Cherreads

Chapter 564 - Chapter 564: Volume 4 – Chapter 83: So Garp is Coming?

Shanks could hardly believe his eyes.

In the distance, the entire environment and sky had changed dramatically.

A dark red cyclone, clearly visible to the naked eye, turned into rippling waves of air, constantly erupting from the Marine's body. The surrounding buildings and ground cracked under the pressure.

Debris bounced across the ground, and many of Fish-Man Island's fountains and inland rivers were churned up by the violent blasts.

This was... Conqueror's Haki so powerful that it physically affected the world around it!

The shocking scene was deeply imprinted on young Shanks' heart.

Staring at that terrifying figure, like a demon god, a crazy thought suddenly flashed through his mind:

"Can I... really grow to be that strong?"

Nearby, Kozuki Oden, who was still receiving treatment, sat there with a horrified expression, his gaze gradually turning blank.

A deep, crushing sense of helplessness rose in his heart.

The feeling of defeat flowed from his clenched fists and the blood dripping from where his nails had pierced his skin.

That guy... he's gotten even stronger.

But me...

He looked down at his only remaining arm, his vision dyed red by the blood dripping from it.

Can I... really defeat him again?

The faint light of hope seemed to vanish in an instant.

Rayleigh and the others widened their eyes, their faces changing dramatically.

"Advanced Conqueror's Haki!"

There was no mistake!

With their experience, they could tell at a glance—the Marine brat's Conqueror's Haki had reached the level of Advanced Conqueror's Haki!

Just by raising his aura, he could fully unleash his Haki, essentially keeping it active at all times.

The clearest sign of Advanced Conqueror's Haki was its ability to physically affect the surroundings, even shaking ships... Just brushing past it could knock seasoned warriors to the ground.

"How is this possible... He's getting stronger the more he fights?"

Crocus was so shocked he unconsciously adjusted his glasses.

As the ship's doctor aboard Roger's pirate crew, being personally invited by Roger and Rayleigh spoke volumes about his medical skills and insight—the best across the seas.

With his keen eyes, Crocus could easily tell that Daren's physical condition was terrible... Those kinds of brutal injuries would have killed an ordinary person long ago.

Yet this monster was still jumping around as if nothing happened... That alone would've been understandable!

After all, he had a physique comparable to the "strongest creature on land, sea, and air."

But getting stronger mid-battle... that was just absurd!

"He's adapting to the pressure Roger is putting on him..."

Crocus said in a low, grave voice, an indescribable fear hidden in his tone.

At his words, the rest of Roger's crew stiffened, their pupils contracting and a chill running down their spines.

Because they understood exactly what he meant.

It's an instinct for living beings to become stronger.

At its core, it's about "adapting" to external pressure.

For example, creatures living long-term in extreme cold evolve stronger resistance and store more fat to survive.

In hot environments, creatures develop more sweat glands to release excess heat.

Human evolution is no different—it's the process of continuously adapting to external pressure.

This is also the fundamental principle behind training and growth.

Constantly applying proper external pressure helps the body adapt and grow stronger—

Like gradually increasing weights when training strength, or extending exercise duration when training endurance, or increasing impact force when toughening the body...

As for determining whether the pressure applied is "appropriate"?

That's the difference between a great teacher and a mediocre one.

A great teacher knows how to apply just the right amount of pressure.

A bad one either goes too soft or too hard, leading to failure or even death.

So then, was Roger some kind of legendary "great teacher"?

Hell no!

It was just that the Marine brat was using his monstrous physique to survive the insane pressure Roger was throwing at him!

That's the benefit of an incredibly tough body.

If he were weak, a single blow or slash would've ended him—how would he have "adapted" to anything?

"So... if they keep fighting, that Marine will keep getting stronger... maybe even..."

Fish-Man Sunbell said, his voice a little stiff.

He hadn't even realized that the hand gripping his trident was starting to tremble slightly.

The others were also shaken, falling silent in an instant.

Sunbell didn't finish his sentence, but they all understood what he meant.

That Marine—even if not today—would one day grow strong enough to stand alongside their captain!

"We can't let them keep fighting..."

Rayleigh thought grimly as he watched the Vice Admiral roar again, fighting more fiercely with every injury.

"Wahahaha! Your aura has grown stronger! This is exhilarating!"

Feeling Daren's ever-rising aura, Roger laughed joyfully instead of being alarmed, the fighting spirit in his eyes growing more intense, like a raging flame, constantly rising.

Daren's figure was like a blood-stained black beast, suddenly appearing above Roger, his three-fingered dragon claws tearing through the air with a shrill sound, and he laughed fiercely as he plunged down!

"This is all thanks to you!"

Boom!

The dragon claws and the long sword collided heavily, exploding into an earth-shattering shockwave.

Just as the two were locked in a stalemate, Roger's expression suddenly changed.

A figure with golden hair swooped down parallel to the ground and rushed forward, appearing behind the Vice Admiral of the Marines in the blink of an eye and slashing down with a sword!

Ssshh!

Caught off guard, Daren's back was torn open, exposing the bone, and blood spurted out profusely.

His face turned pale, and he fell from midair to the ground, exploding into a huge crater!

"Rayleigh, what are you doing!?" Roger shouted angrily.

"Roger, shut up! Can't you see? That kid is using you to practice!" Rayleigh said through gritted teeth.

"So what! I'm having fun fighting!" Roger didn't back down.

Hearing this, Rayleigh was so angry that he almost gritted his teeth to pieces.

This idiot!

"Anyway, we have to go! We've got the information, and the Marines could arrive at any moment!" Rayleigh said urgently.

"The Marines!?" Roger frowned.

Seeing his reaction, Rayleigh finally breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that this guy still had some brains after all.

"So Garp is coming?"

Roger seemed to have thought of something, and his eyes lit up, eager to try.

Rayleigh's vision went black: ...

The Roger Pirates: ...

Buzz...

At that moment, a low voice suddenly came from the inner harbor of Fish-Man Island in the distance.

"Let's go!"

Rayleigh's eyes narrowed, and he unceremoniously wrapped his arm around Roger's neck, grabbed his collar, and rushed toward the direction of the voice.

It was Gaban's signal that everything was ready and they could set sail at any moment.

The rest of Roger's pirate crew also took off running.

They were all well-versed in running away from the Marines.

...

(40 Chapters Ahead)

p@treon com / PinkSnake

More Chapters