The wooden beams in the attic groaned under the strain of two immense, invisible forces colliding.
Between the confronting figures of Griffin and Chin Jiao, Conqueror's Haki sparked like black-red lightning—proof of their clashing kingly qualities possessed by only one in a million.
...
The terrifying collision instantly silenced the noisy martial arts tournament below, the once-boiling arena falling into dead stillness.
Spectators who had been raising their fists in cheers froze in place, while competitors about to take the stage halted their steps.
Some audience members near the attic collapsed pale-faced to the ground, their bodies twitching unconsciously as they fainted with their eyes rolled back.
...
"What... what is that..."
The referee on the high platform pointed toward the attic where figures were barely visible through the raging winds, his finger trembling uncontrollably.
Though they hadn't fainted, some formal members of the Happo Navy felt chills running through their bodies, experiencing tremors from the depths of their souls.
"It's Leader Chin Jiao!! He hasn't used that ruler's power for many years..."
"Who is it!! Who's up there!!"
Only when roof tiles were sent flying by the shockwaves, debris raining down on the square, did the crowd erupt in belated exclamations.
"I heard from people below that Navy figures were spotted at the port today... Could it be..."
"Conqueror's Haki within the Navy—is it the hero Garp!?"
"What!! Garp?!!!!" An elderly Happo Navy soldier exclaimed, his dim eyes failing to see clearly as he stumbled over unconscious spectators multiple times while trying to flee.
His agility visibly increased, ultimately performing a 720-degree mid-air spin before tumbling down from the mountain edge.
...
Robin crouched down to make herself less conspicuous, shielding her face from the wind while observing the black-clad youth standing at the outer corner of the attic.
His black hair whipped wildly in the wind, revealing only half of his pale face and that glimpse of deep crimson gaze.
Who is he...
——
——
Crackle——
Their Haki clashed like two giant dragons tearing at each other, forming visible shockwaves.
Chin Jiao's originally amiable face turned ferocious with his wildly dancing white beard, his gaze sharp and fierce, revealing the arrogance that once dominated the seas.
Griffin's eyes were cold as ice, sharp as spears, determined to pierce through this arrogance.
...
"Brat..."
Chin Jiao grinned, looking like a demon: "After Garp, the Navy has finally produced someone with kingly qualities."
"But you're far too naive!"
"Do you think... I would hesitate to attack you because of your Navy identity!!"
"I am Chin Jiao the Drill!!!!"
Boom!!!
In an instant, Chin Jiao's Haki surged violently, slightly overwhelming Griffin's Conqueror's Haki.
Griffin stood firm, smiling faintly: "That's perfect then. Let me see how much strength remains in this former great pirate."
...
Applying knowledge through practice.
The best way to verify one's strength is through battle.
He was still far from reaching the pinnacle of power on the high seas like Griffin, yet ordinary opponents no longer sparked his interest.
Even before arriving in Kano Country, Griffin had wanted to challenge Chin Jao.
...
Secretly protecting Robin, staging a drama to make her aware of the conspiracy, seizing the opportunity to gain her trust, and exploiting her ability to decipher ancient texts?
How boring!!
Just ensuring she doesn't die is enough—I have no interest in playing treasure hunt puzzle games!
Since he was here...
How could Griffin resist... challenging this pinnacle figure of Kano Country!
...
Those who don't live in Kano Country could never understand Chin Jao's prestige there. To draw a comparison, it's like Garp's status within the Marines.
The people of Kano Country might not know their king's name, but they all know Chin Jao.
During the peak of the Happo Navy, this nation was their backyard, and the frozen continent was merely Chin Jao's treasure chest for hiding his riches.
Even after his defeat by Garp twenty years ago, which left his famous pointed head dented, he remained the strongest in Kano Country.
...
Six years...
The brat who once wasn't even qualified to watch from afar could now stand before him openly and declare war!
Thinking of this, Griffin couldn't help but spread his arms wide, his smile growing wilder.
"Come on!! Chin Jao!"
——
The lingering aura of Conqueror's Haki hadn't yet dissipated, the attic floorboards still humming...
Boom!!!
Chin Jao's feet shattered the floorboards as he shot toward Griffin like a cannonball, his flattened forehead instantly coated in jet-black Armament Haki.
"Eight Impact Fist·Armed Head!!"
His hoarse voice echoed through the area, the combined force of his full body weight and terrifying strength making the attack as fierce as a meteor.
Griffin's eyes narrowed, his right hand similarly enveloped in thick Armament Haki.
Unlike Chin Jao's pure black Armament Haki, Griffin's was tinged with eerie black and red currents.
Nether Entanglement Armament Haki!
...
Boom————
The moment the two colossal forces collided, a shockwave surged like a tsunami, shattering the attic's edge railings into splinters.
Spectators in the square below were sent stumbling backward by the wind pressure, cries of astonishment rising from the crowd.
Crack—
The corner of the attic where Griffin stood gave way, unable to bear the force, causing him to lean backward.
Before he could regain his balance, Chin Jao used the impact to leap into the air.
He didn't use the momentum to amplify his force—not because Chin Jao was holding back, but to prepare for an even stronger strike.
Mid-air, Chin Jao spun at ultra-high speed like a top, his head as the central axis, whipping up a storm.
"Eight Impact Fist·Armed Head Spin!!"
Within the storm, Chin Jao became a blur, his attacks coming from all directions!
...
"It's Leader Chin Jao's Eight Impact Fist!"
"That's the authentic technique passed down through generations of the Happo Navy, with a century of history! Even blades can't harm those who've mastered the Eight Impact Fist!!"
Just as Wano Country calls Armament Haki "Ryuo," in Kano Country it's known as the secret art of Eight Impact Fist.
The Three Colors of Haki is the World Government's official term, but across the countless islands of the sea, many forces have different names for these powers.
...
Griffin's toes lightly touched the broken eaves as he floated, his Sharingan eyes precisely tracking every attack. His form flickered through the afterimages like a leaf dancing in the wind.
His pupils contracting, Griffin spotted an opening in Chin Jao's assault and delivered a powerful side kick to Chin Jao's spinning torso.
The Eight Impact Fist·Armed Head Spin offered both offense and defense, the rotating shockwaves dispersing most of the kick's force.
The experienced Chin Jao decisively used the collision's momentum to abruptly halt, twisting his body to deliver a massive fist.
Clang————
Griffin formed a shield with both hands, steadily catching Chin Jao's Armament Haki-imbued fist, the corners of his mouth curling upward: "Your strength is far inferior to Teacher Zephyr's."
"Chin Jao, do you know how Garp's disciple described that incident back then?"Chin Jao paused his assault, his voice low: 'What else could they say?" It was a difficult battle, and I narrowly lost!"
"This grudge... sooner or later, I will settle it with Garp... with Garp's descendants!"
...
"That's not what I heard..."
"Kuzan said if Vice Admiral Garp hadn't wanted to defeat you in the aspect you were most proud of, it wouldn't have taken more than two moves."
"Your proud cone head was nothing more than a training tool that slightly interested Vice Admiral Garp."
"Because of you, even I, who hails from Kano Country, have been looked down upon, Chin Jao."
Griffin's words cut like knives, scraping harshly against Chin Jao's heart.
...
...
...
Chin Jao flew into a violent rage, his face transforming into a demonic visage!
Whoosh!!
He abruptly shot into the clouds, and the next moment—
The mist between the mountain peaks scattered as a thunderous explosion roared.
"Eight Impact Fist Secret Technique - Coneless Dragon·Coneless Nail!!!"