"What!? You want your eight-year-old little brother to join the Navy Science Division!?"
At Navy Headquarters, inside the Fleet Admiral's office
Sakazuki stared blankly at Borsalino, utterly dumbfounded, before erupting in a furious shout.
Also present in the room were Aokiji and Garp, both of whom wore expressions of deep confusion after hearing Borsalino's words.
Borsalino—better known as Kizaru—was already infamous for his laziness at work. Still, since he at least clocked in on time and didn't outright skip duty, everyone had simply chosen to turn a blind eye…
But this time? He was actually trying to shove a relative into the all-important Navy Science Division!
If that relative had genuine talent in science, maybe—just maybe—it could be overlooked. But he was pushing an eight-year-old brat? Forget science, the kid probably hadn't even mastered multiplication yet! To put him in the Navy Science Division… wasn't that utterly reckless?
"Borsalino, I get it. You probably want your little brother to earn a salary and help with the household expenses. But the Science Division is critical to the Navy! You throw your eight-year-old sibling in there, and isn't that just making trouble?"
Even the usually mild-mannered Aokiji couldn't sit still, siding with Sakazuki to denounce Kizaru.
Vice Admiral Tsuru shook her head helplessly, looking thoroughly exasperated.
Pirates across the seas were multiplying by the day, and the Navy was already stretched thin. And now, Kizaru was stirring up problems of his own—life in the Navy was getting harder and harder.
Only Garp seemed utterly unconcerned.
"An eight-year-old brat in the Science Division? Hahaha! Interesting! Very interesting!" Garp laughed heartily, chewing on rice crackers with his wide grin.
Tsuru rolled her eyes at him until he finally quieted down.
Borsalino scratched his head awkwardly, glancing around at the crowd.
He hadn't expected such an uproar from his colleagues over this matter.
Looks like all his years of slacking off had already made him the butt of public outrage…
My foolish little brother, Natsuha…
As your big brother, this is the best I can do for you!
If you can't pass their tests, there's no way you'll get into the Science Division just to draw a paycheck…
Just then, the office doors swung open. Fleet Admiral Sengoku stepped in, leading a small boy no older than eight.
The child had a round, clever-looking head and a porcelain-doll-like face. His pale skin made him look even more delicate, while his bright eyes gleamed with a mischievous spark.
This adorable little boy was none other than Borsalino's younger brother—Natsuha.
"Hello everyone! Please don't blame my brother. I was the one who begged him," the boy said in a soft, childish voice.
"But rest assured, I'll earn my place in the Science Division with my own abilities. All I ask is that you don't restrict me based on age!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru's maternal instincts surged instantly. She reached out and patted his round little head with a warm smile.
"Hahaha, what a cute little brat! But don't boast too big now. The Science Division has very high standards for applicants' scientific knowledge."
Kizaru, Akainu, Aokiji, and Garp all turned toward Borsalino, faces filled with curiosity.
How could someone like Kizaru possibly have such a cute, handsome younger brother?
The truth was, Natsuha wasn't just any ordinary child.
He was a transmigrant.
Eight years ago, he had awakened in the body of a newborn—Borsalino's baby brother.
Carrying the memories of his previous life, he appeared impossibly intelligent for his age.
Even more important—he had arrived with a system.
[Infinite Technology System]
As long as he had funds, he could unlock one groundbreaking piece of technology after another.
Of course, the funding requirements were massive.
Just yesterday, after saving every coin from eight long years of scrimping and saving, he finally completed his first invention—a prototype Seraphim Kuma, and even ahead of Vegapunk himself!
But his progress was far from enough.
Only the Celestial Dragons had the wealth to sustain his system's needs.
And where better to secure both funding and resources than the Navy's Science Division?
Plus—he already had the Seraphim Kuma to serve as his "proof of worth."
That was why he had kicked, screamed, and begged until his brother finally agreed to bring him here today.
"I understand, Auntie Tsuru. Allow me to show you all my invention."
Hearing Natsuha call her "Auntie," Tsuru's smile deepened with delight.
"Come out, Seraphim Kuma Kuma!" Natsuha said softly.
From outside the office stepped a stocky, mechanical-looking boy.
Everyone turned toward the door, faces puzzled.
??
Was that… a child?
No—something was off. Why were flames flickering on his wings?
Could it be… a Lunarian child?!
"This is a humanoid weapon I created, built using the lineage factors of Bartholomew Kuma, the Lunarian known as King, and my brother Borsalino," Natsuha explained.
What!? A humanoid weapon?
And so lifelike… it really did look like a young version of Kuma!
Whether or not its combat ability was proven yet, the mere fact that an eight-year-old could manipulate lineage factors was already astounding—a true prodigy!
"You said it's a humanoid weapon?" Sengoku's eyes narrowed with interest. "Then tell me—how does it compare with the Pacifistas?"
If its power surpassed that of Pacifistas, mass production could change the Navy's future!
But words weren't enough. Its actual performance would have to speak for itself.
"The difference? Naturally, it's vast!" Natsuha declared.
"First—basic laser weaponry, enhanced physical capabilities, and regenerative abilities!"
They moved to the training grounds, where Seraphim Kuma Kuma began its demonstration.
A powerful laser blast obliterated a small mountain near the base—utterly surpassing a Pacifista.
Before anyone could react, Seraphim Kuma Kuma vanished in a blur, reappearing hundreds of meters away in an instant. One punch
and a massive abandoned steel warehouse crumbled into rubble.
Even more shocking was its regenerative ability. After sustaining damage and bleeding, in less than a second, the wounds clotted, scarred, healed, and left fresh skin behind—like nothing had ever happened.
The gathered officers—usually unflappable—gaped with jaws slack, completely shaken.
"Little brother, your machine's laser output is nearly on par with my own!" Kizaru's eyes widened behind his sunglasses in genuine shock.
"That speed—did it just use 'Soru' from the Navy's Six Styles?! And that power—ten times more terrifying than a Pacifista!" Garp, usually so carefree, was suddenly serious.
"This is… really a machine? It bleeds? And heals like a top-tier Zoan Devil Fruit user?!" Aokiji gasped in disbelief.
Sengoku, Sakazuki, and the others were struck speechless, throats working as they swallowed hard. They knew better than anyone what mass production of such a weapon would mean for the Navy.
Even Vegapunk, five hundred years ahead of his time, had never achieved something like this!
Had they not seen it with their own eyes, they'd never have believed it.
And it had been built… by an eight-year-old child.
A once-in-a-century genius… no, a monstrous prodigy!
The Navy had a future at last.
At length, Sengoku snapped out of his shock, stepping forward to clap Natsuha firmly on the shoulder.
"Kid—you've done it!!" Sengoku said excitedly.
"The Navy is going to rise again! Natsuha, you're our lucky star!" Tsuru's eyes shone with pride.
Kizaru beamed smugly. This was his little brother. With a sibling like this, his own reputation shone brighter too.
Let's see who dares accuse me of nepotism again!
Can any of you bring in a relative who can outdo Vegapunk himself?
But Natsuha only remained calm, unmoved by their praise.
"This is only the beginning. These are just the basic functions."
"I haven't even shown you its core abilities yet—Observation and Armament Haki, and the power of the Paw-Paw Fruit."
The moment his words fell, the Navy's upper brass exploded
!?
Heads filled with question marks and exclamation points.