Chapter 189: Giant Ambitions and Unyielding Justice

“But that’s still not enough.”

Karl shook his head at her words.

Even if his own family’s strength reached the peak, there’d still be a gap compared to the World Government.

He had to unite every possible force he could. In the whole One Piece World, the giants were absolutely the most powerful group—there was no contest.

If he truly wanted to overthrow the Celestial Dragons and end the World Government’s 800 years of rule, he needed the giants on his side.

Once a giant hit adulthood, they had the power of a Vice Admiral, and in the New World there were over 1.8 million giants.

Across the entire world, their numbers were a staggering, terrifying 3 million plus.

Just imagine that kind of strength—millions of Vice Admiral-level fighters charging your way. Not even a few dozen or a couple hundred Admirals could hold them back. That tidal wave of power would sweep away everything in its path.

“Wait, don’t tell me you’re planning…” Linlin was quick to catch on.

Right now, their combined power was enough to dominate the New World, but if Karl still thought it wasn’t enough, then the only thing left must be recruiting the giants.

“The thing is, I don’t exactly have the best relationship with them.”

“It’s probably going to be tough.”

Over the years, Linlin had tried to mend things with the giants, but she’d never succeeded.

“Hahaha, just give it a shot.”

“And I found out the two captains of the Giant Pirates are currently in Little Garden, in the first half of the New World.”

“That’s a golden opportunity. If we let those two do the persuading, our chances go way up.”

“After all, you can’t win if you don’t even try.”

Karl was absolutely determined to pull this off.

If convincing them didn’t work, he’d use force. And if force failed? Then he’d start a trade war. He couldn’t believe the giants wouldn’t be tempted by all kinds of exquisite goods.

Seeing how, in the original story, the giants wore huge animal pelts as clothes, he knew their soft power—their light industry—just wasn’t up to par.

“You need to be careful. The first half isn’t like the second.”

Karl wrapped Linlin in his arms and chuckled softly. “Relax, I’m not about to run off and abandon my family.”

“Yeah right, you never say anything decent.”

“Hahaha, if only I could spit out ivory from this mouth.” Karl stood up and walked Linlin back to her room.

After lunch, Karl used the power of Aether Element to leave a clone on Cake Island, while his real body hopped onto a ten-meter-long boat and sped toward the first half of the New World.

At the same time, Newgate was busy gathering new ‘sons’ in the New World, Golden Lion was expanding his ranks like mad, recruiting pirate crews coming in from Fishman Island.

The Roger Pirates had also returned to the New World.

“Whoa!”

“Hahaha!”

“Roger!” Jabba burst out laughing at the sight of Roger getting peed on.

The other crew members watched Roger like they were enjoying a good show.

But when they looked at the baby in Roger’s arms, their faces softened with fond smiles.

That baby with bright red hair was none other than Shanks—one of the future Four Emperors.

“Rayleigh, come over here!”

“I’m coming, I’m coming!”

Rayleigh strolled over grinning ear to ear and gently took Shanks from Roger’s arms.

Roger dipped his face into a basin of water and washed up.

“Boom!”

The moment Roger finished drying his face with a towel, a monstrous column of water shot up nearby.

“Roger, where do you think you’re running off to?”

Following the shout, everyone turned and saw a Navy warship right behind them. At the bow stood none other than Garp, the Navy hero with his trademark dogskin hat.

Normally, the two would just mind their own business, but Roger’s crew had swung through East Blue, which happened to be where Garp was visiting home. So they crossed paths.

Ever since then, Garp had chased them all the way into the New World.

“Hahaha, the Navy’s here—time to run!”

Roger laughed and didn’t take it seriously. Off to the side, Jabba raced to the wheel and spun it hard, steering the ship away as fast as possible.

“Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!”

Tons of cannonballs flew at them from behind.

“Don’t let the Navy destroy our ship.”

“Clang!”

The Roger Pirates sprang into action, using their skills to knock away every incoming cannonball, keeping the Oro Jackson absolutely unscathed.

“Divine Departure!”

Standing at the stern, Roger’s eyes flashed red as he swung, unleashing a Conqueror’s Haki-wreathed slash.

A black-and-red wave of sword energy shot toward Garp’s warship.

“Iron Fist—Meteor!”

Garp stopped pitching cannonballs, kicked off the deck with Moonwalk, and rocketed into the sky, throwing a bone-crushing punch.

Their attacks collided, whipping up a terrifying tsunami and sending both ships racing in opposite directions.

“Garp, see you next time!”

“Hahaha!”

Roger slid Ace back into his belt, stood at the stern with his hands on his hips, and laughed out loud.

Garp had chased them all this way, and they’d clashed plenty of times along the route, but it always ended in a draw. Roger wasn’t interested in getting bogged down with Garp now.

“Roger, you won’t get far.”

Garp hopped back down onto his ship and barked out orders for the Navy to keep pursuing Roger and his crew.

“Bloop bloop!”

Garp took out the Transponder Snail cradled in his arms and answered.

“Hello?”

“Garp, head back to Navy Headquarters now.”

“You need to attend your promotion ceremony.”

Hearing Kong’s voice through the snail, Garp absently scratched his nose.

“No way. I’m in the middle of chasing Roger and don’t have time to come back.”

Click!

With that, Garp hung up and tossed the Transponder Snail to Bogart at his side.

Bogart just looked helpless. He knew exactly what kind of man his Vice Admiral was—chasing Roger was a perfect excuse too.

Right now, Kong was Fleet Admiral, with Sengoku and Zephyr as Admirals.

That left an Admiral’s slot wide open.

So naturally, everyone was looking at Garp, who ticked all the boxes in terms of strength and achievements.

But Garp had zero interest in serving the Celestial Dragons. Besides, being a Vice Admiral meant fewer responsibilities and way more free time.

Unlike Admirals, who had to protect the Celestial Dragons whenever they traveled—and had to rush over every time one of them got hurt—Garp wasn’t going to waste his life doing that.

He might have joined the Navy, but that didn’t mean he’d serve the Celestial Dragons. He was there for justice, plain and simple.

“Sir, this isn’t the first time. Is this really okay?”

Bogart murmured by his side. Only someone like Vice Admiral Garp could repeatedly turn down Kong’s offers.

“Can’t you see I’m busy right now?”

“My mission is to catch up with the Roger Pirates.”

That said, Vice Admiral Garp stood at the front of the ship in silence. Hopeless to stop him, Bogart just bowed and left.

Let someone else be the Celestial Dragons’ lapdog, he thought.

Whether he’d actually heard Rocks’ sneering words or not, it didn’t matter—he’d never take the job.

Vice Admiral’s not so bad, is it?