Garp's Resolution

Chapter 254: Garp's Resolution

As Luffy witnessed his second-stage attack having no effect on Solo, he was taken aback. However, he refused to give up and his expression grew more serious. He raised his right hand, putting his thumb into his mouth.

With a series of blows, his arm suddenly transformed into a giant-sized limb. Then, with all his strength, he swung his massive fist toward Solo.

A thunderous rumble filled the air as the giant fist crashed forward, creating a powerful shockwave that swept in all directions.

Ace, Garp, and everyone present widened their eyes in disbelief. They hadn't expected Luffy to grow this much. The force behind that punch was likely something even the Vice Admiral of the Marines would struggle to withstand.

However...

Luffy had chosen the wrong opponent this time. Standing before him wasn't a Vice Admiral but a Marine who surpassed even Whitebeard and Roger in strength—Solo.

In the face of Luffy's all-out attack, Solo calmly raised his palm and effortlessly blocked the strike.

"Did you see that, Luffy?" Solo tilted his head slightly, meeting Luffy's gaze. "This is the difference in strength between us. You are simply too weak."

With those words, Solo vanished from sight. Before Luffy could react, Solo reappeared behind him, raising his fist and aiming it at Luffy's right cheek before ruthlessly striking down.

A resounding crash echoed through the air as if swatting a fly, and Luffy was sent crashing to the ground. The impact of the blow, combined with Solo's Armament Haki, left Luffy unable to avoid injury.

In an instant, Luffy lay on the ground, his bulging arms rapidly shrinking. His eyes rolled back, and he lost consciousness, all from a single strike.

"Luffy!" Ace couldn't help but shout his brother's name, desperately hoping that he would stand up again. In this top-tier battle, the most dangerous place for pirates, fainting could easily lead to death.

"Damn it!" Ace forcefully endured the intense pain coursing through his body. Flames once again engulfed his body, but this time, Solo showed little patience.

"Ace, isn't it better for you to just lie down?" Solo glanced at Ace and swiftly drew his Sakura wood sword. In an instant, a silver sword aura spread out at incredible speed.

Ace had no time to react as his chest was sliced open by the fierce sword aura. Blood spurted out, resembling dancing blood butterflies blooming in the air.

Ace's eyes widened in disbelief, his body losing balance as he fell backward.

The battle between Marines and pirates came to a halt. It seemed as though a mysterious force had frozen the battlefield. Even Garp, standing at a high vantage point, was dumbfounded.

He couldn't believe it. Neither of his grandsons had managed to escape from Marineford. He himself had sustained various injuries and collapsed onto the square.

An ominous premonition welled up within Garp. Knowing Solo's character, he realized that the pirate wouldn't let them go. His two grandsons were likely to die on this battlefield.

"Solo," Garp gritted his teeth, his expression filled with agony. His heart was torn between his most important family and Marine justice.

Solo, with Sakura in hand, approached Ace step by step. It was evident that his plan was to end Ace's life.

From a distance, Sengoku suddenly realized what was happening. He quickly raised his head and looked at Garp, knowing him all too

 well.

"Garp, don't you dare..." Sengoku began, but before he could finish his words, Garp had vanished instantly.

"NO!" Sengoku exclaimed, hastily activating his Observation Haki to locate Garp. He couldn't let him act impulsively.

However, Garp's speed surpassed the spread of Sengoku's Observation Haki. In the blink of an eye, he appeared on the battlefield like white lightning.

"Solo," Garp said, unable to contain his emotions any longer. His fist clenched, surrounded by Armament Haki. He aimed it at Solo's chest and struck with all his might.

Almost instinctively, Solo raised his sword, placing it on his chest in a defensive posture. The clash between Garp's fist and the sword created a tremendous shockwave that swept through the area.

Ace, still conscious despite being on the ground, stared at Garp in astonishment. He blinked rapidly, wondering if he was hallucinating. Why would his grandfather, the symbol of Marine justice, attack the Marines to protect him?

Did he understand what he was doing?

He was the inspiration and support for all Marines. This revelation shocked everyone, including the Marines themselves. The man they revered had, in fact, aided a pirate.

Garp's actions were simply unbelievable.

"Garp, Vice Admiral," Solo stared at him, sensing his emotions. "Is this your answer?"

Garp took a deep breath, slowly exhaling. Tears welled up in his eyes as he spoke, "Once the decision is made, there is no room for regret. If you wish to deal with them, start with me."

Raising his head, Garp's tears fell. "They are both my grandsons."

Faced with the most difficult choice in the world, Garp had chosen to protect his family.