Nami's words echoed with determination. "You can't fight at full strength if doubt lingers in your heart. Now that they know the truth, Luffy and the others will definitely defeat their enemies and rescue Robin!"
However, despite their resolve, they failed to catch the Sea Train that CP9 had used to take Robin, Franky, and Usopp. With no time to waste, they received help from Granny Kokoro and Iceburg, who provided them with Rocket Man, a prototype sea train built by the legendary shipwright Tom. Determined to save Robin, the crew set out in pursuit toward Enies Lobby.
Franky's underlings also pleaded to join the rescue mission, and Luffy gladly welcomed them aboard. Unbeknownst to them, shipwright leader Paulie and his two friends had secretly stowed away on Rocket Man, becoming unexpected allies in the upcoming battle. However, before they could even reach their destination, the monstrous tsunami Aqua Laguna loomed as their first major obstacle.
Meanwhile, Sanji, who had stealthily boarded the Sea Train ahead of them, cleverly left a Den Den Mushi for Nami and successfully freed both Franky and Usopp.
Yet, even with their combined efforts, Sanji, Franky, and Usopp were unable to rescue Robin from CP9's grasp. Reuniting with Luffy and the others, the Straw Hat Pirates and their allies resolved to launch an all-out assault on Enies Lobby, the island of justice.
—
At the same time, Jack, who had just arrived at the Gate of Justice via the Calm Belt, felt a subtle shift in the air. Gazing in the direction of Enies Lobby, he muttered, "Huh~ I wonder how long it'll take to reach Judicial Island. I need to help Luffy when the time comes… And as for Lucci and his group, they need to be taken down a peg. We can't let those government lackeys have their way."
After his conversation with Dragon, Jack began to seriously consider the importance of power. As Dragon had pointed out, no matter how strong an individual might be, unless they were truly invincible, they would still have to operate within the rules of the world. Even if someone could dominate in a one-on-one fight, what would happen if their enemies united against them? To truly achieve his goals, Jack realized he needed more than just strength—he needed influence and support.
—
Unbeknownst to him, however, Luffy had already reached the gates of Enies Lobby, leading a ragtag army of allies in a full-scale assault on the island. Jack, however, had little concern for the existence of Enies Lobby. He understood that it was more of a facade—an institution meant to suppress public dissent rather than uphold justice. For this reason, he had no interest in getting involved in the battle there.
Just as Jack arrived back at Marine Headquarters, he was intercepted by Lena, who delivered an urgent message.
"Sir, the Fleet Admiral has ordered you to report to his office immediately. He's furious about your unauthorized departure!"
"Ah~ I get it. It was an accident, really. I didn't sneak out on purpose—something unexpected happened," Jack replied casually. He had already coordinated with Kuma through Dragon, crafting the excuse that he had been accidentally knocked away by the Shichibukai during a sparring match.
As expected, while Fleet Admiral Sengoku remained skeptical, he couldn't refute Jack's explanation with Kuma backing the story. He let the matter drop, albeit begrudgingly.
The moment Jack stepped out of Sengoku's office, he wasted no time seeking out Garp.
A wide grin spread across his face as he called out, "Hey, old man! I've picked up a few new tricks lately. How about we put them to the test?"
Jack's so-called "new tricks" were, in truth, nothing more than his complete mastery of the martial art Krav Maga. Previously, he had never placed much importance on it; Krav Maga was purely a set of attack routines without any hidden mystical elements.
For Jack, practicing it had always been a means of building physical strength rather than a serious combat strategy. As a result, despite obtaining the manual long ago, it was only recently that he had pushed his proficiency to its highest level.
The reason Jack had initially disregarded rigid attack patterns was his understanding of Observation Haki, an ability that functioned like a "cheat code" in this world. At its peak, it allowed fighters like Katakuri to glimpse brief moments into the future. Even standard Observation Haki could render set attack patterns ineffective—if an opponent could predict his every move, then fighting with predictable techniques was as good as inviting defeat.
This was why most high-level battles in the One Piece world were straightforward clashes of strength rather than intricate displays of martial arts. With nearly every top-tier fighter possessing Observation Haki, flashy techniques and elaborate strategies often became irrelevant.
However, after mastering Krav Maga to perfection, Jack finally realized his mistake. The problem had never been the technique itself—it was his lack of refinement. Before, he had only scratched the surface, unable to wield it in a way that posed a true threat.
Now, with his mastery complete, Krav Maga no longer felt like a series of rigid movements but an extension of his body and will. His attacks flowed naturally, no longer bound by formulaic patterns. For the first time, Jack understood the essence of true martial mastery—perfection was not about following a set path but about transcending it.
With this newfound mastery, the true essence of Krav Maga—its techniques, force applications, and strategic advantages—was finally unveiled. While it remained a fundamental style, Jack now understood that more advanced techniques would undoubtedly yield even greater and more unexpected results.
"Oh? This is interesting," Garp said with a grin. "Ever since we went to the East Blue together, you've gone out of your way to avoid me. Wasn't it just to dodge sparring with me? And now you're the one coming to me? Looks like you've gained quite a bit of courage this time!"
Jack simply smiled, a hint of mystery in his expression. "You'll understand once you see it for yourself, sensei."
Garp waved a hand dismissively and turned to his adjutant with a chuckle. "Go bring those two over here. Let them watch while I thoroughly thrash their senior!"
Jack's expression darkened. If he didn't genuinely need Garp's guidance, he would never have come to spar with this old man. After all, Garp's strength was arguably the pinnacle of the Navy, and worse yet, he loved to show off. With Coby and Helmeppo watching, Jack had a sinking feeling that he was about to suffer another humiliating defeat.
By the time Coby and Helmeppo arrived, Jack had just finished his warm-up, while the old man remained seated, leisurely munching on rice crackers as if he didn't have a care in the world.
"Sensei! Senpai!" Coby and Helmeppo greeted with respectful bows.
Jack nodded. "I've had some new insights recently, and my strength has improved. I specifically came to test them against Garp-sensei. Watch closely—you might pick up something useful."
"Alright, kid, show me what you've learned that makes you bold enough to challenge me!" Garp chuckled as he unfastened his cloak and stepped onto the stage.
"Sensei, you're joking. I'm still years away from being able to challenge you properly," Jack replied with a serious expression. "This time, I just want you to see my new insights. I believe they could contribute to the overall strength of the Navy."
Taking his stance, Jack assumed the opening posture of Krav Maga.
"Oh? Isn't this the same style you used before?" Garp raised an eyebrow in recognition. "Didn't you abandon it back then? What made you pick it up again?"
When Jack had first demonstrated Krav Maga, Garp had been surprised. While the technique relied on counterattacks, it was still formidable—especially against an opponent without Observation Haki. However, for some reason, Jack had largely set it aside, using it only in training rather than actual combat.
"That's right," Jack affirmed. "But now, I have a new understanding of Krav Maga. Please critique it, sensei!"
Without activating Armament Haki, he stepped forward and launched his attack. Just as he had stated, his goal was for Garp to appreciate the depth of his Krav Maga.
Naturally, Garp refrained from using Armament Haki as well. Relying only on his Observation Haki and deep familiarity with Jack's movements, he effortlessly evaded the strikes.
"Kid, your moves have become more fluid," Garp remarked with a grin, dodging another attack. "But they're still not enough to take down a strong opponent!"
"Sensei, don't be impatient—the real fun is just beginning!" Jack took a deep breath. His earlier attacks had only been a test.
With that, his arms darkened as Armament Haki surged over them, and he launched another attack at Garp.
Garp smirked, his own arms similarly coated in Armament Haki. However, after exchanging a few blows, his expression shifted slightly. While his Observation Haki wasn't the strongest, he had always been able to predict his opponent's moves—yet now, Jack's attacks were unreadable.
Jack, on the other hand, grinned. The original Krav Maga contained only some basic moves, but after reaching full mastery, he had instinctively derived an extended set—one hundred and eighteen variations.
In truth, the ideal complement to Krav Maga would be the martial arts of the Shaolin Temple, techniques that could maximize its full potential. However, Jack had never seen them available for purchase, leaving their acquisition uncertain.
But even if he could obtain them, would he still need Krav Maga?
"Interesting... Looks like I should start taking this seriously."
After dozens of exchanges, Garp finally acknowledged Jack's progress. While the Krav Maga itself posed no real threat to him, the fluidity and unpredictability of Jack's movements were enough to warrant his attention. This was precisely why Jack had sought him out—to test his limits against the strongest.
"Fist Bone: Meteor Fist!"
Seizing an opening, Garp locked onto Jack's position and launched a devastating punch.
Boom!
Caught off guard, Jack was sent flying out of the training grounds, crashing into the distance.
"You old geezer! Didn't we agree this was just a sparring match?! Why do you always pull this crap?!"
Through the rising dust, an enraged Jack stormed back into the training grounds. Outside, a group of marines had paused their drills, staring wide-eyed at the gaping hole left in the wall.
"Bwahaha! When did I say that? I don't remember making any promises!" Garp laughed heartily, casually picking his nose as if he had already forgotten the agreement.
"You shameless old man! That's it—I'm going all out!"
Seething with humiliation, Jack unleashed his strongest attack: Iron Rock punch
The sheer force of the attack made the air tremble as Jack charged forward, determined to make Garp pay for his antics.
"Bwahaha! This little brat really cares about his pride!" Garp roared with laughter, completely unrestrained. His booming voice left Coby and Helmeppo staring in astonishment.
Just then—
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