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Chapter 66: A Stand-in or an Imposter
"Bwahahahahaha!"
A deafening, wild laugh erupted from Garp's chest, echoing like a series of explosions across the deck of the Moby Dick!
He laughed, bending over, tears flying from his eyes. His massive body shook violently as he slapped his thigh.
The Whitebeard Pirates were all stunned.
They gripped their weapons, their blades still stained with Marine blood, but their faces were completely bewildered.
The Marine Hero, Monkey D. Garp.
The man who had chased their Pirate King for half his life, one of the Marines' top powers, had suddenly appeared on their main ship at the most critical moment.
He wasn't attacking.
He wasn't speaking.
He was just standing there, facing the execution platform, laughing like a 300-pound fool.
"What the... what's with this guy?"
A commander holding a giant axe, his forehead beaded with sweat, asked the man next to him.
"How the hell should I know! How did he get on board?!"
"Is it a trap? What is he planning?"
Even Marco the Phoenix, with his bounty of over a billion, was frozen in mid-air. His signature lazy expression was, for the first time, replaced by a deep suspicion.
He stared at the old man cackling on the deck, his blue flames flickering, completely unable to see what he was planning.
Garp's insane behavior didn't just confuse the pirates; it drew the attention of the entire battlefield.
Marineford plaza.
A Marine officer, on lookout, was watching the Moby Dick with high-powered binoculars.
When he saw that familiar figure, he instantly turned to stone.
"R-Report!"
His voice was high-pitched and strained from shock.
"On the Moby Dick's deck... an... an enemy has been spotted!"
The Admiral next to him snatched the Den Den Mushi and roared, "No kidding! Of course the Moby Dick is full of enemies! Get to the point!"
"N-No!"
The officer's voice was tearful. He pointed with a trembling finger.
"Th-That man is... It's Vice Admiral Garp!!"
"Huh?!"
The Admiral froze, then erupted in anger. He smacked the officer on the back of the head.
"Did a cannonball scramble your brain, kid! What nonsense are you spouting!"
He grabbed the binoculars, muttering as he looked toward the Moby Dick, while also pointing back at the execution platform.
"Vice Admiral Garp is clearly sitting right..."
His voice died.
His movements froze.
His pupils shrank to their absolute limit.
He saw it.
On the execution platform, Marine Hero Garp sat, his expression grim, exuding a terrifying "do not approach" aura.
And then, he saw it.
On the deck of the Moby Dick, another "Marine Hero Garp" stood, hands on his hips, laughing wildly at the sky, completely unrestrained.
Two.
Two identical Garps.
One on the execution platform, one on the enemy flagship.
Clack.
The binoculars slipped from the Admiral's rigid hand, shattering on the ground.
"I'm... I'm seeing ghosts..."
He muttered, his face as white as paper.
This bizarre scene was quickly noticed by more and more people.
"Hey! Look! On the Moby Dick!"
"Is... Is that Mr. Garp?"
"How? Mr. Garp is right next to the Fleet Admiral!"
"Two... There are two Mr. Garps?!"
Chaos and confusion spread like a virus through the Marine ranks.
Countless soldiers looked up, their faces filled with stunned horror, their brains shutting down.
"All of you, calm down!"
A roar cut through the noise.
It was Vice Admiral Onigumo.
He brandished his sword, the six mechanical spider legs on his back glinting. His eyes snapped between the two "Garps."
"It's a Devil Fruit user!"
He stated his conclusion flatly.
"Someone is imitating Mr. Garp's appearance to confuse us and create chaos!"
A Vice Admiral next to him reacted instantly. "The Clone-Clone Fruit!"
This explanation gave the panicking Marines an anchor.
That's right!
It must be!
An enemy plot!
However, what followed was not tension, but a wave of scornful laughter.
"Pfft! Clone-Clone Fruit?"
A Rear Admiral couldn't help but laugh. He pointed at the cackling figure on the Moby Dick, his voice full of disdain.
"Is this guy an idiot?"
"He could imitate anyone, but he chose Mr. Garp?"
"What a moron!"
A giant Vice Admiral spoke, his voice booming with contempt.
"Does he think the appearance is enough? Mr. Garp's strength comes from his invincible iron fists!"
"This is the stupidest imitation in the world!"
"A pathetic fake. One cannonball will be enough to expose him!"
"Hahahaha! What a joke!"
Laughter erupted from the Marine side, temporarily drowning out the sounds of war.
As they saw it, this fool who dared to imitate the "Marine Hero" wasn't here to fight. He was here to die.
He would be the most ridiculous footnote in this war.
And at this moment.
Garp, at the center of the storm, finally stopped his maniacal laughter.
He wiped the tears from his eyes. His wrinkled face no longer showed any trace of hesitation or confusion.
In its place was an unprecedented, complete, and total feeling of freedom and resolve.
He cracked his neck, making a pop sound.
His sharp eyes ignored the wary pirates, ignored the mocking Marines.
His gaze cut across the chaotic battlefield.
It finally settled... on the execution platform.
On his only grandson, kneeling there.
Garp grinned, showing his white teeth.
"Ace."
He spoke, his voice low, but carrying an undeniable, tyrannical force.
"Today, I..."
"Am taking you home!"
"Bwahahaha! That's hilarious! He's really getting into character!"
"Taking Ace home? Who does he think he is!"
"Fire! Blow him to bits! Show this clown how stupid it is to imitate the Marine Hero!"
However, amidst this noise, an even grander, more majestic voice echoed across Marineford!
"Gurararara..."
It was Whitebeard!
The World's Strongest Man, who had been sitting on his throne at the bow, was now looking at his "old rival" on the deck. A flash of approval and zeal sparked in his deep eyes. He gripped his Supreme Grade blade, Murakumogiri, and slowly stood.
His massive body, like a mountain, cast an endless shadow.
"Ace."
Whitebeard's voice seemed to resonate with the air itself, reaching every ear.
"Your old man is here!"
The field fell into a dead silence.
If a fake Garp saying he'd take Ace home was a joke...
Then when the World's Strongest Man said it, it was the call to war!
And in this silence, the "Garp" on the Moby Dick's deck, hearing Whitebeard's declaration, grinned again, letting out an even more unrestrained laugh.
He stomped his foot, the deck groaning. He roared at the execution platform with all his might:
"Bwahahaha! And Grandpa's here too!!"
Whitebeard's face darkened, but he ignored Garp's shouting.