Chapter 91: Shifting to the Land Route

As a naval hero, Garp single-handedly raised a revolutionary son and a grandson destined to become the future Pirate King, and he was the sparring partner most respected by Gol D. Roger, the Pirate King himself. He had never been a mere hound of the World Government, holding fast to his own convictions about justice.

Though he often complained about his wayward offspring who defied his wishes, deep inside he was proud of his “criminal” son and the grandson who dreamed of becoming a “criminal” as well. So, when he saw a promising young star in the East Blue, Garp’s decision was not to nip a potential threat in the bud for the World Government, but rather to help this young man, whose heart also beat for justice, as much as possible.

Thus, “Shave” and “Moonwalk”—the two most versatile techniques of the Rokushiki—became the gifts that Garp bestowed upon Garen.

After listening to the principles behind these moves, Garen was both excited and frustrated to discover that he could not yet use them.

The core of the Navy’s Rokushiki was not technique, but the forging of the body’s very limits. Take “Shave” for example: its principle was simple and direct—by stomping the ground more than ten times in 0.36 seconds, the user harnesses the resulting reaction force to achieve explosive speed and rapid movement.

In this seemingly simple action of “stomping the ground,” precise technique was merely the streamlined chassis of the car, able to boost speed to a degree; but it was the user’s body, honed to superhuman levels, that served as the true engine determining the ultimate velocity.

With a powerful enough engine, even the clunky Wuling Hongguang could tear down the highway fast enough to lose a driver’s license.

So, even after memorizing the force techniques taught by the peerless Garp, Garen, whose body was not yet up to par, still could not use “Shave” or “Moonwalk.” Unlike Buggy the Clown, he couldn’t cheat the technique with the weight of just two feet.

“I've got to level up, and quickly!”

After stowing away the notes he’d taken during Garp’s lesson, Garen muttered to himself,

“I heard that bald assassin is in the Goa Kingdom. I wonder if I’ll have the chance to run into him this time.”

He recalled the information he’d gleaned from Miss Doublefinger about the employer behind the bald assassin’s current mission.

“The Outeluke family? What a tongue-twister...”

In recent days, Garen had doubled as an Honor Executioner, and had also gained experience from the elite agent Miss Doublefinger—just a little more and he would reach level eight. In this East Blue, where weaklings abounded and worthy foes were scarce, the formidable MR.1 was clearly his best target for now.

With Garp’s expectations in mind, Garen was determined to grow stronger as quickly as possible.

His goal of meeting Luffy in Windmill Village was fulfilled; he’d even snatched the title of “Pirate King” from Luffy’s hands, and, unexpectedly, received Garp’s personal instruction. This journey had truly been worthwhile.

So, without delay or hesitation, Garen strode up to Garp to bid him farewell.

“The Goa Kingdom?”

Hearing Garen’s destination, Garp’s interest was piqued.

“You’re going to that place where all those trashy nobles live?”

Garp made no effort to hide his disdain, openly labeling the upper crust of the Goa Kingdom as “trash.”

He smiled, his tone carrying a subtle warning.

“Don’t go causing any trouble in a place like that! The Goa Kingdom is, after all, a member nation of the World Government—and I’m still on this island.”

Garen understood the kindly caution in Garp’s words and nodded solemnly in reply.

“Don’t worry. I won’t do anything I’m not yet capable of.”

He explained further,

“I’m only going this time for business, nothing more.”

“That’s good, then.”

Garp nodded in farewell, his manner unburdened.

“Off you go! I hope that next time we meet, you’ll have power worthy of your sense of justice.”

As their brief parting drew to a close, Luffy appeared before Garen, no one knew when. Clenching his fists, he again gritted his teeth, vowing to reclaim his “Pirate King” title one day.

Garen dismissed this with a casual “encouragement.”

“If you want to take back that title, you’d better train hard! I’ll be waiting for you at sea, ‘Captain Luffy’!”

Luffy swelled with indignation once again.

Amused, Garen waved goodbye to the rubbery, balloon-like Luffy before turning to find Nami, intending to bring her along to the Goa Kingdom.

However, Garen had spent so much time absorbed in Garp’s lesson—jotting down a small stack of notes—that he’d completely neglected Nami.

Bored out of her mind, Nami had wandered back to the tavern alone for a drink.

When Garen found her, she was holding the largest mug available, with more than a dozen empty bottles lined up on the table before her. She was idly passing the time with a map of the entire Goa Kingdom spread before her.

The drinkers at the surrounding tables watched with wide eyes as this delicate-looking girl downed liquor like a bottomless sea, while the tavern’s proprietress, Makino, had nearly worn out her arm refilling Nami’s drinks.

When she saw Garen return, Nami puffed out her cheeks in a tipsy pout and said,

“So you do remember to come back?”

“I could draw this map with my eyes closed by now!”

Garen gave an awkward laugh, then tried to play the gentleman, offering his arm.

“You’ve had a bit much to drink—careful not to trip.”

Nami got up with a huff, shoved the map back into the pocket at her chest, and shot Garen a glare.

“I don’t need you worrying about me! A dozen bottles isn’t even enough to warm up!”

Nami’s natural tolerance for alcohol was terrifying; she could drink anyone under the table, her capacity vast as the sea itself—a true queen of the tavern. Still, the sight of all those bottles was so striking that Garen couldn’t help but question her condition.

But since Nami insisted, Garen awkwardly withdrew his proffered arm.

Yet before he could fully take it back, Nami’s slender, soft arm wrapped tightly around his.

At once, Garen felt a gentle, comforting warmth.

Surprised, he glanced at Nami, who quickly turned away to avoid his gaze, speaking airily,

“Let’s go! On to the Goa Kingdom!”

Perhaps it was the alcohol, but her cheeks were flushed a rosy pink.

In this subtle atmosphere, her mind a little hazy, Nami started babbling disconnectedly,

“This island is so big; it’ll take ages to sail to the royal city! I just checked the map—it’s only half as far by land, but there’s a huge forest in the way. Who knows if it’s passable…”

Mumbling words even she didn’t understand, she tugged lightly at Garen’s arm, eager to leave.

However…

Garen stood rooted to the spot.

Nami turned to look and found Garen gazing at her with intense focus, as if wrestling with some unspoken emotion.

Seeing him like this, the tipsy Nami suddenly sobered, the air between them turning still, subtle, and enchanting.

“You… is there something you want to say to me?”

She bit her lip, her blush deepening.

Garen snapped out of it and, in all seriousness, replied,

“We…”

“Hmm?”

Nami hummed, her tone a mixture of anticipation and uncertainty.

“We’ll go by land!”

“What?”

Nami blinked, her expression collapsing.

Garen, meanwhile, broke free of her grip, eyes bright as he raised his greatsword in excitement.

“I almost forgot—those hills behind Windmill Village are perfect for leveling up! Come on, let’s go hunt some monsters!”