(Translator Note- Before the War between Shiki and Roger, the sea area was named unnamed. So I will be using the Edd War Sea now before their war.)
"He's clearly just a seventeen-year-old kid! But his Conqueror's Haki is already on par with that of the great pirates of this era."
"This makes no sense at all!"
Both Sengoku and Zephyr felt their hearts tremble. They simply couldn't believe what they had witnessed; it defied all logic and experience.
This was especially true after Garp had just told them that the boy had only been training for seven days.
"This isn't just a monster anymore," Sengoku murmured. "This is..."
"...a miracle!"
Sengoku's voice was slightly unsteady as he spoke.
He had never encountered someone like this before: someone who knew almost nothing about the world yet could suddenly awaken Conqueror's Haki and even master the Infusion, a technique that only the world's strongest figures could use.
"To stun Sakazuki without affecting anyone else nearby... His control over his Haki is incredibly refined," Zephyr added wit his sharp professional judgment.
Both men were among the strongest in the world, and they could make precise assessments.
The three young monsters of the Marine's new generation were indeed powerful, but they were still young, having joined the Marines not long ago; Kuzan, especially, had only been enlisted for two years.
However, even they could hardly withstand Haki of such magnitude. Officers at the rank of Vice Admiral would have trouble resisting that kind of focused pressure.
After calming the surge of shock and excitement within him, Sengoku looked at Garp, who was still scolding and furiously punching the black-haired youth.
Sengoku couldn't help but let out a soft laugh, overwhelmed by emotion.
Nearby, Kuzan and Borsalino were frantically patting Sakazuki's face and calling for medics.
"Sakazuki, age 28."
"Borsalino, age 31."
"Both joined the Marines in the same year. Both are your students."
"Kuzan is younger, 22."
Taking a deep breath, Sengoku's gaze fell once more upon the black-haired youth clutching his head in pain.
"And Garp's disciple, Kōjin, age 17."
"Yet he already has a head start on the other three. If he's properly guided and trained..."
A genuine smile blossomed on Sengoku's face.
"I can already see the future of the Marines and how brilliant it will be. I can see what the next generation will become...the dawn of an even stronger Marine era."
Zephyr stood there silently, deep in thought.
"Zephyr," Sengoku said. "The responsibility of teaching the next generation will fall on you. Garp is too rough and carefree; he's completely unfit to be an instructor. I'm worried Kōjin might stray down the wrong path."
Sengoku sighed and looked forward.
The medics arrived and quickly carried the unconscious Sakazuki away on a stretcher.
"I understand," Zephyr nodded, his mind already spinning with training schedules.
Then, the two Admirals turned and left.
Moments later, the G-5 Fortress Base exploded into a frenzy of gossip.
"Sakazuki lost?"
"I heard a newcomer beat him in a single move. Supposedly, he's Vice-Admiral Garp's disciple!"
"Is he another monster?"
News of the brief, intense battle spread through the base like wildfire. Within moments, everyone was buzzing about Kōjin's name.
"What a terrifying monster that Kōjin guy is," Borsalino said, clicking his tongue in amazement and staring at him in awe.
He couldn't understand that terrifying aura, only that it made his very soul tremble. He couldn't resist it at all. His peer, Sakazuki, who had joined the Marines the same year, was knocked out after just one encounter.
If that wasn't a monster, then what was?
"Borsalino San, you're the real monster," Kōjin replied with a faint smile. He had recovered slightly from Garp's beating.
Kuzan, sitting nearby, rubbed his forehead helplessly.
Glancing at the black-haired boy beside him, he saw two large bumps on his head, stacked like a pair of black, gourd-shaped knots.
"By the way, Kuzan," Borsalino said with a sly grin, "Have you heard the news?"
"What news?" Kuzan asked with a puzzled look on his face.
"A little something from Headquarters," Borsalino said with his trademark lazy smile. "About an upcoming commendation for outstanding Marines."
Kuzan froze for a moment.
"It's likely the commendation is for the three of us," Borsalino said, still grinning. "Of course... Now it seems we'll have to add Kōjin San's to that list as well."
Kuzan blinked in surprise but didn't say anything.
"It might involve a Devil Fruit," Borsalino added, licking his lips with anticipation.
Kuzan's expression finally changed. "That would be quite the shocking piece of news."
Kōjin listened quietly, but deep down, he was taken aback by what he heard.
If this commendation truly involved Devil Fruits, then that would mean the future three Admirals would soon receive the very fruits that would define them.
The question of when the three Admirals obtained their fruits had long been a hot topic in fan discussions in his previous life.
Some said the trio had stumbled upon their fruits before joining the Marines, purely by chance. Others claimed that they obtained them after joining the Marines due to luck, which allowed them to rise above all others and earn the title of "Monsters."
However, there was a third theory that Kōjin personally believed was the most reasonable.
After joining the Marines, the three were recognized for their exceptional strength and potential, and under the World Government's centralized system, they were granted their Logia-type Fruits as part of an official Marine allocation.
All three theories had merit, but the last one truly fit the structure of the World Government.
After all, organizations like CP9 had access to Devil Fruits through the World Government's channels. This is proof that the Government has immense influence and stockpiles of Devil Fruits. Many of the Marine Headquarters' top officers also possessed Devil Fruit abilities.
From that alone, it wasn't difficult to infer that the Marines had an internal Devil Fruit distribution system. If all those powerful Marines had simply "found" their own Fruits, it would be far too coincidental. A structured distribution system made much more sense.
"Could the three Logia Fruits really be given out during this commendation?"
Kōjin couldn't help but wonder.
In his past life, Oda never clearly explained the origins of the Admirals' Fruits. Fans could only speculate endlessly.
Now, in this real version of the One Piece world he had crossed into, things might not follow the same path as the manga. His own existence could already be changing the course of events with its powerful "butterfly effect."
"Besides," Borsalino continued, his tone suddenly turning serious, "the situation in the New World, specifically in the Edd War Sea, has become explosive! A massive battle between pirates seems inevitable."
The whole world is watching. Headquarters is on full alert, and Fleet Admiral Kong himself is personally overseeing the situation."
Hearing that, Kuzan's face also grew grave.
Kōjin listened silently.
He knew exactly what the Battle of Edd War was: the most dangerous battle the Roger Pirates had ever faced. They nearly perished at the hands of Golden Lion Shiki's encirclement.
That battle proved just how terrifying the Three Great Legendary Pirates of this era truly were. Their power was nearly equal, and each was a force capable of shaking the world.
At that time, Shiki was considered to be at the peak of his power, and his influence was perhaps the greatest among the three legends.
In the days that followed, the G-5 Fortress appeared deceptively calm.
But Kōjin could clearly sense the calm before the storm. Headquarters was quietly mobilizing as wave after wave of troops gathered at the base.
He continued his silent training, refining his Six Powers (Rokushiki), waiting for the Marine High Command's inevitable attack orders.
"The Three Great Legendary Pirates..."
"I can't wait to see them."
(End of chapter.)
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