Chapter 20: Okay, Okay, What a Pleasure!

"Hahaha! Good, good, good!"

Garp strode forward, hands on his hips, grinning like an old lion. His booming laughter shook the air.

"Kid, we all saw your performance! Strong talent, solid skills—I like you!" He slapped his chest proudly. "Come train under me! I'll personally take you in as my disciple!"

Before Lucas could respond, another voice interrupted.

"You want to teach him?" Zephyr stepped forward, arms crossed, his sharp eyes narrowing.

"I am former Admiral Black Arm Zephyr—I've trained more Marine officers than anyone alive, I even trained the Admiral. If he wants a real teacher, I'm far more qualified than you, Garp."

Garp scowled. "Oh, shut up, Z. Strength speaks louder than training! You've never even had a real fight with Roger!"

Zephyr sneered. "And who won your fights with Roger?"

The two veterans glared at each other, sparks flying between them.

Lucas, meanwhile, was busy ignoring them.

In the chat group—

Golden Lion Shiki: "These two old men are so damn shameless. Lucas, you're not actually considering becoming their disciple, are you?"

Lucas: "Hell no. With all the skills I've already gained, what can they even teach me?"

Whitebeard: "That's a good point! If you joined them, it'd be awkward for us. Imagine calling Garp 'Teacher' after everything we've said about him!"

Pirate King Roger: "I don't see a problem! We're Lucas's elders, so it's natural for him to respect us!"

"Ding! Pirate King Roger is muted for five minutes!"

Lucas muted Roger without hesitation.

Who told you to challenge the group leader's authority?

With Roger effectively silenced, Lucas finally turned back to the two bickering old man.

"Sorry," he said, shaking his head. "I'm not interested in becoming anyone's disciple. I believe my current skills are more than enough."

Garp laughed heartily. "Hahaha! What a confident brat!"

"But let's see if you're really strong enough!" He grinned, raising a massive fist. "Why don't you have a match with me? Maybe after you lose, you'll realize you still have a lot to learn!"

Lucas's eye twitched slightly.

Fighting Garp?

That wasn't just asking for a challenge—it was asking for a death sentence.

Lucas hesitated for a moment, then shook his head. "Forget it. One step at a time—I'd rather start with a Vice Admiral."

Garp immediately brightened up. "Oh? A Vice Admiral?

"Well, that's me!" He pointed to himself smugly.

Zephyr facepalmed. "Garp, have some shame!"

Garp shrugged. "What is shame? Can I eat it?"

Zephyr sighed.

In the chat group—

Golden Lion Shiki: "Lucas, what are you so afraid of? If Garp wants to spar with you, just accept! If you lose, so what?"

Whitebeard: "Exactly! This old man's been asking for a beating for decades. Might as well be you who gives it to him!"

Lucas: "Easy for you to say! You think fighting Garp is that simple? Even when you were alive, you barely managed to hold him off!"

Golden Lion Shiki: "Who said that?! When I was alive, it took both Garp and Sengoku together to handle me!"

Whitebeard: "I was the world's strongest man. You understand what that means?"

Lucas: "Alright, alright—*f you guys want me to fight Garp, I need some compensation!"

Golden Lion Shiki: "Tch. I knew you'd say that. Fine!"

"Ding! Golden Lion Shiki sent an exclusive red envelope [Armament Haki – Advanced] to group leader Lucas!"

"Ding! Golden Lion Shiki sent an exclusive red envelope [Observation Haki – Advanced] to group leader Lucas!"

Lucas: "Thank you, my Golden Lion buddy! Alright, then—watch me beat up Garp LIVE!"

With his newly boosted Haki, Lucas felt a surge of power in his body.

His Armament Haki wrapped around his fists, and his Observation Haki sharpened his senses to an unnatural level.

Lucas turned to Garp and grinned confidently.

"Changed my mind. Let's do this."

Garp raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Now you're interested?"

Lucas nodded. "Yep. I want to see just how strong you really are!"

Garp grinned wildly, rolling up his sleeves. "Now that's what I like to hear!"

The two stepped onto the battlefield.

Garp waved his hand dismissively. "I'll be nice—I'll let you have the first attack."

Lucas didn't waste time.

He charged forward, using Whitebeard's signature footwork, and threw a massive punch straight at Garp's face!

"Good move!" Garp roared with excitement, meeting Lucas's fist with his own.

BOOM!

The shockwave from their clash rippled through the air, causing nearby Marines to stumble backward.

The onlookers were stunned.

"What kind of new recruit is this?!"

"He's fighting Vice Admiral Garp head-on?!"

Even Zephyr narrowed his eyes.

"Hoh… this kid might be more than just talk."

Lucas and Garp continued exchanging heavy blows, their fists creating small craters in the ground with each impact.

Garp laughed heartily. "Okay, okay—great stuff!"

He flexed his hand, and a thick layer of black Haki coated his knuckles.

"Alright, kid! Let's see if you can handle my real punches!"

Lucas grinned and activated his own Haki—his hands covered in deep purple, far denser than before.

"Mr. Garp, feel the full force of my Haki!"

Garp's eyes sharpened.

This…

This felt familiar.

The movements… The Haki density…

It reminded him of someone.

But who?

No time to think.

The two clashed again.

"Iron Fist!!" Garp roared.

Their fists collided—sending shockwaves exploding outward.

The ground split apart beneath them.

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