After the meeting ended, Zephyr, Sengoku, and Garp walked side by side through the long corridors of Marine Headquarters.
"Garp… Sengoku…"
Zephyr suddenly stopped and spoke.
"Is there some way to use Conqueror's Haki that can… well—directly lock onto a distant enemy and suppress them?"
"Huh?"
Garp dug a finger into his nose, looking completely baffled.
"Conqueror's Haki can do that?! Isn't it just for knocking out fodder and coating attacks?"
"So Gern really awakened Conqueror's Haki," Sengoku said, pushing up his glasses, his eyes sharp.
"Which makes sense. The photos in the paper clearly showed Conqueror's coating."
The two of them tacitly avoided mentioning the black blade Bahuang, as if it were an unspoken secret.
"But the method you mentioned," Sengoku continued,
"we honestly don't know it either. Even though many awaken Conqueror's Haki, each person's manifestation is fundamentally different."
"I was just curious," Zephyr sighed.
"That day, when Gern awakened it and slashed Golden Lion, his state was… strange."
"It was clearly his first awakening, yet he looked like someone already proficient in Conqueror's Haki."
"But now that he's calmed down…"
"He can't even release basic intimidation."
"Alright, alright!" Garp laughed loudly, slapping Zephyr on the shoulder.
"Didn't Sengoku already say it? Everyone's Conqueror's Haki works differently!"
"I'll talk to that brat when I have time. But in the end, Conqueror's Haki is something you must comprehend yourself."
"At most, I can teach him the basics."
"Garp is right," Sengoku nodded.
"Conqueror's Haki is the 'quality of a king.'"
"It's not just intimidation—it's the embodiment of will."
"If Gern awakened it, that means he has the qualification. How far he goes depends entirely on him."
"Hey Sengoku," Garp suddenly blurted out,
"Do you want to become the King of the Marines?"
Sengoku's expression stiffened instantly.
"What nonsense are you spouting, Garp?"
"Well, you said it's kingly qualification!" Garp grinned maliciously.
"I awakened it too, but I don't want to be king!"
He leaned in closer.
"Come on, Sengoku, tell me quietly—are you planning to take down Fleet Admiral Kong and—mmph?!"
Before he could finish, Sengoku clamped a hand over his mouth.
"Are you insane?! How dare you say something like that?!"
Garp broke free.
"So you don't want to be Fleet Admiral?"
"That is my dream," Sengoku answered solemnly.
"To realize my justice, I must reach that position."
"Then it's settled!" Garp laughed wildly.
"We'll take down Kong together, and I'll recommend you! Hahahaha!"
And with that, he bolted.
"…That idiot," Sengoku gritted his teeth.
Zephyr shook his head with a smile.
"He's always been like that."
Then, after a pause, he added meaningfully,
"Still… 'Justice that reigns' does require that position."
"Forget that idiot," Sengoku rubbed his temples and looked at Zephyr.
"More importantly—are you sure about this?"
"The application you submitted to the Fleet Admiral…"
Zephyr's eyes dimmed.
Images of fighting Golden Lion flashed through his mind.
He subconsciously touched the scar on his chest.
"In a few years, my strength will fall behind," he said hoarsely.
"Instead of occupying that position, it's better to withdraw with dignity."
"And…"
"Lina is pregnant."
"In a few years, when the timing is right, I'll step down as an admiral and take on the role of Chief Instructor."
He looked toward the training grounds.
"But before that…"
"Those four still need time to grow."
"After what happened with Gern, the Fleet Admiral will approve your plan," Sengoku said, placing a hand on Zephyr's shoulder.
The two looked out the window together.
"The future backbone of the Marines depends on you, Zephyr."
"They may not know, but I do."
"Your 'no-kill' philosophy isn't mercy toward pirates—it's mercy toward your own heart."
"So please, instill that 'no-kill' compassion into the next generation."
"Because every form of justice must be built upon compassion."
"Without it… justice ceases to be justice."
A few days later, inside the Fleet Admiral's office.
Kong sat behind his massive desk, an old proposal laid open before him.
"Marine Elite Training Camp Proposal"
It was a plan Zephyr had submitted long ago—to centrally cultivate the next generation of Marine core forces.
Originally, Kong had rejected it.
Such a system would disrupt the existing promotion structure.
But now…
Especially after the appearance of someone like Gern—who rose from a Four Seas branch.
His existence proved that relying solely on Marineford Academy slots wasted far too much talent.
Kong tapped the desk thoughtfully.
"Future Fleet Admiral Sengoku… Garp and Zephyr as frontline pillars…"
Zephyr's declining strength made him sigh.
"But at least he wants to cultivate the next generation."
Kong glanced at another document—listing the Marine prodigies:
Kuzan. Borsalino. Sakazuki. And… Gern.
Originally, Gern's background should've placed him below the others.
But a single slash that nearly killed Golden Lion placed him firmly among the "monsters."
"Four young Marine monsters…" Kong smiled faintly.
"Then let these four be the opening act."
"And the future seas…"
"Surely can't remain dominated by four great pirates forever."
After a moment of hesitation, Kong picked up his pen and signed.
Marine Elite Training Camp — officially launched.
A major reform had begun.
For the first time, Marines from the Four Seas were given a direct path to the core.
Talent over background. Strength over pedigree.
The future seas…
Would be ruled by the Marines.
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