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OPI Chapter 357: When the Strongest Are Summoned
🕑 Added 2025-04-24 02:55:07 +0000 UTCThe undercurrents surging through the Shinobi World were gradually becoming clearer with time.
They were gathering momentum, aiming to become a tidal wave capable of engulfing the deserts of the Land of Wind.
As for all of that—
In the Teigu World, Imu, the highest boss of the World Government, had merely reminded the Five Elders to keep an eye on Aramaki before turning his attention to other matters.
In the end, he was still just a little worried about Aramaki charging into Konoha all by himself.
After all, Konoha was still Konoha.
Even if Aramaki’s strength seemed to surpass all other shinobi—including Sarutobi Hiruzen—the endless stream of jutsu and combined techniques could still potentially cause him serious trouble.
But there was nothing more Imu could do. From here on out, it was up to Aramaki himself.
If he truly had what it took to suppress Konoha on his own, then why not grant him the position of General at Army Headquarters?
Although Crocodile had previously subdued the entire Sunagakure on his own—forcing the village to submit—
In the heart of a transmigrator like Imu, that simply couldn't compare to the weight of conquering Konoha.
After all, even Deidara had been able to break into Sunagakure and carry off the Kazekage himself.
Still—
Imu figured that even if Aramaki became the third General of Army Headquarters ahead of schedule, he probably wouldn't keep the post for long.
That’s because the once-every-four-years All Worlds Top 100 Combat Power Tournament was set to be held next year.
And right after that would come the Battle of the Top.
Crocodile could easily take that opportunity to challenge Aramaki.
As long as he won, Aramaki would be replaced as General!
As for whether Crocodile could win, Imu personally thought he had a good chance.
Inside the study—
Imu was fully focused on reviewing government reports spread across the desk in a combination of text, images, and even video, all projected through holograms.
Imu had asked the Academy of Sciences to design his studio and customize a Star Den-Den Mushi to mimic Iron Man's workspace.
According to the reports uploaded to the World Government’s dedicated administrative database—
Overall, both the Starfish World and the other conquered worlds were undergoing a flourishing period of rapid development.
Starting with the Starfish World:
Thanks to vigorous promotion and encouragement by the World Government, more and more citizens from small islands or nations had begun moving their entire families to the nine designated urban zones on the Continent of Red Earth.
This had brought a significant influx of people to the continent.
At the same time, the railway system connecting the nine urban zones had begun partial operation.
The Hayajiro technology from the Kabane World, after being modified for civilian use, had given rise to two large trains named Koutetsujou No. 1 and Koutetsujou No. 2.
All in all—
The operation of the Koutetsujou Railway System had now connected Saint Grace City, the nine special urban districts, Flevance City, Zou City in the Mink Tribe territory, the World Government Headquarters, and Academy City into one high-speed transportation line.
In addition to that—
As the military gradually began rewarding those with outstanding battlefield achievements with noble titles,
The World Government also started dividing up regions of the Red Continent to be granted as fiefdoms for these military nobles.
Currently, most of them were Barons.
So within a single seasonal zone, there were now several, even more than a dozen, private territories.
Most of these Barons were comrades who knew one another—
So they usually requested to be assigned within the same area.
Next came the matters of the Other Worlds.
Imu reached out and flicked his hand across the holographic display, switching to the next report.
A special note at the top indicated that this was a critical piece of information submitted by the Five Elders.
“They want to see me?”
After reading it, Imu's expression grew serious.
The report stated that Kong, Sengoku, Raymond, Zephyr, Tsuru, as well as Garp, Sakazuki, and Kaido all wanted to meet with him.
Ever since they had heard of Imu's existence, they had harbored this desire.
And now, right as the conquest of the Shinobi World was beginning—
They had formally submitted a joint request for such a meeting?
Their reason was simple: since the Ōtsutsuki clan was such a powerful, interstellar-level threat—
Then the top brass like them ought to meet the true boss behind it all.
The message was clear—
They wanted to know who their real leader was!
“Hm.”
Imu fell into deep thought.
A moment later, he wrote his reply on the holographic interface:
Approved.
Come to think of it, it really was about time to meet these top enforcers face to face.
After all, they already knew of his existence—
There was no longer any need to keep hiding it.
Though as for a full public reveal to the outside world, that could still wait a bit longer.
...
Starfish World.
Holy Land—Mary Geoise, at the Red Port beneath the Continent of Red Earth.
At this moment, the entire port was heavily guarded by a large number of Marine soldiers.
All because of the arrival of three Marine warships.
On the central ship, three towering figures, each draped in a white coat of justice, stepped slowly down a broad wooden plank.
"I really didn’t expect your proposal to actually be approved!"
"That's just like you, Sengoku! Bwahahaha!"
Garp looked at his old friend walking ahead of him and let out his signature, boisterous laugh.
"I merely made the suggestion," Sengoku said, hands stuffed into his pants pockets, a Marine cap perched atop his head, various medals hanging proudly on the chest of his white suit. "What truly made the difference was everyone co-signing the petition. Only with that kind of collective push would the higher-ups pay attention."
Even the golden embellishments on Sengoku's coat of justice looked more lavish than those of the two men following him.
That was the most obvious change after the title of Fleet Admiral had shifted from a mere position to an official military rank.
"Alalala, speaking of which, I’m honestly looking forward to meeting the master of the Dimensional Gate," Kuzan chuckled softly as he followed half a step behind Garp.
"I’m hoping to witness a power of an even higher level!" Garp said, lifting his head to gaze up at the Red Continent that pierced deep into the clouds, a spark of excitement flashing in his eyes.
Nowadays, thanks to Dragon's excellent work at the Department of Public Security, Garp no longer carried the worries he had in the 'original story'.
His hometown in East Blue had also become more prosperous and harmonious under the World Government’s various welfare policies.
There was no longer anything like a 'Gray Terminal' in the Goa Kingdom.
All the facilities there could rival those of the Red Port town.
Government offices, police stations, public hospitals, public schools, power plants, roads, parks—everything one could need was available.
The kingdom’s nobles could still put on airs in front of commoners, but they no longer dared to cross the line.
Previously, Dragon’s Department of Public Security had cracked down on many corrupt nobles and even some royal family members.
Every time Garp returned there, he could feel just how much the conquest of other worlds had benefited Starfish World.
As a result, he no longer wasted time on pointless worries.
He simply saw himself as a soldier, an old warrior—someone who fought when ordered to fight.
And he took great pleasure in training daily at the gravity field facility.
The sensation of his body growing tougher through pain was utterly addictive.
Garp could clearly feel that he could now easily overpower his self from five years ago.
He could even sense that his strength and Haki were getting closer and closer to a vague threshold he had long held in his heart.
"Gurararara! You’ll definitely get your wish!"
Suddenly—
A familiar loud laugh rang out from behind them.
Sengoku, Garp, and Kuzan stopped in their tracks and turned around.
They saw Edward Newgate standing atop his Moby Dick, the giant ship that resembled a massive whale.
"Yo, if it isn’t the great King of the Whitebeard Kingdom! What are you doing here too?" Garp said, picking his nose with his pinky and putting on an expression of utter disdain.
"Hmph!"
Whitebeard didn’t say a word—before the Moby Dick could even fully dock,
he leapt off in a massive arc and slammed down hard in front of the three men.
[Boom!]
A powerful gust blasted out in all directions from the impact.
Marines stationed nearby struggled to stay on their feet, while the coats of justice worn by Garp and the others whipped violently in the wind.
His overwhelming presence startled quite a few people.
“I’ll have you know—I'm still an Honorary General. My rank is no lower than that of you, a mere old grunt. If you can be here, then of course I can too!”
Edward Newgate grinned down at Garp from his towering frame—nearly seven meters tall.
Thanks to help from the medical academy, the lingering internal injuries he had built up over the years had completely healed.
Naturally, he’d immediately begun using the gravity training facility.
His strength now was on a whole different level—but still, he had no intention of challenging Imu again.
That said… he was rather looking forward to watching Garp get flattened by Imu.
That ought to be entertaining~~
“Tch~”
Garp clicked his tongue and pulled his finger away from his nose. “So, are you finally going to tell us what really happened when you got beaten by this ‘Lord Imu’?”
“Well said! Mama wants to hear it too—how about a little reveal, ‘Whitebeard’?”
A loud, familiar laugh echoed once more from above.
Moments later, Charlotte Linlin appeared, riding atop Zeus as she soared over.
In the distance, the Queen Mama Chanter could be seen gliding across the sea.
“Didn’t expect you to be notified too,” Sengoku said, still standing with both hands in his pockets. Watching Linlin float gracefully down in front of them, he muttered with a thoughtful expression, “Looks like this Lord Imu really does intend to have a proper talk with us.”
Garp, however, waved a hand dismissively and gave a mischievous grin.
“We’ll find out soon enough. What I really want to hear right now is how the so-called ‘Strongest Man in the World’ got his ass kicked!”
“Garp… sounds to me like it’s been way too long since you’ve had a taste of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit. Forgotten how much it hurts, have you?”
Whitebeard narrowed his eyes—danger gleaming within them—as he slowly clenched his fists.
“Bwahaha!”
Garp shot back without a shred of fear, grinning as he looked straight up into that terrifying gaze.
“I’ve never felt it before, so there’s nothing to forget! But I’ll tell you this—my fists have gotten a lot harder lately. You can find out for yourself anytime, Whitebeard~”
For a moment, the atmosphere at Red Port turned stiflingly tense.
The waves crashed repeatedly against the docks.
To the surrounding Marines, it felt like the sound was slamming directly into their chests—dull, heavy, and oppressive.
