Chapter 24 A pirate no worse than Roger

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The arrival of the Navy was not surprising to Larson. In fact, whether it was to kidnap Gion or to snatch the heavenly gold, it represented a significant challenge for them.

The Navy's arrival was inevitable. Larson had already prepared himself to face this challenge when he had seized the gold. If he wanted to make a name for himself on the sea, there was no more effective way than to confront the Navy head-on.

However, due to Gion's special circumstances, Larson had now abandoned the idea of exchanging her with the Navy after the fight.

He stood at the bow of the ship, staring at the Navy warship in the distance, his expression unreadable.

"The people who came are all the main forces of the Navy. It seems the Navy is serious this time," he remarked.

"We are serious as well," Whitebeard replied, a grim smile on his face. "Aren't we?"

Larson nodded. "The Navy may still see you as part of the Rocks Pirates. Today, we will use this opportunity to let everyone witness the strength of the Whitebeard Pirates."

At the same time, Sengoku and others aboard the Navy warship were also preparing for battle.

Sengoku coldly observed the distant pirate ship. It was because of pirates like this that he had failed to be promoted to Admiral. But if he could capture all the Whitebeard Pirates, there was a chance for him to attain that rank again.

He reminded his crew, "While they may not have many members, they are incredibly strong. Do not be careless."

Garp rubbed his fists, his eyes filled with fighting spirit.

Zephyr crossed his arms and remained silent.

Behind him, Porusalino, the future Admiral Kizaru, wore an exaggerated expression of fear. "It's really terrifying. You can feel this overwhelming murderous aura from so far away."

Akainu, Sakazuki's future Admiral, snorted coldly. "Garbage on the sea should be eradicated by justice."

He frowned, scolding, "Your mission is to rescue Lieutenant Gion. Do not engage the pirates directly."

As she spoke, she looked at the lazy man beside her. "Kuzan, did you hear me?"

"Yeah, yeah," Kuzan, the future Admiral Aokiji, replied, exhaling a sigh of relief. "I understand."

At this point, the distance between the two sides had shrunk to less than 100 meters.

On the pirate ship, Whitebeard suddenly shouted, "Come on, Larson!"

"Understood!"

In an instant, both men launched themselves from the ship like missiles, propelling toward the Navy warship in the distance. The air around them shimmered with energy.

Plank and Marco aboard the ship barely caught a glimpse of Larson and Whitebeard before they were already racing toward their targets.

Gion stood on the boat with worry written all over her face.

What should I do...

Whitebeard held his naginata high, laughing and shouting, "Navy, are you ready to welcome me!"

On the Navy warship, a shout rang out, "Don't let them get close to our ship!"

Watching Whitebeard and Larson approach with their feet hovering over the air, Zephyr's expression darkened. "How arrogant."

As he spoke, his figure suddenly vanished from sight. In the next moment, he reappeared 30 meters in front of Whitebeard, launching himself forward using the Moon Step.

Whitebeard looked calmly at Zephyr and said, "Larson, I'll leave him to you."

"Got it."

Larson sneered as he crossed paths with Zephyr.

Zephyr wasn't concerned with keeping an eye on Whitebeard. With three of them present and only two pirates, he only needed to contain Larson and allow Garp and Sengoku to handle Whitebeard.

"Arrogant pirates, you belong in prison."

Covered in Armament Haki, Zephyr clenched his fist and struck Larson directly in the face.

Instead of trying to outmatch Zephyr in strength, Larson knew better than to challenge the only Admiral in the Navy who had yet to consume a Devil Fruit. Zephyr had reached the pinnacle of human capabilities, and competing with him in that regard would be foolish.

Drawing his sword from behind, Larson coated the blade with black Haki in an instant.

"Swordsman?" Zephyr frowned slightly. Crane's report hadn't mentioned that Larson was skilled with a sword.

But now that the sword was drawn, Zephyr had no choice but to engage.

Zephyr's fist collided with Larson's sword, sending a surge of purple energy radiating from their impact. It was a clash of Armament Haki.

The two were locked in a stalemate, and for a moment, neither side seemed able to gain the upper hand.

Meanwhile, Whitebeard was striding purposefully, closing in on the Navy warship in less than 30 meters.

"Stop him."

This was an unspoken understanding; the battlefield could not be fought on their respective ships. If either ship sustained damage, it would spell disaster at sea.

Without hesitation, Garp burst from the ship.

"Whitebeard, don't even think about taking another step forward!"

"Garp, you can't stop me!"

Whitebeard observed Garp's advance with unwavering composure. Despite being hailed as a hero of the Navy and instrumental in the defeat of the Rocks Pirates, Whitebeard didn't regard him highly. He was Edward Newgate, a man known as Whitebeard, standing at the peak of his integrity!

The naginata slashed downward with force, unleashing a powerful wind that enveloped the Navy ship.

Garp remained unafraid. "You'll know if you can stop me after you give it a try."

He punched at Whitebeard with dark purple Haki covering his fist. Facing the overwhelming assault from Whitebeard, he opted to meet it head-on!

The naginata clashed against Garp's fist, instantaneously altering the air around them and causing a violent gust.

For a moment, the two appeared to be locked in a stalemate similar to Larson and Zephyr, but it did not last long.

After several seconds of contention, Garp began to sink slowly. Gritting his teeth, he forced himself to hold his ground in mid-air.

However, Whitebeard had a free hand, and a white halo enveloped his fist as he launched another punch toward Garp.

The Crane, standing at a distance, shouted, "Garp, get out of the way!"

This punch harnessed the power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit, and if Garp was hit, he would undoubtedly suffer serious injury.

With no other option, Garp dispelled his power and dodged.

On the Navy warship, He continued without looking back, saying, "Kuzan."

"Got it!"

Kuzan leaped from the ship onto the sea. The moment his feet touched the water, it suddenly froze.

Kuzan stretched his hand into the now-frozen water. "Ice Age!"

In an instant, with Kuzan as the epicenter, the entire surface of the sea began to freeze at an astonishing speed, encasing everything in the vicinity in ice.

By this time, Garp had also landed on the ice.

Zephyr returned to his side.

"How's it looking?" Garp asked.

Zephyr maintained a serious expression. "These two pirates are no worse than Roger. It seems we should approach this encounter with caution."

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