As if stating a simple fact, Kai's tone held not the slightest hesitation or pause, his words brimming with unparalleled confidence.
Everyone in the room froze upon hearing Kai's words.
Garp beside him was also momentarily stunned, even forgetting to toss the donut in his hand into his mouth. But then his face broke into a wide smile as he spoke: "Good kid, not bad! I believe you'll definitely become an Admiral!" As he spoke, he didn't forget to pat Kai's shoulder encouragingly.
"Hmph! Admiral? Is Admiral a position any random cat or dog can hold? What a joke." A dark-skinned middle-aged man in a deep red suit spoke disdainfully—this was Akainu.
The position of Marine Admiral wasn't something you could obtain simply by having sufficient strength. In the Marine hierarchy, there were only three Admiral positions. This meant that if someone new wanted to become an Admiral, an existing Admiral would have to step down first.
Akainu had only recently become a Marine Admiral and was in his prime, full of vigor. Hearing someone say such things in front of him naturally made him unhappy.
Hearing Akainu's words, Kai's expression turned sharp, but a mocking smile curved his lips: "Akainu? Isn't that just the same as saying 'Red Dog'? Hearing you put it that way, it seems any cat or dog really can become a Marine Admiral."
"Brat, are you looking for death?!"
Akainu shot up with a whoosh, glaring furiously at Kai, his eyes revealing a fierce look. If not for the fact that this was the Fleet Admiral's office, Akainu would have already greeted Kai with a Great Eruption.
"Enough, stop arguing. Garp, who is he?"
Sengoku frowned and spoke up. Even with his reputation as the "Strategist," facing the current severe situation on the seas left him somewhat mentally exhausted. Seeing internal Marine conflicts about to erupt, his mood couldn't get any worse.
"Kai Mitarashi, a young man I met in Windmill Village who's willing to join the Marines~" Garp said.
"Oh, not a bad youth." Hearing Garp's words, Sengoku responded casually.
These days, countless young people harbored dreams of becoming Marine Admirals and joined the Marines. Sengoku naturally treated Kai as just another one of them. However, Garp's next words left Sengoku completely stunned—no! Everyone in the room was stunned.
"This kid Kai is indeed quite something. He mastered all the Marine Six Powers within a month." Garp said matter-of-factly while picking his nose.
"Oh, quite talented..."
Sengoku began speaking with a calm expression, but stopped mid-sentence, his eyes widening as he stared at Garp: "What did you say? Garp, he mastered the Marine Six Powers in one month!? How is that possible?" As he spoke, Sengoku looked at Garp with suspicion.
Seeing Sengoku's expression, Garp was clearly displeased and shouted: "What? Sengoku, do you think I'd lie to you!? I personally taught this kid Kai the Six Powers—of course it's true!"
Mastering the Marine Six Powers in one month!? Sengoku understood better than anyone what this concept meant and represented! Ever since Roger began the Great Pirate Era, the entire world had surged toward the seas. Basically, anyone with ambition would choose to become a pirate to search for the great treasure that was ONE PIECE!
Although the number of people dreaming of becoming Marines also increased, compared to the explosively growing number of pirates, it was still a drop in the bucket—especially those with exceptional talent.
Since the era of Kizaru, Akainu, and Aokiji, the Marines hadn't produced any exceptionally talented individuals. At most, they got Marines at the level of Smoker or Sentomaru, completely unable to help the Marines gain more influence on the seas.
Think about the future—the mighty World Government's strongest military force, the Marines, when dealing with an aged Whitebeard, not only had to borrow the power of the "Seven Warlords of the Sea" but also rely on technological assistance just to barely defeat a Whitebeard who had resolved to die.
Even more so, after the Summit War, the Marines actually had to use methods like World Military Draft to find strong individuals to supplement their ranks—truly pathetic.
Although Sengoku wasn't clear about Kai's exact strength, being able to master the Marine Six Powers meant he at least possessed the strength of a top Vice Admiral. Looking at Kai's current age and adding some tempering, he'd definitely reach Admiral-level strength!
"Good, good, good! Garp, you did well!" Sengoku was so excited he became somewhat incoherent.
This was Admiral-level strength! Counting the entire Marines, there were only six or seven such individuals. Now with one more appearing out of nowhere, how could Sengoku not be excited?
Moreover, with Kai's monstrous talent, if nothing unexpected happened, growing to surpass Admiral level like himself and Garp was basically a sure thing. Even becoming a powerhouse like Whitebeard who ruled the seas in ten or twenty years wasn't impossible!
In that case, the Marines could at least maintain their position as maritime hegemon for several more decades!
"Mastering the Marine Six Powers completely in one month? Ridiculous! How is that possible!?"
Akainu scoffed at Garp's words. Before consuming the Magma-Magma Fruit, Akainu had studied the Marine Six Powers for a period and naturally understood their training difficulty. Arrogant and obstinate as he was, Akainu would never believe such a talented person existed in the world!
"Since that's the case, let me verify it myself!"
Akainu spoke up, a fierce look flashing in his eyes. Having found an excuse, he naturally wouldn't be polite. His right hand formed a fist and suddenly punched out!
Great Eruption!
Seeing the incoming magma fist, Kai's lips curved in an enigmatic smile. This was actually the technique he was most familiar with. However, at this moment, there was no way to test which was more scorching and powerful between the two—quite a pity.
Rokushiki: Tempest Kick—Demon!
An extension technique Kai had created from Tempest Kick! Fusing the advantages of his original taijutsu Night Guy, he had created this Tempest Kick extension technique!
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