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Chapter 28
Suddenly, through the images transmitted by the island's plants, Vilin discovered a large group of Marines was surrounding the port where the Flying Bird was docked.
Seeing how persistently the Navy pursued them, Vilin's expression darkened rapidly.
Rouge noticed the tension on his face.
She asked with concern,
"Are you alright?"
"It's nothing… the Navy's here."
Vilin's face was grim.
Rouge instinctively placed a hand on her abdomen, worry clouding her eyes.
Seeing the Marines closing in, Vilin scooped Rouge into his arms and leaped directly onto the deck.
"Aelria! Get the Flying Bird out of the port—Navy's coming!"
Aelria, hearing the urgency, sprinted to the helm.
In moments, the Flying Bird was speeding away from the harbor under her control.
Only after confirming the ship had escaped did Vilin finally exhale.
He decided to stay behind and hold the Navy off.
Five minutes later—
A bold, heroic laugh echoed in Vilin's ears.
"Hahahaha! Finally found you, pirate Aitrias Vilin!"
"Time to repent properly in Impel Down!"
Following the booming laughter, a powerfully built black-haired young man appeared before Vilin using Moon Step.
Vilin stared at the sharp, angular face.
He froze in shock.
He never imagined the Navy would send Garp to capture him.
Looking at the towering, densely black-haired Garp, Vilin felt genuine tension rise.
This was Garp, after all— the future monster who even the Five Elders couldn't handle.
Though his heart raced, Vilin still spoke defiantly.
"Hmph! Then let's see if you have what it takes!"
Vilin stared seriously at the approaching Garp, quickly preparing for battle.
"Stubborn fool!"
"Since you insist, I'll show you the true power of the New World Navy!"
The moment Garp finished speaking, his figure vanished.
Vilin, sensing the sudden disappearance, immediately activated Observation Haki.
"Here!"
He quickly located Garp.
"Yo! You actually sensed me!"
Garp looked mildly surprised.
He clenched both fists.
Pitch-black Armament Haki instantly coated them.
Garp launched a single punch toward Vilin.
The air exploded with a sonic boom.
Vilin felt an overwhelming force rushing at him.
His body tensed instantly. He met Garp's fist with his own.
BOOM!
A deafening shockwave erupted between them.
Vilin held for roughly 0.1 seconds before being blasted backward.
He skidded across the ground for twenty meters before stopping.
Vilin looked disheveled. His chest surged with churning blood and burning pain.
He glared at Garp, face twisted in discomfort.
Garp stood calmly, expression completely undisturbed.
Seeing that impassive face, Vilin's eyes turned wild with madness.
Wood Giant!
Vilin's body rapidly expanded.
In moments, he transformed into a five-meter-tall miniature wooden giant clad in armor.
In truth, this wasn't his maximum size—it was a deliberately compressed form.
The compression made his defense far more solid.
Garp noticed the transformation.
He studied the wooden giant curiously.
"Didn't expect your Devil Fruit to be developed to this level!"
"No wonder Blair fell to you!"
"But your abilities are useless against me!"
Garp clenched his fists again.
Using Shave, he instantly closed the distance.
He threw another punch.
"Is that so?"
Vilin sneered coldly at being underestimated.
Giant Spirit Fist!
His fist instantly swelled larger.
The massive fist collided head-on with Garp's.
BOOM!
A thunderous crash rang out.
Garp was sent flying backward by the blow.
Seeing Garp launched, Vilin immediately unleashed sharp vines in relentless pursuit.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
As Garp flew through the air, dozens of vines erupted from below.
Razor-sharp tendrils shot toward him continuously, leaving trails of sparks across his body.
Vilin saw his attacks couldn't penetrate Garp's defense.
He felt a headache coming on.
"This guy's really tough!"
Vilin looked at the thick Armament Haki coating Garp.
For a moment, he was at a loss.
He could only keep attacking to wear down Garp's stamina.
At the same time, countless wooden hands formed from the ground beneath the Marines.
They seized the soldiers' ankles and dragged them swiftly underground.
Life Drain!
Vilin began absorbing their life force to recover his own stamina and injuries.
Garp, still airborne, saw the scene.
His eyes sharpened instantly.
"Vilin! Stop right now!"
Garp crossed his arms and blocked Vilin's truck-sized fist.
Fist Bone Impact!
Garp's aura exploded.
His arms swelled with muscle.
He threw a single punch.
A ten-meter-wide circular shockwave blasted toward Vilin.
Vilin faced the incoming fist without fear.
He swung his own fist to meet it.
BOOM!
A massive explosion rang out.
Vilin's fist shattered into countless wooden fragments under Garp's iron blow.
But the broken fist quickly regrew.
Garp felt Vilin's terrifying recovery power.
He realized how troublesome this opponent was.
"Looks like it's time for that move!"
Garp stomped heavily on the ground.
His body soared into the air.
In an instant, he concentrated every ounce of strength into his fist.
His eyes locked fiercely on Vilin.
He punched forward.
Fist Bone – Impact!
BOOM!
A twenty-meter-wide, colossal circular shockwave roared toward Vilin.
Vilin sensed the terrifying power.
His Observation Haki screamed in alarm.
A chill ran down his spine.
"This is bad."
Rising Dragon Soar!
Vilin faced the descending shockwave.
He punched upward.
A thirty-meter-long massive tree erupted from the ground.
It soared like a dragon toward the falling shockwave.
BOOM!
An overwhelming force descended.
The soaring wooden dragon was instantly pulverized.
The attack continued unabated toward Vilin.
"This is bad!"
Seeing the terrifying power of Garp's punch, Vilin immediately prepared to flee.
Wood Release!
His body rapidly shrank.
He transformed into a plant and burrowed into the ground.
The instant Vilin escaped, a horrifying force slammed into the spot he had just vacated.
BOOM!
The port ground shattered layer by layer under Garp's attack.
Dust and debris filled the sky.
The sight stunned every onlooker.