"Puhahahaha!"
Deafening laughter erupted from Garp's chest, like a series of exploding dynamites, echoing wildly across the Moby Dick's deck!
He laughed so hard he bent over backward, tears streaming from his eyes, his massive body shaking with the force of his laughter as he slapped his thighs.
The surrounding Whitebeard Pirates members were all stunned.
Each of them gripped their weapons, blades still stained with Marine blood, but their faces were filled with expressions as if they had seen a ghost.
marine hero, Monkey D. Garp.
This man, who had chased their Pirate King for most of his life, one of the Marine's top combatants, had abruptly appeared on their main ship at the most crucial moment.
He didn't attack.
Nor did he speak.
He just stood there, facing the execution platform, laughing like a three-hundred-pound idiot.
"Hey, hey, hey… What's with this guy?"
A captain holding a giant axe, cold sweat beading on his forehead, asked the person next to him in a dry voice.
"Who knows! How did he get on board?!"
"Is it a trap? What does this guy want?"
Even the "Phoenix" Marco, whose bounty exceeded one billion, was currently suspended in mid-air, his signature nonchalant expression replaced for the first time by profound shock and doubt.
He stared intently at the old man laughing uncontrollably on the deck, blue flames flickering on his arms, completely unable to discern the opponent's intentions.
Garp's erratic behavior not only confused the pirates but also drew countless gazes from across the entire battlefield.
Marineford Plaza.
A Marine officer responsible for lookout was nervously observing the Moby Dick's movements through high-powered binoculars.
When he saw that familiar figure, he instantly turned to stone.
"Re… Report!"
His voice, distorted by extreme shock, was sharp and piercing.
"On the Moby Dick's deck, an… an enemy has been spotted!"
The general next to him snatched the den den mushi and roared, "Nonsense! Of course, the Moby Dick is full of enemies! Get to the point!"
"No… No!"
The officer's voice was tearful as he pointed a trembling finger towards the distant ship.
"That… that person is… is Vice Admiral Garp!!"
"Huh?!"
The general froze for a moment, then erupted in fury, giving the officer a sharp blow to the head.
"Are you out of your mind from a cannonball hit, kid! What nonsense are you spouting!"
He snatched the binoculars, muttering curses as he looked towards the Moby Dick, not forgetting to point back at the towering execution platform in the distance.
"Vice Admiral Garp is clearly sitting on…"
His voice abruptly cut off.
His movements completely froze.
His pupils contracted to their absolute limit in an instant.
He saw it.
On the execution platform, Marine Hero Garp sat upright, his expression solemn, exuding a terrifying aura that warned all to keep their distance.
Then, he saw it again.
On the Moby Dick's deck, another "Marine Hero Garp" stood with his hands on his hips, laughing wildly up at the sky, utterly lawless.
Two.
Identical Garps.
One on the execution platform, one on the enemy ship.
"Clatter."
The binoculars slipped from the general's stiff hand, falling to the ground, its lenses shattering.
"I… I've seen a ghost…"
He mumbled, his face as pale as a sheet of paper.
This bizarre scene was soon discovered by more people.
"Hey! Look! On the Moby Dick!"
"Is that… is that Mr. Garp?"
"How is that possible! Mr. Garp is clearly next to the Fleet Admiral!"
"Two… there are two Mr. Garps?!"
Confusion and uproar spread like a virus through the Marine lines.
Countless Marine soldiers looked up in both directions, their faces filled with incredulous shock, their brains completely frozen.
"Everyone, calm down!"
A furious roar quelled all the commotion.
It was Vice Admiral Onigumo.
He brandished his famous sword, the six mechanical spider legs on his back gleaming with cold light, his sharp eyes sweeping over the two "Garps."
"It's a Devil Fruit user!"
He declared decisively.
"Someone has imitated Mr. Garp's appearance, trying to mislead and create chaos!"
A Vice Admiral beside him immediately reacted, understanding dawning on his face.
"It's the Imitation Fruit!"
This explanation instantly gave all the confused Marine soldiers a backbone.
That's right!
It must be!
It's an enemy plot!
However, what followed was not tension, but a burst of laughter mixed with disdain and mockery.
"Pfft! Imitation Fruit?"
A Marine Rear Admiral couldn't help but laugh, pointing at the wildly laughing figure on the Moby Dick, his tone full of contempt.
"Is this guy out of his mind?"
"Of all people to imitate, he chose Mr. Garp?"
"What an idiot!"
Another Giant Race Vice Admiral spoke in a booming voice, full of scorn.
"Does he think just having the appearance is enough? Mr. Garp's strength was forged by those invincible iron fists!"
"This is simply the most foolish imitation in the world!"
"A clumsy fake, one cannonball will be enough to expose him!"
"Hahahaha! What a huge joke!"
In the Marine camp, waves of ridicule temporarily overshadowed the brutality of the war.
In their eyes, this idiot who dared to imitate the "marine hero" was not here to fight, but to die.
He would become the most ludicrous footnote in this war.
And at this moment.
Garp, at the center of the storm, finally slowly ceased his insane laughter.
He wiped the tears of laughter from the corners of his eyes, and on his wrinkled face, not a trace of hesitation or confusion could be seen anymore.
Instead, there was an unprecedented sense of complete freedom and resolute determination.
He twisted his neck, emitting a crisp "crunch."
His sharp eyes ignored the vigilance of all the surrounding pirates, and ignored the mockery from the Marine camp opposite.
His gaze pierced through the entire chaotic battlefield.
Finally, it settled on the execution platform.
On his only Grandson, kneeling there.
Garp grinned, revealing a mouthful of stark white teeth.
"Ace."
He spoke in a low voice, not loud, but carrying an undeniable dominance.
"Today, this old man…"
"Is taking you home!"
"Puhahaha! I'm dying of laughter! This guy is really getting into character!"
"Taking Ace home? Who does he think he is?!"
"Fire! Blast him to pieces! Let this clown see how foolish a decision it is to imitate a marine hero!"
However, amidst this clamor, an even grander, more majestic voice resounded throughout Marineford!
"Gurararara…"
It was Whitebeard!
The strongest man in the world, who had been steadily seated on his throne at the ship's bow, now looked at the figure of his "old rival" on the deck, and a hint of approval and fervor flashed in his deep eyes. He gripped his Supreme Grade Great Grade Sword, Murakumogiri, and slowly stood up.
His massive body was like a mountain, casting an endless shadow.
"Ace,"
Whitebeard's voice seemed to resonate with the atmosphere, clearly reaching everyone's ears.
"Pops is here!"
The entire scene instantly fell silent.
If a fake Garp saying he would take Ace home was a joke.
Then, when the strongest man in the world said those words, it was the bugle call of war!
And in this silence, the "Garp" on the Moby Dick's deck, hearing Whitebeard's declaration, once again split his mouth into a wider grin, erupting in an even more uninhibited roar of laughter.
He stomped his foot violently, the deck beneath him groaning under the strain, and he bellowed towards the execution platform with all his might:
"Puhahaha! Grandpa is here too!!"
Whitebeard's face darkened, but he ignored Garp's shouting.