47. Spike: Is This The Legendary Marine Hero?

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

"Boom!"

...

Four massive explosions echoed in rapid succession!

Garp, propelled by the force, barely managed to halt his flight after demolishing three houses in a row!

All those present gasped in disbelief, their mouths gaping open wide.

The man hailed as a hero was unexpectedly sent hurtling through the air!

"How could this happen? He's Vice Admiral Garp!"

"What kind of creature is that? Could it truly be the power of a Devil Fruit?"

"Such immense strength to send the legendary Marine Vice Admiral Garp flying like that!"

In an instant, chaos erupted!

Witnessing Garp being launched into the air, panic swept through the crowd, each person fleeing in fear of the monstrous power.

The marine's expressions grew even more exaggerated as they watched Garp's unexpected flight!

Wide-eyed and incredulous, they struggled to comprehend the reality before them!

Even Smoker, standing nearby, was taken aback, his eyes filled with fear as he glanced at Spike!

He knew all too well the might of Garp!

Spike snorted hotly, cracked his neck, and cast a fierce glare towards the distant wreckage.

As the explosions subsided, Tom assumed Spike had been launched once more.

Peeking out cautiously, he prepared to erupt into laughter once again.

To his astonishment, it wasn't Spike soaring through the air!

Retreating in terror into the depths of the pit, he retrieved a trembling suicide note from behind his quivering form.

Al gazed upon the wreckage with profound disbelief, unable to fathom how effortlessly Garp had been overcome!

Just as everyone presumed the conflict concluded, a marine suddenly pointed to a figure slowly rising amidst the ruins and cried out:

"Everyone, look!"

Turning towards the direction indicated, Garp emerged from the debris with a grin adorning his face.

"The strength is commendable, but alas, still insufficient!"

With a stretch of his muscles and bones, Garp propelled himself forward in a flash, appearing in front of Spike in the blink of an eye!

His speed was so astonishingly swift that none among the onlookers could muster a reaction!

Spike's visage contorted under Garp's punch, launching him like a cannonball through the air!

The incessant roar stirred the emotions of all those present!

As rows of houses crumbled one after another, the chaos finally ceased after tearing through much of the town!

In the eyes of everyone, Garp's form appeared godlike!

"Is this the genuine might of the legendary Marine hero?"

The young man, previously unaware of Garp's capabilities, now stood awestruck after witnessing this formidable strike.

In a single moment, the fervor gleaming in their eyes reached its zenith!

The marines were so stunned that their jaws dropped to the ground, their eyes bulging in disbelief.

Their emotions surged like a roller coaster, with highs and lows.

"That Marine Vice Admiral, how can he be this powerful!"

Carina stared at the ruins with a pallid face, resembling a deflated balloon as she slumped to the ground.

She can't fathom how Spike, who appears as formidable as a monster, could be brought down with just one punch!

"Nami, don't just stand there, ring the bell!" Carina shook Nami's shoulders urgently, fretting over Spike's predicament.

Just as Nami regained her composure and hastily reached for the bell...

A gray-white figure burst forth from the ruins like a cannonball, accompanied by a "whoosh" sound!

Before anyone could react, Spike engaged Garp once more!

Garp chuckled heartily, his mouth widening into a grin. "What an intriguing fellow! Come on, let this old man enjoy a good brawl!"

Spike stepped back, his eyes ablaze as he fixed his gaze on the bone in Garp's hand, brimming with determination.

At that moment, a keen-eyed marine noticed something and shouted suddenly:

"Vice Admiral Garp, look at your hand!"

"In my hand?" Garp exclaimed.

He extended his hand and was startled to discover a bone grasped within it.

"Is this yours?" Garp presented the bone to Spike, scratching the back of his head sheepishly, wearing an apologetic expression.

Spike hesitated for a moment, then swiftly snatched the bone from Garp's hand, rubbing it affectionately against his face.

As Spike's fighting spirit seemed to dwindle, Garp offered an awkward smile and apologized.

Suddenly, Spike placed his arm around Garp's shoulder, like a close brother would do!

To everyone's surprise, Garp didn't resist. Instead, he smiled genuinely.

This unexpected turn of events left everyone present dumbfounded.

Just moments ago, it seemed like they were on the brink of a fight. Why the sudden shift...?

"Vice Admiral Garp, what's going on?" 

.....

Ignoring the questioning voices of the naval officers, Garp remained silent, his connection with Spike growing stronger as he smiled even brighter.

On the rooftop, Nami wiped away tears from the corners of her eyes, her cheeks puffed up in anger.

"That's it! I've had enough of this place! I don't want to stay here any longer!"

"This is infuriating!" Carina sighed, giving Nami's shoulder a comforting pat. As she spoke a few reassuring words, her tone shifted to one of determination.

Her gaze fixated on Bartolomeo, who observed the unfolding events in the crowd.

"Captain Al's predicament remains unresolved. We need to acquire the Barrier-Barrier Fruit quickly and depart."

"I refuse to stand idly by while my partner is in trouble and there's nothing we can do!"

"Never again!" Carina's voice quivered as she uttered those words.

"Carina... you..." Nami grasped Carina's trembling hand firmly, though a myriad of words welled up within him, he found himself unable to voice them.

"Alright, Nami, don't fret over me. I'm not that delicate," Carina said with a light chuckle, attempting to reassure him.

Carina playfully stuck out her tongue, and the two exchanged bright smiles.

"Alright, Nami, let's get to it," Carina declared.

"Okay," Nami agreed.

....

Meanwhile, after bidding farewell to Spike, Garp strode purposefully towards Al, wearing a grin on his face.

"Ah, the little devil returns," Garp greeted.

"Remember what this old man said last time? I won't let you slip away this time, Bwahaha," Garp chuckled.

"Yeah, we've crossed paths once more, but I never promised to flee," Al replied calmly. He retrieved the Western sword from his spatial storage, a smile playing on his lips.

Just as Al was about to make his move...

The den den mushi nestled in Garp's grasp suddenly buzzed.

Garp retrieved the den den mushi with a displeased expression.

"Moshi Moshi, it's Garp. If you've got something to say, make it quick," Garp grumbled.

On the other end of the line, Sengoku erupted into fury upon hearing Garp's impatient tone.

"Garp! Didn't I tell you to return promptly? Where are you?"

"Buying senbei in Logue Town, had a little mishap," Garp explained.

At Marine Headquarters, Sengoku's anger flared, his beard bristling as he shouted, "I don't care what happened, just get back here immediately!"

"Oh, and be vigilant when passing by Arabasta," Sengoku continued. "Reliable intel indicates that Whitebeard's second division commander, Ace, was sighted near Arabasta."

"It appears there's a traitor on the Whitebeard Pirates, and Ace is hunting him." Sengoku remarked.

"If you encounter him, arrest him on the spot!" he ordered sternly.

With that, Sengoku abruptly ended the call, harboring no desire to exchange further words with Garp.

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