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Chapter 88: Garp: He's My Only Son!
Garp stood on the reef. He watched Dragon's eyes, which were locked on Blake, and suddenly grinned.
"BWAHAHAHA!"
He scratched his head, strode over to Dragon, and slapped him on the shoulder.
"You bastard kid, I know what you're thinking."
Dragon frowned.
"Old man..."
"Although you revolutionaries are fighting for the people," Garp's voice suddenly dropped, his eyes becoming sharp. "You are a wanted criminal. I won't let you get near Boss Blake."
Dragon's face instantly darkened.
"Old man, what are you talking about?"
"I'm speaking clearly."
Garp let go of his shoulder and turned his back to Dragon.
"If you're thinking about getting anything from Boss Blake, you'd better forget it."
Dragon stood frozen, his fists clenched.
"So, you're standing with the World Government?"
His voice was low, but held an indescribable chill.
"Standing with those Celestial Dragons who oppress the people?"
Garp didn't answer.
He just stood there, the sea breeze whipping at his tattered clothes.
The atmosphere froze.
A wind began to swirl around Dragon, his dark green cloak whipping.
On Garp's fist, a transparent, vibrating wave began to jump.
Father and son faced off, the air thick with danger.
Just then.
"Alright."
Blake's voice suddenly cut in.
He stood on the other end of the reef, looking at the two, a faint smile on his face.
"Stop the posturing."
Garp froze.
Dragon also stopped, turning to look at Blake.
Blake walked between them, patting Garp's shoulder.
"I have no prejudice against the Revolutionary Army."
His voice was calm.
"As long as you can pay, anyone... can enter a dungeon here."
Garp scratched his head, grinning.
"BWAHAHAHA! I knew I couldn't fool you!"
Dragon stood, watching Blake, his eyes complex.
"You..."
"I'm just a merchant."
Blake turned, looking at the face so similar to Garp's.
"You revolutionaries want power. I can provide it."
"The World Government wants power. I can provide that too."
"What you do with that power... that's your business."
Dragon was silent for a few seconds.
"You're not afraid... we'll overthrow the World Government?"
Blake smiled.
"Overthrow it, then. What's it to me?"
He turned, walking back to the other end of the reef.
"I'm only responsible for selling dungeons, not for managing your messes."
Dragon stood, watching Blake's back, a trace of shock in his eyes.
This man...
...is he really... just a merchant?
"Then..."
Dragon took a deep breath, suppressing his doubts.
"I want to enter a dungeon."
Blake stopped.
"Got money?"
Dragon paused.
"How much?"
"Beginner, one million Beri. Intermediate, ten million. Advanced, one hundred million."
Blake said, not even turning his head.
"Which one do you want?"
Dragon silently watched Blake, his face an unreadable mask. One million, ten million, one hundred million. Three numbers, like three doors to different fates.
A small smile played on Blake's lips. He looked at this man, the most wanted criminal in the world, his eyes glinting.
"If you don't want to waste time, I'd personally recommend the Advanced Dungeon."
Blake's voice was soft, but it carried to both Dragon and Garp, holding an indescribable allure.
"One hundred million Beri. No tricks."
"Clear it, and maybe... you'll get the power... to overturn the world."
The sea breeze itself seemed to stop.
Garp's smile froze slightly. He glanced at Blake, then at his son, his expression growing strange.
And Dragon... those calm eyes, finally, rippled.
His mind flashed with the faces of those suffering under the World Government, the ugly faces of the Celestial Dragons, the dying eyes of his comrades.
Overturn the world.
That was the goal... he had bet his life on.
If...
If there really is... such a shortcut...
Dragon's fists clenched under his cloak.
His iron will... for a moment... actually wavered.
Just then.
"Hey! Blake, you kid!"
A deafening roar... shattered the silence.
Garp's giant hand... slammed onto Blake's shoulder, so hard the reef groaned.
"He's my only damn son!"
Garp glared, his face a picture of "you're being shameless."
"How can you scam him like this!"
"Advanced Dungeon?"
Garp pouted, as if he'd seen through it all.
"You think I haven't been in one? Even that Aokiji brat got his ass kicked in an intermediate one. You send this kid to an advanced one? You're sending him to his death!"
Blake stumbled from the slap, rubbing his shoulder.
"I'm just making a recommendation. It's his choice."
He chuckled, looking at the conflicted Dragon, his voice teasing.
"Besides, I'm a legitimate businessman. Why would I scam anyone?"
"Advanced is dangerous, but the rewards are the best. High risk, high reward."
"BWAHAHAHA!"
Garp exploded with laughter.
"High risk, high reward? More like high reward for you! One hundred million Beri in your pocket, who cares if he lives or dies!"
Garp was laughing so hard, tears came to his eyes. He pointed at Blake, then at Dragon.
"Don't you be fooled by this kid!"
"He's right about one thing. An Advanced Dungeon, at our current stage... is certain death."
"I don't know what's in there, but it's definitely... not... something we can handle."
"Certain death..."
Dragon repeated the words. The fire in his eyes cooled, replaced by deep thought.
He looked at Blake again. His gaze was calm, even sharper than before.
This man... was not as harmless as he appeared.
He didn't just have unbelievable power. He had a mind that could easily see through, and play with, people's hearts.
For a moment... he had actually been tempted.
That was dangerous.
"Thank you for the warning, old man."
Dragon's voice was flat. He nodded at Garp, then his gaze returned to Blake.
"It seems... the Advanced Dungeon... is not something I can touch yet."
His tone was calm, as if he hadn't wavered at all.
"In that case, I choose..."
Dragon's words were cut short.
Something... changed.
Voom—!