Gustave's recovery progressed remarkably quickly - a testament to how far he'd come since his early days as a newcomer to the One Piece world. His enhanced physique and awakened Devil Fruit had fundamentally changed his body's capabilities.
It was on the very day he awakened that Gustave realized his anonymity was over. The morning newspaper, delivered by an eager News Coo, featured a massive headline about his battle with the Slave King, complete with dramatic photographs of the apocalyptic crater left in the aftermath.
While the Slave King might not have commanded the same worldwide recognition as monsters like Whitebeard or Kaido, anyone serious about power in the New World knew of his strength and influence. More importantly, the newspaper's aerial shots of the devastation spoke for themselves - even those unfamiliar with either combatant could understand that tremendous force had been unleashed.
As a result, Gustave found himself increasingly popular around Marineford. Junior officers would approach him for autographs, and conversations would pause when he entered a room. The attention was flattering but also somewhat overwhelming.
During his recovery period, Kizaru had taken to visiting daily for elaborate meals, and Gustave found himself unable to turn the Admiral away.
"After all," Kizaru would drawl with his characteristic lazy smile, "if I hadn't taken my time reporting to headquarters, Po never would have had the chance to brief Garp first. You owe me quite a debt, young man."
The logic was sound, if frustrating, so Gustave resigned himself to providing free gourmet meals to one of the world's most powerful men.
However, free food was one thing - free food without reciprocation was another entirely. Gustave had been hoping to test his newfound strength against the Admiral, curious to see how his awakened abilities measured against a true monster of the seas.
But convincing Kizaru to spar was like trying to catch lightning in a bottle. The moment his last bite was finished, the Admiral would vanish in a flash of light, leaving only empty plates and the faint scent of photons behind.
Finally, after fully recovering his strength, Gustave approached Zephyr with a different proposal.
"Master Zephyr, I'd like to test my current capabilities against a true powerhouse. Would you be willing to spar with me?"
Zephyr's weathered face lit up with genuine enthusiasm. "Absolutely! In fact, I'd like to make this an educational opportunity for Ain and the other officer candidates. They need to witness what real strength looks like in action."
The request made perfect sense - Zephyr had invested considerable time in Gustave's training, and turnabout was fair play. Besides, the man had earned the right to show off his student's progress.
Word of the upcoming match spread through Marineford like wildfire. On the appointed day, not only were Ain and her fellow candidates present, but most of the headquarters' senior staff had found reasons to attend. Sengoku, Garp, Akainu, Kizaru, Momousagi, and numerous other high-ranking officers formed an impressive audience around the training ground.
"Sakazuki, this should be interesting! I haven't seen a fight of this caliber in quite some time," Kizaru remarked to his fellow Admiral with uncharacteristic enthusiasm.
"Hmph! What good is overwhelming power if he refuses to join the Marine and serve justice?" Akainu replied with his typical scowl. "Such strength wasted on cooking is a disgrace."
"Sakazuki, you're as much fun as a funeral," Kizaru sighed, turning away with exaggerated disappointment.
The surrounding Vice Admirals wisely remained silent, having no desire to be caught between two Admirals' philosophical differences.
Garp, however, had no such reservations. "Borsalino's right! You're always so serious, Sakazuki! Life's too short to frown all the time! Gahahaha!"
Akainu chose not to respond to the legendary Marine Hero. Arguing with Garp was like trying to stop a hurricane with harsh words - pointless and potentially hazardous to one's health.
As the verbal sparring continued, the real combat began.
Gustave and Zephyr, both coating their arms in advanced armament haki, collided in the center of the ring. The shockwave from their initial clash sent dust and debris flying in all directions, though the assembled audience was far too experienced to be bothered by such minor effects.
The exchange immediately revealed the gap in their physical capabilities. Despite Zephyr clearly holding back, Gustave found himself driven backward several steps, his arms numbed by the impact.
If I want to compete with Zephyr, I'll need to use everything I have.
Gustave activated his Rumble-Rumble Fruit powers, electricity crackling around his form as he combined Devil Fruit abilities with his physical techniques and haki. Lightning illuminated the training ground as he launched attack after attack, his speed enhanced by electrical acceleration.
But despite the spectacular display, Zephyr remained untouched. The former Admiral's movements were economical and precise, deflecting or avoiding every strike with minimal effort. This was Zephyr at his peak - no mechanical arm, no asthma attacks, just pure Admiral-level combat prowess at its finest.
After several minutes of futile assault, Gustave realized half-measures wouldn't suffice.
"Overcharge - Dieu du Tonnerre!"
The transformation was every bit as impressive as it had been on Sabaody. The massive blue giant slowly rose from the training ground, its crackling form towering over the assembled Marines. Lightning coursed through its ethereal body like liquid power, and its eyes blazed with the authority of storms incarnate.
"Oh my! Now that's truly terrifying power," Kizaru murmured, though his expression remained characteristically neutral despite his words.
Sengoku observed the display with mixed feelings. Such incredible strength... if only we could convince him to join our ranks.
The other senior officers each reacted according to their nature - Akainu maintained his disdainful expression, Garp laughed with obvious delight, and Momousagi studied the technique with tactical intensity.
The awakened form finally brought real pressure to bear on Zephyr, forcing the veteran to take the fight seriously. But even against the Thunder God, the former Admiral held his ground, his decades of experience and masterful technique allowing him to weather the storm.
After several exchanges that shook the entire training ground, Gustave voluntarily deactivated his awakening.
"Master Zephyr, let's call it here. I'm clearly outmatched," he said with genuine respect, breathing heavily from the exertion.
"A good stopping point," Zephyr agreed, not even winded from their exchange. "I have a clear picture of your current capabilities."
"So what's your assessment? Where do I stand now?" Gustave asked, genuinely curious about his progress.
Zephyr considered his words carefully. "You've surpassed Admiral candidates like Momousagi and Chaton, but you're still a step below true Admiral level."
"Above candidate, below Admiral..." Gustave mused, processing the evaluation.
"If you want to reach Admiral level, you must focus on physical conditioning," Zephyr continued earnestly. "Every truly powerful fighter in this world has exceptional physical capabilities. Moreover, if you want to fully utilize your Devil Fruit's potential, you need a stronger body to support it. Physical strength is the foundation of all power!"
"I understand, Master Zephyr."
"Don't make Kizaru's mistake," Zephyr added, using his former student as a cautionary example. "He became too dependent on his Devil Fruit. Against truly elite opponents, there are many ways to counter fruit abilities. Only superior physical techniques and haki can guarantee strength without weaknesses!"
Gustave accepted the criticism gracefully. "Thank you for the guidance. I'll focus on improving my physical techniques and haki going forward."
In truth, Kizaru's physical abilities weren't weak - even without his light powers, his martial skills would qualify him as an Admiral candidate. But Zephyr had always felt disappointed that his student had chosen to rely on his fruit rather than push his physical capabilities to their absolute limit.
Gustave found the advice sound regardless. If his physical techniques reached Admiral level and his haki advanced to the highest stages, combined with his Rumble-Rumble Fruit mastery, defeating opponents like the Slave King would become trivial rather than desperate.