Chapter 15: The True World's Strongest!

“Wha—What?!”

Barrett, who had just swiftly flipped himself upright, froze at Garp's words.

He stood there instinctively stunned, his pupils trembling violently.

“Betrayed by adults when you were a child, betrayed by friends when you grew up, and now even Roger—the first person to truly accept you and the first to defeat you—is gone. Having lost your target for combat, having lost your direction in life...”

“You must be very lonely, and very lost.”

Garp made no move to pursue. Instead, he stood there, pitying the child walking down a path of no return.

Once, Barrett had craved honor and valued his comrades; after meeting Roger, he had even found a purpose in life. Yet, he had been ruthlessly crushed by reality time and time again, driven step by step into the man he had become.

A man who only trusts himself, lives only for himself, and is willing to face everything in total solitude.

The current Barrett was nothing more than a bewildered, lost monster!

“Cough, cough... You... you...”

Barrett trembled all over, completely dazed. He didn't even have the strength to wipe the blood trickling from the corner of his mouth.

He felt as if every word Garp uttered was harsher, heavier, and more painful than the punch he had just taken. Every sentence felt like a direct strike to his heart.

It was the sensation of something buried in his deepest depths being violently excavated and thrust into the blinding light.

“SHUT UP!!!”

Barrett roared hysterically at Garp.

Simultaneously, he went berserk once more. All the power within his body surged like a tsunami as he threw himself forward with desperate fury.

“Do you know, child? I sincerely hope that you will encounter someone who can accept you openly once again.”

“But for now, you need to calm down first!”

As Garp spoke with heartfelt sincerity, a large fist and a small fist—both equally dark and hardened—collided head-on in mid-air, each wrapped in extremely compressed Haki and raw strength.

【BOOM——————】

Blue-black shockwaves and pure black shockwaves compressed against one another in the center of the fray. But the moment the pure black shockwave pressed down like a mountain over the other, a burst of light, blindingly intense, exploded outward.

This time, the earth beneath them could no longer hold.

Under the high-pressure thrust, the entire surface of the ground was ripped up like a massive wave.

Buildings, corpses—even tree roots were uprooted by the gale, crashing heavily into the distant ocean.

***

Two days later.

The ringing of a Den Den Mushi echoed within the innermost chamber of Pangea Castle in Mary Geoise.

“Lord Im, Douglas Barrett has been personally defeated by Garp and has been imprisoned in the 'Eternal Hell' of Impel Down.”

Upon hearing this, Im showed no surprise and replied calmly, “Very well. Proceed as previously instructed.”

“Yes, as you command!”

Placing the receiver back onto the Den Den Mushi, Im had the Visual Den Den Mushi on the other end connect to the Impel Down surveillance system.

Soon, a high-definition virtual image materialized in the void before him.

The image showed Barrett, his hands and feet shackled, lying flat on the cold, damp floor.

He was dressed in black-and-white striped prisoner garb, his face so bruised and swollen that he was unrecognizable.

“This fellow is a fine specimen.”

Im’s eyes were filled with a sense of appreciation for talent.

However, he also knew the man's personality was too extreme; if he wasn't properly disciplined, he would be difficult to utilize. One wrong move could result in self-injury.

Fortunately, as a transmigrator, Im understood the thoughts within Barrett's heart. Combined with his own strength and influence, it wouldn't hurt to try and wield this peerless double-edged sword.

It was similar to Shiki the Golden Lion; for now, he couldn't be used directly. He would have to be imprisoned for at least two years to temper his temperament. Even the finest sword must be made to obey.

Just then, the Barrett in the high-definition projection suddenly spoke.

“Who is it?”

Though lying on the ground, he could not see the person standing outside the cell, but his Observation Haki allowed him to sense their presence.

And they were strong.

“I come on behalf of the Celestial Dragons and the World Government. As for my name, there is no need for you to know.”

“Hmph, the Celestial Dragons? One of those trash's subordinates? What a pathetic fellow,” Barrett sneered, staring at the pitch-black ceiling.

The shadow outside the cell did not argue or lash out, which caught him slightly off guard.

“The great figures above have sent me to ask you: are you content?”

Barrett frowned and remained silent, meeting the stranger with indifference. The shadow paid no mind to his attitude and continued.

“You were defeated by Roger, and Roger is dead; there is no longer any possibility of surpassing him. This time, you were defeated by Garp, but he is still alive. Are you truly content to waste your time in the sunless depths of the ocean, squandering your talent every single moment?”

Anger flared on Barrett's face. How could he be content? How could he possibly be content!

“What, are you saying the Celestial Dragons want to let me out just so I can be their dog?”

“Do you still remember your ambition?” the shadow asked.

*The Strongest in the World!*

Those four words immediately flashed through Barrett's mind.

“The World Government is the controller of the highest power on this planet.”

“This place possesses the best training resources and the greatest number of top-tier powerhouses. Do you not wish to personally challenge an Admiral of the Navy, or perhaps fight Garp again in the future?”

“This place can even provide you with the greatest wars, ensuring you never lack combat. Most importantly, all of this is legal.”

“To you, is this not the ultimate shortcut to becoming the strongest in the world?”

Every word the shadow spoke echoed through the cell. Barrett's pupils trembled instinctively. Because, it sounded quite reasonable.

However, having cultivated a habit of trusting no one and preferring to fight alone, it was difficult for him to convince himself to join the World Government and obey the Celestial Dragons.

“You are hesitating.”

“And the point you are struggling with is that you would have to obey the Celestial Dragons, whom you despise, right?”

Barrett continued his silence, which was effectively a tacit admission.

“Then, what if I told you that you only need to obey one person—a man who can truly be called the strongest in the world?”

“What? The true strongest in the world?!” Barrett was shocked.

“Don't be ridiculous. How could the World Government have such a person? Ever since Roger died, the only man in the current sea qualified to contend for the title of the strongest is that man with the monstrous strength, Whitebeard!”

“Heh. Then let me tell you: whether it is your 'Whitebeard,' the Garp who just defeated you, or even the former Roger, none of them are a match for *that* Lord. In fact, they are far inferior. Well? Are you interested in seeing for yourself?” the shadow laughed.

“That's impossible!” Barrett said through gritted teeth.

“Whether it is possible or not, you can see it with your own eyes—provided you get out of here first.”

“Fine!”

“I agree. Let me out. If such a person truly exists, I am willing to join the World Government!”

“Very good. However, you cannot come out yet. Because right now, you do not understand the value of freedom, nor will you cherish it. Enjoy the feeling of days passing like years. I shall return in perhaps a year or two...”

Silence returned to the cell, but Barrett's heavy breathing did not cease for a long time, his bloodshot eyes filled with resentment and fury.

Outside, as the shadow turned to leave, a man in a black suit approached and asked respectfully with a bowed head

“My Lord, shall I deactivate the 'Soundproof Field'?”

“Mhm.”

Looking closely, a faint purple glow could be seen enveloping Barrett's cell and the space several meters outside the door.