Chapter 28: Monster-like Physical Strength

"Boy, what is your body made of? How can it be so hard?"

Garp was speechless. No one had ever ignored his greeting before.

He slammed his haki-infused fist into Luo Ning's chest, but it didn't even faze him. Garp followed up with a surprise attack, aiming a punch directly at Luo Ning's insides. Still, no reaction.

This kind of attack usually bypasses defenses and wrecks insides, but Luo Ning just stood there. No matter how hard Garp punched, there was still no reaction.

Instead, Luo Ning landed blow after blow, draining Garp's Haki fast. But Garp was confused. Why wasn't Luo Ning using the same trick he used on Aokiji?

"Just flesh and blood, old man. Your fists seem a bit slow these days," Luo Ning said with a smirk.

He figured Garp wasn't going all out. People only unleash their full power when cornered, and Garp clearly wasn't there yet.

Luo Ning also avoided using Reiatsu attacks. He just wanted to test his own strength and didn't feel like using strange powers on Garp.

Otherwise, Garp would probably be lying on the ground, unable to move. You see, he can not only damage an opponent's soul, but also crush it completely. If a soul is shattered, the body, even if still alive, becomes a living corpse.

"Don't underestimate me, kid! I'm not so old that a snot-nosed brat like you can beat me!"

Garp's anger flared, his face hardening. Luo Ning felt the power in Garp's fist surge again.

BAM! BAM! BAM!

Luo Ning and Garp clashed fiercely, testing their limits. Their blows sent shockwaves rippling through the air, shattering the ice beneath them.

The commotion echoed far and wide. Magellan, mopping his brow with a cold sweat, couldn't help but be grateful they weren't fighting inside Impel Down. Another hit like that could have sent the whole place crumbling.

A flooded Impel Down would be a disaster. With Sea Kings lurking in the surrounding waters, repairs would be a nightmare.

The very construction of Impel Down was a marvel. Perhaps a Devil Fruit power was involved, something like Pica's Stone Stone Fruit. Building a prison deep beneath the sea would be child's play with that ability.

This world held countless wonders. Luo Ning suspected these oddities were likely the creations of powerful Devil Fruit users after awakening their abilities.

"It's out of my league! Jumping in would just make things worse!"

Even Gion and Yamakaji, the two top Admiral candidates, hesitated to intervene. Garp and Luo Ning were locked in a brutal brawl of pure strength, the speed and ferocity of their attacks far exceeding anything they could manage.

Furthermore, the close proximity of the fight meant any intervention could hit Garp accidentally. That was the last thing they wanted.

Aokiji, despite his abilities, was wracked with pain and unable to fight effectively. Even in his prime, his presence might disrupt Garp's rhythm.

For now, the battle raged on, a clash no one dared to interrupt.

"Look closely," Aokiji said, his voice strained. "He's not aiming to kill... just like with Onigumo."

Aokiji had noticed Luo Ning hadn't killed a single Marine.

He wasn't depleted. Aokiji interpreted Luo Ning's actions as a show of defiance, not a declaration of war. They overreacted, suffering heavy losses against a monster they underestimated.

Those bizarre attacks, strange powers, and apparent lack of weaknesses... it was all baffling.

The brawl between Garp and Luo Ning dragged on for hours. One Piece really lived up to its name – these people were freaks. Even a weakened Garp possessed monstrous physical strength. No wonder top fighters clashed for days on end.

Luckily, Luo Ning's own strength and reserves of Reiatsu were nothing to scoff at. He wasn't fazed by this grueling test of endurance.

At this moment, Garp was already bruised and swollen from Luo Ning's beating.

Luo Ning, meanwhile, fantasized about the ability to heal himself quickly. Otherwise, he probably wouldn't be much better off now. While he suffered very little damage, it was a rare occurrence.

However, these injuries were repaired by his self-healing ability in an instant. So, at this moment, he didn't seem to have changed at all. In contrast, Garp's nose was bruised and his face was swollen.

At a glance, it was clear that Garp had suffered a significant loss.