Hearing Garp's resolute words, Hui merely smiled without responding.
The man had made his choice; there was nothing more to say.
However...who could predict the future?
"Though many questions remain unanswered, they no longer matter. Now, send me on my way!"
Garp spoke, his body radiating a growing haki. He knew death was certain, yet he was filled with fighting spirit.
Because his opponent was no longer Madara, but God.
A being whose single punch had nearly incapacitated him.
The most powerful existence in this world. People called him God, and none objected. Even the proud Garp acknowledged the validity of this title.
And now, he would once again face God in battle.
Even if annihilation was imminent, it couldn't diminish the excitement surging within Garp. At his core, he was a warrior.
For a warrior, death at the hands of the most powerful God was an honor.
His unwavering resolve and all-out effort imbued Garp's haki with a unique quality. A quality called purity.
The heart of a child, that was Hui's assessment of Garp. Only someone with such a pure heart could possess such an unadulterated aura.
"Interesting."
Even Madara uttered these words, his eyes gleaming.
Whitebeard and the others, witnessing Garp's transformation, were deeply moved. Suddenly, death seemed less daunting.
An urge to join the fight arose within them, but they resisted. They knew this was Garp's battle. Their fight would come after his death.
"I haven't accomplished anything extraordinary in my life. But I haven't done too badly either. To die here today, at the hands of God, is a kind of fortune. Now, I will make the first move. Please, enlighten me!"
Garp declared, his aura reaching its peak. It was a state of perfect harmony, where his spirit, energy, and essence converged into a unified whole. A state of flawless integration.
This was Garp at his absolute strongest, surpassing even his prime.
He channeled his jet-black Armament Haki, his profound Observation Haki, and... his recently awakened Conqueror's Haki, merging them seamlessly with his body to form a single, unified force.
Whitebeard and the others were left speechless by Garp's transformation, while Kaido and his crew were struck dumb.
This was a state they had never witnessed before, a completely unprecedented transformation.
Whitebeard had a distinct feeling: If Garp were to attack him now, he wouldn't be able to withstand it.
Even Hui nodded in approval at this display.
"Excellent. Worthy of the title of a Hero. I acknowledge you."
Hui laughed heartily, his heart filled with joy. In his numerous visits to this world, he had encountered countless individuals. Powerful or otherwise, Garp was the first to truly surprise him.
"Justice!"
Garp launched his attack, the word exploding from his lips.
His fists, though cloaked in black Haki, now emitted a brilliant light. A light born from unwavering conviction. This single punch astonished everyone. An unforgettable strike.
Space seemed to distort, the world awash in brilliance.
Everyone's gaze was forcibly drawn to the spectacle. No one present, save for Hui and Madara, could withstand such a punch. Not even Whitebeard.
This was, without a doubt, Garp's ultimate attack.
As the fist hurtled towards him, Hui moved.
His own fist radiated a similar light. A hazy, indistinct luminescence. As people looked on, their vision blurred.
It seemed as though their vision distorted, folded, and even fractured within that light. Such brilliance was truly dazzling.
The two fists finally collided.
At that moment, two distinct lights merged.
One emanated from Garp, bright and dazzling, extremely resplendent. The other originated from Hui, mysterious and hazy, plain and simple.
However, the hazy, unassuming light swallowed the dazzling brilliance.
Along with it, Garp's body was also consumed.
Like spring snow encountering the scorching sun, or cotton candy dissolving in water. Wherever the hazy light touched, Garp's body vanished. Until, finally, he was completely gone. As if he had never existed in this world, leaving not a single trace behind.
One punch.
Instant kill.
Though they had anticipated this outcome, the sheer power of it still left everyone deeply shaken. He was too strong, ridiculously so. Powerful to the point of despair.
This was God.
"What a pity."
After a long silence, Madara finally spoke.
"Among all the humans I've encountered, his taijutsu was unparalleled." Madara declared Garp the strongest taijutsu user among humans.
However, among non-humans, it was a different story. After all, whether it was Isshiki Ōtsutsuki, Kaguya Ōtsutsuki, himself, or Hui, their taijutsu alone far surpassed Garp's.
"I never imagined that even Garp, in that state, couldn't withstand a single punch from you."
Whitebeard said wistfully. Garp was an old acquaintance.
They were both rivals and friends. Despite their differing stances, paths, and even considerable animosity, they held mutual admiration and respect.
If not for their opposing affiliations as pirate and Marine, he and Garp would have undoubtedly become close friends.
Unfortunately, it was all over.
Garp was dead.
And now, it was his turn. He never thought he would die on the same day as Garp, in the same place. Perhaps, in this moment, they could even be considered comrades.
"Then, it's my turn."
Composing himself, Whitebeard continued.
Garp's death hadn't broken him; he still had no intention of surrendering or begging for his life.
A true man stood by his principles, knowing what to do and what not to do. Choosing between death with dignity and living on one's knees was never a dilemma for him. Neither he nor Garp had the option of kneeling.
"Indeed, it's your turn."
Hui responded. He intended to face Whitebeard personally. This was a form of respect. Respect for a worthy opponent. Garp deserved such respect, and so did Whitebeard.
"Come!"
With a swing of his massive blade, Whitebeard unleashed a powerful burst of Haki that assaulted everyone's senses.
It was Conqueror's Haki, the unique power possessed by those with the qualities of a king!
Feeling the impact of Conqueror's Haki, a subtle smile played on Hui's lips.
He too possessed Conqueror's Haki, and his was even stronger!!!
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