Chapter 96: Recruit Happo Navy

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It was a Marine warship with only one person on board. At the bow, adorned with a golden sceptre, stood a towering figure. 

Arms crossed, he gazed ahead with a faint smile on his face. Although he did nothing, his mere presence caused the members of the Happo Navy to shudder in fear.

"Why is that guy here?!"

"We've never crossed paths with the Marines before!"

"I heard from the boss that he clashed with Marine Headquarters over Ohara recently..."

The pirates exchanged nervous glances, hearts pounding, as fear etched itself onto their faces.

Among the Marines in recent years, no one held as much renown as the man before them. 

His ideology of Equality and Justice—to grow stronger so that no one could oppress others—had stirred waves across the world. 

Many civilians idolized this Marine, and even some pirates had become his fervent admirers.

What the civilians didn't know, however, was the terrifying power behind him. 

His relentless record of victories had sent shockwaves throughout the pirate world, leaving them trembling. 

In a sense, this man was the bane of all pirates. His principles were rooted in justice, and pirates were the very antithesis of that ideal.

"Only three kilometres away!"

"That warship is too fast!"

The pirates cried out. When they looked closer, they realized the secret behind the warship's speed—it was encased in fine arcs of blue electricity.

Suddenly, one pirate, who had been watching Arashi intently, turned pale.

"He... he's smiling!"

Even across three kilometres, it felt as if he was looking directly at them. 

At that moment, an intense arc of electricity erupted from the bow of the ship, shooting into the sky. 

It reached a peak before sharply turning and streaking towards the Happo Navy's location.

"It's coming!" one pirate screamed.

The words had barely left his mouth when a flash of electricity crackled through the air in front of them. In the blink of an eye, the imposing figure appeared.

"Crackle!"

Electric arcs shot outward, instantly electrocuting the surrounding pirates. With muffled groans, they collapsed, smoke rising from their bodies.

"Where is Chinjao?"

A cold voice rang out as Arashi looked down upon them.

"T-The boss is..."

The pirate's entire body trembled. Arashi's gaze felt like it was piercing his soul. 

Pointing with a shaking finger, he indicated a direction before collapsing under the immense pressure, gasping for air.

"Thanks."

Arashi's casual words lingered as a flash of electricity marked his disappearance. 

The pirate fell limp, his heart racing uncontrollably. It took a long moment before he could catch his breath, his body drenched in sweat.

"Such... such pressure!"

"So this is the world's strongest Marine?"

Meanwhile, on the coastline, the empty warship slowly docked, its eerie silence unbroken. 

Arashi, moving at incredible speed, streaked through the sky above the Land of Flowers, leaving a trail of thunder and lightning in his wake.

At the Happo Navy's headquarters...

"What?!"

"You're saying Arashi is here?!"

"The disciple of Garp?"

The current leader of the Happo Navy, Chinjao, abruptly stood, his eyes turning cold.

"That brat dares come to me before I can settle the score with him? Such arrogance!"

With a fierce wave of his hand, he barked orders.

"Gather everyone! I want to see if this Marine is as powerful as the rumours say. He's just Garp's disciple!"

Despite his bold words, those nearby could detect the unease in his tone. 

Years ago, Garp had shattered Chinjao's pride with a single punch, flattening his prized drill-shaped head. 

The battle had ended in an instant, leaving no doubt about their vast difference in strength.

Even so, Chinjao remained famous worldwide. After all, Garp was an exceptional opponent.

In no time, the water fortress bustled with activity. Thousands of soldiers gathered, with more still pouring in.

"Boom!"

Thunder suddenly roared across the sky as arcs of blue electricity rained down, striking various parts of the fortress. Chinjao looked up, his expression serious.

"Come out, boy!"

"I know you're a Rumble-Rumble Fruit user!"

His call was answered by a deafening bolt of lightning that struck the ground before him. As the light faded, Arashi's figure emerged.

"Happo Navy's current leader... Chinjao."

Arashi stood amidst crackling electricity, his piercing gaze locking onto the towering figure with a flattened, concave head. 

Chinjao's height dwarfed Arashi's, standing a staggering six meters tall.

"Yes, that's me!" Chinjao roared, arms crossed. "You must be Arashi!"

"That's right," Arashi replied, his eyes scanning the thousands of hostile gazes around him. A sly grin spread across his face.

"There are so many of you. But no matter how many lackeys you bring, they're useless against me."

"Boom!"

Thunder roared once more as lightning streaked down. 

At the same time, an overwhelming, oppressive aura surged outward, sweeping across the fortress.

"Crack!"

Ships anchored nearby and buildings within the fortress began to crack under the pressure. 

Pirates in the front lines collapsed with blank eyes, falling like wheat before a scythe.

"Chinjao! I'm here to conquer you!"

Arashi took a step forward. With each stride, the oppressive force of his Conqueror's Haki grew more terrifying.

"The West Blue is my territory, and I won't tolerate a pirate force as strong as yours running unchecked!"

Standing before Chinjao, the subordinates around him were collapsing rapidly. 

The overwhelming Conqueror's Haki emanating from Arashi was like the descent of a god or demon, utterly unmatchable for ordinary people.

"What an awe-inspiring man!" Chinjao thought in shock. Just from this oppressive Haki alone, he could sense Arashi's unparalleled strength. 

This aura was even greater than what he had experienced when facing Garp.

"I acknowledge your Haki," Chinjao admitted, his voice steady. 

"I've heard the tales of you defying Marine Headquarters for the innocent lives of Ohara. Arashi, you are a rare hero, different from other Marines."

"But!" He took a deep breath, his tone hardening. "That depends on whether you have the strength to back it up!" With those words, his eyes flared wide.

"Boom!" Another wave of Conqueror's Haki surged forward from Chinjao, aiming to overwhelm the figure before him. 

But even the remaining bystanders could see the vast disparity between the two. 

Chinjao's Haki, though formidable, was barely able to occupy a small area, completely suppressed by Arashi's overwhelming presence.

"Defeating you?" Arashi laughed heartily. 

"That's far too easy!" He bent his knees slightly, then launched himself forward like a bullet. 

Chinjao roared in response, his body wrapped in an invisible aura, his gaze sharp and unwavering.

"Fine! It's one thing to lose to Garp!" Chinjao bellowed, gathering his strength. 

"But if I can't even beat a snot-nosed kid like you, then my fifty-plus years of life would have been for nothing!"

In an instant, the two figures closed the distance at lightning speed, like two cannonballs fired at one another. 

As they approached, their auras surged higher, shrouding them in swirling waves of energy.

"Iron Fist!"

"Drill Dragon Nail!"

With a thunderous shout, the two collided. 

Arashi's fist was wrapped in black-and-red Conqueror's Haki, while Chinjao's flat, dented head gleamed with a concentrated aura of immense power.

Boom!

The collision sent out a deafening shockwave. 

The force of the clash stirred up gale-force winds, causing the remaining Happo Navy soldiers to shut their eyes tightly, their clothes flapping violently.

"Who won?"

"Was it Boss Chinjao? He used his strongest move!"

When the winds settled, and the shockwave passed overhead, the Eight Treasures Navy soldiers nervously opened their eyes. 

What they saw made their hearts pound wildly.

Crack!

It sounded as though something had shattered. Chinjao's massive body trembled mid-air, his head locked in a stalemate against Arashi's fist. 

After two or three breaths, Chinjao spat out a mouthful of blood and was sent hurtling backwards at breakneck speed.

Crash!

He smashed through over a dozen buildings, tumbling across the ground for three or four kilometres before coming to a halt with a loud thud. 

He lay still, motionless.

"Boss! Boss Chinjao!" the remaining Happo Navy members cried out in alarm.

Arashi hovered mid-air, arcs of electricity dancing around his fist. 

He clenched his hand tightly, then calmly retracted it. "Chinjao, make your decision!" he demanded.

Lying on the ground, Chinjao heard Arashi's voice and suddenly flipped over. 

Blood trickled from the corner of his mouth, and his clothes were torn and tattered. 

He gasped for breath, his head ringing from the impact. Instinctively, he reached up to touch his head.

"Wait, my head?!" he exclaimed, jumping to his feet. 

A look of shock and delight spread across his face, erasing any trace of pain. Chinjao sprinted to the edge of a nearby lake and gazed at his reflection.

"Hahahaha! My drill is back!" he shouted in elation. 

Around him, his crew rushed forward, jumping and cheering with excitement. Even they couldn't contain their joy.

Chinjao's strength had always been concentrated in his Drill Head. 

Years ago, Garp's devastating punch had dented his head, drastically reducing the power of his signature attack, the Drill Dragon Nail. 

But now, after clashing with Arashi, his head had miraculously returned to its original shape.

After a long while, Chinjao calmed down, his expression turning complicated as he recalled the earlier exchange.

"You've won," he admitted, his tone heavy. 

"I never expected someone so young to possess such terrifying strength." 

He inhaled deeply and declared, "I, Chinjao, stand by my word! From now on, the Happo Navy will follow your command!"

With that, Chinjao knelt on one knee. Behind him, the Happo Navy pirates collectively dropped to the ground in deference.

Arashi grinned, baring his teeth. He appreciated people who were straightforward and honest like this.

<End Chapter>

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