Chapter 254: Volume 2 – Chapter 156: Kill on the Spot!?

Crystal snowflakes drifted from the bleak sky, settling on Momonga's hair, face, and shoulders—but he stood there as if frozen, completely unaware.

He stood rigid, like he'd been struck by lightning. His eyes widened, pupils contracting and trembling violently.

He could hardly believe what he'd just heard.

Monkey D. Dragon...

The biological son of the Marine "Hero," Garp.

A "monster" nurtured by Marine Headquarters.

The idol of countless young Marines.

A future Admiral—possibly even a Fleet Admiral.

The legendary Rear Admiral Dragon...

Had just killed a Celestial Dragon—one of the World Nobles—in broad daylight, right in front of everyone!?

If those words hadn't come straight from Daren, Momonga would've thought it was some sick joke.

It was unimaginable what kind of storm this would unleash within the Marines.

The thought sent a chill down his spine. He turned again toward Daren.

To actually kill a Celestial Dragon...

"Daren... what's Headquarters saying?"

Momonga swallowed hard, voice dry and strained.

Daren's brows were knotted tightly. After a moment of silence, he shook his head.

"Admiral Sengoku gave me the order himself. Drop everything I'm doing and head to the scene to carry out the arrest."

"He said since the incident happened in the North Blue—my old jurisdiction—and I'm most familiar with the surrounding seas, I'm the best candidate for the job."

"His exact words were: 'Do whatever it takes to stop Dragon from escaping. If necessary...'"

Daren paused.

"'...kill him on the spot.'"

The words hit like a hammer, and Momonga instantly sucked in a cold breath.

Had it really escalated to this level?

His thoughts were in chaos.

He didn't know Dragon that well, but he had interacted with him a few times. He'd always had a strong impression of the man's natural leadership and unwavering sense of justice.

To think that someone like that—someone who once inspired an entire generation of Marines—had now drawn his sword against his own... The very idea was hard to stomach.

"So... what are you going to do?"

Momonga looked anxiously at Daren, who was lighting another cigarette.

"If I'm not mistaken... Dragon was a close friend of yours, wasn't he?"

Daren shook his head.

"Not close. But we got along fine."

"As for what I'm going to do... I honestly don't know yet."

A flash of memory crossed his mind—Dragon, passed out drunk in his courtyard, laughing like a carefree fool.

Daren's eyes darkened.

"But one way or another... I have to go."

He took a long drag, exhaled slowly, and flicked the butt to the ground, crushing it beneath his boot.

The metallic bracers on his arms clicked open, transforming into a sleek, silver hoverboard that hovered steadily before him.

Daren stepped onto it. In his eyes, an unspoken cold light flickered.

He didn't know how Vice Admiral Garp would react. But knowing Sengoku's personality, the man would likely suppress the news—or worse, resort to force.

With that thought, a surge of magnetic energy exploded from his body, launching the hoverboard with terrifying force.

In less than a second, he broke the sound barrier, vanishing into the blizzard and disappearing into the distant sea of clouds.

A fierce gale swept across the desolate island, churning the snowfall into spirals.

Momonga stood motionless in the wind, lips tightly pressed together.

He suddenly felt...

The cape draped over his shoulders—

Had never felt so heavy.

...

Chapter 156: Kill on the Spot!?

Marine Headquarters, Marineford.

Admiral's Office.

"Sengoku, you damn bastard!!"

Garp's furious roar nearly shook the walls of the office.

Panting heavily, he glared at Sengoku, whose face was dark as a storm cloud. Garp's bloodshot eyes burned with rage.

"What the hell is this arrest order!?"

"That's my son!!"

Bang!!

Sengoku suddenly stood up and slammed a hand on the desk—so hard that the entire thing splintered apart, shattering into pieces.

"Of course I know he's your son!!"

He roared, face pale with fury.

"But do you even know what he's done?!"

"A Celestial Dragon!!"

"He killed a damn Celestial Dragon!!"

"And not in secret—he crushed one's skull right out in the open!"

"Do you have any idea how many witnesses there were in that town?!"

"Hundreds! Hundreds of people saw him crush that bastard's head like it was a block of tofu!!"

Garp's bloodshot eyes flared as he bellowed back,

"He was protecting civilians!!"

"Even so—he laid hands on a Celestial Dragon!!"

Sengoku ground his teeth so hard it sounded like they might crack, his voice squeezing out from between them.

"Garp, do you realize how serious this is?!"

"This wasn't just any Marine. We're talking about your son—Monkey D. Dragon. The future Admiral. The son of the Marine 'Hero'!"

"He murdered a Celestial Dragon!"

"Nothing like this has ever happened in Marine history!"

"And more importantly—if we don't handle this the right way, what do you think the World Government is going to think of us? If they start doubting us, there's no going back!"

"The World Government is already furious. The Five Elders sent a direct order—they want immediate action!"

"Effective now, as Admiral of Marine Headquarters, I'm issuing a formal order... Until this matter is resolved, you—Monkey D. Garp—are forbidden from leaving Marineford!"

"Don't even think about doing anything reckless. Daren's already en route. Sakazuki and Borsalino's warships left the naval dock ten minutes ago. Whatever you're planning—it's too late."

"Oh? Is that so?!"

Garp let out a furious, almost mocking laugh.

An overwhelming aura began to rise from his body, vast and oppressive like a deep ocean. Faint black-red lightning crackled in the air around him.

"Then let's see, Admiral Sengoku—can you stop me?!"

Sengoku's expression hardened, golden light beginning to radiate from his body.

But just then—

"Garp, that's enough."

A hoarse, deep, aged voice suddenly came from behind him.

Garp's entire body jolted.

The moment he heard it, it was like the air had been sucked out of him. His aura collapsed like a deflated balloon, and the fierce light in his eyes dimmed instantly.

The explosive pressure surrounding him abruptly faded, washing away like a receding tide.

A deep, helpless weariness took hold.

He turned slowly.

A broad, towering figure stood before him.

"Old man Kong…"

Kong, sporting his familiar mohawk, cast a calm glance at Garp, then gave a nod toward Sengoku.

"I'm leaving the arrest operation in your hands, Sengoku."

Then he turned back to Garp.

"You should know very well—I won't let you leave port."

His sharp gaze locked onto Garp's bloodshot eyes. His voice was low, but every word carried the weight of a sledgehammer.

"You're the 'Hero' of the Marines. What you represent... isn't just yourself."

The words of the Fleet Admiral struck Garp like cold, steel nails, driving deep into his heart.

The anger drained from his face, and with it, all color. He turned pale.

"If you act on this... the entire Navy will be dragged into chaos by your foolishness."