Chapter 21: Truth Hurts

"Does it make any difference?"

Magellan stopped, brow furrowed. He couldn't see any change.

"There's a difference, alright," Luo Ning cut in, his voice carrying authority. "Marines! Listen up, this concerns you all."

He shot a glance at Aokiji and the newcomers. The sight of the Admiral made Luo Ning's eye twitch. Thankfully, his recent training made him a match for them.

"Concerns us?" one Marine muttered.

With their heightened senses, the Marines had heard Magellan's question. Now, with the intruder claiming it involved them, they leaned in, all ears.

Luo Ning then proceeded to explain what had transpired.

Garp frowned. "Hold on. You're telling me you, with your power, got thrown in Impel Down? Marine HQ must be crawling with idiots."

The Vice Admiral knew the Marines weren't perfect. But Luo Ning? No way a strong guy like him would get tossed in that hellhole. Garp had seen the dark side of the Marines, but turning a blind eye was easier than facing it head-on.

That's why he stayed Vice Admiral. Back in East Blue, he steered clear of Marine business, content with visits to his hometown.

Garp was a simple man. He didn't dig for trouble or seek out the Marines' dirty side. He preferred a quiet life.

Luo Ning bit back a smile at Garp's question. He couldn't explain his newfound strength – no one would believe it happened overnight.

"Everything seems fine then"

Luo Ning mumbled. No one would believe a clear statement from him anyway. Better to leave it unclear.

"So it was all just a big misunderstanding?"

Garp pressed further.

"Exactly, a misunderstanding. But that was before. Now, it's not so clear. Look at those guys, the ones glaring at me. They must be from Akainu's side, ready to rip me to shreds with their eyes!"

Luo Ning gestured towards the hawk-nosed Vice Admirals staring daggers at him.

"Right, it was a misunderstanding before. But things are different now."

Aokiji chimed in.

"This whole mess is your fault, Marines." Luo Ning spat back. "Your twisted sense of justice keeps making things worse. No matter how strong I am, if I fight back against your Marines, they'll just see a pirate, not who I really am."

Luo Ning's voice dripped with contempt for the Marines' warped idea of justice. In their eyes, if he dared to resist, he was automatically a pirate, no matter the circumstances.

Luo Ning's words made the Vice Admirals squirm. They were high-ranking officials, so of course they knew about the dark side of the Marines. Saul, a good man, had been imprisoned and died because of it.

"You're right," Aokiji admitted. "This is a problem within the Marines, and frankly, it's gotten out of control. But you should also know that now your problem can no longer be resolved"

"That's right, I never thought this could be resolved. After all, this is a big deal for your Marines and a matter of justice!"

Luo Ning said with a smile, but the words he said sounded extremely harsh to the ears of Aokiji and others.

"A criminal is a criminal, why bother talking so much nonsense with him?"

Onigumo drew his sword and swung it directly at Luo Ning in a powerful arc.

But Luo Ning swatted the attack away with a casual slap.

"That's why I don't wanna waste time talking to you. You people never listen. Even if you're wrong, you won't admit it. You can't fix the problem, so you just keep doing the same thing. Isn't that right?"

Luo Ning's words stung. The people on Marine's side clearly felt it.

"Bastard, I tell you to shut up!"

Luo Ning's words cut deeper with each sentence, pushing all their buttons. Onigumo didn't hesitate, activating his Seimei Kikan as a flurry of swords rained down.

He charged in front of Luo Ning, but no matter how he slashed with his swords, they couldn't land a hit. It was like Luo Ning was untouchable.

Luo Ning, meanwhile, seemed completely at ease, like he was just strolling through a park.

While dodging Onigumo's attacks, Luo Ning placed a hand on his shoulder. Then activating The Visionary.

The ability could even create life, but not now. It took too much Reiatsu, and anything Luo Ning conjured would be far weaker than himself.

It's okay to use it against weaker opponents, but now this situation is not suitable for creating those lives.

With the created life, Luo Ning can decide the other party's life and death in a single thought.

Creating death directly was beyond him, but touching his opponent allowed his fantasy power to invade their body, then he can easily defeat the enemy in this way.