This world is vast—so vast that even within the same organization, two people might live their entire lives without ever coming within hundreds of kilometers of each other.
But this world can also feel very small.
The moment Michael admitted he had a daughter named "Maria D. Yamato," the news spread across the seas faster than lightning, echoing like a deafening clap of thunder.
And on these seas that had grown relatively calm in recent years, that was like tossing in a stone—not too big, not too small—that set off ripples upon ripples.
Michael's current status was no longer that of the ordinary Vice Admiral who once lurked in the shadows, stirring up trouble.
He was now one of the true top brass of the Marines—the Chief Inspector, in charge of overseeing internal conduct within the Navy itself.
It could be said this was the biggest piece of gossip in recent years, second only to Fisher Tiger seizing the perfect moment to free the slaves of Mary Geoise.
The whole world was eating up the drama with absolute delight.
And right on cue, the World Economy News published a photo of Michael with Yamato.
Setting aside the fact that the daughter was much taller than the father—and had a pair of demonic horns on her head—Michael really did have the kind of face that could produce such a beautiful daughter.
But soon, the discussion about Michael and Yamato shifted into: "Does Michael have… that kind of preference?"
One could imagine that after Kaido saw this wave of news, he probably spat out another mouthful of blood.
Yet no matter how noisy the seas became, it didn't disturb Michael's peace and quiet at Marine Headquarters in the slightest…
...
"Peace and quiet, my ass—you're just enjoying the show, aren't you?"
Garp and Michael each reclined on their own lounge chair on the beach, looking utterly relaxed.
Blue sky, sand, a gentle breeze… and two old geezers.
"I'm not really enjoying the show, am I? It's just some pointless drama between two young girls. What's it got to do with me?" Michael rolled his eyes. "Besides, those two little girls got along surprisingly well the moment they met… It's great. At first, I was worried Yamato and Hancock might clash, but now I see I was overthinking things."
"Michael… do you actually believe that, or are you just being sarcastic?"
Garp sat up straight and pointed toward the distant grove, now full of craters and devastation like a hurricane had blown through.
"One's an excellent female Marine, Base Commander of the branch. The other's a promising new recruit who just joined the Navy… A little sparring is normal, right?" Michael waved his hand casually. "Old man Garp, you're making a big deal out of nothing."
"Are you serious?"
Garp's mouth twitched before he lay back down again.
If even the father didn't care, why should the old man bother?
Though, every time this happened, Garp couldn't help but sigh inwardly at Michael's terrifying skill at stealing people from under their noses…
Damn, even Kaido's daughter didn't escape his grasp!
And judging by the fight, Yamato's talent was definitely among the top across the entire sea.
Thinking about it that way…
Let them fight.
If she could become a pillar of the Marines in the future, fighting a hundred times a day wouldn't be too much.
Back then, Akainu, Kizaru, Aokiji, as well as Momousagi and Chaton, were always fighting—small fights every three days, big fights every five. If they weren't fighting, they were on the way to a fight.
You get used to it.
Honestly, this could be considered a long-standing tradition among Marine powerhouses.
...
"Phew! You really are strong, woman."
"Hmph! You're not bad yourself!"
Hancock and Yamato stood face to face in the middle of the cratered battlefield, neither backing down.
But judging by their condition, Hancock clearly had the upper hand.
After all, she had been trained from a young age by top instructors in the Marines—people like Garp and Zephyr.
In the original timeline, she had spent years as a slave, only to return to Amazon Lily, head out to sea soon after, defeat enemies worth eighty million on her first expedition, and eventually become one of the Shichibukai.
One could say it was sheer natural talent that let her rise from a helpless slave to the Pirate Empress in just a few years.
And now, this Hancock had been nurtured since childhood with the Marines' full attention.
On top of that, compared to Yamato, Hancock possessed far more combat experience—something Yamato lacked.
Still, to fight Hancock to a roughly 30-70 split was already impressive.
Given time, Yamato would definitely catch up.
"But as Michael's daughter, I will never disgrace the name of the Maria family!"
"…Woman, now you're really making me mad!" Hancock glared at Yamato, who once again readied her stance. "No matter how I look at you, you don't seem like Michael's real daughter at all!"
"Not by blood, but in every way that matters." Yamato showed a faint, bitter smile. "At the very least, Michael never treated me like some weapon in his hands waiting to be forged."
With that, Yamato, in her human-beast form, raised her kanabo and leapt high into the air, bringing it down toward Hancock from above.
The freezing power of the Mythical Zoan—Dog-Dog Fruit, Okuchi-no-Makami Form—erupted forth, tinged with the unconscious release of Conqueror's Haki.
Hancock looked up and sighed.
"Your strength is impressive… but too slow."
Then the corners of her mouth curved into a smile.
Her foot stomped hard, and in an instant, she vanished.
This was her powerful physique combined with the movement technique of Soru, forming a brand-new body technique.
"Ever since I learned this move, I've never actually used it in battle. All my previous opponents fell before I even got the chance… You're the first."
Hancock reappeared in midair behind Yamato, upside down like a striking hawk.
"Leg: Impact!"
Overwhelming Haki condensed on Hancock's leg. A reverse midair kick slammed into Yamato, unleashing a massive shockwave that engulfed the entire battlefield.
The grove, already full of craters, was now completely obliterated.
...
"Holy crap, when did Hancock learn your old moves!?"
"Hah? What, I can't teach a few more students?" Garp smirked. "Not my fault—you and Kuzan weren't interested when I offered to teach you. So I had to pass it on to someone else."
"That's your takeaway!?" Michael jumped to his feet. "You think everyone's body is as monstrous as yours, able to rival Whitebeard himself!?"
"Too bad for you—they all learned it."
"Wait… 'they'? Explain yourself."
"Besides Hancock, did you forget my very first disciple… Stella?"
"…Damn it, I actually fell for that."
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