Branch Base Training Ground.
The scorching sun hung high in the sky.
After two months of recuperation, the fully recovered Griffin sat under a sunshade, sipping iced fruit juice while watching the Marines training on the field through his sunglasses.
Tap, tap...
Doll, having finished her morning exercises, walked over and picked up a towel to wipe off her sweat. She snorted coldly at the leisurely Griffin.
"When Commander Smoker was around, you'd at least train for half an hour. Now you're not even pretending anymore!"
Taking a sip of his juice, Griffin smiled faintly. "I just recovered from my injuries. Cut me some slack."
"Hah, you were clearly healed long ago. It was only when Doctor Marie kicked you out that you left the hospital."
"I don't understand how someone as lazy as you can possess such incredible Body Technique!"
Doll had lost to Griffin many times. The reason she kept challenging him despite repeated defeats was precisely because Griffin hardly ever participated in training - when he had free time, he'd just wander around eating snacks.
It was only after becoming Base Commander that he started appearing on the training field more often.
In her mind, she thought: I train so hard while he remains stagnant...
Next time, he definitely won't be able to beat me!
But every time...
Thinking of this, Doll shook her head helplessly. "No matter how much I train, I can never compare to you Devil Fruit Users..."
Thud—
Putting down his juice, Griffin sat up straight from his lounge chair and looked seriously at Doll.
"Wh-what is it? Did I say something wrong?" Faced with Griffin's suddenly serious gaze, Doll grew somewhat nervous.
"Doll, I know someone named Might Guy."
"From the very beginning, he knew he had no talent in abilities, so he devoted all his energy to Body Technique training."
"From childhood to adulthood, day after day, no matter how terrible the weather, he persisted in basic training so intense it was unimaginable to ordinary people."
"Long-distance running, push-ups, kicking - just simple, basic training that pushed beyond his limits."
"At first, everyone looked down on him, mocking his useless efforts."
"But in the final battle, he achieved a level that astonished everyone - the highest realm a human can reach!"
"He became the strongest man in the world, stronger than any genius!"
...
Doll's lips parted slightly as she visualized such a figure in her mind.
The strongest man in the world...
"Hard work can surpass genius - this was the belief he upheld and passed on," Griffin said slowly.
"But Doll... do you really think he was someone without talent?"
"Do you know how difficult persistence is for a person?"
"Humans naturally tend to seek comfort and avoid pain. Persistence isn't a sprint but a marathon - daily repetition wears down motivation."
"Long periods of obscurity, along with loneliness and doubt, amplify fatigue and hasten surrender."
"Persistence, in my view, is a remarkable talent. I admire those who have the courage to defy human instincts!"
"I've tried it. I can't do it."
Griffin's smile was light, like a spring breeze brushing across a lake.
"I enjoy comfort, I love good food, I like the conveniences that power and status bring. I'm just someone who yields to instinct."
"You're different, Doll."
"You're just as remarkable as they are!"
The wind stirred ripples in Doll's heart.
...
After a moment, whether due to training or something else, the blush on Doll's cheeks faded.
"After all that talk, you're just making excuses to skip training!!"
Griffin lay down and spoke lightly: "Oh dear, you caught me."
"What can you do about it?"
"The Base Commander doesn't have to participate in training~"
"Privileges, these are privileges~"
Doll spat in disgust and returned to the training ground, though Griffin's words kept echoing in her mind.
The force behind her punches grew stronger.
——
During the afternoon session, the dozing Griffin's eyebrow twitched as he slowly opened his eyes.
A slender figure in a black suit was approaching silently.
He wore a black top hat with a white pigeon perched on his shoulder.
Griffin glanced sideways and recognized the visitor.
Rob Lucci.
Member of the World Government's secret agency CP9, devoted to the justice of darkness.
Known as the strongest in Enies Lobby's 800-year history, the most powerful and ruthless killing weapon!
As a youth, he killed 500 kingdom soldiers held hostage by pirates, reasoning: These soldiers were so easily captured by pirates, causing a national crisis.
Only by eliminating them could similar situations be prevented in the future.
A man who advocates necessary evil and enforces dark justice.
...
"Uchiha Griffin, Marine West Sea 179th Branch Base Commander."
Without introducing himself, his icy voice sounded like a roll call before judgment.
"Who's Who has escaped from prison. You were the last person he communicated with before imprisonment. You are now required to recount the conversation word for word to assist the investigation."
...
Griffin chuckled and shook his head: "And you are?"
"You don't need to know my name. Just answer."
"Refusal to answer will be considered defiance of the World Government's orders, warranting punishment."
Lucci revealed the CP department insignia: "You recognize this, Uchiha Griffin."
"The Marines are nothing but—"
BOOM!!!!
Before he could finish, an explosion from the training ground drew the attention of all training Marines.
Griffin maintained his one-handed striking pose, giving the Marines a faint smile.
"You're lucky - early break today."
"What follows is my personal training."
...
As the soldiers obediently departed, Griffin turned his gaze toward the dust-filled corner of the wall.
Step... step...
Lucci brushed rubble from his shoulder as he emerged from the wreckage, his eyes cold.
"Just who... do you think you are!"
BAM!!!
His answer came in the form of a fist that filled his vision!
Lucci's pupils slightly contracted as he clenched his fists, neither dodging nor retreating.
Iron Body!!
CLANG———!!
A metallic collision erupted between them!
Lucci grinned coldly: "Someone who's never even been to headquarters wouldn't understand Iron Body— AHH!!!"
Suddenly, Griffin's five fingers clawed into Lucci's face, tearing away a chunk of flesh!
"What was that? I didn't quite catch it."
Flicking away the bloody flesh, Griffin gathered momentum again, seizing Lucci by the throat and lifting him off the ground.
Lucci's face instantly turned crimson, his breathing becoming ragged as choked sounds escaped his throat.
"Hey... I asked you a question. Why are you meowing like a little kitten?"
...
"Bas... bastard!!"
In a hoarse roar, Lucci's skin rippled unnaturally under the sunlight, his bones emitting a grating crackle as muscles bulged and limbs elongated.
Golden leopard patterns shimmered, his pupils transforming into vertical beast-like slits.
Zoan-type Cat-Cat Fruit: Leopard Model - Hybrid Form!
The sudden surge of strength allowed him to break free from Griffin's grasp. With a low growl, he unleashed a claw strike boiling with killing intent.
Already prepared, Griffin sidestepped lightly to evade, even taking a moment to smooth his disheveled hair.
The tips of his black hair gradually took on an icy blue hue.
Crimson beast patterns quietly emerged as Griffin likewise entered his Hybrid Form.
Crack!!
Grabbing Lucci's wrist with a reverse grip, his nails transformed into canine-like claws that dug into the leopard's flesh.
Abruptly, Lucci felt tremendous pulling force from his arm, his body involuntarily lurching forward.
Bam!!!
The next instant, excruciating pain erupted from his abdomen.
A knee strike from Griffin!
Boom boom boom boom!!!
Lucci was sent flying by the impact, crashing heavily into the artillery frame on the training ground, deforming even the thick steel cannon barrel!
...
"Little kitten, get up."
Griffin approached step by step, an intangible aura spreading.
Lucci saw clearly...
A pure white giant wolf advancing with endless blizzards, the chilling cold piercing straight to his heart!
"Damn it... I am..."
Lucci gritted his teeth and rose, roaring out: "Rob Lucci!!!"
Six King Gun!!!
Lucci thrust both palms forward, energy erupting from their centers. A thick shockwave carrying terrifying power carved a trench across the ground.
The ultimate secret technique, only comprehensible to those who mastered the Six Styles to their peak - this was the proof of Lucci being called 'the strongest'!
...
Swish—
Griffin picked up the naval-standard longsword embedded near his feet, ice crystals gradually spreading across the blade.
The phantom of a giant wolf materialized, roaring forth as he swung the blade!
White Wolf Kill!!