejois to develop life potions for the Celestial Dragons."

"I don't need to explain what the Celestial Dragons are like. Even if I succeeded, they'd likely kill me the moment I did."

Kong opened his mouth to speak, but Chiba interrupted, "Don't tell me they wouldn't do that. First, I can't create life potions, and my fate would be worse. You know this better than I do."

"Let's not waste words. Teacher, please, let this go."

Kong's eyes sharpened. "What if I refuse?"

"Heh, then I have no choice but to challenge the old man," Chiba said with a smile.

Kong laughed, his laughter shaking the sea.

"You juniors have no respect for your elders. You're arrogant, thinking strength gives you free rein. Today, I'll teach you a lesson on behalf of your grandfather Garp."

With that, Kong's right hand clenched into a fist, surrounded by jet-black Armament Haki.

The Haki was dense and thick, as solid as a mountain.

Chiba knew better than to underestimate these veterans. Kong's original strength was likely on par with his grandfather Garp. With Qi training and potions, he might be even stronger.

Chiba controlled five Black Water True Dragons, sending them toward Kong.

"Good timing," Kong shouted, punching the dragons.

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Explosions erupted as the true dragons shattered. Kong sneered. "Boy, I thought you had more strength. You're nothing."

"Really?" Chiba smiled. Water's greatest advantage is its formlessness. It can reshape at any time. The shattered water turned into countless small black water dragons, wrapping around Kong.

The black water was thick, and in midair, Kong couldn't shake it off, pulled into the sea by the true dragons.

A Black Water True Dragon wrapped around Kong tightly. Kong punched at the water.

Boom!

His punch sent a massive splash skyward, shattering the dragon again.

But Chiba appeared above him, unleashing the Ten-Punch Wolf.

Kong's expression shifted, and he met Chiba's punch with his own.

Boom!

Chiba was sent flying, but Kong was also punched into the sea's depths.

The five Black Water True Dragons held Kong firmly. His punches were weakened underwater, while the dragons' strength was amplified.

Kong's attacks were ineffective. The dragons squeezed tighter, rapidly draining his energy.

Kong pushed his Armament Haki to its limit but remained trapped. Panic set in.

"Damn it, my strength is limited underwater. I can't exert my full power."

"But the dragons are stronger here. If this continues, I'll die."

Closing his eyes, Kong concentrated his power, turning his Armament Haki orange-red in an Emission state, spreading it across his body.

With a sudden burst of energy, Kong's Emission Armament Haki expanded, loosening the dragons' grip.

His body shrank, and he swam like a fish, breaking free of the dragons, breaching the surface, and landing on the battleship.

Chiba marveled at Kong's feat. "As expected of the old man, using Armament Haki to such a degree. Impressive."

Kong stared at Chiba, realizing that on land, he could handle this brat.

But at sea, the dragons gave Chiba an overwhelming advantage.

Reusing his escape tactic was risky. Staying meant risking death.

If Chiba remained at sea, capturing him would be impossible.

In just over two years, this kid had grown immensely.

Marine had nurtured a tiger.

Kong thought quickly and reluctantly ordered, "Retreat."

The Marine battleship turned back toward Marineford.

Standing on the deck, Kong glanced at Chiba. This young man could rule the seas now. Only a select few could challenge him.

As Kong departed, Chiba sighed in relief. Kong's aura reminded him of his grandfather Garp.

If that power was fully unleashed, like Garp's Ocean Drop, he might not withstand it.

But in another year or two, Chiba was confident he could face even Garp without losing.

Chiba's figure flickered, and he quickly caught up to Hina and Hancock's large ship.

Upon landing, Peacock ran over, hugging Chiba's arm. "Chiba, I was so worried about you."

Hina pulled Peacock away. "Chiba, did you stop Kong from chasing us?"

Peacock glared at Hina but held her tongue, fearing she'd be caged and paraded again.

"Yes, I trapped him with the True Black Water Dragon. Even if we're wanted criminals now, your Black Water True Technique must be mastered. It greatly enhances your survival chances."

"Chiba, can you teach my servants well?" Peacock sidled over, but Hina intervened. "Chiba's given you the techniques. Study hard."

Peacock pouted, her angelic face showing her displeasure with Hina. Koby and Bellumebo stifled laughter.

Hancock watched, envy in her eyes. Her bond with Chiba wasn't as close as the others.

After nearly a month of sailing, they reached Amazon Lily.

They also saw the latest newspaper.

Front-page headlines announced Marine Vice Admiral Garp beating a Five Elder.

Chiba was drawn to the title.

The Celestial Dragons were the world's nobles, and the Five Elders their leaders.

The Elders wielded the world's highest power and great personal strength.

Yet his grandfather had beaten one?

Chiba read eagerly, spotting a photo.

His grandfather Garp, wearing the Marine cloak of justice, was atop Ethanbaron, fist raised, smashing his face.

Chiba smiled broadly. His grandfather was incredible.

The Five Elders had forced him out of Marine. Now he'd have to rely on himself.

"Chiba, look, Marine's wanted posters," Hina said, handing him several.

"Oh, really? I wonder how much my bounty is." Chiba took the poster, stunned by the amount. "Why so high?"

No wonder he was shocked. His bounty was 7.19 billion Berries. Even Roger's bounty wasn't that high.

Hina explained, "Marine sets bounties based on the threat to the World Government. Chiba, your skills and potions could change the world."

"If you fully backed a pirate crew, it could rival Marine headquarters in strength."

"Marine has good reason for such a high bounty."

"What about me? What's my bounty?" Peacock eagerly checked her poster.

"2.15 billion Berries? Mine's too low compared to Chiba's!" Peacock complained, then found Hina's poster.

"2.23 billion Berries, more than me? Those Marine idiots made a mistake!" Peacock fumed, wondering why she ranked below Hina.

Koby, Bellumebo, and Apu found their posters.

Koby's bounty was 1.99 billion Berries, Apu's 630 million, and Bellumebo's only 80 million, a fraction of Koby's.

Bellumebo sighed, "Am I really that bad? Not even a fraction of Koby?"

Koby patted Bellumebo's shoulder. "My high bounty's due to the Shock Fruit. Without it, my reward would be much less."

"Even ten times less is 190 million," Bellumebo lamented, then resolved, "I have to work hard. I can't lag behind."

Bellumebo didn't waste time, diving into the training Chiba provided.

Meanwhile, the world buzzed with news of Chiba leaving the Marines and Garp's assault on the Five Elders.

[•———•——•———•]

𝙥𝗮𝙩𝙧𝙚𝙤𝙣(.)𝙘𝙤𝙢/𝙂𝙤𝙙𝙊𝙛𝙍𝙚𝙖𝙙𝙚𝙧

✨ • 𝗘𝘅𝗰𝗹𝘂𝘀𝗶𝘃𝗲 𝗔𝗰𝗰𝗲𝘀𝘀: 𝙂𝙚𝙩 𝟲𝟬+ 𝙖𝙙𝙫𝙖𝙣𝙘𝙚𝙙 𝙘𝙝𝙖𝙥𝙩𝙚𝙧𝙨 𝙖𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙙 𝙤𝙛 𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧𝙮𝙤𝙣𝙚 𝙚𝙡𝙨𝙚.