Time flew by like a white horse passing a crack in the wall.
For most of the Marines in G-5 Branch, these three months had been the happiest and most peaceful of their entire lives.
Ever since Admiral Haiiroyo wrung a huge fortune out of the Big Mom Pirates, he had completely entered a "semi-retired" state.
His daily routine consisted of sleeping on his private beach, drinking tea, and occasionally rolling over.
Within the entire G-5 Branch, no emergency missions, no pressure from higher-ups, and not even pirates dared approach these waters.
The Marines' daily life was simple: basic training, receiving endless bonus payouts, and enjoying Sanji's meals, each one comparable to a five-star meal.
They were living better than Celestial Dragons.
Yet amid this tranquil paradise, the back mountain training grounds had become the branch's one and only "forbidden zone."
Because over the past three months, in that place, there had been daily explosions, inhuman roars, and… Instructor Rehn's loud, spirited scolding filled with bizarre metaphors.
Everyone knew the same thing: the lucky man who obtained a Mythical Zoan Devil Fruit, Lieutenant Commander Potts, was undergoing hellish special training there.
Three months later, today.
G-5 Branch, Cafeteria.
Lunch hour. As lively as always.
Sanji, dressed in his immaculate suit, moved elegantly between tables, delivering his special dishes to familiar Marines. Occasionally, he winked at passing female marines, drawing cheerful giggles.
His status in G-5 was now… transcendent.
Not only was he the exclusive chef of Admiral Haiiroyo, but his unfathomable strength had already become deeply rooted in everyone's mind.
Sanji hadn't been idle since joining Renzo. With Marine resources available, his Haki training had leapt forward.
Once, Tibeard challenged him to an arm-wrestling match while drunk, and was promptly blown ten meters away by the wind pressure from a single Sanji kick.
After that, no one dared question the blond chef's combat power.
Sanji lit a cigarette and prepared to enjoy a moment of peace when,
A tall figure blocked his path.
It was Potts.
And after three months, his entire aura had undergone a complete transformation.
The timid, hesitant, unconfident man from before, gone without a trace.
Replacing him was a presence as steady as stone and as sharp as a hunting raptor.
He no longer avoided eye contact. His back was straight like a spear. His gaze was steady and unshaken.
Most shocking of all, the violent aura of his Mythical Zoan form was perfectly suppressed.
Had one not seen him transform before, no one would believe this calm, disciplined officer was the same "monster" who couldn't control his strength three months ago.
"Yo, Potts. Done with special training?" Sanji exhaled a smoke ring, greeting him lazily.
"Judging by your face, looks like you improved. Want a high-protein post-training meal?"
"Sanji-san." Potts's voice was steady and powerful.
"I will eat later. Before that… I wish to challenge you."
"...Huh?"
Sanji tapped his ear, wondering if he misheard.
The cafeteria noise died instantly.
Every Marine turned toward them with wide eyes, faces full of gossip and disbelief.
Lieutenant Commander Potts… challenging Sanji?
This was massive news.
One was the "official cheat" personally chosen by the Admiral, wielder of a Mythical Zoan fruit.
The other was the mysterious, terrifyingly strong Admiral's Chef.
A fight between the two?
Who wouldn't want to watch?
Sanji blinked, then grinned and flicked his cigarette to the floor, crushing it under his shoe.
"Interesting. Looks like that fat Rehn really whipped you into confidence. Fine, let me test your three months of training. Let's see if you're qualified to handle Renzo's 'troubles.'"
"That is exactly my intention!"
Potts's eyes burned with fighting spirit.
The news spread across the entire G-5 branch instantly, as if it sprouted wings.
Back Mountain Training Grounds was swarming with people.
Nearly every off-duty Marine rushed over, forming a tightly packed crowd around the huge field.
Even Ain and Monet stopped their work and came to watch.
Rehn stood proudly at the front, belly sticking out, hands behind his back, wearing a smug my student is finally ready expression.
He whispered nonstop to Ain:
"Miss Ain, do you see it? This is the result of the 'Efficiency Training Method'! The Potts of today is no longer the weakling from three months ago! His control over his power is flawless! All thanks to my 'everything for reducing Lord Renzo's workload' training philosophy!"
Ain nodded politely, though her eyes were fixed on the field.
On the faraway beach, under the iconic giant parasol, Renzo lay on his beach chair as always.
He lifted his head slightly at the noise.
When he heard it was Potts challenging Sanji, he lay back down again with lazy disinterest.
He only muttered:
"As long as they don't dirty my beach…"
Clearly, in his mind, a fight of this level did not warrant him moving a muscle.
Center of the training grounds.
Potts and Sanji stood facing each other, twenty meters apart.
"Are you ready, Sanji-san?" Potts lowered into a stance, aura rising like a storm.
"That's my line, Lieutenant Commander Chicken," Sanji replied casually.
He stretched his ankles, relaxed but sharp-eyed.
The next second-
They moved at the exact same moment.
"Soru!"
Sanji's figure vanished, reappearing right in front of Potts!
His right leg, clad in Armament Haki, swung down like a battle axe toward Potts's head!
The strike was so fast that ninety-nine percent of the onlookers only saw a blur.
But Potts did not dodge.
"Rrraaagh!"
With a low roar, his body expanded, entering hybrid form!
His massive claws, coated in dense Armament Haki, rose to meet the kick head-on!
CLANG!!!
A deafening metallic crash rang out!
The collision of Armament against Armament sent a shockwave of black energy bursting outward.
The ground beneath them shattered instantly, cracks spreading like spiderwebs for several meters.
"What?!"
"He… he blocked it?!"
The Marines erupted in disbelief.
Sanji's kick was blocked head-on by Potts!
"Oh? Not bad."
Sanji flipped back smoothly, landing lightly on the ground, a rare hint of seriousness in his eyes.
"Your reaction speed has increased a lot. And that Armament Haki… its strength isn't bad."
"This is only the beginning!"
Potts smiled confidently, his hybrid form brimming with power.
He flapped his wings.
WHOOSH!!
A violent gust exploded outward as he shot into the air, rising dozens of meters in seconds!
"Fighting someone who can fly is troublesome, you know!"
He called down triumphantly.
"Oh really?" Sanji smirked.
"Who said I can't fly?"
"Geppo."
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Sanji stomped the air repeatedly, producing bursts of sound, ascending into the sky as though climbing invisible stairs!
The Marines on the ground fell completely silent.
Then-
"HE CAN FLY?!"
"That chef… is he even human?!"
Suspended in the air, two silhouettes faced each other.
A battle of the sky was about to begin.
Potts's eyes burned fiercely.
His three months of suffering were for this very moment.
He wanted everyone, especially the man lying lazily on the beach, to see that he was no longer someone who needed protection.
He was someone who could fight.
.....
If you enjoy the story, my p@treon is 30 chapters ahead.
[email protected]/DaoistJinzu