The warships departed the harbor in batches, each heading toward different destinations.
Half a quarter hour later, the warship carrying Alex finally set sail, moving toward the Edd War Sea.
"I asked around," Saul said in his deep, booming voice, looking cheerful. "The northwest sector of the Edd War Sea is mostly empty. So comparatively speaking, we're one of the safer teams."
"Safer?"
Alex paused slightly.
"Yes. Our mission is only to locate and observe the Golden Lion's forces from long range. Under normal circumstances, combat shouldn't happen."
Saul sounded genuinely relieved.
For Marines—especially those drafted into New World operations—the mortality rate was extremely high. Many of Saul's comrades from the same generation had already lost their lives.
"Is that so…"
Alex murmured.
He didn't fear death. In fact, repeatedly cycling between life and death allowed him to grow stronger faster.
Still, the mission assignment surprised him.
He had originally assumed he would be deployed alongside Kuzan and Garp, but reality turned out differently.
Life aboard the ship wasn't particularly strict. Aside from rotating watch duty, officers enjoyed considerable freedom. Rear Admiral Jerry was also an unusually laid-back superior who rarely interfered with his subordinates.
Most of the time, the tall, gaunt rear admiral—who looked perpetually exhausted—sat alone smoking cigars and sighing, as though burdened by endless worries.
During this period, Alex actually grew quite close with Saul.
The young Giant warrior looked vastly different from humans due to his enormous size, but his personality was gentle, warm, and most importantly, straightforward and honest.
They had met a few days earlier through Kuzan's introduction.
"I saw Kuzan and Sakazuki board Vice Admiral Garp's ship," Saul said suddenly, revealing news that surprised Alex. "Seems like they've been assigned a special mission."
"Borsalino stayed behind at the base."
"A mission? What kind of mission?"
Alex asked.
"No idea. Probably something highly dangerous—not as relaxed as ours."
Saul laughed.
Alex nodded and stopped thinking about it further, returning to his training.
With a superhuman physique, learning the Six Powers became relatively fast as long as one worked hard and had some talent.
On the third day en route to the Edd War Sea, he mastered Shigan.
On the fifth day, their warship reached its designated coordinates and entered patrol mode. Rear Admiral Jerry reported in and received orders to remain on standby.
That afternoon, a new line appeared on Alex's panel:
"Geppo LV1+."
This meant that among the Six Powers, aside from Kami-e, he had now mastered all techniques at a usable level. True mastery, however, would require enormous time and effort.
He knew that learning the basics of the Six Powers was easy—but refining them into personal techniques was extremely difficult.
Even the three "monsters" hadn't achieved that yet.
The sea remained calm.
Rear Admiral Jerry occasionally scanned the horizon with binoculars but found nothing. Not even a trace of the Flying Pirate Fleet.
The lack of contact disappointed everyone—yet also brought relief.
"Looks like this will be an easy assignment," Jerry sighed.
Alex continued training silently.
Training equipment was standard aboard Marine warships. Following Bogard and Zephyr's guidance, he swung heavy dumbbells repeatedly, each motion generating bursts of wind.
"Monsters aren't common."
"A hardworking monster like him is even rarer. Respectable, honestly."
"Haha, Simbu, you're already forty—you've hit your ceiling. Of course you don't need to train that hard. Alex's still young."
"Maybe he'll become an Admiral someday!"
Laughter sounded nearby.
Alex grinned faintly and continued swinging the weights.
Though quiet, his youth made him well liked among the officers. Colonel Simbu often chatted with him, sharing survival and combat experience at sea.
At the bow, Rear Admiral Jerry glanced back at Alex.
"So that's the one they call a monster… alongside Kuzan and the others."
He had naturally heard Alex's name repeatedly at G5.
"He's only just learned the Six Powers… weak fundamentals but great potential. That's probably why headquarters placed him in a safer sector."
"Special protection from above?"
Jerry guessed silently.
He also believed their patrol zone was safe—so safe they might never even encounter an enemy.
"I heard Headquarters plans to award Devil Fruits to a new generation of Marines…"
"Will he be included?"
Still, such matters had nothing to do with him. At his age, his limits were already clear. Valuable resources naturally went to younger talents.
At the same time, in another sector of the sea—
"Sengoku! Why isn't Alex on our ship?!"
Holding a Den Den Mushi, Garp roared loudly.
His beloved disciple had been separated from him during deployment.
The young generation currently with him consisted of Kuzan and Sakazuki.
"I have my reasons, Garp," Sengoku replied calmly.
"You still don't understand. This mission isn't to fight Golden Lion Shiki—it's long-range observation."
"While the great pirates clash, we must also ensure the safety of Marine bases and Headquarters."
"What reasons? All I know is you've lost my kid!"
Garp shouted angrily.
"He hasn't been in the Marines long enough. His fundamentals are still lacking. What he needs now is growth."
"You're too dangerous to be around. Can you guarantee his safety?"
Sengoku finally snapped and yelled back.
A talent like Alex was priceless to the Marines. If something happened to him while following Garp, it would be an immeasurable loss.
Even geniuses needed time to mature.
Kuzan and Sakazuki, though young, already possessed solid combat experience and stable foundations. They could shoulder dangerous missions.
"I can guarantee it!"
Garp shot back instantly.
He knew very well that his disciple possessed immortality.
Someone like Alex could produce unpredictable results in direct combat.
"You idiot!"
Sengoku cursed.
"At least tell me where he's deployed!"
"The northwest sector. Point A13."
Sengoku replied sharply.
The Edd War Sea was vast. Marine forces in the New World were actually at a disadvantage during this era. The area had been divided into countless sectors for surveillance and strategic positioning.
Once the two pirate forces clashed, the Marines would decide their next move accordingly.
It was a careful, meticulous strategy.
Except for one unpredictable variable—
Garp.
"Hahaha! Got it."
Garp burst into laughter.
After checking the sea chart, he realized Alex's sector wasn't far from his own.
However, according to Sengoku's assessment, the danger levels were completely different.
Garp's zone: high risk.
Alex's zone: low risk.
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