Bang! The door trembled, sending a layer of dust scattering, as a massive boot kicked it open without mercy.
"Garp! How many times do I have to tell you? You knock before entering!" A roar of anger echoed through the spacious, sparsely furnished room. A pair of eyes, burning with fury, seemed ready to pierce Garp on the spot.
"Admiral Kong, don't sweat the small stuff. By the way, got any donuts?" Garp asked casually, digging into his nose with one finger, a sly grin on his face. Yet his eyes were fixed on Admiral Kong's desk, where, if luck was on his side, his beloved donuts awaited.
Sighing, Kong sank into his chair, rubbing his temples in frustration. Tossing a donut toward Garp, he barely managed to keep his anger from boiling over at the sight of him.
"Thanks," Garp said, snatching the donut and plopping down without ceremony. He bit into it with exaggerated satisfaction, a disgusting yet amusing expression plastered on his face.
From the moment Ethan Hale entered the room, he felt an almost tangible pressure pressing down on him, like an invisible rope constricting his chest.
Before him stood a middle-aged man with a Mohawk and an M-shaped beard. His physique was astonishingly robust, his casual clothes overlaid by the standard Marine coat marked with "Justice." The first impression was pure strength, as if every muscle contained explosive power waiting to erupt.
This was none other than the Marine fleet commander himself the man known as the Steel Backbone, destined to become the World Government's future Supreme Commander.
To Kong's left sat a Marine in frog-eyed glasses, sporting long braided hair and an afro a man immediately recognizable as Admiral Sengoku, future Fleet Admiral.
On the right was Vice Admiral Zephyr, a figure whom Ethan admired in some respects, yet found lacking in others. Still, he could not help but feel deep respect for Zephyr's sheer strength and teaching ability.
"What brings you all here today?" Tsuru asked, her gaze sweeping over Sengoku and the others.
"It's because of the recent pirate activity at sea. The Gorosei have ordered the capture of the Roger Pirates, by any means necessary, especially Gol D. Roger himself," Sengoku said, eyes glancing toward Tsuru.
"Exactly. Roger's crew is rampaging through the New World, along with other reckless groups like the Gold Lion Pirates and Whitebeard Pirates. Our influence in these waters is being steadily eroded," Kong added, massaging his temples as if in pain.
"Garp, how's the pursuit of the Roger Pirates going?" Zephyr asked, eyeing Garp as he devoured his snack with gusto.
Crunch… crunch… Garp bit into his donut, laughter booming. "They got away… again. But this time, I spotted two real monsters for the Marines to check out."
"Eh?" Kong, Sengoku, and Zephyr all turned their gaze toward Ethan and Green-Axis simultaneously.
The Marines were indeed in desperate need of new blood. While Akainu, Kizaru, and Dragon were currently at the Academy, the increasingly turbulent seas demanded more capable hands. Recruiting strong newcomers had become one of the Marine Corps' most urgent priorities.
"You're shameless, Garp. Ethan is my responsibility," Tsuru said, her face darkening as she gritted her teeth.
"Little Tsuru, given our relationship, what's yours is mine, and mine is yours. Don't get hung up on the details," Garp said, completely unaware of the double meaning in his words.
Tsuru's cheeks flushed slightly, and she turned away, ignoring him completely.
Kong and the others simply stared at Garp with baffled expressions, while Ethan and Green-Axis' faces turned pale, their eyes blazing with anger.
"Cough… cough…" Kong cleared his throat, breaking the tense silence. "State your names. Introduce yourselves."
"Ethan Hale. Devil Fruit user. Zoan-type. Ancient breed. Phoenix." Ethan gave a slight smile, glancing at Kong, confident that this man already knew who he was.
"Green-Axis. Devil Fruit user. Logia-type. Ice-Ice Fruit," Green-Axis said lazily, exuding an air of lethargy.
"Why have you joined the Marines?" Kong asked sharply, eyes piercing Ethan and Green-Axis, releasing a palpable aura of authority.
"This old man dragged me here. I suppose… for justice," Green-Axis yawned, glancing at Garp.
"And you?" Zephyr asked, arms crossed, his gaze fixed on Ethan.
"To become stronger. To destroy the Gold Lion Pirates, and all pirates," Ethan replied, eyes calm and unwavering.
"In that case, both of you are admitted to the Academy," Kong said, glancing at Ethan one last time before addressing Garp and the others. "Whose turn is it to teach this month?"
"Mine," Zephyr said, standing.
"Good. They're in your hands," Kong waved them off, indicating that Zephyr should take Ethan and Green-Axis away.
Watching Ethan leave, Sengoku turned to Tsuru. "Are you certain he's from Sky Island? And he has a sister, and a vendetta against the Gold Lion?"
"Ninety percent sure. Garp witnessed it too. During the chase, a boy and girl fell from the sky. The boy was Ethan; the girl was captured by the Gold Lion," Tsuru explained.
"From what you're saying, it seems the Gold Lion has interest in Sky Island. That's not good," Sengoku narrowed his eyes, wary of such an ambitious pirate.
"So Ethan's motive is clear. He likely joined the Marines to save his sister. If we cultivate him quietly, I believe he'll remain loyal to the Marines and the World Government," Kong stroked his beard. "From here, it's up to him."
"All right. Next, let's discuss the Roger Pirates."
Time flew, and a week passed almost without notice.
At the Marine Academy, a 50-kilometer-diameter training ground stirred with dust and tension.
"Are you all useless? Move! No one eats unless you run 100 laps today!"
From the high platform, Zephyr's voice bellowed mercilessly down at roughly one hundred recruits.
At the front, leading the pack, were the two "monsters" Akainu and Kizaru. Zephyr's expression radiated satisfaction as he observed them.
Behind them ran Green-Axis and Ethan. Even giving his all, Ethan barely managed to hold second place.
On the first day, Ethan had been last. By the second day, progress came slowly. By the third and fourth day, he was improving steadily. He sweated far more than anyone else due to his lack of prior training.
Yet Ethan was never satisfied. Unknown to anyone, he wore a set of one-ton weighted metal bands on his arms and legs.
On the first day, he had approached Zephyr after training, requesting to carry these heavy weights throughout his exercises. Zephyr didn't ask why; he simply agreed.
Perhaps Zephyr saw potential in him. Over the past few days, Ethan's actions continually redefined what Zephyr thought possible.
If asked who was the most terrifying student, Zephyr would undoubtedly answer: Ethan Hale.
Currently, Ethan may not match Akainu, Kizaru, or Green-Axis in combat, but in sheer terrifying determination, he surpassed them all.
If asked to run 50 laps, Ethan would run 80… or even 100. Even if slower, it reflected his extraordinary, relentless willpower.
He treated himself like a monster, never giving up, training until he collapsed.
Thus, Zephyr repeatedly warned him: haste makes waste. But to Ethan, this was irrelevant. As long as he ate well and slept five hours, he could return to peak condition.
All thanks to his Devil Fruit. Being a Mythical Zoan, it was rarer even than most Logia types.
Without this fruit, he might have broken himself long ago.
Because of his relentless cultivation, some admired him, some despised him, and some bore inexplicable malice. Ethan paid them no mind. Apart from training, he only exchanged a few words with Green-Axis. His life was one of intense focus and singular purpose.