Seven days later, on a deserted island outside the waters of the Flower Country.
The sea breeze swept across the barren beach carrying a salty, damp scent, stirring up fine grains of sand. The crew members were nervously inspecting their weapons, the clanging of metal echoing distinctly across the quiet island.
Although this confrontation would likely only involve Kaidou and Monkey D. Garp, with others' battles having little impact on the overall outcome, no one dared to let their guard down. After all, no one knew if other powerful fighters besides Garp might arrive later.
Kaidou sat alone on a reef by the shore, his thick arms resting casually on his knees. He tilted his head back and took a large swig of strong liquor, amber liquid trickling down the corner of his mouth and dampening the front of his clothes. This long-awaited duel made his blood boil, his heart pounding powerfully against his chest.
This was the battle Kaidou had been anticipating. Although he had previously fought Zephyr, various circumstances had prevented him from seeing that fight through to the end. This time, Kaidou intended to properly experience the world's top combat power firsthand. While he had some estimation of his own strength, the current Garp was nothing like the future "glass cannon" - Monkey D. Garp in his prime was absolutely terrifyingly powerful. Thus, Kaidou continuously adjusted his condition.
At the ship's bow, King and Queen vigilantly scanned the distant sea, closely watching for any approaching vessels. As core Executives of the Beasts Pirates, they understood the significance of this battle perfectly well.
Queen in particular had previously advised Kaidou to leave before Garp's arrival, since there was no compelling reason to fight the Marines at this time.
On the beach nearby, Bullet stood with his arms crossed, veins bulging on his muscular arms. His gaze remained fixed intently on Kaidou, his eyes burning with fervent battle spirit. "Finally, I'll get to witness the Captain's true power..." he murmured, his voice filled with suppressed excitement.
Urouge sat cross-legged on the sand, his massive frame casting a large shadow. He fingered his prayer beads, a faint smile playing on his lips.
Moria hid in the shadows, holding his new weapon - a long sword - as he began to anticipate the coming battle.
Meanwhile, on the distant sea, a warship from the Flower Country floated. Aboard this vessel, King Ramen of the Flower Country and numerous pillars of the Flower Country Marine Force were also eagerly awaiting the upcoming battle.
The sea breeze whispered gently, waves lapped at the shore, and the entire deserted island was enveloped in the quiet before the storm.
Simultaneously, several nautical miles away, a dog-headed marine warship cut through the waves. The imposing dog-head figurehead at the bow stood majestically, the Marine flag on the sail flapping loudly in the wind.
Garp stood at the prow, his thick arms braced against the railing. The sea wind whipped his open shirt, revealing his sturdy chest. He squinted toward the gradually clearer outline of the deserted island in the distance, his thoughts returning to Marineford half a month earlier.
Half a month ago, at Marineford's port.
The salty sea wind swept in, carrying moist air as waves rhythmically splashed against the concrete pillars of the dock.
Garp crouched at the edge of the pier, holding a packet of rice crackers, occasionally tossing one into his mouth, crumbs clinging to his beard.
"Garp."
A familiar voice came from behind him.
Garp turned his head to see Zephyr standing three steps away. The Admiral's short purple hair swayed slightly in the sea breeze, his white cape fluttering sharply behind him.
"This mission to the West Sea to pursue Kaidou," Zephyr's voice was deep and grave, "I hope you can capture him alive if possible." He paused, his Adam's apple bobbing, "Or... eliminate him directly."
Garp stopped chewing. He patted the crumbs off his hands and stood up: "Zephyr, if I remember correctly, that kid Kaidou is only twenty-seven or twenty-eight this year, not even thirty yet? Is he really that troublesome?"
Zephyr's fists unconsciously clenched, his knuckles making faint cracking sounds. He stared at the undulating sea in the distance, his brow furrowed tightly: "Extremely troublesome. Even at my peak, I might not have been able to suppress him." A strong sea wind suddenly swept through, tousling his purple hair but failing to disperse the deep gravity in his eyes.
"An intern from the Rocks Pirates..." Garp stroked the stubble on his chin, speaking thoughtfully. The sunset's afterglow cast varying shadows across his resolute face, "I always knew that kid would be trouble, but I didn't expect him to emerge so quickly."
"The most terrifying thing is his growth rate." Zephyr recalled the recent battle, a trace of barely detectable weariness in his voice, "Less than a month after escaping from the laboratory, he could fight me to a standstill. At his current age, if we leave him unchecked, he'll become another Rocks in the future!"
"Puhahaha!" Garp suddenly burst into hearty laughter, vigorously patting Zephyr's shoulder and making him stagger, "Don't worry, old friend! I'll let that kid taste what my iron fists feel like!"
In the distance came the long, deep blast of a warship's horn. Garp turned and walked toward the end of the pier, his white cape billowing in the wind. He leaped onto the deck, where the marine soldiers immediately stood at attention and saluted.
Zephyr remained in place, watching the gradually receding ship. "I hope everything goes smoothly..." he murmured softly.
The sunset's afterglow spread across the sea surface, dyeing the entire port orange-red. The warship's outline gradually disappeared over the sparkling horizon, leaving only a long white wake behind.
The memory slowly faded, and Garp's focus returned to the barren island before him.
"Really reckless!" Garp clenched his fists, his knuckles cracking like popping beans.
Although he knew Kaidou's current strength was far beyond what it used to be, he still hadn't expected the other to be so bold. Knowing full well that Garp had come to the West Sea specifically to capture him, Kaidou not only didn't leave in advance but instead deliberately contacted Fleet Admiral Kong through the King of the Flower Country, then specifically named this barren island as the place to settle their score.
"Bogard, you and the marines on the warship should stay aboard later. Since Kaidou dares to challenge me, he must have some tricks up his sleeve. After I deal with him, we'll capture the entire Beasts Pirates together." Garp said to his adjutant Bogard.
"Understood, Vice Admiral." Bogard nodded in response.
Soon, the warship drew closer to the barren island.
Meanwhile, everyone on the barren island had noticed the approaching warship and began preparing for battle.
"Wororororo, you've finally arrived? In that case, I'll start with a greeting." Kaidou let out his signature "wororororo" laughter and rose to his feet. His body began to rapidly expand and transform, swiftly morphing into a blue dragon stretching a thousand meters in length.
The colossal dragon coiled through the air, its massive form nearly blotting out the entire sky above the desolate island. Its scales shimmered with azure brilliance under the sunlight, while its whiskers swayed in the wind, radiating awe-inspiring majesty.
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