Reining in his thoughts, Raifeng stepped out of his cabin.
The deck was already bathed in warm sunlight, the air rapidly heating up.
A perfect morning.
Splash—!
As the warship cut through the sea, waves rippled outward, producing crisp, pleasant sounds.
Early in the morning, many Marines could already be seen training on deck.
Raifeng quickly spotted Koby and Helmeppo.
"Koby…"
"Let me see just what level my swordsmanship has reached."
"You'll do nicely as a benchmark."
Raifeng narrowed his eyes slightly, an amused smile on his face, and walked over.
"Good morning, Mr. Raifeng."
Koby was fully focused on his training. When he saw Raifeng approach, he smiled politely and greeted him.
"Morning. Do you remember what I said yesterday?"
Raifeng asked with a smile.
"Yesterday?"
Koby froze.
Clearly, he hadn't taken Raifeng's words seriously at all.
After a moment—
His eyes widened.
"Mr. Raifeng… you're not seriously planning to fight me today, are you?"
He was stunned.
No need to wait ten days?
It hadn't even been a full day since Vice Admiral Garp set the task!
And besides—
How much could Raifeng possibly improve in a single day?
Koby didn't believe that, in just one day, Raifeng could gain the strength needed to defeat him.
Not in a day.
Not even in a month.
So Raifeng's challenge genuinely surprised him.
"Otherwise?" Raifeng laughed.
"You didn't think I was joking yesterday, did you?"
Koby fell silent.
He wanted to tell Raifeng to calm down—but didn't know how.
Just then—
Garp arrived.
After learning Raifeng's intent, Garp looked at him strangely.
"Brat, you're in that much of a hurry to lose to Koby?"
Only one day had passed, and he already wanted to fight?
That was reckless.
Even Garp didn't think Raifeng stood a chance.
He knew exactly how strong Koby was.
That was why he believed Raifeng couldn't surpass half a month of effort in just one day.
"If you don't try, how will you know the result?"
Raifeng smiled calmly.
Seeing that expression, Garp's eyes flickered.
He turned to Koby.
"In that case, a fair match won't hurt."
"Koby—drop all distractions. Don't hold back."
"Your goal is to defeat Raifeng. Understood?"
Koby hesitated.
"But Vice Admiral—"
"Enough nonsense!"
Garp barked.
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
Koby straightened immediately.
"All of you—stop training."
Garp called out to the surrounding Marines.
One by one, they halted and gathered, curiosity written all over their faces.
Word spread quickly.
Raifeng vs. Koby.
Discussion erupted.
"Koby's no joke now. Half a month ago he was trash, but now he's already a solid Marine."
"Vice Admiral Garp's grandson is still too young."
"Seven years old, challenging Koby? Brave, sure—but bravery doesn't make up for strength."
"This match has no suspense."
Every single Marine sided with Koby.
Without exception.
Even Garp himself wasn't optimistic about Raifeng.
The age gap was just too big.
Sixteen versus seven.
That alone tilted expectations completely.
"Bogard!"
Garp called out.
"Yes, Vice Admiral."
Bogard stepped forward respectfully.
"You'll referee. Any problems?"
"None at all."
Bogard nodded solemnly.
"Both of you—point stops. Understood?"
"Understood."
Raifeng narrowed his eyes.
"Yes, Vice Admiral."
Koby answered seriously, then turned to Raifeng.
"Mr. Raifeng, I won't hold back. Please be careful."
Such confidence…
Raifeng almost felt bad crushing him.
He nodded. "Use everything you've got."
Some things didn't need to be said aloud.
But in Raifeng's heart—
Koby… once you go all out, you'll realize.
We're not on the same level at all.
The deck grew quiet.
The crowd formed a ring, leaving a wide open space in the center.
Garp, Helmeppo, and the Marines watched closely.
"Are you both ready?"
Bogard stepped into the center as referee.
"I'm ready."
Koby nodded firmly, fully focused.
"Raifeng?"
Bogard turned to him.
"Colonel Bogard—may I use a weapon?"
Raifeng suddenly asked.
"A weapon?"
Bogard was surprised, but nodded. "Of course. What do you want?"
"A katana will do."
Raifeng wasn't picky.
This was just a spar.
Any ordinary blade was more than enough for Koby.
Bogard walked over to a Marine, took a katana, and handed it to Raifeng.
"See if it suits you."
The moment Raifeng grasped the hilt—
A feeling of natural familiarity washed over him.
It was his first time holding a sword.
Yet—
There was no awkwardness.
No resistance.
Instead, it felt as though he were a seasoned swordsman with decades of experience.
The blade felt like an extension of his arm.
Smooth. Natural. Effortless.
"The sword is my hand… my limb."
Raifeng opened his eyes.
A sharp gleam flashed within them.
At the same time—
A subtle but unmistakable aura began to emanate from him.
The sharp presence unique to a swordsman spread around his body.
It made him seem taller.
More imposing.
So much so that one might subconsciously forget—
He was only seven years old.
"Hmm?!"
Bogard was the first to react.
As a swordsman himself, he immediately sensed the drastic change in Raifeng's aura.
It was nothing short of—
Earth-shattering.
From an ordinary child—
To a swordsman.
"There's no doubt…"
"This is a swordsman's presence."
Bogard inhaled sharply, eyes filled with shock.
His mind went blank.
What was going on?!
Vice Admiral Garp never mentioned—
That his grandson was a swordsman!
At the edge of the ring—
Garp noticed it too.
The moment Raifeng held the katana, his entire aura changed.
In Garp's eyes—
Raifeng looked like a blade about to be drawn, sharp and dangerous.
A naked edge.
"What… is this?"
"Swordsman's presence?!"
Garp might not understand swordsmanship—
But he could clearly feel the difference.
The aura surrounding Raifeng now carried the intent to cut through everything.
Sharp. Fierce. Overwhelming.
"Swordsmanship?!"
"This kid knows swordsmanship?!"
Garp's eyes widened in disbelief.
Suddenly—
His grandson felt completely unfamiliar.
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