62. Marine's Heroes, Monsters Of Old Times

The Whitebeard Pirates rushed away quickly while the Marines stood frozen, puzzled.

"Scram, Marine brats, gooooooooooooo!" Whitebeard laughed loudly.

With his long sword in one hand, Whitebeard leapt high, muscles bulging as he punched the air in front of him.

The air seemed solid as crystal before Whitebeard, then shattered like glass, creating cracks across the sky.

Boom! A shockwave spread rapidly, sweeping away figures like fallen leaves, destroying everything in its path.

In an instant, a wide pathway was cleared on the crowded ice battlefield.

Rayleigh, standing beside Whitebeard, couldn't help but admire his immense destructive power.

Sengoku's face turned ugly as he watched Whitebeard join the battle from afar, his eyes filled with fear. He knew firsthand Whitebeard's power from their past battles.

Though Whitebeard's ambition might not match others', his destructive abilities were unmatched, capable of instantly crushing soldiers' morale.

Sengoku had called upon the Shichibukai and three Admirals, even recalling Tsuru and Garp, to deal with Whitebeard.

Despite the Straw Hat Pirates' terrifying power, Sengoku realized most of their forces were reserved for countering Whitebeard alone.

Now that Whitebeard was in the fray, Sengoku found himself lacking the power to stop him.

Admiral-level combatants are evenly matched, with no clear winner emerging.

Only Garp and Tsuru remain, but Tsuru's strength pales in comparison to Whitebeard and Rayleigh.

Garp, torn between duty and family, hesitates to act, knowing he's the last defence for Fire Fist Ace.

Helplessly, Sengoku watches as Whitebeard effortlessly clears a path to the execution square, Marine soldiers scattering like leaves in the wind.

Despite being on Marine turf, Whitebeard now holds the advantage, with two legendary fighters unbound by restrictions, threatening to tip the delicate balance of power.

As Whitebeard and Pluton Rayleigh step onto the square, Marine forces falter momentarily, their flawless facade cracking under the pressure.

In war, there's no room for one-on-one combat. Marines could easily overwhelm them with combined attacks.

"Garp, snap out of it!" Sengoku's voice breaks through.

Ace gazes at Garp, his heart heavy with unspoken words. He knows Garp's emotional nature and even a simple plea could sway him, disrupting the fragile balance further.

The turmoil within one of the strongest Marines could shift the tide of battle.

In the end, Ace refrains from saying anything to unsettle Garp, understanding his inner conflict and pain. From the depths of the sea prison to the execution platform, Ace has purposely avoided engaging with Garp.

He knows his chosen path as a pirate may clash with Garp's, and he's prepared for the consequences. Though he may regret his decision in the end, he refuses to burden others, especially his family, with his own fate. This is his pride.

Ace respects Garp's choices and won't interfere. Despite Sengoku's call, Garp has already made his decision.

With a burst of speed, Garp vanishes from the platform, reappearing in the distant battlefield. A massive cloud of smoke rises, and the ground cracks beneath him.

"If you dare trample on justice, you'll have to go through me!" Garp's voice booms across the battlefield, rallying Marine morale.

Though not in a leadership position, Garp's reputation among lower-ranked Marines is unmatched. His roar inspires others to follow his lead.

In terms of rank, Garp may not be comparable to Sengoku, but his influence among the middle and lower ranks of the Marines is undeniable.

Garp's legendary life, his bold character, and his respected demeanour among Marines have earned him high status among Marine soldiers. In their hearts, he's more than just a leader like Sengoku; he's an idol and a symbol of justice.

Truth be told, Garp is even more popular among top combatants. Aokiji admires him greatly, and the alternate Admirals have a close bond with him.

"Looking good as always, Mr. Garp," Aokiji remarks upon hearing Garp's roar. His demeanour shifts, shedding his usual laziness for a more serious tone. Sensing this change, Marco recognizes Aokiji's newfound resolve.

Behind Aokiji, Tsuru, another Vice Admiral, steps forward. She, Garp, and Sengoku are strong figures from the same era. Though not as powerful as Garp, Tsuru commands respect and has made significant contributions.

"I'm too old for this. I need you to handle those two monsters," Tsuru tells Aokiji calmly, acknowledging her limitations.

Aokiji nods, his confusion momentarily lifted by Garp's words. He focuses on the task at hand, drawing on the passion of his youth.

Marco tries to intercept Aokiji, but Tsuru intervenes with a dangerous touch that sends a clear warning. She challenges Marco to avert chaos on the battlefield and uphold Marine superiority.

In the chaos of battle, Marine power reigns supreme.

The interference of the Straw Hat boy threw things off balance, making it seem like Marine forces were at a disadvantage. However, it was just a minor adjustment between Tsuru and Aokiji.

The battlefield, which teetered due to Whitebeard and Rayleigh's involvement, quickly regained its equilibrium.

"Long time no see, Garp," Whitebeard greeted, his eyes serious yet carrying a hint of a smile.

"You were a worthy opponent back in the day," Garp replied, tension evident in his clenched fists. He's angry, seeking a battle to distract himself from the pain of choosing between justice and family.

With a stomp, Garp launches into action, using Moonwalk to swiftly close the distance between him and Whitebeard. Their fists collide with a force that seems to freeze the air.

As their fists clash, the world seems to hold its breath. Then, a violent explosion of light erupts from their positions, cracking the ground and turning it into ash.

The shockwave ripples outwards, disintegrating everything in its path as Whitebeard and Garp are engulfed by the blinding light.

Marineford trembles as the island quakes beneath the force of the battle. Naval Headquarters begins to crack, with fissures large enough to swallow a man forming across the island.

"Watch out for the ground cracks!" a seasoned member of the Whitebeard Pirates warns loudly.

Marine soldiers gaze in shock as the sky above Marineford, shrouded in thick black clouds from the intense battle, splits apart, revealing a massive crack. It's a terrifying sight, unprecedented in any battle before.

"The Strongest among pirates and the Strongest Among Marines," someone whispers, acknowledging the power behind the ominous phenomenon.

Rayleigh can't help but marvel at Garp's formidable strength despite his age. Comparing himself to Garp, Rayleigh notices Garp's body is remarkably well-maintained, almost unchanged from twenty years ago.

However, Whitebeard's condition is dire. Long-term battles have taken their toll, exacerbated by his heart condition. Using Conqueror's Haki is a significant burden, yet he faces Garp without faltering.

As the light waves dissipate, Garp and Whitebeard appear unfazed by their earth-shattering clash, their demeanour unchanged.

But Whitebeard's words strike Garp's nerves, reminding him of the complicated relationship with the legendary pirate, Gold D Roger. Garp's already sombre mood darkens further with Whitebeard's mention of Roger's terminal illness and eventual surrender.

The revelation adds fuel to Garp's already turbulent emotions, stirring regret and sorrow within him.

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