Chapter 195

To be honest, it was hard to reconcile the man in front of me with the short, bumbling rookie from a few months ago.

Back then, he shouted about becoming a Marine every single day—just like Luffy shouting that he'd be King of the Pirates. He was just another fool chasing a dream!

That's why Kai didn't bother dealing with Koby at the time. He wanted to see if this kid would follow the same path as in the original story. If he did, it wouldn't be too late to act.

But now…

Looks like some things never change.

Not only did he run away from the battlefield, but Garp nearly threw his life away just to save him. And after all that? He still had the audacity to stand in the way of Luffy's dream?!

Isn't that just ridiculous? He couldn't stop Blackbeard when he was captured, but now he wanted to stop his own mentor's grandson?

What a joke.

Kai chuckled coldly, then spoke. "Since you won't decide, I'll make the choice for you!"

Before Koby could react, Kai moved.

In a flash, his hand shot out, seizing Koby by the throat and lifting him effortlessly off the ground.

"Hngh… K-Kai… sir… please… don't kill me!"

Koby's face turned red as he struggled, his hands clawing at Kai's grip. But the difference in strength was overwhelming. No matter how hard he fought, it was useless.

Kai's voice was calm, indifferent. "Not killing you? That's impossible."

"Do you have any idea how many people are hoping for your death?"

He wasn't lying. In his past life, countless fans had wanted Koby gone after what he pulled. The guy really was acting like a complete bastard.

"So, your death is something everyone saw coming."

Kai's grip tightened.

Just then—

"STOP!!!"

A familiar voice roared through the battlefield.

Kai didn't even flinch. He knew exactly who it was.

But that didn't mean he was going to stop.

The next moment—

"CRACK!"

The sickening sound of bones snapping filled the air. Koby's body went limp, and the light in his eyes faded. Disbelief was frozen on his face as he took his last breath.

Kai casually tossed the corpse toward the source of the voice.

A figure caught Koby's body with ease.

As he realized there was no longer any breath left in the boy, his face twisted into an expression of sheer rage.

His eyes locked onto Kai.

"KAI!!!"

Kai picked at his ear lazily. "No need to shout, Garp. I can hear you just fine."

Garp's fists trembled. "Why did you kill him?! Have you no shame, bullying someone weaker?!"

Kai burst into laughter. "'Bullying the weak'? That's rich coming from you, Garp!"

"First of all, he's sixteen. I'm sixteen. How is that bullying?"

"Second—this is war!"

"Do you even know what war means? If you follow your logic, that means anyone older than me isn't allowed to lay a hand on me, either!"

Kai scoffed, shaking his head. "You're really grasping at straws here."

Garp froze. He had spoken in the heat of the moment, but now he realized just how ridiculous his own words sounded.

For a long while, he stood in silence, staring at Koby's lifeless body.

Then, slowly, he removed his Marine cloak.

He lifted his gaze, his eyes burning with resolve.

"Since you killed my disciple, I, as his master, will make you pay!"

Kai clicked his tongue. "Tsk, tsk… Garp, Garp, Garp…"

He raised a brow and asked, "Tell me, do you think justice is more important than your own family?"

Garp opened his mouth, but no words came out.

After a long silence, he said nothing.

Kai sighed. "I see. I already know your answer."

With a wave of his hand, a black staff materialized in his grip. He pointed it at Garp.

"Since this is your choice, there's nothing left to say."

"Let's settle this, Garp."

"Time to finish what we started back in Water 7!"

Kai didn't judge Garp's decision. Everyone had their own principles.

Garp had chosen justice over family before. He had watched Ace die, even as it tore him apart inside.

And now, he was willing to throw himself into another fight—to save a deserter.

Saving Ace would have gone against his 'justice,' but saving Koby was 'acceptable'?

Kai wouldn't argue. He wouldn't say Garp was right or wrong.

But today, this choice meant they had to fight.

Kai's eyes sharpened. His legs tensed.

And in an instant—he vanished.

A blink later, he was right in front of Garp, swinging his staff down with all his strength.

Garp didn't hesitate. His fist hardened with Haki, meeting the attack head-on.

"BOOM!"

A deafening shockwave exploded from their clash, ripping through the battlefield.

Everyone within hundreds of meters was sent flying.

Even Luffy and the Marine Vice Admiral "Purple Rat" were knocked back, their fight momentarily interrupted.

Luffy blinked in confusion, looking toward the source of the blast.

"Kai? Grandpa?"

For a moment, he tilted his head, unsure why the two were fighting.

But after a second, he shrugged.

He wasn't worried.

"Kai knows Gramps," Luffy thought. "He won't go all out."

To Luffy, it was obvious—Kai was stronger than his grandpa.

After all, Kai tortured him with training every day. How could Garp possibly be stronger than that monster?!

With that thought, Luffy snapped back to reality and turned to Purple Rat.

Without hesitation, he lunged forward.

Purple Rat was still dazed from the earlier shockwave.

By the time he realized what was happening—

"BANG!"

Luffy's Haki-coated fist smashed into his face.

His features twisted from the impact as his body rocketed backward.

For an unknown amount of time, he flew through the air before crashing down.

Coughing up blood, Purple Rat wiped his mouth, his expression darkening.

"Damn brat…"

He had underestimated Luffy.

He couldn't afford to be careless anymore.

Cracking his neck, he clenched his fists, his stance shifting. "No more distractions. If I keep this up, I might really lose."

Meanwhile, the battle between Kai and Garp raged on.

Kai grinned. "What's wrong, Garp? You seem sluggish today!"

Unlike their last fight, Kai had grown even stronger.

This time, he had the advantage.

Narrowing his eyes, he suddenly shifted his weight, putting more force into his attack.

"CRACK!"

Garp's balance broke.

And in the next instant, Kai's staff sent him flying like a cannonball—straight across the battlefield.