The next morning, offshore from Marineford.
The salty sea breeze slapped against his face as Gern squatted at the bow of the warship, yawning at the distant outline of a desolate island.
"So…"
He glanced back at Zephyr, cloak fluttering.
"The HQ really classified all training grounds as 'high-risk facilities' because of me?"
"What else?"
Zephyr snorted.
"Your fruit demolishes things faster than Garp eats snacks.
The finance department already filed a joint complaint demanding compensation."
Gern shrank slightly.
"Pretty sure you struck first…"
"Hmm?"
"I mean—your teaching was excellent!"
Gern snapped upright instantly, then stared curiously at the approaching island.
"So what's today's special training?"
Zephyr didn't answer.
Instead—
he tossed a pair of Seastone handcuffs.
Gern instinctively reached out—then froze mid-motion, letting them clatter onto the deck.
"WAIT—aren't these a bit too advanced?!
I haven't even learned Haki yet!"
"Oh."
Zephyr smiled dangerously.
"Wrong ones. Left over from last time I cuffed pirates."
Gern: "..."
"You said HQ training grounds were too small."
Zephyr pointed at the island's center.
"See that crater?
In one month, I want it turned into a basin."
Gern followed his finger, realization dawning.
"Y-You're not planning to make me do this with my fists… right?"
"Haki is the extension of will."
Zephyr grabbed Gern by the collar and, as the ship docked, tossed him straight onto the beach.
"Learn to feel power with your body first—
before relying on flashy vibrations!"
THUD!
Gern face-planted into the sand, mouth full of grit.
Moments later, as he struggled up, Zephyr descended via Moon Walk.
His jet-black fists gleamed metallic in the sunrise.
"Remember this, kid."
Zephyr landed, sand rippling outward.
"In the New World, plenty can destroy islands…"
His punch suddenly tore through the air, filling Gern's vision.
"But only those who can protect everything are truly strong!
And the first step toward strength—
is Haki!!"
"Haki…"
The word alone made Gern's blood boil.
This moment—
the one he'd long awaited—had arrived.
Zephyr watched his reaction and smiled knowingly.
"Do you remember what I told you two months ago?"
"I do!"
Gern shouted instinctively.
"You said Haki comes from presence, willpower, and spirit—
and it's the manifestation of belief!"
"Good."
Zephyr nodded as Armament flowed over his arm.
"Haki has three forms:
Conqueror's, Armament, and Observation.
The essence of Haki—
is belief given physical form!"
He clenched his fist—air exploding under pressure.
"You'd never touched Haki before—that's why the training ground incident happened.
You've seen Conqueror's from Whitebeard.
You've felt Armament and Observation from me."
Gern nodded slowly.
Only by seeing the summit could one crave the climb.
"I understand, Teacher Zephyr!"
"Since you understand…"
Zephyr smiled mysteriously.
Then—
BOOM!!
A towering rock wall exploded behind them.
A massive figure in a Marine coat burst out laughing, landing with enough force to crack the ground.
"THEN LET'S REALLY GET STARTED, GERN!!"
"K-K-Karp?!"
Gern's pupils shrank.
The man stood there casually, half a popsicle in his mouth.
Zephyr sighed, brushing rubble off his coat.
"My Haki is solid, but for your potential, I prefer theory."
He turned to Garp.
"Garp abandons theory entirely—
he forces near-death experiences to awaken true power.
Together…"
(In short: Zephyr = theory, Garp = life-or-death hell.)
"My theory plus my Iron Fist Special Training!"
Garp laughed and punched a boulder three men tall.
It disintegrated.
"Only by brushing against death
will you realize how strong you truly are."
"W-Wait!"
Cold sweat poured down Gern's face.
"Near-death… means what exactly?!"
This was prime Iron Fist Garp—
the man chasing the Pirate King across the seas.
He would absolutely train someone to death.
"Heh heh."
Garp cracked his knuckles, smile turning dangerous.
"Zephyr's never asked me for help before."
"So…"
"I only know one thing—
the end of hell is fists!
True Armament Haki is born from the roar of breaking bones!!!"
"Gern."
Zephyr stepped forward calmly.
"To me, the end of Armament isn't invincible fists.
It's when the people you protect stand behind you—
and your back becomes absolute defense."
Gern stared at the two legends.
He realized what awaited him would be hell.
Yet—
his smile grew wider.
"Interesting… way too interesting!"
He threw his arms wide.
"Teacher Zephyr's absolute defense.
Vice Admiral Garp's iron fists."
"I'll devour it all!"
"And then—
I'll create my own path of Haki!"
Garp froze—then burst into laughter.
"HAHAHAHA! That arrogance—I like it!"
He slapped Gern's back so hard the boy nearly sank into the ground.
Zephyr's gaze turned deep.
"Fusion of opposing philosophies…"
"That's exactly the man I hoped to train."
"Enough talk."
Garp's smile vanished as Armament coated his arm.
"Let's see if your bones are as tough as your mouth!"
Gern didn't even have time to react.
The legendary 'Fist of Love' came crashing down.
The last thing he heard before blacking out—
"Garp! Why'd you hit him so suddenly?!
And with Armament?!"
"Haha—instinct!
Uh… I didn't realize he was that fragile…"