Chapter 142

Hope Island, South Blue.

Perched on the edge of a rugged cliff, a small house stood amidst a sea of lush gardens and fruit trees, their vibrant colors and fragrant blossoms adding life to the serene landscape. The modest home, with its weathered wooden exterior and cozy charm, was a testament to simplicity and quiet living. The garden paths, lined with blooming flowers and ripening fruits, wound their way to the front porch, where a young woman moved gracefully through her daily chores.

Inside the house, sunlight filtered through the small, clean windows, casting a warm glow on the simple but well-loved furnishings. The scent of fresh herbs and baked bread filled the air, creating a sense of homely comfort.

The young woman, with a serene smile and gentle hands, finished her morning tasks and stepped onto the porch. She carried a small sewing kit, her fingers deftly working the needles as she began to knit a tiny sweater for an infant. The soft click-clack of her needles was the only sound, blending harmoniously with the distant crash of waves against the cliff.

Unbeknownst to her, a cloaked figure stood hidden a few hundred meters away, carefully observing her every movement from behind a tree. The figure remained still and silent, the cloak blending into the shadows of the surrounding forest. Each of her gestures, each tilt of her head, was watched with meticulous attention, the observer's intent and purpose shrouded in mystery.

After confirming the identity of the woman, the cloaked figure decided to act. He stepped out from behind his hiding place and began walking toward the cottage. Agatha, knitting the tiny sweater on the porch, looked up as the cloaked figure approached, now just a couple hundred meters away. Her eyes, though serene, held a hidden sharpness.

The cloaked figure reached the porch and observed the woman closely. "May I help you?" Agatha offered, her gaze carefully watching every little movement of the stranger.

"Miss, I am here looking for someone. From what I know, the person I seek came to this island a couple of months ago. Are there any other houses nearby? I may need to check them if the person is there. If you don't mind me asking, may I know your name, miss?" The man asked respectfully, aware of his intrusion on her privacy.

The woman did not seem bothered and replied with a smile, "Agatha, my name is Agatha Christie. As far as I know, there shouldn't be any homes here, but there are a few houses down by the cliff. Maybe you can inquire there. By the way, may I know who you are looking for? Perhaps I might know this person; after all, this is a small island."

The man remained silent for a moment before responding, "Can I get some water to drink, miss?"

Agatha nodded and gestured for the cloaked figure to enter the living room. The house was cozy, with the kitchen counter adjacent to the living room. Agatha picked up a pitcher from the counter and began pouring a glass of water, Her back turned to the cloaked figure.

Just then, the man spoke again, "Rouge." The woman stiffened at the word. "The name of the person I am looking for is Portgas D. Rouge," he continued.

In an instant, Agatha's demeanor changed. She moved in a blur, pulling a hidden rapier and instinctively cloaking it with a thick layer of Armament Haki. She aimed to pierce the cloaked figure's throat with a single thrust. However, Bogard, the cloaked figure, reacted just as swiftly. He drew his katana, imbuing it with Haki of his own.

"Clang!!!" The ferocious clash of the rapier and katana sent a powerful shockwave tearing through the modest home. The force of their collision shattered the windows and sent furniture flying.

Agatha's eyes burned with intensity as she pressed her attack, her rapier a blur of precise, deadly thrusts. Bogard parried each strike with practiced ease, his katana moving fluidly to deflect the blows. The room around them seemed to shrink as their battle intensified.

Rouge fought with the intensity of a fierce lioness. Each of her strikes was precise and powerful, her rapier moving with a deadly grace. Bogard, however, was more focused on defending rather than counterattacking. He had never expected Roger's wife to be such a formidable fighter. Her armament haki was comparable to that of veteran vice admirals, and her swordplay had clearly been honed by years of training.

Bogard deflected a sharp thrust, redirecting it harmlessly away from himself. He quickly created some distance between them as the entire cottage crumbled from the ferocity of their clash. Confirming that the woman was indeed Rouge, he decided there was no need to antagonize her further. According to what Garp had said, she was pregnant.

"Miss Rouge, I am not here to harm you or your child." Bogard said, sheathing his blade and pulling out a letter. "I am here on behalf of my superior, Monkey D. Garp."

Rouge didn't pause to listen. She rushed forward, making a fierce thrust aimed at Bogard's face. But Bogard stood his ground, unmoved and defenseless. Just at the last moment, Rouge twisted the rapier slightly, the thrust scraping Bogard's cheek and drawing blood but causing no further damage. He remained still, holding out the letter.

"Garp-san wanted to find you on Roger's request. Everything you need to know is in this letter," Bogard spoke calmly, extending the letter again.

Rouge's eyes narrowed as she scanned Bogard's face, searching for any signs of deceit. She saw none. Slowly, she lowered her rapier, though her grip remained tight, ready to strike if necessary. She took a cautious step forward and snatched the letter from Bogard's hand, retreating a few steps before opening it.

As she read, her expression softened, the fierce determination giving way to a mix of sadness and relief. The letter was unmistakably in Roger's handwriting, filled with his characteristic warmth and concern. He had trusted Garp to find her and ensure her safety.

Bogard remained silent, giving her the space she needed. He knew better than to interrupt such a moment. Rouge's eyes glistened with unshed tears as she finished reading the letter. She folded it carefully and tucked it into her dress, her shoulders relaxing slightly.

"I... apologize for attacking you," she said, her voice now carrying a hint of vulnerability. "But you must understand, I have to protect myself and my unborn child."

Bogard nodded. "I understand, Miss Rouge. Garp-san's only concern is your safety. We are here to help you, not harm you."

Rouge hesitated, then finally sheathed her rapier. "What now?" she asked, her voice wavering slightly.

"We need to get you to a safer location," Bogard replied. "This place is too exposed. Garp-san has arranged for a secure hideout where you can stay until the baby is born."

Rouge looked around at the ruins of her home, her expression resolute. "I can't stay here any longer anyway," she said. "But I need to gather a few things first."

"Of course," Bogard agreed. "Take your time, but we should leave soon."

A few minutes later, Rouge emerged, carrying a small bundle of belongings. She looked at Bogard, determination in her eyes. "I'm ready."

Bogard nodded and led the way, ensuring Rouge followed closely. As they moved away from the cliffside cottage, the reality of her situation began to sink in. She was leaving behind everything she had known, but she was determined to protect her child, no matter the cost.

*******************

Wanokuni, New World

The clash between the Marines and the samurais had been raging for hours, and despite the intensity of the battle reaching its peak, the Big Mom Pirates had yet to join the fray. The situation was growing more dire by the minute.

"This is absurd. It has been more than half a day, and you have yet to gain access into Wano. Is this all the Marines are worth?" The man seated on the World Government's ship, clad in CP0 attire, questioned Sengoku condescendingly.

Sengoku, standing by his side, bristled at the insult. He had already dispatched the rising stars of the Marines—the three admiral candidates—to besiege Wano. Despite their efforts, the country held strong. Oden himself was holding off both Kizaru and Aokiji, clashing directly with their Logia powers. The mountain waterfall did little to hinder their movements, yet Wano remained impervious. Down in the front lines, Akainu was defending the ships from the relentless cannon fire and flying sword attacks coming from Wano's forces.

Sengoku, still on the flagship, had yet to make a move. He deduced that the Big Mom Pirates were likely nearby and couldn't afford to be flanked by them.

"We never accounted for Wano to have access to such vast quantities of seastone," Sengoku countered, gritting his teeth in anger. The unending supply of seastone was the main reason they couldn't push forward. While the World Government considered seastone a rare and valuable resource, the samurais of Wano used it liberally. They had even fashioned grapeshots for their cannons out of seastone, forcing Sengoku to be extremely cautious in the bombardment.

"Such imbeciles. I wonder if you ever feel ashamed for calling yourselves the defenders of justice?" The God's Knight remarked sarcastically, standing up from his seat. "There is no point in relying on you, weaklings. When you need things done, you can only rely on yourself."

Suddenly, a powerful burst of Haki spread throughout the area, churning the seas. The massive flagship swayed dangerously as a massive storm picked up out of nowhere. The man morphed into a colossal beast, his wingspan spreading almost 50 meters from end to end. A loud, deafening screech burst forth, shaking everything around. The winds picked up speed, as if the storm god himself had descended.

"Garuda!!!," Sengoku whispered in shock. As a mythical Zoan fruit user himself, he recognized the mythical beast covering the skies.

The Garuda was awe-inspiring, a creature straight out of legend. It resembled a god, with a body covered in golden feathers that shimmered with an ethereal light. Its eyes glowed with an intense, otherworldly fire, and its beak was as sharp as a blade. Massive wings spread wide, each feather crackling with energy, generating powerful gusts of wind that churned the sea below.

Its talons were like spears, capable of tearing through the strongest steel. As it hovered above the battlefield, the very air seemed to hum with its power, a palpable aura of dominance and divine wrath.

"Now, witness true power," the god's knight roared, its voice echoing like thunder. The storm intensified, with waves crashing violently against the ships and the cliffs of Wano. Bolts of lightning streaked across the sky, illuminating the scene with flashes of blinding light. The Marines and Samurais alike paused in their battle, turning their eyes to the sky, awestruck by the sight.

Sengoku watched in a mixture of awe and apprehension. He knew the Garuda's power was immense, rivaling even the mightiest of creatures. As the mythical beast descended, Sengoku realized the battlefield was about to change dramatically. The Garuda's intervention could tip the scales, but at what cost?

The samurais braced themselves, their resolve unshaken even in the face of such overwhelming power. Oden tightened his grip on his swords, his eyes burning with determination. The clash between the Marines and the Samurais was far from over, but now a new, divine force had entered the fray.

The Garuda screeched again, and with a single flap of its wings, it sent a shockwave that tore through the battlefield, scattering debris and sending ships rocking precariously. This was no longer just a battle between men; it was a clash of titans, and the outcome would reshape the world.

Oden detected the new threat immediately, his eyes narrowing as he assessed the situation. The massive Garuda's deafening screech reverberated through the battlefield, shaking the entire defense line of the samurai. Oden knew at once that none but he could face this new adversary. He had yet to fully recover from his brutal fight with Kaido, but there was no time to waste. The lives of his people depended on him.

With a determined expression despite his overwhelming fatigue, Oden drew his legendary swords, Enma and Ame no Habakiri, the blades gleaming ominously in the stormy light. He leaped into the air, propelling himself towards the mythical Garuda with immense speed.

The mythical beast met his charge head-on, its massive wings flapping powerfully, creating gusts of wind that threatened to knock Oden off course. But Oden's will was unbreakable; he pushed through the tempest, his eyes locked on his target.

"Paradise Totsuka!" Oden roared, unleashing a powerful two-sword strike aimed directly at the Garuda. The blades glowed with Haki, cutting through the air with terrifying force. The Garuda, however, was no ordinary opponent. It twisted its massive body, avoiding the brunt of the attack.

Even so, Oden's blades left a deep gash along its side, golden feathers scattering in the wind.

The Garuda screeched in fury, its eyes burning with a divine fire. It retaliated with a swift swipe of its talons, each one as sharp as a spear. Under Oden's shocked eyes, the wound started healing at a visible rate.

Oden parried the attack with his swords, but the sheer force of the blow sent him hurtling back. He landed heavily on the ground, creating a small crater with the impact. Undeterred, Oden sprang back to his feet, ready for the next assault.

"Foolish human! You dare challenge a god?" The God's knight roared, his voice echoing like thunder. He summoned a bolt of lightning from the stormy sky, directing it towards Oden with deadly precision. Oden crossed his swords in front of him, the blades absorbing the brunt of the lightning strike. The force of the impact sent tremors through his body, but he stood firm, his resolve unwavering.

"Divine Thunder!" Oden shouted, channeling the energy of the lightning through his swords and redirecting it back at the Garuda. The beast flapped its wings, creating a barrier of wind that dissipated the attack. It swooped down towards Oden, its beak aimed at his heart. Oden sidestepped at the last moment, slashing upwards with Enma. The blade cut a deep line across the Garuda's chest, but the beast was relentless.

With a deafening screech, the Garuda unleashed a torrent of wind blades, each one capable of slicing through a mountain of steel. Oden moved with incredible agility, dodging and deflecting the attacks with his swords. Despite his best efforts, several blades found their mark, leaving deep gashes across his body. Blood flowed freely, but Oden's determination only grew stronger.

"Two-Sword Style: Chasing Boar!" Oden called out, his swords glowing with an intense light. He launched himself at the Garuda once more, his blades moving faster than the eye could follow. The Garuda met his charge, its talons and beak clashing against Oden's swords in a flurry of sparks and lightning.

The two titans clashed with a ferocity that shook the very earth. Oden's strikes were powerful and precise, each one aimed at exploiting a weakness in the Garuda's defenses. But the mythical beast was equally formidable, its attacks imbued with divine power. Oden could feel the strain on his body, the wounds from his fight with Kaido slowing him down. But he couldn't afford to falter. The fate of Wano hung in the balance.

"Secret Technique: Paradise Waterfall!" Oden roared, bringing both swords down in a devastating overhead strike. The Garuda raised its wings to block, but Oden's Haoshoku Haki-infused blades cut through the feathers and flesh, leaving a deep, gaping wound. The beast screeched in agony, its blood raining down like a storm.

Enraged, the Garuda transformed into its hybrid form and lashed out with its talons, catching Oden across the chest and sending him sprawling. Oden coughed up blood, his vision blurring for a moment. But he forced himself to stand, his grip on his swords tightening. He couldn't afford to lose. Not now. Not ever.

The Garuda's eyes blazed with fury. It summoned another bolt of lightning, this one even more powerful than the last. The sky lit up with an intense white light as the bolt struck down towards Oden. He raised his swords to meet the attack, the force of the impact sending shockwaves through the battlefield.

"Is that all you've got?" The god's knight shouted defiantly, his voice carrying over the roar of the storm. "So much for the land that once had warriors like Ryuma! You all are simply pathetic! You wanted to challenge the world's order with such puny strength? If this is all you got, then its time you die.!!!"

The god's knight, sensing its advantage, pressed the attack. He lunged at Oden with its beak, the sharp tip aimed directly at his heart. Oden raised his swords to block, but the force of the blow sent him reeling. The Garuda's talons followed, slashing across Oden's torso and leaving deep, bloody wounds.

Oden stumbled, his breath coming in ragged gasps. His vision blurred as he tried to focus on his opponent. The Garuda loomed over him, its eyes filled with triumph. It raised its talons for the final blow, ready to end the battle once and for all.

In a last-ditch effort, Oden summoned the remainder of his strength. "Two-Sword Style: Togen Totsuka!" he shouted, launching himself at the Garuda with everything he had. His swords glowed with an intense, fiery light as he aimed for the beast's heart.

But the Garuda was ready. It deflected the attack with a powerful swipe of its wing, sending Oden crashing to the ground. The mythical beast stood over him, its talons poised to strike. Oden struggled to rise, his body refusing to obey.

"Your time is over, Oden," the Garuda sneered, its voice filled with contempt. "The era of Samurai's has ended."

Oden looked up, his vision filled with the image of the Garuda's triumphant form. He knew he had given his all, but it wasn't enough. As the Garuda's talons descended, he closed his eyes, accepting his fate.

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Currently updated until Chapter 191.

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