Chapter 54 The Offer
On a warship, Kuzan looked at Garp's back. The usually carefree man was staring seriously toward Sabaody.
"Bogard," Garp called out as Sabaody Archipelago came into view.
"Yes, Vice Admiral."
"Everyone's job is to evacuate people. No matter what happens, don't stay on Sabaody. Leave as soon as you can," Garp said without looking back.
"Ara ara, that's quite unlike—"
Garp cut Kuzan off.
"It's an order. No one, I mean no one, is allowed to stay on that island."
He turned toward Kuzan.
"Freeze the sea and take all civilians and Marines as far away as you can."
Kuzan's lazy demeanor vanished instantly.
"Yes, Vice Admiral Garp."
He saluted as Garp turned back toward Sabaody. The ship was about to dock.
Garp removed his justice cloak, rolled up his sleeves, and vanished with Geppo before the warship could dock. Kuzan and Bogard immediately began issuing orders.
The Marines started moving everyone.
---
At Grove 13, Shakky puffed out a cloud of smoke and looked at Ren's clone.
"You really know how to cause trouble, don't you?"
The clone grinned.
"Well, trouble follows me wherever I go. Can't help it."
Shakky laughed softly.
"Well, you'll be paying me for all the trouble you caused."
"We can talk about that later."
Shakky sighed and began packing her things.
The clone turned to Rayleigh.
"You sure you're not going with Shakky?"
"Well, with you taking her, not many can cause trouble for her," Rayleigh said while drinking his wine.
"And I can't help but look forward to what's going to happen."
The clone shrugged as a Nimbus cloud formed beneath him.
Shakky arrived with all the luggage she needed and climbed onto Nimbus.
"Hmm… it's comfy," she said as she sat down.
Nimbus trembled slightly, almost as if it was embarrassed by the praise.
Shakky blinked.
"It has awareness?"
"Yup. It's like Big Mom's homies," the clone replied.
Shakky and the clone chatted as they flew toward Amazon Lily, heading toward Wano through the sky.
---
Meanwhile, the real Ren and the girls walked around chatting. Everyone had already fled, so there was no one left in the shops.
"Tsk… those pigs ruined our fun," Yamato complained.
Hancock nodded.
"They should have suffered more before dying."
Ren smiled and turned toward a direction.
Soon, Garp appeared using Geppo.
Both Yamato and Hancock immediately went on full alert as they sensed his aura.
Yamato blinked in curiosity.
"Who is this man?"
Hancock answered calmly.
"The Hero of the Marines. A living legend who chased the Pirate King across the seas."
Ren chuckled.
"Hancock, restore Sakazuki."
Hancock blinked and pouted.
"Why?"
Ren looked at her and smiled.
"Please? I'll compensate you."
He winked at her.
Hancock blushed slightly before snapping her fingers.
Garp finally spoke.
"You should leave. You don't know what's coming."
Ren grinned.
"I'm waiting for it."
Garp didn't respond. Instead, he looked at Hancock, Yamato, and Shirahoshi.
Then his Conqueror's Haki flared.
Ren grinned as his own flared in response.
The world lost its color.
Wind howled violently, the ground cracked, and trees splintered apart. The sky split in two.
Hancock, Yamato, and Shirahoshi's hair was blown back by the force.
---
On the shore of Sabaody, civilians escaping over the frozen sea suddenly froze and began collapsing from the Conqueror's Haki.
Kuzan stared in horror.
"What kind of Haki is that?"
Many Marines also began collapsing.
Bogard gritted his teeth.
"Everyone! Grab the unconscious people and move them to the ships! Use all available ships!"
The remaining Marines moved quickly, following orders.
---
Garp and Ren moved at the same time, their fists crashing toward each other.
Both were coated in advanced Armament Haki.
Their fists didn't touch.
The air between them compressed violently as black lightning crackled between their attacks.
The ground dented inward, and the air was blasted away from the impact.
Yamato, Hancock, and Shirahoshi moved back to a safe distance.
Shirahoshi breathed heavily as her Conqueror's Haki flared uncontrollably, trying to keep her conscious.
Yamato and Hancock stepped in front of her.
Their Conqueror's Haki flared, shielding her.
"Th-thank you," Shirahoshi said.
Nimbus shifted beneath her, supporting her gently.
Yamato grinned.
"Well, we're best friends, so no need for thanks."
Hancock smiled gently.
"Well, you two are my little sisters."
A vein popped on Yamato's forehead.
She turned toward Hancock.
"Who made you big sister?"
Hancock huffed proudly.
"I'm older. And Ren's first."
Yamato scoffed.
"So what?"
Soon they were forehead to forehead, bickering again.
Shirahoshi laughed softly.
"Well… we should move back a little more."
Yamato and Hancock stopped arguing and nodded.
They moved further back with Shirahoshi.
---
Ren and Garp collided again and again, their blows shaking the surroundings.
Then suddenly—
They both paused and looked toward the sky.
Yamato and Hancock also sensed it.
A massive bird was flying toward Sabaody.
Garp's expression turned serious.
Ren plucked a hair, which transformed into a golden staff.
He rested it on his shoulder.
The bird came closer and shrank.
"SCREEECHHH!"
Multiple pentagram magic circles formed on the ground as five figures appeared.
The Gorosei stood there.
In front of them was a blue-haired girl with mismatched eyes.
Ren recognized her immediately.
Genko… the vessel with the highest compatibility with Imu.
If she's here, it means either Imu is present… or planning to possess her.
He grinned.
Yamato and Hancock jumped to Ren's side, while Shirahoshi floated behind him on Nimbus.
She was scared.
Her Observation Haki sensed an abyss-like darkness from them.
Yamato rested her Kanabo on her shoulder.
Hancock stood with clear disdain in her eyes.
Ren stood between them, his staff resting on his shoulder.
The blue-haired girl stepped forward.
"Ren, the Monkey King. I am Gunko, one of the Holy Knights."
She raised her hand toward him.
"We offer you a position as a Celestial Dragon. Join the Holy Knights."
Garp's eyes widened.
This wasn't what he had expected.
But seeing the Five Elders silently standing behind her told him everything.
He slowly turned his gaze toward Ren.