THE STRONGEST CREATURE OF THE BEAST PIRATES

Garp's facial expression alternated between blue and red, his frustration bubbling to the surface. Annoyed, he growled, "Boy, I don't care about that kind of garbage! I'm here to protect the Navy!"

"So, whose orders is the Navy following?"

"..."

This question didn't need an answer—it was too simple.

Although the Navy isn't directly under the Celestial Dragons, it is a subordinate organization of the World Government, which represents the interests of the Celestial Dragons. The World Government's highest authority, the Five Elders, are Celestial Dragons, not to mention the mysterious figure known as Lord Im.

The decision for who becomes an Admiral must come from the Five Elders. If the Celestial Dragons are threatened, the Admirals are dispatched.

While the Navy enjoys a degree of autonomy, its primary responsibility remains ensuring the stability of the world for the Celestial Dragons and protecting their control over the world.

Alastor had always believed that, even though there were individuals in the Navy who genuinely sought justice, at their core, they were hypocritical and corrupt. To him, they were no different from the corrupt World Government officials, or even more deceitful than Kaido, who proudly embraced his evil nature.

Garp couldn't refute Alastor on this point, nor did he want to. After all, he had lived his entire life in ignorance of these truths.

"A pirate like you dares to speak about justice?!" Garp snapped, his voice filled with indignation. "It's too arrogant! Let the old man take care of you!"

Garp's iron fist surged forward, aiming straight for Alastor's head.

Alastor, though dismissive of Garp, knew better than to underestimate his strength. Garp, despite his age, was still one of the top powerhouses in the world.

Alastor didn't hesitate and fortified his defenses, coating himself in a layer of lightning armor to weather Garp's attack.

At the same time, he unleashed a terrifying thunder beam, shattering the skies above Marin Ford.

Below, both Navy soldiers and pirates watched in horror as dozens of sailors were instantly reduced to nothing but charred remains.

"Ah la la," Aokiji's calm voice rang out as he created a layer of ice to shield the square from falling lightning.

Kizaru leapt into the air, firing his Yasakani no magatama, creating countless light bullets to neutralize the thunder.

Pacifists, commanded by Kuma, unleashed laser beams in support of Kizaru, further diminishing the power of the falling lightning.

Even the Kuma, emotionless as ever, raised his paw, as if to deflect the remaining thunder bolts.

Despite their combined efforts, the overwhelming power of the thunder was only partially neutralized. Half of the thunder fell harmlessly, but the other half crashed into the rear of Marineford, destroying countless buildings in its path.

The crisis was averted, but only just.

Just as everyone began to breathe a sigh of relief, Akainu had already set his sights on Luffy and his brothers.

The Marine admiral, sensing their retreat, removed his hat, laughing coldly.

"Whitebeard is just a loser," Akainu sneered. "What represents an era is just a loser's self-consolation. Even if Roger is gone, he'll never become Pirate King. And you, who call him 'Dad,' are nothing but sad fools."

Ace, running ahead, stopped in his tracks at Akainu's jeers.

Sabo shouted, "Ace, don't fall for his tricks! Get out of here first!"

But Ace, consumed by fury, advanced toward Akainu, his fists burning with hatred.

"What did you say?!" Ace roared, his Fire Fist igniting. "Take back what you said!"

Akainu's magma fist met Ace's fiery punch, the heat and intensity searing through the air. Ace fell to the ground, unable to rise.

"Ace!" Sabo and Luffy rushed to his side, only to find Akainu grinning triumphantly.

"The three of you—burn in hell together!" Akainu declared, releasing torrents of magma aimed at them.

Meanwhile, high above, Alastor, who had been clashing with Garp, witnessed this unfolding disaster. A smirk crept onto his face as he addressed Garp with mock amusement.

"Hero Garp," Alastor taunted. "Your grandson and god-grandson are about to be killed. What will you do now? You must not say you'll fight Akainu, right? Otherwise, how can you still call yourself a hero of the Navy?"

Garp's figure froze at the sight below. His fists clenched, his expression twisted with anguish.

"Oh, can't make up your mind?" Alastor goaded. "Then let me help you."

Alastor exploded into lightning speed, drawing his sword—Sandai Kitetsu—before Akainu's magma could strike Luffy.

"Monkey D. Luffy," Alastor said coldly. "It's our first meeting. Don't mind if I try the fate of your so-called 'Sun God.'"

The blade gleamed ominously, nearing Luffy's neck.

From Chambord to Impel Down, and now here at the top of this battlefield, Luffy had fought tooth and nail, facing death time and again. Without the help of allies like Sabo, Ivankov, and the Kuma, he wouldn't have survived this far. But even now, the odds stacked against him were overwhelming.

No matter how foolish someone may be, they must recognize that their strength is too weak to stand on such a grand stage.

However, the Straw Hat boy possesses a unique trait that others lack—he may be fully aware of the massive gap in strength, yet he refuses to back down and keeps pushing forward regardless.

To some, this is the act of a reckless, brainless youth. To others, it represents fearless determination.

Perhaps this is why the Nika Fruit chose Straw Hat Luffy.

Monkey D. Luffy, who embodies the Sun God Nika, carries the legacy of Roger's Straw Hat, the will of D, the hope of the new era that Red-Haired Shanks bet on, the apprentice of Rayleigh, the son of the Revolutionary Army's Dragon, and the grandson of the Navy hero, Garp—almost every major force in the world seems to converge on him.

Luffy is, without a doubt, the Child of Destiny, the Joy Boy who will one day liberate the world. Even if Luffy himself is unaware of it, all he desires is to become the freest Pirate King.

In the original story, during Luffy's encounter with Kaido, when questioned about the world he wanted to create, Luffy's answer was simple: a world where friends can eat enough.

But what about those who aren't his friends? Does he plan to turn the entire world into friends and use his protagonist's aura to help everyone?

Ridiculous.

At best, Luffy's dream is pure, but at worst, it's childish.

Alastor never believed that Straw Hat Luffy was suited to be a savior, even with the powers of the Nika Fruit. If the world truly needed a savior, then someone like Yamato, who had undergone tremendous growth and transformation, would be far more fitting and qualified.

But it's pointless to say such things. After all, Straw Hat Luffy has been chosen by the Nika Fruit, and fate has favored him.

So now, Alastor decides to test just how powerful this "destiny" really is.

"Ghost Aura One Sword Style: Thunder Speed Slash!"

Alastor charged with lightning-fast speed, his sword aimed directly for Straw Hat Luffy's neck. His attack showed no hesitation, for if Luffy were to die and Nika didn't awaken, that would mark the end of his destined fate.

If Luffy didn't die—then, perhaps...

Alastor's speed was too fast, and before Sabo could even react, his pupils widened in shock.

Garp, who had been watching from the air, suddenly clenched his fists with burning rage, his eyes red with killing intent.

Even Akainu was taken aback—did Alastor seriously intend to kill Straw Hat Luffy right under his nose?

To be honest, Akainu had already placed Alastor on his "must-kill" list, but at that moment, his priority was eliminating the three brothers—Luffy, Ace, and Sabo. There was no time to deal with Alastor yet.

In the blink of an eye, before the magma could fall, Luffy himself suddenly felt his head roll to the ground. He watched in horror as the blood splashed on Sabo and Ace.

Without thinking, he instinctively stretched his neck back, only to feel the cold steel pass by harmlessly beneath his throat.

The blade of the cursed Sword veered off course and cut beneath Luffy's collarbone instead.

"Stab!"

Blood gushed as Luffy fell to his knees, clutching his injured neck.

"Luffy!"

Three voices roared at once—Sabo, Ace, and Garp.

But none of them had time to check on Luffy's injury because Akainu's magma was descending from the skies.

With a pained expression, Sabo forced himself to move, his body trembling. Desperate, he shoved Luffy away from the blast zone, shielding him at the cost of his own injuries.

But Ace, lying on the ground, wasn't so lucky.

The magma struck him, burning his body and turning him to ash. Even his flames were no match for Akainu's hellish power.

In mere moments, one brother had his throat nearly severed, another was consumed by magma, and now only Luffy remained, barely holding onto consciousness.

"I've said it before—none of you will escape. All of you will die!" Akainu roared, his eyes fixed on the weakened Fire Fist Ace.

Akainu jumped into the air, fists of magma forming as he aimed for Luffy.

Sabo, torn between his grief and rage, was about to intervene, but someone got there faster—Ace.

With his last ounce of strength, Ace threw himself in front of Akainu's punch. His chest was pierced, and his body engulfed in magma.

Sabo stared, frozen in shock, as Ace's life slipped away in front of him.

Luffy, barely conscious, tried to scream in rage and despair, but his damaged throat failed him. His vision blurred, and his breath became shallow.

Garp, witnessing the scene, descended into a frenzy of emotion, his steps deliberate and filled with fury.

Akainu took a step back, stunned by the sight of the legendary hero approaching.

The Warlord Sengoku watched from a distance, equally horrified.

"Garp, are you mad?!" he cried, though his voice couldn't reach in time as Garp moved closer to Akainu.

But Garp was no longer listening, consumed by grief and the weight of his failures.

Behind Akainu, Whitebeard appeared as if summoned by fate, ready to confront the next chapter of this brutal battle.

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