NOVEL NEXT Chapter 26: Chapter 26
"Huh?" On the vast sea, aboard a Marine warship, an old man with a white beard and a rugged face, clad in a Marine justice coat, furrowed his brow in confusion.
The old man leisurely indulged in doughnuts, popping them into his mouth one by one as he scanned the surroundings. His shoulder bore the rank of lieutenant general, none other than the esteemed Lieutenant General Garp of the Marines. Despite his calm demeanor, Garp sensed someone spying on him, yet there were no visible ships around.
"Is it Observation Haki? Is someone with such a potent Observation Haki watching me?" Garp mumbled to himself between doughnut bites.
Beside him, a Marine officer in a black suit, donning a hat and sporting a knife at his waist, frowned and silently surveyed the area.
At that moment, the lookout stationed atop the mast called out, "Eleven o'clock to the left, approximately 30 kilometers away, there's a white sailless boat measuring about 15 meters in length and five meters in width."
Garp's eyes widened in astonishment. "Now that's talent. It's rare for Observation Haki to extend that far."
While Observation Haki wasn't an uncommon ability, most individuals who awakened it had limited range and sensing capabilities. To possess a range of 30 kilometers was considered highly talented, a rarity even within the ranks of the Marines.
Garp, on the other hand, excelled more in Armament Haki. This didn't imply weakness in his Observation Haki; rather, it showcased his superior talent in Armament Haki over Observation Haki.
After years of honing his Observation Haki, Garp could effortlessly extend his senses up to 20 kilometers. With full concentration, he could even reach a coverage area exceeding 30 kilometers. Hence, he was a bit surprised by the potential threat at 30 kilometers, wondering how far the opponent's abilities extended if they were at their peak.
Pondering this, Garp couldn't help but be intrigued. A sudden appearance in the East Blue Sea by someone of this caliber suggested formidable strength.
The East blue Sea, often considered the weakest sea, lacked strong contenders. Such an individual could be deemed invincible in these waters. Garp considered the implications of encountering such a force and decided to approach Arthur's boat.
Covering thirty kilometers didn't take long, and since both Arthur and Garp were on the same route, they quickly closed the distance.
Feeling the powerful aura, Arthur wasn't afraid, but he saw no reason to provoke a top-tier powerhouse unnecessarily. With caution, he retracted his Observation Haki.
Before fully retracting it, Arthur noticed that the source of the aura adjusted its route to match his own and accelerated.
Soon after, Arthur spotted the warship trailing not far behind. As the ship closed in, the crew onboard also spotted Arthur and his companions.
"Indeed, it's the Marine hero Garp. In the East Blue Sea, encountering the top powerhouse can only mean him."
The warship swiftly caught up, and a hearty, slightly grizzled voice rang out.
"Hahahaha, young lad, your Observation Haki is impressive!"
Arthur turned to face the warship sailing alongside them. An elderly man, jovial and carefree, chuckled to himself while picking his nose.
"Hello, Lieutenant General Garp," Arthur greeted with a respectful nod, showing reverence for both strength and age without any hint of fear or servility.
Meanwhile, Jessica, having changed into different clothes, joined Arthur on the deck again. Observing the rather unconventional behavior of the old man on the warship, her eyes widened in recognition.
It was none other than the renowned Marine hero, Garp. "Um...Hello, Lieutenant General Garp," she greeted, her astonishment clear.
"Huh? You all know me," Garp exclaimed in surprise, flicking away a stray booger with a casual gesture.
"Well, I'm Jessica, daughter of a nobleman from the Kingdom of Narnia. I've seen your heroic feats in the newspapers before," Jessica introduced herself, tilting her head slightly, showing her familiarity with Garp's reputation.
Garp nodded in acknowledgment, then turned his attention to Arthur. "And who might you be, young man? Why are you dabbling in Observation Haki?"
"I'm from a sky island. I've grown accustomed to using Observation Haki," Arthur replied, masking his curiosity about Garp. He was tempted to test his skills but restrained himself, especially in front of the Marines.
"Oh? A sky islander? It's quite uncommon to encounter sky islanders in the sea. What brings you to the East blue Sea?" Garp asked, eyeing Arthur curiously. While it puzzled him why Arthur lacked wings, the broad and robust wings on Arthur's back made it evident.
"I'm here to find someone," Arthur answered, subtly winking at Jessica. She had been the quickest to learn about the Golden Lion incident.
Regardless of Arthur's intentions, Garp remained vigilant. The mention of the Golden Lion piqued his interest, as it was a matter of significance to the Marines.
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