"A seven-year-old…"
"Strong swordsmanship…"
"And Conqueror's Haki—one in a million, the mark of a king!"
"The most terrifying part is…"
"He's only seven!"
"What kind of freak is this?!"
Bogard felt like his understanding of the world was being rewritten in real time.
What was happening with Raifeng was beyond common sense.
Now Bogard finally understood why Garp insisted on personally taking Raifeng back to Marine Headquarters—Marineford, instead of leaving him in the East Blue.
Raifeng's talent was too terrifying.
His rate of growth was even worse.
If Bogard were in Garp's shoes, he'd be terrified too.
Because if a kid like this got influenced and decided to become some "Pirate King"…
Your sanity would explode on the spot.
"Brat."
Garp snorted, staring hard at Raifeng.
He still couldn't understand it.
When had this kid learned swordsmanship?
From what Raifeng displayed…
Garp could tell one thing clearly:
Without years of training, no one moved like that.
And yet…
When Dragon handed Raifeng over, he never mentioned anything about sword training.
So what was the truth?
Garp's eyes widened like a donkey's as he kept staring, as if he could see through all of Raifeng's secrets by brute force.
"You want me to tell the truth?" Raifeng asked with a strange look.
"Of course!" Garp snapped. "What—do you want to lie instead?!"
"Fine," Raifeng said, looking resigned.
"Then I'll tell you the truth. Just don't drop your jaws."
He paused, then spoke plainly.
"Before today…"
"I had never touched swordsmanship. Not once."
Silence.
Then—
Garp exploded.
"That's impossible!"
Bogard also looked stunned.
Never touched swordsmanship?
Then what the hell was that earlier?
A "flower dance" that instantly defeated Koby?
Ridiculous.
"Brat," Garp growled, veins bulging, "if you're going to lie, at least make it believable!"
"That kind of lie doesn't even have legs to stand on!"
"Tell me the truth—or I'll introduce you to my loving fist."
Garp was furious.
He was supposed to believe this kid had never learned swordsmanship?
Then the sun might as well rise from the west.
How could someone who'd never trained swing a blade like a veteran swordsman?
It was nonsense.
"I might not know swordsmanship," Garp continued grimly, "but don't treat me like some clueless idiot."
"You're getting bolder and bolder, brat."
Raifeng sighed.
"See? I tell the truth, and you don't believe me."
"Truth?" Garp roared. "You call that truth?!"
Bogard stepped forward, face calm, and spoke in a measured tone—like an expert explaining a conclusion.
"Swordsmanship requires time—accumulation—constant practice."
"From what you displayed…"
"I can confidently say you already possess the basic qualities of a qualified swordsman."
"Your stance. Your grip. Your footwork."
"It gave me the unmistakable feeling of facing someone who has trained for ten years."
"Battle experience isn't something you can suddenly grasp.
"No matter how gifted someone is…"
There was no swordsman alive who could reach that level instantly after first touching a blade.
Experience required time.
It required repetition.
It required years.
Garp nodded aggressively beside him.
"Exactly! Hear that?!"
Bogard's gaze sharpened.
"So, based on all factors…"
"I can confirm—"
"Raifeng, you've been in contact with swordsmanship for at least three years."
"…Three years?" Garp's expression turned dark.
"You little bastard. You've hidden this from your grandpa for three whole years?!"
Listening to these two—
Their analysis was so confident, so logical, so airtight…
Raifeng felt genuinely tired.
Are you two seriously going to overthink yourselves into a full alternate history?
Please.
Stop.
He really hadn't trained swordsmanship before.
He wanted to tell the truth, and yet it was somehow impossible.
Being honest was harder than lying.
"Raifeng," Bogard said with admiration, "I was right, wasn't I?"
"At least three years."
"To reach this level in only three years… your sword talent is frightening."
"Even on the Grand Line, that would be rare."
Meanwhile, Garp started muttering to himself again.
"This brat hid it for three years…"
"How did Dragon not notice?"
"Did he hide it too well… or did Dragon simply not pay attention at all?"
Raifeng opened his mouth…
Then closed it again.
Fine.
Whatever makes you happy.
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