As the white-haired old man approached, Kong Tai's face became solemn.
The old man’s body was like an inverted triangle. Even with his navy uniform concealing him, Kong Tai could sense the immense power hidden within.
According to his knowledge, the old man was seventy-four years old, nearly seventy-five.
He was two years older than Whitebeard and the same age as Rayleigh. However, in Kong Tai’s perception, the old man felt undeniably stronger than Rayleigh.
As for how much stronger, that would only be known after a fight.
Furthermore, he knew that Oda had explicitly stated that Garp’s strength did not diminish with age.
Therefore, Garp at this moment should be at his peak.
His peak strength allowed him to chase Roger’s entire pirate crew across the seas!
Whether his strength surpassed Roger’s was unknown, but even if it didn't, they were likely in the same tier of power.
His goal was to become the world’s strongest. He had to defeat a weakened Whitebeard, a peak-strength Kaido, and even Shanks, who, despite being called the most domineering man, might not truly be the world’s strongest.
Shanks initially used two swords, and Kong Tai’s own sword seemed to have two blades as well. If he remembered correctly, Shanks was a dual-wielding swordsman in his youth. Losing an arm would undoubtedly affect his power.
Mihawk had not sought a spar with Shanks since Shanks lost his arm.
The last time Kong Tai sparred with Mihawk, he learned from Mihawk that Shanks had indeed been a formidable swordsman in the past.
Therefore, while Shanks’s Haki had greatly improved later, allowing him to possess the world’s strongest Conqueror’s Haki, his strength, which could have been even greater, was not at its ideal peak after losing his left hand.
If he could defeat the old man before him, then he would undoubtedly be the world’s strongest.
Of course, this excluded Im, who resided in Mary Geoise.
Currently, it was still unknown if Im was truly a “person.”
As he thought of this, a blinding light erupted in Kong Tai’s eyes. The nebulae within his pupils spun rapidly with his excited emotions, as if about to transform into a black hole.
Sensing the rising battle intent emanating from Kong Tai, Guina already knew who the approaching old man was.
She had heard Kong Tai mention more than once that he wanted to fight Garp.
*Zzzt!*
Electricity instantly coursed through her entire body.
Since Kong Tai was going to fight Garp, she couldn't let him be distracted. She would handle Kizaru.
Coincidentally, sparring with Ace offered her no excitement, feeling like an adult fighting a child.
While Ace was not weak, being Whitebeard’s second division commander, he possessed the strength of a Marine Vice Admiral. However, compared to her current strength, he couldn't truly make her fight with her full power.
Moreover, their spars were merely practice, lacking the thrill.
After all, there was still a significant gap in their strength.
As if sensing something, the running old man also looked up. His calm gaze fell directly on Kong Tai.
With a slight frown, he stomped his feet on the ground without making a sound, and the ground remained undisturbed. Yet, his body moved as if he had compressed space, appearing directly beside Kizaru.
“Soru?”
Kong Tai’s pupils sharply contracted as he looked at the old man. “Is that Soru?”
The old man’s control over his power and his speed completely surpassed his understanding of Soru.
“As expected of a legendary powerhouse.”
Kong Tai felt no fear; instead, his battle intent grew even fiercer.
“Vice Admiral Garp.”
Kizaru greeted Garp with a sigh of relief. “You’ve finally arrived.”
“Haha!!”
Garp grinned. “Marie Geoise is still some distance away. I’m not like you; I can’t fly.”
“It’s already impressive that I could get here so quickly.”
As he finished speaking, Garp looked up at Kong Tai and Guina, who were floating in the air. His eyes showed undisguised admiration. He then said, “You two are Kong Tai and Guina, right!”
“Haha! Truly remarkable!”
“As expected of my fellow townsfolk.”
Saying this, he raised his hands towards Kong Tai and Guina, giving them a thumbs-up.
“I’ve long been fed up with those idiotic pigs…”
“Vice Admiral Garp,” Kizaru’s mouth twitched, and he quickly interrupted. “It’s best to keep those words to yourself.”
“Haha!” Garp laughed heartily, unconcerned. “Yes! I almost forgot. I shouldn’t just say those things, hahahahaha!!”
Seeing Garp’s indifferent expression, Kizaru could only shake his head helplessly. Although he also disliked the Celestial Dragons, he would not openly express it like Garp.
“Hey!” Kong Tai’s gaze remained fixed on Garp. “Are you done talking? I don’t care if you like or dislike the Celestial Dragons. Since you’re here, let’s have a good fight.”
As soon as the words left his mouth, he tightened his grip on Zankon and drew his sword without hesitation, slashing towards Garp.
Garp was undoubtedly the strongest person Kong Tai had encountered since he set sail. According to his senses, the old man exuded more pressure than an Admiral.
What gave him this pressure? Was it his body?
The old man was already so old; his body couldn’t possibly improve further.
Even though he was a monster with a strong body, it wasn't strong enough to put Kong Tai under pressure.
It had to be Haki.
Observation Haki was a supplementary Haki; even if it could predict the future, it was merely an aid.
And the old man did not openly possess Conqueror’s Haki.
Even though he was Dragon’s father and Luffy’s grandfather, due to his lack of ambition, even if he had royal blood, he wouldn't awaken it.
Without Conqueror’s Haki, it could only be Armament Haki.
How powerful was the Armament Haki that could put him under pressure?
Did it surpass its peak and reach another level, or was it condensed to its absolute limit?
*Zing—!*
The crisp sound of the blade, like the chirping of cicadas in June, echoed throughout the heavens and earth.
The soaring sharpness caused the fallen leaves floating around Kong Tai to instantly freeze in mid-air, then, as if having been sliced a thousand times, they turned to powder in an instant.
“One Sword Style: Battōjutsu: Shura!”
The blade, wrapped in an incredibly potent pink Haki, left a thin line that distorted space in the air at an extreme speed.
Then, this slash, infused with Kong Tai’s boundless battle intent, transformed into a towering, ferocious Shura that charged directly at Garp.
“This brat.”
Garp’s smile disappeared, and his eyes revealed a hint of solemnity.
Staring at the oncoming Shura slash, he abruptly retracted his right hand and then, with a simple upward punch, struck out.
*Clang—!*
A sound like metal clashing instantly radiated throughout the battlefield, surpassing the shockwave from Kong Tai and Kizaru’s earlier exchange. It immediately spread outwards from the point of impact.
“Brat, you’re quite formidable! Haha!!”
Garp let out a loud laugh and pushed his fist upwards.
With a “bang,” he directly sent Kong Tai’s slash flying.
*Swoosh—!*
The slash flew through the air, leaving a line and easily slicing through the canopy of trees covering the area.
The shockwave generated by the slash caused the falling leaves and branches severed in the sky to follow the slash upwards.
If someone were watching from outside the Sabaody Archipelago, they would surely see a massive crescent-shaped blade light, carrying countless broken branches and leaves, soaring into the sky.
The scene…
was incredibly spectacular.