"Hawke..."
Onigumo turned to look at Hawke, a questioning glint in his eyes.
"Onigumo-san, I need you to do me a favor."
Hawke raised his glass and smiled at him.
"My branch is missing a true master of swordsmanship to point us in the right direction."
In his heart, he knew it well.
With Zoro's strength improving at an astonishing pace, Dane had gone from easily suppressing him in the beginning, to matching him evenly later on.
And now, Dane could no longer gain the upper hand in swordplay.
On top of that, as Hawke's adjutant, Dane was buried in military duties.
He no longer had enough time to spar with Zoro, this training-obsessed maniac, on a daily basis.
These days, Zoro's main sparring partner had already shifted to another monster—Sanji.
But Sanji's fighting style was pure martial arts, specializing in kicks.
In the long run, that wouldn't do much to improve Zoro's swordsmanship.
However, Onigumo and the rest of these Headquarters elite Vice Admirals were different.
Their swordsmanship might not have reached the transcendent realm of Hawk Eyes' mastery.
But every single strike, every technique, had been honed and tempered for one purpose—killing with maximum efficiency.
Combined with their flawless Rokushiki and mastery of Armament Haki, this was the true essence of Marine swordsmanship—the deadliest killing art on the battlefield!
Letting Zoro experience such a drastically different sword style would do wonders for his future growth.
"Hahaha! Alright!"
Onigumo's battle intent burned in his eyes.
"Since you put it that way!"
He couldn't refuse Hawke's request.
Besides, he was also deeply interested in this young swordsman with limitless potential.
"This is going to be good!"
The other Vice Admirals perked up as well, putting down their glasses one after another.
That was just how Marines were—strength was always the most direct and effective way to earn respect.
Without hesitation, they moved out immediately.
The group left the noisy mess hall and headed in a grand procession toward the training grounds.
...
At the G-3 Branch, the evening sea breeze carried a hint of coolness.
On the training grounds, several massive searchlights bathed the area in bright light, stretching the shadows of everyone present into long, thin figures.
As soon as they arrived and stood in place, the atmosphere began to grow heavier.
"Woooo—!"
From the direction of the harbor came the low, drawn-out sound of a warship's horn.
"Hm?"
Everyone instinctively turned toward the docks.
A massive black Marine warship slowly sailed into port.
Standing tall and broad-shouldered at the bow was an imposing old man.
He wore a Justice coat draped over his shoulders, his short purple hair standing upright like steel bristles, his face deeply carved with lines of age, his expression stern.
But the most striking feature was his massive mechanical right arm—the "Crusher."
The former Marine Admiral, now serving as the Marine Chief Instructor, "Black Arm" Zephyr, had arrived.
"It's Zephyr-sensei!"
Onigumo, Doberman, and the other four Vice Admirals immediately straightened, their expressions solemn.
"Why is Zephyr-sensei here already?"
Smoker froze mid-motion, his cigar unlit.
"Sensei has arrived… Hina mustn't lose composure."
Hina quickly fixed her collar, her expression serious.
They had all trained under Zephyr's tutelage.
In their hearts, this Chief Instructor held a place as lofty as a father.
"The sparring can wait."
Hawke calmly halted the impending duel and took a step forward.
"Let's go welcome the Chief Instructor."
The group turned and made their way toward the docks.
...
Standing at the bow, Zephyr gazed at the brightly lit G-3 Branch, his sharp eyes gleaming behind his sunglasses.
Before the warship had even fully docked, the soldiers stationed at the port were already reacting.
There was no panic, no pointless chatter.
The Lieutenant in charge swiftly signaled with precise hand gestures.
One squad of soldiers immediately moved to set up a defensive perimeter.
Another squad jogged off to relay information.
The entire process was seamless and orderly, disciplined like a finely tuned machine.
"Hmm..."
Zephyr nodded slightly. "Not bad."
Though this was just basic port defense, judging from these soldiers' reaction speed and composed demeanor—
This branch's quality was leagues above the average.
He recalled…
That old bastard Sengoku, waving his arms wildly in the Headquarters conference room, showering Hawke with endless praise, practically foaming at the mouth in excitement.
He also remembered Sakazuki, that cold, unyielding magma brat, and the rare note of approval in his voice when he spoke of Hawke.
Even though Zephyr had agreed to Sengoku's request to come to G-3 and assist with training—
He hadn't truly acknowledged this so-called "future of the Marines."
He had seen far too many so-called prodigies, worshiped as living legends.
And he had seen just as many of those so-called geniuses fall like shooting stars.
A true leader required far more than overwhelming power and talent.
More importantly, they needed the kind of charisma that made subordinates follow willingly!
"Shhh—!"
Zephyr suddenly flung off his Justice coat.
Behind him, his student Ain instinctively caught it.
"Sensei?!"
"…"
Zephyr ignored her startled cry and leaped straight off the bow.
"BOOM—!"
The ground trembled as he landed heavily on the docks.
"Onigumo, all of you—do not interfere!"
Zephyr's roar cracked like thunder, shaking the eardrums of everyone present.
"…"
"!!!"
Onigumo and the others froze mid-step, stopping dead in their tracks.
The next moment, Zephyr's sharp gaze, hidden beneath his sunglasses, locked onto Hawke standing at the front of the crowd.
He stomped his right leg back, lowering his stance.
"Clank, clank, clank—!"
The "Crusher" emitted a metallic grinding sound.
Every muscle in Zephyr's body bulged like a volcano ready to erupt.
He wasn't using any flashy techniques—only channeling pure, refined martial arts power into his body!
"BOOOOM—!!!"
The air exploded with a deafening sonic boom!
A shockwave of visible white air erupted from his fist, blasting straight toward the G-3 Branch base like a devastating cannon shot!
"Come, Blood Hawk kid."
Zephyr held his punching stance, his voice cutting through the roaring blast, clear to every ear.
"Let me see with my own eyes."
"Show me what you've got!"
"The strength that made Sengoku bet the Marines' future on you! The strength that even that Akainu praises so highly!"
"BOOM—"
...
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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