Chapter 80: Who Can Withstand Such an Emotional Play?

The moment Garp appeared, Lin Yan naturally noticed him as well. Before he could say anything, Garp's fist, shimmering with sharp brilliance, struck down with the demeanor of a legendary naval hero.

"Boom!"

Lin Yan and Garp collided. In an instant, a series of sonic booms erupted, and crimson lightning flashed all around. The ground became pitted and uneven, covered in swirling mist, heavy and sweeping in all directions.

Within the smoke and dust, Lin Yan was the first to retreat. He turned over, his legs hitting the ground, scraping out a long trench. Lin Yan frowned slightly and looked at his palm. Garp's Galaxy Impact had struck his palm. Their fists met, and they had exchanged a blow. Even with his Armament Haki covering, Lin Yan was still forced back.

Garp's Galaxy Impact wasn't easy to withstand; after all, he was a king of the old era! The one who had once teamed up with Roger to overpower Rocks, the navy's only true hero. With Garp joining the fight, rescuing Ace wouldn't be easy.

Similarly, Garp landed on the ground. He clapped his hands, making a dull sound. "You can block my Galaxy Impact? I must admit, you have some strength! But if you Whitebeard Pirates want to rescue Ace, you have to get through me first!"

Having heard about the Whitebeard Pirates forming a new division, honestly, Garp had looked down on these division captains. But now, it seemed he had underestimated them! A master could tell skill with a single move. This new captain of the Whitebeard Pirates was indeed impressive.

Hearing Garp's words, Lin Yan smiled and said, "Vice Admiral Garp's strength is renowned. It's my honor to challenge you, but before that, can I make a small request?"

Garp paused. "What request?"

Lin Yan smiled knowingly. "Rather than a request, it's more of an opportunity, a... chance to talk!"

Here came the master of persuasion! Actually, Garp wasn't cold-hearted. On the contrary, in terms of sensitivity and kindness, Garp was ahead of everyone. This was why, over the decades of the pirate saga, Garp's popularity remained high. Although Ace wasn't related to him by blood, it didn't affect their grandfather-grandson bond. Additionally, Garp was a rational person. Simply put, if approached correctly, explaining with reason and appealing to emotions, Lin Yan had countless ways to make Garp relent and clear a path!

The prerequisite was that he had to listen!

"Talk?" Obviously, Garp didn't understand what "talk" meant, thinking it was Lin Yan's trump card. So he straightforwardly said, "Alright, let's see the power of your talk!"

So easy? Lin Yan didn't expect it to be this simple. Just as he was about to employ his legendary persuasive talk...

"Enough!"

At this moment, the fleet admiral Sengoku took action. He took a step forward, leaped off the execution platform with a leap of faith, landing steadily on the ground. Sengoku walked out from behind Garp, his face dark, saying, "Captain, your appearance didn't surprise me. What surprised me was that your 17th Division had such hidden powerhouses!"

Indeed, for the navy, the strength shown by Issho and Green Bull was incredibly astonishing. Sengoku continued, "What surprised me even more was that you managed to recruit our former admiral Zephyr to your side. You truly are capable!"

Speaking of Zephyr, especially when Zephyr fought for the Whitebeard Pirates, openly opposing the navy, Sengoku glared at Lin Yan with gritted teeth. He couldn't understand how Lin Yan had quietly accomplished all this within the Whitebeard Pirates. Even if you were cheating, you should at least make it look convincing! Like a card shark in a casino, losing a few hands on purpose to build your opponent's confidence before taking all their money.

But this new captain of the Whitebeard Pirates? He didn't even bother to act! Is there no justice? No law? Do you think nothing of us navy?

Of course, Lin Yan didn't know Sengoku's thoughts. After hearing Sengoku, Lin Yan put on a flattered expression and said, "To be recognized by the fleet admiral is a great honor, mixed with a bit of unease. You won't target me next, will you?"

Before Sengoku or Garp could react, Lin Yan continued, "But about Admiral Zephyr joining my division, it's not about my capability, but rather some people's shortsightedness! Someone who dedicated his whole life to you, only to be kicked out in the end! Honestly, I feel sorry for Zephyr, indignant on his behalf. Isn't it a bit shameless of that unnamed force?"

Lin Yan's words directly provoked Sengoku. "What do you mean?"

Next to Sengoku, Garp didn't speak. He just couldn't help but lower his head and sigh. Too much had happened recently. It had aged him considerably. Meanwhile, Zephyr, who was fighting Aokiji, also paused. He glanced at Lin Yan. In front of the navy, the Whitebeard Pirates, and the whole world, Lin Yan spoke up for him. His words were full of sarcasm and implication, without holding back. A warm feeling surged through Zephyr's heart.

"..."

Seeing Zephyr stop, Aokiji also paused. Lin Yan's words had struck a chord with him too.

"Captain..."

In the distance, Ain bit her lip, tears welling up in her eyes. Since Zephyr was kicked out of the navy, they had entered their darkest period. Betrayed, isolated, and devastated. The world seemed dim and lifeless. At the brink of despair, Lin Yan appeared and opened a door for them. Amidst the dawn's light, he pulled them from the depths of despair. Thinking of this, Ain couldn't stop her tears. Finally, someone was willing to speak for them!

"This kid." Whitebeard, recuperating on the Moby Dick, saw this scene and a slight smile appeared under his beard. He felt a sudden clarity. No wonder Zephyr was willing to join his division. After such an emotional play, who could withstand it!