210 Chapter 210

210

Marineford,

Fleet Admiral Sengoku was stressed today, one of their bases, the G-3 base, got attacked by the Beast Pirates and their allies.

All communication after the initial attack was cut off, and that was off from the base. It seemed that Jack the Drought took a good amount of men and gathered the rowdy pirates around 'Paradise' waters to attack the G-3 base.

Their main target was freeing the prisoners captured by Vice Admiral Sinbad. But that wasn't the issue.

"Are you sure about the reports, Sengoku?" Garp asked, his expression darkened. "Isn't there anyone that can support that purple-haired brat?"

Other than both of them, Bogard, Kuzan, and Zephyr were also present in the room. But they stayed silent with grim expressions.

Sengoku shook his head. "I tried to get in contact with Vice Admiral Vergo, but… it seems he was also busy on his front. Some pirates are keeping him occupied from going towards the G-3 base."

"Surely we can do something?"

"Damn it!" Sengoku slammed his fist on the table, "Do you really think I haven't tried…?" he glared at his old time friend, but both of them knew the anger that he had was for not being able to do anything. "If it was any other Yonko group attacking… it might have gone differently, heck we might have even negotiated terms with them. But the Beast Pirates are a wild bunch… who knows how much destruction they have caused."

"It's been a few hours already, no evacuation ships came to any nearby island. And sending in more troops there would be just suicide, other than Vergo's who's occupied, there aren't any strong marines in that part of the Grand Line." Sengoku said.

Zephyr sighed, seeing that both Sengoku and Garp looked at him with a bit of pity.

"Hey, don't worry, Z. I'm sure that little brat can take care of himself… one Yonko commander shouldn't be a problem for him." Garp said, trying to cheer up his colleague and friend. "X-Drake is there too, so they should be fine…"

Zephyr didn't say anything. But every one in the room knew Garp was bluffing, Jack was Kaido's third strongest man. At least three Vice Admiral level marines would be needed to stop that kind of monster, but everyone wanted to be cheerful in this bad situation.

And while Sinbad was stronger then a normal Vice Admiral and X-Drake could be considered Vice Admiral level, they wouldn't be enough for Jack. And that's not mentioning the others that came with the Beast Pirates for support.

Suddenly the room's door opened and Vice Admiral Cancer walked in, "Sengoku-san, one evacuation ship successfully made its way to Alabasta."

That... that was great news!

But Cancer wasn't finished, "We were also able to get into contact with the G-3 base."

All eyes looked at the young Vice Admiral as he walked in with an opened Den Den Mushi. There was an active call going on.

Sengoku frowned as the transponder snail was put on the table.

"Who is it?" He asked Cancer.

The Vice Admiral looked at the transponder snail, then back to Sengoku, "It's a monkey, sir."

.

With Luffy,

'You should have used me,' His nameless Naginata called out, still strapped to his back, as Luffy was panting from the last attack, his right arm still a mess. 'I would have been able to cut him. That was stupid.'

'Oh, shut up. I was caught up in the moment,' Luffy said, a trace of a smile still on his face. He might have messed up his arm, but that clash gave him a good understanding of the difference between his own level of Haki and Jack's. He was catching up to the mammoth user in the raw power of Armament Haki.

Soon enough he was sure he would meet the requirements.

Also, his goal wasn't to beat Jack here, if that was the case he could have brought Sparky and Usopp into the fight and done that way back. Even without Sabo, he could have taken out a Yonko commander as not everything was about strength.

But Luffy now wanted to gain a better understanding of his Armament Haki. And while training with Sabo did improve his Haki use by miles, now being able to hold his Armament for way longer, he still needed to get the raw strength that came with from fighting near-death battles. It was a calculated risk, but it was worth it in the long run.

Also, the reason why he was fighting with Sinbad was because he was one of the leading figures in the Marines and it would be good to create a personal relationship with him. Getting on friendly terms with him would do good in the future.

Luffy's musing was cut short, and the fight was far from over as Luffy saw Jack's figure coming down from the sky. This time, he took the smart option and bolted out of his spot.

Jack's figure landed on the ground, creating a giant crater before he had to hold up one of his arms, coated with Armament, and stopping Luffy's Naginata from reaching his body. With his other arm, he swiped his shotel blade towards Luffy.

Luffy countered the blade with his feet, and another clash of black lightning occurred. Both contestants seemed equal in strength, even though Jack was way larger than Luffy.

Luffy and Jack moved back a bit before again clashing with their hands and feet. Punches, swipes, jabs, kicks, throwing everything at each other, their movements were a blur to the naked eye as both attacked one another. Both opponents didn't dodge each other's attack as Jack countered it with his durability, and Luffy countered with his odd rubber body enhanced with his red Haki.

The fight continued as winds and shockwaves started generating from each of their blows.

"I will kill you, Straw Hat!" Jack screamed in rage as he sped up his attack.

"Oh! That's a new one," Luffy grinned as he countered each strike. Also, increasing his speed, "Try something better next time… Shishishi."

Both opponents weren't equal, Jack was clearly stronger, and yet Luffy was getting near his level with each blow. And even though Luffy was clearly losing, his grin was getting wider and wider.

And suddenly Luffy's eyes glinted as he finally reached the requirement.

Flash-back start,

Luffy punched an wooden log, his fist covered in Armament Haki, stopping an inch away from the log. And yet his desired outcome never happened.

The Straw Hat internally grumbled before he resumed his training on the Going Merry.

"I still can't believe that you are already trying to go for Advanced Armament Haki," Sabo said, leaning against a wall as he looked at his brother.

Luffy grinned, "Well, I do plan on becoming the world's Strongest."

"Your control over Armament is already good… I think what you are lacking in is raw power. I think improving that is the key to getting Advanced Armament Haki. Or Emission at least." Sabo said.

Luffy knew what Sabo was talking about, his brother had shown him Advanced Armament Haki, but it wasn't the one that Luffy was looking for.

What Sabo showed him was projecting his Armament outwards, Emission. But what Luffy was trying to teach himself was even more advanced, he was trying to learn Internal Destruction.

When Luffy asked Sabo, the boy was dumbfounded that Luffy even knew that. While Emission wasn't exactly common with Armament Haki, Internal Destruction was even more rare. Sabo could use it, yes, but wasn't that good at teaching him.

His dragon fist was based off of that technique. Advanced armament haki was rare, this was one of the reasons why he held the second position in the rev. army.

"I get your theory, but… It's just… I think I'm this close, but can't just seem to get it." Luffy complained, now he wasn't one to whine about training as he believed in hard work but still, the progression was super slow. "And if you can do Internal Destruction with your Haki, then I won't lag behind either… that's why I'm training."

Sabo chuckled, "Well, at least you are motivated… I think what you need is a trigger point. Something to bring the need for your body to use that Haki… remember, Haki is connected as much to your strength as it is to your will. It's already complicated. So I think it should be better to take it easy."

"So what should I do? Throw myself into a death battle…? I doubt there's anyone in the first half of the Grand Line that can give me a challenge." Luffy said, and he wasn't bragging either. Without stronger opponents, life seemed to stagnate for him. And things get a lot more boring if that happens.

Sabo could only shake his head, "You and your lust for battle… but who knows danger is everywhere in the Grand Line, just because this place is called 'Paradise', it's not… don't get fooled. I'm sure you will find your trigger point, little brother.'

With that he ruffled up Luffy's hair, which the naginata user slapped away, making Sabo chuckle. And of course, the Straw Hat stuck out his tongue before he resumed training.

Flash-back end.

Sabo was right, he did find his trigger point. And he was finally able to awaken his Advanced Armament Haki. And Luffy grinned, it wasn't just Emission either.

--------------------- [Finally, Luffy unlocked his Advanced Haki. Both Emission and Internal Destruction]