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Chapter 82: Imu
Akainu's figure slowly pulled away from Garp's back.
The moment the magma-covered fist left the body, the flesh was burned black, and a nauseating, burnt stench filled the air.
"Heh..." Akainu laughed lowly, his face full of a savage grin.
"It's over."
He looked at Garp's pierced back, the killing intent in his eyes not diminishing in the slightest.
Traitors deserve to die. Even if you were once a Marine Hero, now you're just a corpse.
But just as Akainu was about to turn. Garp moved. He slowly straightened his body.
"Ha... haha..."
A low laugh was forced from his throat. The sound was hoarse, yet held a wild aura.
Akainu's pupils shrank. How is this possible?!
"After all these years..." Garp turned his head, his eyes burning with fanatic fighting spirit. "You've improved a little, kid."
Akainu's face turned completely grim. "You..."
Garp moved his shoulder. The hole was still bleeding. He could feel his organs were almost cooked. The magma's heat had nearly carbonized him.
Worthy of the most offensive Devil Fruit.
"But..." Garp grinned, showing his white teeth. "I'm not finished yet!"
Akainu's anger ignited. This bastard! How dare he laugh! "Die!"
He roared, his magma boiling again. It gathered on his arm, forming a giant, burning fist, smashing at Garp's head!
But Garp didn't even look. He just stood there, head down, body trembling. The next second. An even more violent aura exploded from him!
"Eight Inner Gates..." Garp's voice was low, green steam surging. "The Second Gate..."
He snapped his head up, eyes flashing. "Gate of Healing, Open!"
Boom—!
A jade-green energy storm exploded! It was thicker, more violent than before!
Akainu's magma fist was blown off course by the shockwave! "What?!"
Akainu was shocked. He tried to pull back, but it was too late. Garp's figure vanished. So fast... not even an afterimage!
The next instant. Akainu felt a huge force in his gut. He looked down... only to see a green-steam-wreathed fist, planted on his stomach.
"Pfft—!"
Akainu sprayed blood, sent flying like a cannonball.
His body tumbled, smashing into the ice, plowing a trench dozens of meters long.
"Koff... koff..." Akainu struggled to stand, but the pain in his abdomen made his face pale. That punch... had nearly shattered his organs!
He looked up, staring at the figure bathed in green light. Garp stood there, his aura still climbing.
"It's not enough!"
He roared, shaking the battlefield. "To take Ace home!"
He clenched his fists, his muscles swelling. "The Third Gate..."
His voice grew louder, wilder. "Gate of Life, Open!"
BOOM—!!!
A jade-green energy storm exploded from him!
The energy was tangible, forming visible ripples in the air, spreading out!
The ice shattered! The sea recoiled! Countless Marines and pirates were thrown off balance!
"Wh-What is this power?!"
"It's terrifying!"
"That old man... is he human?!"
The Marines' eyes were wide with fear. But the Whitebeard Pirates... cheered.
"So strong!"
"As expected of Vice Admiral Garp!"
"That magma brat is finished!"
Marco stared, shocked. This power... was beyond human.
Kizaru also stopped. He scratched his head, his face full of conflict. "How scary..."
He muttered, looking at Garp. This old man... how many cards did he have left?
Akainu struggled up. His face was pale, blood trickling from his mouth. But his eyes... still burned with rage.
"Garp..." he growled, his magma boiling. "You traitor..."
He gritted his teeth, trying to form a magma fist. But just then... an unprecedented sense of crisis washed over him.
Akainu snapped his head up. Garp was right in front of him. That speed... He couldn't react!
"When..." Akainu's pupils shrank.
Garp didn't speak. He just raised his fist, green steam and lightning perfectly fused. That power... made Akainu feel despair.
"Game over, kid." Garp said, his voice flat. His fist... slammed into Akainu's abdomen.
BOOM—!!!
A massive shockwave! Akainu's body folded in half, his magma body cracking!
He sprayed blood, his eyes bulging! "Aaaaaahhh—!!!"
Akainu shrieked, sent flying like a cannonball! He pierced one... two... three... four... five walls of the Marine fortress!
RUMBLE—!!!
The crash echoed through Marineford. Walls shattered, smoke billowed. Akainu's figure vanished from sight.
The battlefield fell silent. Everyone stared, jaws dropped.
They looked at the figure bathed in green light... the one who had sent an Admiral flying with one punch. Their minds were blank.
An Admiral... was one-shotted?
"Admiral... Akainu..." a Marine stammered, his voice full of disbelief.
"With one punch..." He swallowed, unable to finish.
Kizaru scratched his head. "Tsk..."
He clicked his tongue, his face full of resignation. This... is really troublesome now.
Aokiji also stopped. He looked at the distant figure, his eyes complex. Mr. Garp... are you really going to be our enemy?
Garp stood, green steam rolling off him. He looked at his hands. The skin on his fists was cracking, blood seeping out.
"A pity..." he muttered, "This state... is my limit."
It had been too short. Only a few days since he got the Eight Inner Gates from Blake. To be able to open the Third Gate... was a testament to his talent.
But that was it. The Fourth Gate, the Gate of Pain. That was the real turning point. Opening it... would cause irreversible damage.
...
Mary Geoise.
The Holy Land of the World Government, the pinnacle of power. The Empty Throne room.
Here, cloaked in eternal gloom, the giant throne stood. In the empty hall, only faint candles flickered.
Suddenly. A faint breath was heard from the empty throne. A figure slowly opened their eyes.
Those eyes held no emotion, only a bottomless indifference. Imu. The true ruler of this world.
It gaze pierced space, pierced illusion, and landed on the distant Marineford battlefield. On the figure... bathed in green steam.
"A different... kind of fire." The voice was soft, but it echoed in the empty hall.
Imu's fingers tapped slowly, rhythmically, on the armrest. It could feel it. That power... did not belong to this world.
Not a Devil Fruit. Not Haki. Not any known system. It was... an external fire.
"Interesting." Imu muttered, their voice flat.
It gaze rested on Garp for a moment, then moved on. The next second. In the office of the Five Elders.
The five old men were seated, discussing Ace's execution.
"Whitebeard has moved. Sengoku should be able to handle it."
"Ace must die. It's the best chance to declare naval justice."
"Roger's bloodline must not remain."
Their voices were low and cold. But just then. All five stopped.
Their expressions changed. A flicker of surprise. It was an invisible summons. From that person.
The Five Elders looked at each other, and, without hesitation, rose. A moment later. The Empty Throne room.
The five elders knelt before the throne, heads bowed, their posture one of ultimate reverence. "Lord."
They spoke in unison, their voices full of awe.
Imu did not speak. They just sat, fingers tapping. After a long time. They finally spoke.
"Mobilize the World Government's power. Support the Marines."
The Five Elders were stunned.