Chapter 133: The Navy Retreats, the World Shifts
On the battlefield where explosions still raged, Garp and Sengoku noticed the navy soldiers from their ship recklessly charging into the chaos. They immediately knew—something serious had happened.
The two exchanged a heavy glance and withdrew toward their ship together.
While retreating, Garp turned back toward Luo Han and shouted, "Luo Han, brat! We'll let you go this time!"
Huff… huff… Luo Han panted heavily. He didn't respond, nor did he try to stop Garp and Sengoku from leaving. A deep weariness flickered in his eyes—it wasn't physical exhaustion, but mental fatigue.
"Looks like I'm not suited for this kind of precision fighting."
He sighed inwardly. He had overestimated himself. The reason he could battle Kong for ten days straight before was because, by the later stages, he had simply relied on his psychic barrier for defense without actual combat.
This time, however, he had to constantly and precisely track Garp and Sengoku's movements, keeping them within the range of his infinite explosive zone. That meant keeping his spiritual perception active the entire time.
It was the first time Luo Han had realized how mentally draining it was to keep his spiritual sense running for ten days straight. In the end, he could only let them leave. At most, he could have lasted two more days before needing to escape himself.
"Looks like the world's going to speed up again…"
With his senses still active, Luo Han had picked up on the Fleet Admiral's orders and could more or less guess what was going on with John and the Golden Lion.
Farther away, Zephyr, though not close to Luo Han's position, could still sense the sudden retreat of Garp and Sengoku.
"Something must have happened!" he thought.
Boom! After another clash with Cole, Zephyr leapt back to the warship and ended the fight.
"Cole, brat! Next time, I'll definitely capture you and Luo Han!"
With those harsh parting words, Zephyr sailed off to rendezvous with Garp.
Huff… Cole exhaled deeply. He didn't reply or try to stop Zephyr.
He wiped the sweat from his face. Like Luo Han, he was completely exhausted—both physically and mentally.
After all, maintaining his Devil Fruit's newly developed ability at full power for an entire day was a huge drain. Not everyone could spam their power limitlessly like Luo Han.
"Come back, Cole."
Luo Han's voice echoed in his ear. Cole nodded and turned around, flying back.
At that moment, in the New World, most nations and powers had learned of the recent actions taken by the Golden Lion and John.
Suddenly, it felt like a storm was about to sweep across every country. Panic and dread filled the air.
It wasn't just that Sengoku and Zephyr had been pulled away, allowing multiple countries to be looted or destroyed.
More terrifying was that the Golden Lion, John, and others had begun forming their own pirate crews—ruthlessly attacking all powers and countries not affiliated with the Rocks Pirates. Some even targeted Rocks' own allies.
It seemed that with Rocks staying quiet lately, the likes of the Golden Lion, John, Big Mom, and Kaido were getting restless.
For now, they still claimed membership in the Rocks Pirates, but that was only because the legendary treasure had yet to be found. If too much time passed, the group's dissolution would become inevitable.
"Garp! Sengoku! So it's true!"
On Garp's ship, Zephyr spoke with a dark expression, full of guilt and disbelief. In just a few days of absence, the formerly passive John and others had razed three nations and looted countless treasures.
"It's not just John," Sengoku said solemnly. "The Golden Lion and Big Mom have also gone berserk, attacking non-Rocks territories. Several islands have already been relocated by the Golden Lion's powers."
He hadn't expected that the Golden Lion's sudden disappearance was actually part of a plan to strike World Government-aligned territories. Until now, their skirmishes with the navy had seemed more like a formality. But now… they were fighting for real.
"Good thing Whitebeard didn't join in," Garp added. "Few islands could survive his Quake-Quake Fruit's power."
Sengoku frowned. "He didn't join them, but he's still looted a few countries himself."
Sigh… The three men sighed in unison. The situation had gotten out of control. The original strategy of the Rocks Pirates was to hold territory, preventing the navy from reclaiming any islands and stopping governments from switching allegiance.
But now, the Golden Lion and others didn't care anymore. They'd reverted to true pirate behavior: "If the navy takes a country, I'll loot it right after. Rocks' orders? Forget them."
Understanding this, the trio realized how messy things had become.
"From now on, I'll be the one to keep the Luo Han brothers in check. They're not the type to loot or attack. I can handle them alone," Garp said seriously. "You two go after the Golden Lion and John. We can't let them keep destroying the New World."
Sengoku nodded. "Alright, we'll head out first."
"That kid Cole's defense is no joke either," Zephyr warned. "Be careful."
"I know," Garp replied.
Step, step! Sengoku and Zephyr returned to their respective ships and sailed off.
"Vice Admiral Garp, what about us?" a rear admiral asked.
Garp thought for a moment, staring toward Battleship Island, then asked, "How far is the nearest navy base from here?"
A soldier consulted the map and replied, "There's no nearby base, sir. Just a few small islands with stationed marines."
"No base?" Garp frowned. That made resupplying difficult.
"Then let's head to the nearest island and regroup for now."
"Yes, Vice Admiral Garp!"
…
At that moment, on Battleship Island, inside the familiar "New World Grand Restaurant."
Gurgle gurgle! Chomp chomp! The sounds of drinking and devouring echoed throughout the restaurant.
Clatter clatter! Plates stacked endlessly.
"Hurry, hurry! The two lords finished everything again!"
The frantic owner shouted from the kitchen window, urging the chefs to prepare more food to satisfy the monstrous appetites of the two men—especially the massive one.
"Hm? It's all gone?"
Luo Han held up an empty dish and looked down. The table was covered only in empty plates. Cole had stopped eating too.
"Coming right up, my lord!" the owner rushed over, wiping sweat from his brow. He spoke quickly and nervously.
"Then hurry up," Luo Han said.
"Yes, my lord! I'll go check on it now!" the owner stammered and quickly scurried away.
Luo Han waved him off casually.
"Whew… finally starting to feel a little full. Feels good."
He let out a breath and rubbed his stomach contentedly.
As soon as he and Cole had returned, they'd come straight here without even notifying Sister Shao. They'd simply been too hungry.
(END CHAPTER)
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