Marineford – Naval Training Grounds
The sun hung high in the sky, and the training grounds were filled with the smoke of battle. The air was thick with the smell of hot sweat and clashing Haki.
"Iron Cannon!!" Luffy stretched his arms back, coating them in Armament Haki, and slammed them into Garp's chest with a whistling sound.
BAM!!
His fists landed squarely on Garp, making a dull thud. But Garp was like an iron tower rooted to the ground; not even the corner of his coat moved. He grinned, his wrinkled face full of pride. "Your strength has definitely improved since last month... but you're still too green!!"
"Dammit!! Why is Grandpa's chest harder than a warship?!" Luffy swung his arms, his face red with frustration as he stomped his feet.
"Gahahahaha!!" Garp roared with laughter, then immediately threw a heavy punch at Luffy's head. "Because I'm 'Garp the Fist'!!!"
"Whoa—!!" Luffy was smashed into the ground like a spring, only his legs twitching weakly as he mumbled complaints, "Violent old man..."
Not far away, Ace and Zoro were also in a fierce spar.
"Cross Fire!!" Scalding flames shot from Ace's palms in an X-shape, sweeping towards Zoro.
Zoro's expression sharpened. He drew both his swords, coating them in Armament Haki, and sliced through the flames. "Two-Sword Style: Tiger Hunt!!" One sword cut the fire, the other aimed for Ace, but Ace had already closed the distance, a searing roundhouse kick whipping towards Zoro's side.
BAM!!
Zoro drew his sword back to defend. Both were thrown back, their feet dragging deep grooves in the ground. They were breathing heavily, sweat beading on their foreheads.
"Not bad, Mosshead!" Ace grinned, flames dancing on his fingertips.
"Hmph, you're not so bad yourself," Zoro replied coolly, but a fierce, battle-ready smile touched his lips.
Just then, a familiar, lazy voice came from the edge of the training grounds. "Ooh, looks lively here."
Everyone turned to see a figure who had appeared at the edge of the field. His black cloak billowed in the wind, his hands were in his pockets, and a smile played on his lips.
"Captain Roy!" Zoro immediately sheathed his swords and stood up straight, his expression respectful.
"Where have you been goofing off?" Ace asked defiantly, crossing his arms. "You disappear for days. Don't tell me you snuck off to some island for a hot spring trip."
"Huh? Hot springs? You little brat, stop talking nonsense!" Roy walked over and immediately punched Ace on the head. "I'm a dignified Vice Admiral of the Navy, busy with official duties, you understand?"
"Ow!" Ace muttered, rubbing his head. "Old man Garp seems pretty free..."
Garp, who had just finished pummeling Luffy, heard this and his eyes widened. "Brat, you looking for some extra training too?!"
Ace immediately shrank back and hid behind Roy. "No, no, Grandpa, I was wrong..."
Roy shook his head helplessly, then his expression grew serious. "Old-timer, there's something important I need to discuss with you and Luffy alone."
Garp's expression changed, sensing the unusual tone in his voice. He nodded gravely. "Understood." He picked up the dazed Luffy, who had just struggled out of the ground, and patted him on the back of the head. "Let's go, kid."
"Huh? Where? I haven't gotten my revenge yet!"
"Shut up and listen."
Swish!
Space fluctuated, and with a wave of Roy's hand, the three of them vanished from the training grounds, leaving behind only dust and a confused Zoro and Ace.
"Where did they go?" Zoro frowned.
Ace crossed his arms, thinking. "A secret mission, maybe...?"
The training grounds fell quiet again, the only sounds the sea breeze and the distant horn of a warship.
Marineford – Secret Rear Mountain Training Grounds
The setting sun burned like a fire in the sky, its golden light spreading across the clifftop. The sea breeze carried the sound of crashing waves from afar.
Swoosh—!
Space rippled, and Roy appeared with Garp and Luffy in a hidden training area on the rear mountain.
"Whoa—! Where is this?!" Luffy, still dizzy from being pulled out of the ground, fell to the floor, rubbing his head and looking around. This was Garp's old private training ground.
Garp surveyed the familiar surroundings, his expression serious. "Brat, you didn't bring us all the way out here just for a chat, did you?"
Roy didn't answer right away. With a grave look, he pulled a special lead box from his coat. He tapped it with one hand, and the lid slowly opened, revealing a Devil Fruit that glowed with a soft pink light. The patterns on its surface were like delicate dragon scales, hinting at an extraordinary power.
"This is..." Garp's pupils contracted, a rare look of shock on his face. "A Devil Fruit?"
"That's right," Roy said calmly. "The result of twenty years of Vegapunk's research. The Artificial Fish-Fish Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Model: Azure Dragon (Pink Version), created from Kaido's lineage factor."
Garp's expression darkened, and his breathing grew heavy. He stared at the fruit, his eyes filled with apprehension. "You brat... you dare to meddle with something so dangerous?" As a legendary Marine who had fought Kaido many times, he knew all too well the terror of the Azure Dragon form—the sky-tearing breath, the impenetrable scales, and the god-like mobility.
Roy smiled faintly. "The price was high, but it was worth it. Kaido has dominated the New World for decades with the Azure Dragon Fruit. It's time the Navy had a 'dragon' of its own."
Garp hesitated, then suddenly grabbed Roy's shoulder, his grip so heavy it cracked the ground. "Do you have any idea what this means? If the Five Elders find out..."
Roy met his gaze without flinching. "That's why Luffy needs to master it as soon as possible." He then turned to Luffy, who was still on the ground rubbing his head. "Luffy," he said gravely, "eat it."
"Huh?" Luffy's eyes widened, and he shook his head frantically. "No way! If I eat a Devil Fruit, I won't be able to swim!"
Hearing this, Garp raised his hand and delivered a solid punch. "You idiot! Do you know what this fruit means? It's a Mythical Zoan that even Logias can't compare to! And it's the powerful Azure Dragon model! Do you know what risks Roy took to get this?!"
Luffy rubbed his smoking head and mumbled, "But..."
Roy knelt down to meet Luffy's eyes, his voice soft but serious. "Luffy, do you want to get stronger?"
"Of course I do!" Luffy answered without hesitation, his eyes firm.
"Do you want to be like your grandpa and send the Pirate King flying with one punch?"
Luffy's eyes instantly lit up. "Yes!"
"Do you want to protect Ace, Nami, Nojiko, and everyone you care about?"
Luffy clenched his fists and shouted, "Of course I do!"
Roy held the box out to him. "Then accept the power of this fruit, and become the Navy's strongest dragon."
Luffy looked at the fruit, then at the expectant look in his grandfather's eyes. He gritted his teeth and shoved it into his mouth.
"Bleegh—!" Luffy's face contorted in pain. "This tastes awful!!!"
Garp and Roy exchanged a smile and took a few steps back, waiting intently.
A moment later—
BOOM!!!
A violent storm of energy erupted from Luffy's body. When the dust settled, Luffy's new form was clearly visible. He still had a human-like body, but he was significantly taller and leaner, his entire body covered in a layer of pale pink dragon scales that shimmered like pearls in the sunset. His arms, down to his fingertips, had become draconic, with sharp claws glinting coldly. Two silver horns curved back from his forehead, and his black hair was slightly longer, flowing freely. His eyes had turned amber, with sharp, imposing vertical pupils.
At this moment, Luffy looked like a true "Dragon of the Navy"—handsome and domineering, powerful yet elegant, exuding an aura that could command the world.
"Whoa! Why are my hands so itchy?!" Luffy fumbled with his new dragon claws, panicked but also incredibly excited.
Garp was dumbfounded, his mustache trembling. "Luffy... he really turned into a dragon!"
Roy nodded in satisfaction. "Thanks to Vegapunk's modifications, the fruit's berserk factor was removed, making it more suitable for Luffy's personality."
However, before they could celebrate—
Suddenly, hybrid-form Luffy's stomach rumbled. He rubbed it, confused. "My stomach feels funny..." Before he could finish, he instinctively opened his mouth. "Dragon Breath!!"
A scorching, dazzling pink dragon breath shot from his mouth. A three-meter-wide pillar of pink fire instantly blasted through a distant cliff, sending rocks and dust crashing into the sea with a deafening roar. The fiery breath melted a hole through the clouds, painting a brilliant streak across the twilight sky.
"..." Garp and Roy stared silently at the massive hole in the cliff, speechless for a moment.
After two seconds of silence, they both roared, "LUFFY!!!"
Luffy scratched his head sheepishly with his dragon claws and grinned. "Ehehe, my bad... I kinda lost control!"
-------
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