Chapter 257: Legends Reunited!
Marine Headquarters · Marineford
The news of the Marine Martial Arts Tournament was like a deep-sea depth charge, setting off an unprecedented frenzy throughout the entire Marine system.
Within just two days, the number of Vice Admirals who had registered exceeded twenty, encompassing almost the entire elite mid-level echelon of the Marines.
The training grounds echoed with the booming of Haki collisions; the sounds of clashing swords, artillery fire, and explosive shockwaves rose and fell incessantly.
Even the cafeteria had turned into a tactical briefing room, the tables buzzing with discussions about Haki training and close-quarters combat techniques.
Although Rear Admirals and Commodores were not qualified to participate, they were equally thrilled, spontaneously forming observation groups.
They planned to absorb practical combat experience by watching the powerhouses fight, and were even placing early bets on who would take the top three spots.
Ultimately, the location for the Martial Arts Tournament was set on an uninhabited, long-abandoned island near Marineford.
Roy personally took action, establishing an absolute barrier around the island capable of blocking Observation Haki, visual transmissions, and infiltration attempts.
"This island will become the proving ground for the powerhouses of the Marines."
"The outside world will know nothing of what happens here."
Standing on the deck of a warship, Sengoku looked out at the deserted island and nodded slightly. "Well done."
When the news had first spread, Enel slammed his desk and stood up immediately, demanding to participate.
"On what grounds am I not allowed to join?!" His thunderous roar sent the office desks and chairs flying.
Roy merely sipped his tea calmly. "Your mission, along with Ace and Law, is to head to the New World to exterminate pirates, and simultaneously draw the outside world's attention."
Sakazuki added a fatal blow from the side: "This is a strategic necessity. Non-negotiable."
Enel ground his teeth audibly, but facing the combined suppression of these two heavyweights, he could only storm off in a huff.
"Some pirates are about to have really bad luck..."
...
Somewhere in a thunderstorm-ridden sea of the New World
A hundred-meter-class pirate ship was fleeing madly, the ocean waves torn apart by lightning.
"BOOM—!!!"
A pillar of lightning a hundred meters in diameter struck down from the sky, instantly swallowing the entire pirate ship whole. Not even a splinter of wood floated back up.
On another ship, Ace rushed to the bow, burning with rage: "ENEL!! I COULDN'T GET TO THE TARGET AGAIN!!"
Enel sat cross-legged on a thundercloud, a cold sneer curling his lips. "Annoyed? Come fight me then!!!"
"BOOM!!!"
Flames erupted, but were scattered by lightning the very next second.
"You think I won't?! Let's find a deserted island and throw down, you lightning bastard!!!" Ace roared.
Law held his forehead helplessly. "These two idiots... can they just execute the mission properly?"
...
The Day of the Tournament
In the center of the deserted island, a giant arena stood under the sun, surrounded by spectator seats.
Sakazuki led the entire Hawkish faction to hold the line, with Doberman, Onigumo, and others radiating killing intent;
Kuzan, rarely skipping his nap, sat lazily on an ice-crystal throne to watch the fights;
Kizaru arrived late with Sentomaru, sitting leisurely in a chair next to Kuzan with his legs crossed;
Gion (Momousagi), wearing a purple cheongsam with her famous sword Konpira slung at her waist, looked perfectly composed;
Tokikake (Chaton), a cigarette dangling from his mouth, half-squinted as he evaluated potential opponents, a smile on his lips.
Sengoku stood on the high platform, his cape snapping in the wind, his voice echoing like a war drum:
"The rules are simple—"
"No-holds-barred combat, but killing or crippling is strictly forbidden!"
"The winner advances. The top three will earn the chance to choose a Devil Fruit!"
As his words fell,
"WHOOSH—!!!"
Sengoku dramatically pulled away the red cloth behind him. On the display stand, three Devil Fruits sparkled under the sunlight. The surrounding air felt as if it were being compressed by an invisible force, and the entire venue fell into deathly silence.
The First Fruit: The skin was pale silver, its surface carved with flowing wind patterns. A gentle breeze circled the fruit, bringing with it ethereal currents of air, looking as if it might fly off the stand at any moment.
The Second Fruit: Heavy as rock, its dark gray surface embedded with natural stone veins. The ground around it seemed to sink slightly under its gravity, exuding an indestructible, steady aura.
The Third Fruit: Golden-white all over, its surface shimmering with a faint glow. Under the sunlight, it reflected a blinding radiance, even manifesting tiny, refracted points of light in the air.
The three fruits hovered quietly on the display stand, emitting entirely different overwhelming presences: ethereal, heavy, and blinding.
Below the arena, the Vice Admirals' breathing grew ragged, unprecedented fires igniting in their eyes.
"So these are... the rewards Roy prepared..."
"Whoever manages to get one will practically step directly into the ranks of top-tier combatants!"
Meanwhile, at the Marine Martial Arts Tournament · Judges' Table
"ROY!!! YOU BRAT, THIS IS TOO UNFAIR!!!"
Garp's voice was like a booming war drum, his roar making the entire judges' table creak. He waved his fists like a sore loser, his beard bristling.
"This old man is a Vice Admiral too! Why on earth won't you let me enter?!!"
Roy held his forehead with one hand, sighing helplessly. "Old man Garp, if you get on that stage, wouldn't you just be shattering their mental states?"
The three Admirals promptly "vanished" collectively—
Sakazuki silently lit a cigar, pretending to stare intently at the horizon.
Kuzan leaned back in his chair with his eyes closed, adopting an "I didn't hear anything" posture.
Kizaru simply turned into his element and floated into mid-air. "Ooooh scaaary~"
The air at the judges' table froze for a moment.
Just as Roy was nursing a headache, a deep, powerful voice came from behind: "Garp, you bastard, quiet down."
"Hm?!"
Garp snapped his head back, only to see Zephyr taking large strides toward them.
The sunlight hit him, illuminating a robust physique like a wall of steel, his aura even more formidable than in his youth!
"This old geezer... his presence changed?!"
Garp's eyes widened abruptly, a long-lost light shooting from his pupils.
Zephyr grinned widely, clenching his fist. Haki rippled out like a tsunami. "What? Is there a flower on my face?"
Garp was silent for half a second before bursting into manic laughter: "BWAHAHAHAHA!!!"
"BANG—!!!"
The two men stepped forward simultaneously. Their arms crashed together violently, hands clasping in a grip that sent an airwave blasting the teacups off the judges' table and cracking the wood itself!
Garp laughed heartily. "I've been waiting for you for a long time, Zephyr!"
The battle intent in Zephyr's eyes burned fiercely. "Once these brats are done fighting, let's find a place and have a proper catch-up!!!"
Garp cracked his knuckles, excitement glittering in his eyes. "I wouldn't want it any other way!!!"
"BWAHAHAHAHA—!!!"
The two men threw their heads back and laughed at the sky, the sheer volume drawing sidelong glances from all the Marines present.
Up on the high platform, Sengoku and Tsuru stood side by side, looking down at their two old comrades-in-arms, their eyes full of emotion.
Sengoku sighed softly. "After all these years... those two guys are finally standing shoulder to shoulder again, just like the old days."
The corners of Tsuru's mouth lifted slightly. "That fruit really does suit him perfectly."
"That kid Roy..."
Around the arena, the Marine officers witnessed this and broke into an uproar of discussion.
Gion covered her mouth and chuckled, her eyes sparkling. "Teacher Zephyr... seems to have gotten younger."
The cigarette Tokikake was smoking fell to the ground unnoticed. He stared fixedly at Zephyr. "Teacher Zephyr's aura is even more terrifying than it was back then!"
Sentomaru held his axe, scratching his head and exclaiming, "Uncle, did old man Zephyr eat some kind of miracle drug?!"
Kizaru adjusted his sunglasses, eyes half-squinted. "I'm afraid Roy gave him something 'unbelievable'~"
Sakazuki let out a cold snort, but his gaze carried respect. "This is the posture a Marine veteran should have."
Kuzan revealed a rare smile. "The banner of the Marines has returned."
Roy stood to the side, looking at the backs of Garp and Zephyr standing shoulder to shoulder, a smile curving his lips.
"What the Marines need is exactly the return of 'Legends' like this."
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