Zephyr made a snap decision.
He grabbed Karl and immediately marched him toward the Fleet Admiral's office.
Karl was completely dazed.
And off to the side, eating瓜—uh, spectating—Kizaru was even more confused.
Kizaru: What the heck just happened?
"Teacher Zephyr…???"
Zephyr shot Kizaru a glance full of naked disdain.
I really need to keep Karl far away from this bastard in the future.
If this slacker led Karl astray, it would be a massive loss for the Marines.
"Karl," Zephyr said coldly,
"show Admiral Kizaru your ability. He'll understand then."
"…Sigh."
Life was hard.
Karl sighed inwardly and once again condensed Holy Light, sending it toward Kizaru.
Three seconds later—
Kizaru's expression changed completely.
His puckered little lips froze, then slowly dropped open into a perfect O. He pointed at Karl, mouth opening and closing, but couldn't form a single complete sentence.
Someone who had reached the rank of Marine Admiral couldn't possibly fail to understand just how terrifying Karl's ability was for the Marines.
After being buffed, Kizaru could clearly feel his physical strength increase—
less than 2%, sure—
But he was an Admiral.
A rookie who had just gained his ability could already boost him by this much. If Karl grew stronger…
Wouldn't that be insane?
"Perfect timing. I was heading to see Sengoku to report anyway," Kizaru said slowly.
"Let's go together."
"Hmph. At least you've got eyes," Zephyr snorted.
And just like that, Karl left the training ground under the personal escort of a Marine Admiral and the Chief Instructor of the Marines, leaving behind a group of recruits whose jaws nearly hit the floor.
Shuzo, who was supervising training, scratched his head, utterly clueless.
"What're you all staring at? What does this have to do with you?"
"Train harder, damn it!!!"
Five Minutes Later — Fleet Admiral's Office
Knock. Knock. Knock.
After three perfunctory knocks, Zephyr shoved the door open and dragged Karl straight inside, shouting excitedly,
"Sengoku! Come take a look at what I found!"
Sengoku, who was just about to say "come in," looked mournfully at the abused door on the floor, then shifted his gaze to the boy Zephyr was hauling along.
His brows furrowed.
"Zephyr, who is this child?"
"Sengoku! He's a recruit from the training camp!"
Zephyr waved his hand impatiently. "I won't waste time explaining—Karl, show Fleet Admiral Sengoku your ability. Once he sees it, he'll understand!"
Alright. Showtime.
Karl straightened his back, neither servile nor arrogant.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku," he said seriously,
"my ability has healing and enhancement effects. It will not harm you, so there's no need to be on guard."
He said this because he'd almost been blasted by Kizaru earlier. Better to be cautious and avoid unnecessary misunderstandings.
A sharp glint flashed through Sengoku's eyes. He glanced at Zephyr subtly and immediately understood why the old man had kicked down his door.
Sengoku's expression softened, and he laughed.
"Hahaha! Interesting. Go ahead. I'm not that fragile."
With those words, I'm relieved.
Karl wasted no more time.
Holy Light gathered in his palm and was pushed straight toward Fleet Admiral Sengoku. In an instant, it fused into Sengoku's body and began taking effect.
"This… this power!"
Sengoku slowly closed his eyes, feeling the vigorous vitality surging within him, and couldn't help letting out a low groan.
Then he suddenly punched toward the window.
BOOM!
A terrifying burst of force shattered it instantly. Only then did Sengoku open his eyes and stride up to Karl, gripping his shoulder tightly.
"You—what is your name?!"
"Karl. North Blue, 108th Branch. I've been in the Marines for ten years."
"Good! Very good! Excellent!"
Sengoku paused, then frowned. "Wait… how old were you when you joined?"
He looked Karl over carefully. The boy looked barely in his teens.
Minus ten years of service… even with manpower shortages, the Marines wouldn't enlist a literal child.
At that, Zephyr coughed awkwardly.
"Ahem… Sengoku, he's twenty-four. His current condition is due to Ain's ability."
"Oh! I see now."
Sengoku had read Ain's file—Return-Return Fruit, an absurdly unreasonable ability.
But compared to Karl, she was nothing more than a single high-end combatant.
Karl was different.
Once he matured, he might elevate high-end fighters into top-tier monsters.
That was Karl's true value.
Especially in recent years—
The Marines had suffered a severe talent drought. Ever since Smoker and Tashigi, there hadn't been any truly dazzling newcomers.
Meanwhile, pirates were emerging nonstop.
The most troublesome of them all was a former member of the Pirate King's crew—
Red-Haired Shanks.
Just thinking about him gave Sengoku a headache.
"Karl," Sengoku said slowly,
"you're currently a member of the Marine recruit training camp, correct?"
"Yes. I arrived at Marine Headquarters today."
Sengoku nodded thoughtfully and stood up, turning to Zephyr.
"Zephyr, I'm leaving Karl in your hands. You must ensure his growth—and guarantee his safety."
"Hmph! As if you had to tell me that," Zephyr snorted.
"Give me some time, and I'll turn him into the leading figure of the new generation of Marines."
There was no hesitation in his voice.
Because Zephyr had the confidence—and the results—to back it up.
His students were everywhere in the Marines. Even the Three Admirals had once been recruits under him. Not to mention stalwarts like Momonga and Onigumo.
"Good. With your word, I'm at ease."
Sengoku then leaned closer and whispered in Zephyr's ear,
"For now, keep Karl's ability quiet. Don't spread it around and invite trouble. Once the training camp ends, I'll personally arrange his position."
Zephyr grinned.
This was exactly why he'd dragged Karl here in such a hurry—to make sure his value was recognized, so he wouldn't be wasted in some backwater branch.
"Karl, come with me."
After bidding farewell to Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Admiral Kizaru, Karl followed Zephyr out of the office.
Only once they returned to the training grounds did Karl finally process everything.
Am I… about to make it big?
Before coming to Marine Headquarters, the highest-ranking officer Karl had ever met was his direct superior—Commodore Charles.
Yet on his very first day here, he'd met—
A former Admiral.
A current Admiral.
And the absolute top dog of the Marines.
This road—
It was getting wider by the second.
Then Karl suddenly remembered something Zephyr had said earlier.
He sucked in a sharp breath.
According to that… doesn't that mean he's going to be watching me closely?
Then how the hell was he supposed to slack off?
Thankfully, Karl had completed the timed mission and obtained Weak as a Breeze.
If he wanted to slack, it would be effortless.
He refused to believe Zephyr would drag him out of a hospital bed for extra training.
"Carl," Zephyr said seriously,
"you're smart, and you have great potential. But remember—Devil Fruits are only tools. Never rely on them too heavily."
"A powerful body is the true foundation of strength."
"And most importantly—"
Zephyr leaned in, voice low and dangerous.
"Stay far away from that bastard Kizaru. Don't let his crooked ideas infect you. Understood?"
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