Chapter 66: Impel Down Level 5.5 Discovered!
Outside the Island, the arrival of the Dog Head Battleship had already been discovered by Rear Admiral Aven, who immediately came alone using Moonwalk to pay his respects to Vice Admiral Garp.
At this moment, he was standing beside Rear Admiral Bogart, listening with a look of astonishment as the latter explained Dragon's situation. Suddenly, he raised his head and looked towards the sky above the Island.
"Has the Hurricane Fruit Ability undergone Awakening?"
"My heavens, didn't he just undergo Conqueror's Haki Awakening before!"
Interestingly, even though Rear Admiral Aven and Rear Admiral Bogart hold the same Military Rank, the range of the former's Observation Haki couldn't even sense Shabak City, while the latter seemed to do so with ease.
"Yes, although I've heard that Devil Fruit Ability Awakening has nothing to do with Strength and completely depends on what's called Opportunity, it is indeed astonishing that Rear Admiral Dorag achieved Awakening in just over a year."
In such a situation, even the usually taciturn Bogart couldn't help but marvel. He then turned his gaze to Garp in front of him and smiled, "Shouldn't I say, 'As expected of your Son'?"
Garp, upon hearing this, gave a Shake Head and said, "The Devil Fruit Awakening is indeed unexpected, but that's not the key. He can't defeat that 'Slave King' with just that."
"You mean...?" Rear Admiral Aven, standing nearby, asked in confusion.
"The key is that kid's Heart is undergoing a transformation!"
Garp crossed his arms over his chest, and while sensing the changes in Dragon's Haki, he continued.
"Before, because of those Celestial Dragons trash and various forms of Darkness, this kid's Heart was filled with distress, anger, resentment, hesitation, and struggle. On top of that, his defection plan was intercepted on the spot."
"Honestly, if he continued like that, his Haki would get weaker and weaker, perhaps even becoming unusable one day, because his Heart was no longer firm."
"Haki is a Strength that originates from the Heart, and also a Strength of Will. Only with a sufficiently firm Will can one master Haki. At the same time, the firmness of one's Will and the strength of one's inner Heart determine the strength of their Haki."
Rear Admiral Aven's Face instantly turned pale upon hearing the first sentence from this important figure. He was frantically complaining in his Heart: What the hell? Who curses the Celestial Dragons like that to their Face? Isn't that just courting death?!
But Rear Admiral Bogart beside him didn't seem to care at all. Instead, he lowered his chin and mused, "You mean Rear Admiral Dorag's inner Heart is constantly growing stronger during battle, and this is the fundamental reason why he can 'come back from the dead' every time?"
"No!"
Garp gave a Shake Head again and said, "The change in his inner Heart only makes his Haki stronger, which is key to defeating powerful opponents, but it's not what allows him to persevere until now."
"Then?" Rear Admiral Bogart asked.
"The Body's potential."
Garp calmly uttered these five words.
"Although the Strength of Haki originates from the Heart, ultimately it's the materialization of the Heart. Strength, fundamentally, is still Substance, which is commonly referred to as Stamina and Life Force."
"This kid Dragon has been receiving my 'Training of Love' since he was young. As early as when he was ten years old, he had already turned Life Return into an instinct."
"By now, his level of Control over his Body far surpasses most Life Return practitioners, even you, Bogart. Coupled with the sufficient Life Force accumulated within his Body, this is the Strength that supports him in getting up again and again!"
After listening, Rear Admiral Bogart fell silent again, raising his gaze to continue watching the duel between the Hurricane and the Sandstorm. Rear Admiral Aven beside him also understood, wearing a look of sudden realization.
"So, it's his extraordinary Stamina that provides the time for his Haki to continuously improve. For Rear Admiral Dorag to defeat King Taklamakan, neither of these is dispensable!"
Garp nodded and smiled, "That's right. Whether it's Conqueror's Haki or Ability Awakening, these just look grand and spectacular, with an imposing Aura."
"Even if he becomes a Logia User, that kid's strongest point is ultimately the Martial Arts I taught him since he was young. This is also the difference between him and Sakazuki and others."
Following that, the Marine Hero was seen grinning proudly and smiling, "Just wait and see. This battle will be decided in at most another day, or even half a day, because Dragon can still last for two days, but that 'Slave King' cannot."
However, there were still words in his Heart that he didn't speak aloud.
This battle will become the most important battle in Dragon's life. Personally defeating 'Slave King' Taklama, King Taklamakan, and saving hundreds of thousands of innocent Slaves is enough to clear the Negative Emotions in his Heart and solidify his inner Justice.
In terms of Strength, after this battle, he will be on par with Sakazuki and Borsalino, perhaps even slightly superior. As for Kuzan, he's still a bit behind.
This made Garp consider whether he should get Dragon the title of Admiral Candidate.
However, this idea was immediately dismissed as soon as it appeared.
Firstly, there are only three Admiral Position, and he also quite likes this kid Kuzan. Secondly, he feels that Dragon, like himself, wouldn't be willing to be an Admiral, specifically cleaning up after those Celestial Dragons trash.
Although he heard that the Five Elders issued an Order prohibiting Celestial Dragons leaving Mary Geoise without permission, who can guarantee that no accidents will happen, or what if the Prohibition is lifted someday?
"Hmm, looking at it this way, this brat will have to be a Vice Admiral for his whole life, just like this old man~~"
Just then, a Marine Soldier ran over quickly, first saluted, and then gave a loud Report: "Report, Vice Admiral Garp! The Fleet Admiral gives the Order for you to return to Marineford immediately! There is an important Mission to be executed!"
"Oh?"
Garp turned around, raising an eyebrow. Rear Admiral Bogart beside him wondered what Matter it could be, as it was rare for the Fleet Admiral to issue an Order personally.
Generally speaking, it was always Admiral Sengoku who would notify him in a 'discussive/scolding' manner.
The most recent Mission he remembered was the one last year when he went to South Blue to capture Pirate King Roger.
In the Grand Line, within the Great Undersea Prison, Impel Down, Magellan, currently the Vice Warden, was following Magellan Warden. They were currently inside an unremarkable floor.
The reason it was called unremarkable was that this place had neither the sword mountains and grass blades of Crimson Hell, nor the high temperatures and coldness of Blazing Hell and Freezing Hell.
There was nothing; it was just a very ordinary dim space.
However, currently, there was a group of people claiming to be staff from the Construction Department, using tape measures to record the Size Data of various places. It was said that they were going to build some kind of Research Institute here.
"This... this place between the fifth and sixth floors, how could there be such a large area that we didn't know about?" Magellan observed his surroundings in disbelief.
Magellan Warden gave a Bitter Smile and said, "I didn't expect it either. If Cipher Pol hadn't told me, I probably wouldn't have known until the day I retired that there was a so-called 5.5th Floor within Impel Down, where I've lived my whole life."
Not far away, Senior Director Coulson from the Administrative Department was seen accompanying a Researcher wearing White Coats, inspecting the surrounding Situation.
"Professor Fritz, after the Science Unit Reform, the Biochemical Research Institute will be located here. From now on, this place will be where all biochemical-related Data/Files and products are subject to Research, experimentation, and storage."
"If Human Experimentation is needed for Research, you can apply to the Warden here for Criminal Subjects. Similarly, if there's an issue with Bioweapon leakage, please seek help from them immediately. I believe Vice-Warden Magellan will handle it well; he is a Paramecia System Poison-Poison Fruit Ability User."
Coulson said this while pointing in Magellan's direction. Professor Fritz nodded repeatedly with some Excitement, saying "Good, good, good" repeatedly.
In his opinion, this place was simply the best Secret Research Base. He truly couldn't think of a place safer, more Secretive, and with more Human Body Subjects than here.
"Also, the first Mission of the Biochemical Research Institute will be to Research an effective method to solve the Amber Lead Disease using biochemical means. You will see the Data/Files related to Amber Lead Disease shortly. As for the Patients, they will be sent over gradually after the facilities here are completed."
"Master, what is Amber Lead Disease?"
Just as Professor Fritz was about to say something, a boy nearby, who seemed filled with Excitement, came over and asked curiously.
This person had a youthful Face, but was nearly two meters tall, with a head of thick, shoulder-length hair, and even a pair of ram horns growing on his head. He didn't look like a normal human race.
Professor Fritz looked helplessly at his fourteen-year-old student, but this kid's talent was truly outstanding, and he actually doted on him quite a bit.
"Calm down a bit, Caesar."