Why is everyone calling that monster "Ancestor"?
Blackbeard calls him that.
Even the "Hero of the Marines" calls him that.
What in the world is happening?
In this world of hidden undercurrents, the uproar erupts once again.
The ruins of Marineford, now resembling a post-apocalyptic wasteland, have once more become the center of global attention.
And especially that one word—"Ancestor"—took everyone completely off guard.
---
The Arabasta Royal Tombs, located in the first half of the Grand Line.
This is the resting place of the former kings of Arabasta, not far from the capital city of Alubarna.
Outside of specific ceremonial rituals, few ever come to disturb the slumber of their ancestors.
And yet—
At this moment, Nefertari Cobra's eyes widened as though he'd seen a ghost in broad daylight.
Standing before him was a gaunt middle-aged man, with a pointed golden goatee and a small black felt hat on his head.
Cobra was completely at a loss.
What the hell is going on!?
He had only come here to pray, after witnessing Ghidorah's resurrection—hoping the ancient beast wouldn't drag Arabasta into war.
But unexpectedly, at the mere mention of the word "Ghidorah," the coffin lid of the founding emperor himself had blasted open!
The man had torn open the lid and emerged on his own!
This is too damn terrifying!
Cobra looked at the man in front of him, hesitating...
Should I... also call him "Ancestor" like everyone else seems to be doing nowadays?
After a long pause, Cobra reluctantly got down on one knee and addressed him:
"Ancestor."
And oddly enough… it kind of rolled off the tongue naturally.
Nefertari Ivan looked at his descendant—who was clearly far older than him in appearance—and was momentarily speechless.
Upon asking about the current time, Ivan learned he'd been asleep for eight hundred years.
Then, hearing Cobra mention "Ghidorah," he immediately questioned:
"Ghidorah... has been resurrected?"
"Yes."
Cobra nodded. "The palace is still broadcasting the battle at Marineford. I…"
He paused mid-sentence.
Suddenly, he had no idea how to address himself.
Do I say 'This humble one'? 'Your descendant'? 'Great-grandson'? 'This king'?
For a moment, no title seemed appropriate.
"Whatever. Just take me to watch it already."
Ivan waved his hand dismissively and strode out of the royal tomb.
Cobra sighed deeply and hurried after him.
What is wrong with this world? Since when did "resurrected ancestors" become a trend?
Forget it. Maybe I'll just declare today as Arabasta's official "Resurrection Day."
---
With Cobra leading the way, Ivan returned to the palace that was at once familiar and unfamiliar.
A portrait of Nefertari I hung in the palace's main corridor, showcasing his historic achievements to the world.
But no one could have imagined they would one day see the man in the flesh.
Eyes bulged. Mouths dropped.
It was as if they were looking at a zoo animal—both astonished and horrified.
Fortunately, the former king paid them no mind. He and Cobra hurried into the grand hall, where the ongoing battle at Marineford was being projected on the wall.
A mountainous figure stood atop the ruins of the Marine Headquarters.
His massive dragon tail swept across the debris, collapsing buildings in its wake.
Dark silhouettes flew like cannonballs into the rubble.
"Old Man!"
"Oyagi!!"
Seeing Garp get knocked away, Ace and Luffy screamed in rage, ready to charge in.
BANG! BANG!
"You brats better SIT DOWN!"
Whitebeard grabbed the two brothers, one in each hand, and scolded them sternly.
"Garp's not so fragile that he needs saving from you two."
"Watch carefully—your grandfather is none other than the 'Hero of the Marines,' Garp!"
Held tightly by Whitebeard's massive hands, the two struggled but were completely unable to break free. Their faces contorted with fury as they stared toward the Marine ruins.
---
CRASH...
"Hahahaha…"
Bleeding and battered, Garp crawled from the wreckage, laughing heartily as he gazed at Ghidorah in the distance.
Though his injuries looked severe, Ghidorah's casual demeanor told him one thing:
The beast hadn't even started fighting seriously.
If it had, Garp wouldn't just be bleeding—he'd be dead.
---
BOOM!
Armed with Haki surging around him, Garp shot forward again, laughing wildly.
Utterly fearless.
Ghidorah looked at him charging and couldn't help but feel annoyed.
Do you really think just because you're some ultra-distant descendant of mine, I won't kill you!?
But in the next moment, Ghidorah realized—
I might be overthinking it.
Garp's body radiated Haki. His face twisted, veins bulging like a Super Saiyan as he unleashed a torrential storm of fists aimed straight at Ghidorah's right head.
Ghidorah's golden pupils narrowed. He met the attack head-on with a brutal headbutt.
"Your attacks… are too weak, Garp."
With those words, the colossal dragon head rammed into Garp like a freight train, smashing him through what little remained of the buildings.
---
SPLURT!
Garp, midair, coughed up blood.
"Garp…"
"If this keeps up—I won't hold back anymore!"
Ghidorah's voice boomed with fury, his protectiveness obvious to all.
But in the silence that followed, a hoarse voice came from the rubble:
"I never asked for your protection…"
"Today, there is no 'Monkey D. Garp'..."
With a loud crash, Garp stood up again, wiping blood from his mouth.
"There is only—a veteran Marine!"
"Because of this damned D. bloodline, I refused countless promotions…"
"Because of this cursed bloodline, I've been caught in endless dilemmas…"
"Watching my mischievous grandson face public execution… It tore me apart."
"Because of those damn Celestial Dragons, even my most basic beliefs have started to crumble…"
"I have no reason left to live. I don't want to fight you—but…"
"Let me fulfill my duty… as a Marine, one last time!!"
Garp gritted his teeth. Tears of pain welled at the corners of his eyes as he roared out the anguish in his heart.
---
BOOM!!
His pained expression now terrifying, the veins on his body bulged violently.
Suddenly, an overwhelming aura burst from him.
Lightning crackled faintly—white arcs of energy danced around his body.
"Wha—!?"
"Conqueror's Haki Infusion!"
Sengoku, watching the scene, was utterly shocked.
He wasn't surprised that Garp had Conqueror's Haki—but rather—
The white lightning swirling around him was nothing like any Conqueror's Haki he'd ever seen.
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