One piece: Establishing a Pirate Family

Chapter 453: Kong vs. Red Count (Part 2)

As Fleet Admiral of the Marines, Kong could not afford to gamble on even the faintest hope of victory.

If even the Fleet Admiral were to be defeated by a pirate—

Tsuru couldn't begin to imagine what impact that would have on the morale and authority of the Marines.

At that point, pirates across the world would likely surge out to sea again, plunging the world into even deeper chaos.

And the Marines would once again fall behind.

---

"Report!"

Just as Tsuru sank deep into worry, a voice called out at the door, pulling her from her thoughts.

"Enter," Tsuru said, setting aside the intel in her hands.

"Vice Admiral Tsuru, Vice Admiral Garp is requesting permission to return to Marine Headquarters."

A file was handed to her.

"Garp? Isn't he still chasing one of the Pirate King's old crewmates in the East Blue? Why is he coming back?"

She looked puzzled and took the document.

"Ma'am, Vice Admiral Garp has already driven the Buggy Pirates into the Grand Line. The East Blue has returned to peace."

The intelligence officer explained.

"You're saying… Garp is in the Grand Line now?"

Tsuru's eyes lit up with realization.

"Uh… yes!" the officer replied quickly.

"Contact Vice Admiral Garp immediately!"

"Yes, ma'am!"

---

Somewhere in the Grand Line

Onboard a Marine ship—

Garp was sound asleep on the deck, snoring loudly.

Brru brru! Brru brru!

The Den Den Mushi beside him rang incessantly.

But Garp remained completely unconscious.

His adjutant, hearing the sound, rushed over.

"Vice Admiral Garp! You have a call!"

He shouted into Garp's ear.

Garp instantly sat bolt upright and grabbed the Den Den Mushi reflexively.

The moment the line connected, Tsuru's urgent voice came through.

"Garp! Head immediately to the uninhabited island near Water 7! The Fleet Admiral is fighting Red Count there—he needs backup!"

There was silence for a moment on the other end.

Tsuru frowned. "...Garp?"

She checked the line—still connected.

Then she listened closely.

"Snooore… zzz…"

The Den Den Mushi mimicked Garp's loud snoring.

Tsuru's face darkened instantly.

"GARP!"

She bellowed through the receiver.

---

Back on the warship—

Garp was still holding the Den Den Mushi up to his ear, sound asleep.

A bubble of snot puffed from his nose.

The adjutant stood beside him with a blank expression, sweat dripping down his face.

But Tsuru's yell over the Den Den Mushi startled him to attention.

The Fleet Admiral was in battle in the Grand Line? This was serious!

"Vice Admiral Garp! Sir! Wake up!"

The adjutant shouted frantically.

"Hmm? Are we at HQ already?"

The bubble on Garp's nose popped as he slowly blinked awake.

"Sir! The call! Your call!"

The adjutant pointed at the Den Den Mushi in Garp's hand.

Garp stared at it, confused.

"Eh? Someone's calling me? Hello, this is Monkey D. Garp. Who's this?"

He finally answered casually.

"Garp! Head to the island near Water 7 immediately! The Fleet Admiral is fighting Red Count—he needs help!"

Tsuru was done wasting words. Her voice came through sharp and firm.

"What? Old man Kong is fighting Red Count? But… isn't he the Fleet Admiral?"

Garp was clearly still half-asleep.

"Shut up and GO!"

Click.

Tsuru slammed the Den Den Mushi shut and took a deep breath.

She felt like most of the wrinkles on her face were thanks to Garp.

Still fuming, she whispered under her breath, "Please… let the Fleet Admiral be safe…"

Her worries weren't unfounded.

Kong had barely fought since becoming Fleet Admiral over a decade ago.

The last time she remembered him fighting was against Charlotte—over ten years ago.

Now, at over seventy years old, to go head-to-head with a pirate like Red Count—

Her concern was completely justified.

"Garp… please hurry."

She sighed deeply.

"Tell all Marine units to monitor the battle continuously. Report any updates immediately."

"Yes, ma'am!"

The intelligence officer quickly relayed the orders to the front lines.

---

Meanwhile—

On the battlefield—

The fight between Red Count and Kong had reached a fever pitch.

Each clash between them sent out terrifying shockwaves.

The Marine warships that had followed them didn't dare get within a thousand meters of the island.

Any closer, and they risked being obliterated by the aftermath of the battle.

It was a battle between top-tier powerhouses.

Their Conqueror's Haki duels shook the very heavens.

From afar, watching Marines saw mountains crumble one after another on the island.

The uneven terrain was gradually flattened by the sheer force of their attacks.

It was inhuman.

And yet, what they were witnessing told them that human strength could, indeed, reach such extremes.

"Hasn't it been four days already? How long are they going to keep fighting?"

Some Marines had become numb to the spectacle.

After four days and nights of continuous combat, even the most awe-inspiring sight had become routine.

So long as they didn't enter within 1,000 meters, they weren't in danger.

"It's almost over. The Fleet Admiral will win. Justice always defeats evil!"

An old Marine spoke with certainty.

"Yes! Justice will prevail!"

Others nodded with equal conviction.

Time continued to tick by.

The battle had now lasted eight days.

The once-uneven terrain of the island was now unrecognizable.

"Ha ha ha ha! Kong, give up! You're no match for me!"

Red Count stood bloodied but triumphant, laughing at the half-kneeling Kong before him.

"Pirate…"

Kong glared back, unwilling to accept defeat.

Redfield's grin stretched to his ears.

To defeat the Marine Fleet Admiral—to kill the Fleet Admiral—would be a glory known across the world.

Not even Charlotte or the Pirate King Roger could compare.

His laugh echoed across the ruined island.

"HAHAHAHAHAHA!"

Hearing Red Count's crazed laughter—

Kong's fury reached its peak.

His battered body trembled.

His Conqueror's Haki, weakened and flickering, barely held together.

"Don't celebrate too soon, pirate!"

Kong roared and hurled his fist toward Red Count one last time.

"Hmph! Still clinging to hope?"

Redfield raised his umbrella, coated in Armament Haki, and slashed.

Whoosh!

A powerful slash shot out, engulfing Kong's body.

Kong's eyes widened.

He couldn't dodge it!

BOOM!

The slash engulfed him in a thunderous explosion.

As the smoke cleared—

Kong lay motionless among the shattered rocks.

"NO! Fleet Admiral!"

The watching Marines screamed in unison.

"GO! Save the Fleet Admiral!"

Despite the turbulent waves, they couldn't sit idly by.

The Marines, shaken to their core, prepared to risk everything to rescue their commander.

---

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