Chapter 25: Growing Stronger Through Battle, Garp and Whitebeard's Amazement
"Garp, how about a real man's duel?"
A fervent light flashed in Rono's eyes.
He had finally managed to get an Admiral to come; he couldn't let this pass.
After all, this was "Iron Fist" Garp, the future "Hero of the Marines," a master of Haki!
Hearing this, both Whitebeard and Garp were stunned.
What trick was this guy trying to pull now?
1-on-1?
Was he that confident?
"Rono, are you sure?"
"They're the Marines. By now, the news has definitely reached Marine Headquarters. They've surely sent reinforcements."
Whitebeard said, based on his years of experience fighting the Marines.
"When fighting the Marines, the most troublesome part is that their support always arrives unexpectedly."
"Fast! Accurate! Ruthless!"
"At first, you might only have one Admiral chasing you."
"But as you fight, it's very likely another Admiral will suddenly appear!"
"If you keep fighting, maybe a third Admiral will show up!"
"If you still don't retreat, it's very likely more powerhouses will keep coming."
"This is why pirates instinctively retreat when they see the Marines."
"Sometimes it's not that they can't beat the Marine in front of them, but that reinforcements might suddenly appear from behind!"
"It's fine. I'm confident. Trust me."
Rono said, full of confidence.
Even if the Marines sent another Admiral as backup, Rono was 100% confident he could escape.
He had an ace up his sleeve that would make the Marines dare not act rashly!
Rono also didn't want to miss this rare opportunity to get stronger!
His opponent was "Iron Fist" Garp!
"Alright. Since you insist, I'll listen to you this time."
Seeing Rono's confident appearance, Whitebeard stopped trying to persuade him.
For some reason, he just inexplicably trusted this kid.
They hadn't known each other long, so why did he trust him so much?
Maybe it was because Rono always did things that shocked people.
Like this time, suddenly wanting to 1-on-1 Garp.
"So, how about it, Garp? Whitebeard won't interfere. A man-to-man duel between you and me?"
Rono looked at Garp and smiled.
Garp was one of the top Haki users in the world. Rono would absolutely not miss a chance to fight him.
"Fine. If I win, you leave the Rocks Pirates, and you can never join them in the future!"
Garp nodded, deciding to accept the duel.
The reason was simple: in a 1-on-1, Garp was confident he wouldn't lose to anyone!
"Alright, I accept." Rono said with a faint smile.
"D-did I hear that right? Lord Rono is really going 1-on-1 with Garp?!"
"That's 'Iron Fist' Garp! Is Lord Rono serious?"
"He could clearly team up with Whitebeard to beat Garp, but he still chose to 1-on-1. Is this the spirit of a great pirate?"
"Come on, come on! Place your bets!"
"Anyone want to bet?"
"I bet on Garp! He's 'Iron Fist' Garp!"
"I bet on Rono! Lord Rono is the man who fought Whitebeard to a standstill!"
The pirate lackeys on the scene were extremely excited!
They hadn't expected to see another intense battle!
Not only that, but these pirate lackeys even started taking bets on the spot.
"Brats! Be quiet!"
Whitebeard slammed Murakumogiri heavily onto the ground.
The pirate lackeys were instantly terrified stiff, shutting their mouths tightly.
The scene immediately fell silent, so quiet you could hear a pin drop.
"Let's begin!"
Soon, under the watchful eyes of hundreds of pirates and Whitebeard, Garp and Rono stood facing each other.
Their auras continuously climbed, and the surrounding airflow swirled violently as their spiritual pressure changed!
It was like the warning before a storm.
Immediately after, one person suddenly disappeared from his spot.
The first to move was Garp!
Garp clenched his fists, veins bulging on his forehead!
His towering figure instantly erupted with the aura of a wild beast!
*Boom!*
"Iron Fist: Fist Bone!"
Like a human cannonball, he vanished instantly.
Within a single breath, he reappeared before everyone!
When he appeared, he was just one punch away from Rono!
Garp threw a punch, coating it with a considerable amount of Armament Haki!
"Such speed! And... such power!"
Rono's expression was grim. The next moment, he crossed his arms in front of his chest to block.
*Boom!*
As expected, Rono was sent flying back tens of meters by this blow!
The formidable power carved two deep trenches in the ground where he skidded!
"He sent Lord Rono flying with one punch!"
"Such overwhelming power! 'Iron Fist' Garp!"
Everyone present was shocked!
They thought it would be an even fight, but Rono was the first to be knocked back!
[Ding~ Congratulations to the host for successfully picking up 8554 Strength!]
[Ding~ Congratulations to the host for successfully picking up 949 Speed!]
[Ding~ Congratulations to the host for successfully picking up Advanced Armament Haki. Current progress: 79%!]
A massive amount of strength instantly surged into Rono's body.
"As expected of 'Iron Fist'."
Rono wiped the blood from the corner of his mouth and smiled.
Just as he expected, he had picked up a huge amount of strength points, plus Armament Haki.
He had to admit, the title "Iron Fist" was truly fitting!
As expected of the man who defeated Rocks at God Valley in the original story!
But this was also why he had proposed a 1-on-1 with Garp!
He wanted to use this battle to rapidly increase his strength!
Within a breath, Garp quickly launched a second fierce attack, giving Rono no chance to breathe!
"Iron Fist: Meteorite!"
Another heavy punch, mixed with dense Armament Haki.
As expected, Rono was knocked back again!
A trace of blood also leaked from the corner of his mouth!
Only this time, the distance he was pushed back was clearly shorter than the last!
[Ding~ Congratulations to the host for successfully picking up 6987 Strength!]
[Ding~ Congratulations to the host for successfully picking up 769 Speed!]
[Ding~ Congratulations to the host for successfully picking up Advanced Armament Haki. Current progress: 91%!]
"Keep it coming, Garp!"
Feeling the power continuously surging in, Rono wiped away the blood and smiled.
Seeing this, the expression on Garp's face clearly changed.
Astonishment! Doubt!
His second punch had been even more powerful than the first!
But the distance Rono was pushed back was noticeably shorter!
And his Observation Haki had sensed that after the first punch, Rono's strength had suddenly increased significantly.
What was this kid doing? Was he testing him?
It wasn't just Garp. Even Whitebeard had observed this subtle change and was somewhat stunned.
After taking Garp's first punch, Rono's aura had clearly strengthened!
But he seemed to handle the second punch much more easily!
Was Rono intentionally hiding his strength?
Or perhaps... he was the type who grew stronger *during* a fight!
As for the pirate lackeys, they were completely unaware of these details.
They only knew that Rono had been knocked back twice and looked to be completely overpowered by Garp.
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