Clang!
As soon as Aokiji spoke, he released two massive ice spears, hurling them straight at the giant's head.
But to their shock, the moment the hardened, razor-sharp spears struck the head, they shattered into icy fragments—only managing to cut the skin.
"This…"
Garp, now back in human form, along with Sabo and Aokiji, hadn't expected this at all.
They were facing a giant who could no longer fight back, yet it felt like trying to grab a porcupine with bare hands—nowhere to land a killing blow.
While the three of them drew in sharp breaths, the incapacitated giant actually grinned, baring his huge teeth.
"Now you understand our strength, don't you?"
"You lowly insects think you can kill a Gigant Soldier? Utterly delusio—"
"Is that so?"
"Flame Emperor – Descent of the Fire God!"
Before he could finish, the sky suddenly turned a blazing red. A cold young voice rang out, and a towering figure of flame—tens of meters high—descended from above like a meteor.
With a thunderous crash, the crimson giant of fire exploded atop the Gigant Soldier.
Roaring flames engulfed the giant, the blaze crackling as black smoke billowed into the sky.
"Bastard!!"
The giant, swallowed by fire, let out not a cry of pain but a roar of fear and rage.
Even a Gigant Soldier—once the proud creation of a scientific genius—couldn't help but feel dread before such flames.
Damaged skin, flesh, even organs meant nothing to them; as long as the body remained, they could one day be revived. But a fire of this scale could burn their core to ash. And if the core was destroyed, there would be no resurrection—only total annihilation.
Through the wall of flames, a lone figure emerged, striding toward Garp and the others.
"Old man!"
"Sabo!"
"…."
Ace greeted each of the three with a bright, sunny smile. But when his eyes landed on Aokiji, he hesitated—unsure what to call him—and could only offer an awkward, "Sorry… I'm late!"
Looking at Ace, Garp couldn't help but recall the Marineford War. Perhaps saving Ace back then had been the proudest moment of his life.
Now, the grandfather and grandson needed no words—their eyes said enough.
"Ace… why are you here?" Sabo asked in surprise.
Aokiji didn't seem to care—after all, they'd been enemies earlier. Now that the fight was over, he simply relaxed, flopping down onto the beach to rest.
"Heh, it's not just me—everyone came."
Ace shot his brother a playful wink and turned his gaze toward the distant sea, where several pirate ships stood frozen into the ice.
"The… the entire Whitebeard crew came?" Sabo's eyes widened.
Ace glanced around at the wrecked island, a trace of regret flashing across his face. "Yeah… we came as soon as we got the intel. Looks like we might've been a little late."
"No… you didn't come late," Sabo shook his head. He was about to continue—
BOOM!
From within the sea of fire came a deafening explosion.
"Da…mn… how… could… a Gigant Soldier… fall… to the likes… of you…"
The voice was like metal scraping against glass—shrill, grating, and filled with defiance.
As it spoke, a shadow rose within the flames, emitting harsh, metallic grinding noises.
The group, whose guard had only just lowered, instantly tensed again.
Thud… thud… THUMP!
The giant managed two heavy steps before crashing to his knees. A blast of wind swept through, blowing away the flames and revealing the sight beneath.
The giant's skin and flesh had been burned away entirely, exposing a massive skeleton—jet-black, gleaming with a metallic sheen.
Inside its skull was a shriveled, blackened brain—like a walnut that had been completely dried out.
The sight of the cold, towering steel body sent a chill down everyone's spine.
"What… what is this thing?" Ace's eyes went wide, staring at the charred remains of the giant he'd just cremated.
Aokiji, having once witnessed the World Government's process for manufacturing Pacifistas, was still shaken. The thought ran unbidden through his mind:
Could technology a thousand years ago… have been more advanced than it is now?
Garp, true to his nature, only laughed aloud. His initial surprise faded quickly, leaving no further comment.
Sabo, however, reacted far more strongly than the others.
Staring at the blackened skeleton, something seemed to click in his mind—his eyes lit up with barely contained excitement.
"Haha… special metal… what luxury…"
Still grinning, Sabo stepped up to the massive skeleton, intending to draw on his power and absorb it—but was immediately hit with a wave of weakness.
Only then did he realize he'd spent all his energy in the fight. Swallowing this colossal frame was impossible for now.
With no choice, he had to give up for the moment.
After a short rest, Aokiji unfroze the sea, and before long, the entire Whitebeard crew had arrived.
Upon seeing the massive metal skeleton, the pirates were once again stunned.
"What is that?"
"Some new Pacifista the World Government developed?"
"…."
While the pirates murmured among themselves, Whitebeard merely let a hint of surprise flicker in his eyes before walking up to Garp with a laugh.
"Gurararara… old man Garp, still not dead? Your life's a tough one!"
Laughing, Whitebeard stepped closer, giving Aokiji a brief, curious glance before ignoring him. His gaze swept across the scene, and he let out a deep sigh.
"It seems… war is coming."
"Cut the act, you bastard. Don't get all dramatic with me."
Now recovered, Garp stood and kicked at Whitebeard without hesitation.
Bang!
Whitebeard lifted his leg to block, his eyes flicking to the healing wound on Garp's side. Inwardly, he was shocked.
A Zoan fruit…?
In this world, there was nothing more suited to enhancing—and even altering—the body than a Zoan-type Devil Fruit.
But for Garp to choose to eat one… it couldn't possibly be anything ordinary.
Though surprise roiled in his mind, Whitebeard didn't show it on his face. Instead, he smirked.
"That wound of yours… you sure someone didn't steal a kidney?"
"You're the damn one missing a kidney!" Garp snapped instantly, throwing another punch that clashed with Whitebeard's in midair.
In pure physical strength, Garp pressed the advantage—only confirming Whitebeard's suspicion.
This old warhorse had definitely eaten something extraordinary.
If Garp knew what Whitebeard was thinking, he'd probably explode in anger.
In truth, he had no desire to ever show his Fruit's ability in front of acquaintances—it completely clashed with his personal sense of dignity.
But Ghidorah had promised him that this Fruit was only temporary. The one most suited to him was currently in someone else's hands.
As soon as they took it back, they would replace this "MUTO Form" fruit immediately.
Though immensely powerful, the form's grotesque appearance was exactly why it had survived through the ages unused.
And as for the fruit Ghidorah claimed was perfect for Garp… unless fate took a strange turn, it was likely still in the possession of one of the Twenty Kings.
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