"This sword..."
Vice Admiral Tsuru's tone revealed a hint of hesitation.
Sengoku hummed in agreement. "This ordinary military saber wasn't enough to support such immense power. The moment that force was injected into the blade, it actually shattered."
"To still be able to unleash a slash like that with such a sword... then his strength..."
Vice Admiral Tsuru was even more surprised, unconsciously glancing over toward Akainu.
Akainu's face darkened further. "It doesn't take much strength to shatter a sword like that; many people can do it."
Sengoku nodded. "It's true that shattering it doesn't require too much strength."
"But to be able to do it to exactly that degree is not something that can be achieved with pure strength alone. I believe there aren't many people in this world who can do that."
Vice Admiral Tsuru's expression shifted slightly upon hearing this. "Are you saying that Taro has extremely high swordsmanship skills?"
"Yes, at the very least, his talent for swordsmanship is certainly not low." Sengoku agreed with Vice Admiral Tsuru's assessment and looked back at Garp. "Garp, I'm starting to believe your judgment now."
"Haha, I knew that kid was a Genius."
Garp held his head high and let out an exaggerated laugh.
"In that case, promoting him to Lieutenant seems a bit low..." Vice Admiral Tsuru pondered in a low voice.
"Then promote him to Major; that's what I suggested from the start."
Garp said offhandedly.
Sengoku glanced at Akainu, whose face by the window was becoming increasingly unsightly. "Let's promote him to Lieutenant first. We'll discuss the rest after he finishes the Training Camp."
Since the Fleet Admiral had reached a conclusion, the three of them said no more and went their separate ways... Taro followed the Marine Soldier leading him out of the Marineford main fortress. It wasn't until the fresh sea breeze hit his face that he suddenly remembered, "Holy crap, where are my uniform and saber..."
"Um, Corporal," Taro called out to the Marine Soldier leading the way, "I left my uniform and saber in Sengoku's office..."
The Marine Soldier who was stopped turned around, his entire face flushed. He had been excited the whole way; the person following him was Second Lieutenant Taro, known as the 'light of the marines' and possessing the strength of an Admiral.
"Are you okay?"
Taro was startled by his complexion and quickly asked.
"Se-Second Lieutenant Taro, I'm fine," the Marine Soldier stuttered. "I'll go get a new set and bring it to you later."
"Oh, that's good." Taro nodded slightly, then pointed at the nearby Marine Soldiers who were casting strange looks his way and asked, "Why have they been looking at us like that the whole way?"
The corner of the lead Marine Soldier's mouth twitched. "It's not us, it's you!"
"Me? Why look at me!"
Keep pretending, just keep pretending. The Marine Soldier smirked. "It's nothing, they're just curious."
..."Look, that's the light of the marines, Taro. That calm demeanor is truly extraordinary."
"Yeah, he's truly a powerhouse who could go head-to-head with Hawkeye."
"Mm, he can even fight to a draw with Admiral Akainu."
"What draw? Didn't you see how easily he blocked Admiral Akainu's strike?"
"Exactly. Compared to Admiral Akainu, his strength is definitely higher, not lower."
"That's right."
"I think so too."
Seeing Taro come out, the Marine Soldiers in the plaza were instantly captivated, gathering in small groups to discuss... In the Marineford soldier residential area, at Taro's assigned room.
Not long after lying down, Taro heard a knock at the door. He opened it in confusion. "Vice Admiral Garp, why are you here?"
It was indeed Garp outside, with two Marine Soldiers following behind him. Garp laughed heartily. "Taro, you really made me proud. You have no idea, Sakazuki's face went completely black, hahaha."
Taro was wondering about that. "Right, Vice Admiral Garp, why did Admiral Akainu attack me?"
Garp waved it off. "It's nothing, he's just having an episode. Don't mind him."
"I came here first to inform you that starting tomorrow, you'll go to the Training Camp for a month of training."
"And second, to tell you some good news: you've been promoted, kid! You're a Marine Lieutenant now!"
Taro was stunned. Why was he promoted again? Was it that casual? Or was it because of Garp's connections? Had Garp made some kind of shady deal with the Marine high command?
"Hmm? You don't seem very happy?" Garp tilted his head. Thinking Taro felt the rank was too low, he comforted him: "A Lieutenant might be a small rank, but it's only temporary. Train hard starting tomorrow, and once you finish the Training Camp, we'll promote you again."
Before Taro could even open his mouth to speak, Garp turned and took the Lieutenant's uniform and saber from the two Marine Soldiers, handing them to Taro.
"I've said what I needed to say, so I'll be going now. Work hard, I have high hopes for you."
He finished with a burst of laughter and walked away.
Taro was dumbfounded. Was it really this easy to get promoted in the Marines? It looked like joining the Marines was a good decision after all.
Not long after closing the door, the "thump thump" of knocking sounded again.
Taro thought Garp had returned, but when he opened the door, he found Akainu standing there.
Akainu was taller than Taro and much more muscular. Standing face to face, Taro was almost entirely enveloped in Akainu's shadow.
Taro instantly became alert. "What are you doing here?"
"I have some words for you," Akainu said in a deep voice. "Aren't you going to invite me in?"
Taro still remembered Akainu's unprovoked attack. He glanced at the guards not far away and said irritably, "Whatever it is, say it here. I'm not familiar with you."
The two guards nearby heard Taro's words, their bodies trembling involuntarily as they looked over in shock.
Meanwhile, Akainu's Aura surged, the majesty radiating from him like a burning flame. He gave a heavy snort. "I'm warning you, if I find out you're in league with pirates, I will definitely kill you."
Taro's rebellious streak was triggered by his aggressive Aura. I haven't even settled the score for you attacking me, and now you're threatening me instead?
He stared into Akainu's eyes and said calmly, "You're welcome to try."
The two guards felt like their hearts were about to jump out of their chests. As expected of the light of the marines—to face an Admiral and speak such words with such a contemptuous tone. The gaze they directed at Taro was full of reverence.
Hearing this, Akainu's entire body instantly transformed into rolling magma, emitting an intense heat wave that made Taro squint his eyes.
After staring fixedly at Taro for a while, the red magma receded, and Akainu returned to normal, his voice carrying a threat. "You'd better behave yourself."
He turned and left after speaking.
Only after Akainu left did Taro breathe a sigh of relief. For a moment just now, Taro's heart had stopped, fearing he would be blasted into dregs on the spot.
Having survived the ordeal, Taro flashed a slight smile at the two guards, retreated into his room, and closed the door.
The two guards looked at each other, both showing expressions of pleasant surprise.
"Big news! Lieutenant Taro actually made Admiral Akainu back down!"
"Yeah, Lieutenant Taro's Aura completely overwhelmed Admiral Akainu!"
"Let's stop standing guard; nothing is more important than telling everyone about this right now."
"Exactly, let's go quickly."
The two guards abandoned their posts.
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