When Michael left Hogback's yard, he couldn't help feeling rather emotional.
Although Hogback was just a small figure, he still reflected the reality of his own existence and the impact he had on the entire world.
Since Gecko Moria hadn't been completely crushed, he still became one of the Shichibukai, so he didn't indulge in collecting corpses and modifying zombies.
As a result, he never contacted Hogback under the excuse of resurrecting Cindry at this point in time.
And Hogback, who was originally supposed to become one of Moria's three monsters, ended up drifting far away from his original life trajectory, joining the Empress branch's affiliated hospital with the thought of atonement in his heart.
But Michael didn't completely trust him just because he wanted to atone.
If he wanted to atone, then let him be an ordinary surgeon at the hospital for the rest of his life.
After all, human greed has no end. Who knows when his desires might once again surpass his guilt and take control?
...
After finishing his rough tour of the entire territory of Amazon Lily, Michael was basically satisfied.
Whether it was the construction of the troop source base or Hancock's governance, everything was remarkably effective.
And on this basis, the tradition of Amazon Lily women being fierce and powerful hadn't been abandoned, and they were still continuously sending excellent warrior talent to the Navy.
Finally, together with Sandersonia and Marigold, he headed to the Navy Branch.
As soon as he walked in, Michael immediately remembered the feeling he had when he first came to Amazon Lily.
All women!
"Because of the special nature of the branch, almost only female Marines from Amazon Lily join… During this time, we even found many descendants of Amazon Lily women wandering outside through theWorld Military Draft." Marigold said with a smile.
"But you just said 'almost,' didn't you?"
"Ah… you'll see for yourself."
Sandersonia led Michael deeper into the Navy branch.
...
Passing through the branch's office area, they arrived at the training grounds.
The original Amazon Lily beast arena had been completely transformed into the Navy's training base.
Many strong Amazon Lily women warriors were training on the field.
But in the center, there was one particularly eye-catching giant figure sparring with a group of powerful Amazon Lily women warriors.
Michael rubbed his eyes.
If he wasn't mistaken…
Wasn't that Jack!?
When did this kid end up at the branch!?
"When did Jack arrive?"
"Jack was transferred to the branch three years ago… after he completed his recruit training at Sabaody Archipelago." Sandersonia looked at Michael a bit resentfully. "You really should care more."
That sentence wasn't so much to speak up for Jack, but for themselves as well.
Michael felt a bit embarrassed.
For these children whose fates he had basically changed and who were now able to stand on their own, Michael hadn't interfered too much.
After all, he didn't want to be the annoying dad who had to meddle in everything.
But by not doing so, he was seen as not caring enough…
Maybe he should go have a drink with Whitebeard and share some experience?
"Ahem, ahem, the sea is vast for the fish to leap, the sky is high for the birds to fly… But has Jack grown taller again? Tsk tsk, this body really is terrifying."
As Michael spoke, the beast-form Jack faced the siege of more than twenty elite Amazon Lily women warriors, yet didn't fall behind at all.
Judging by their uniforms, these women warriors were all Navy officers.
And they had all mastered Armament Haki.
After constant defense, Jack seized the right moment, and with one heavy punch, he broke through the encirclement.
Then he crushed the rest of the battle in one sweep.
"Wahahaha! I win again!"
"Oh my, we really can't beat little Jack."
After the fight, the Amazon Lily women warriors gathered around Jack, smiling at the young, burly man.
"Ahahaha! I'm Vice Admiral Michael's favorite student! Of course I'm strong!" Jack's rough, burly face showed a proud expression.
Michael twitched his mouth at that.
"Hey! Jack! What nonsense are you spouting!?"
"Favorite student? I don't remember that ever happening!"
Michael's voice was like a sharp sword, stabbing straight into Jack's ears from a distance.
Jack turned his head and saw the idol he had dreamed of day and night.
Then…
"Vice Admiral Michael! I missed you so much!"
Jack shed tears of excitement.
Then, with one big leap, his eight-meter-tall frame came crashing down toward Michael.
"Eh!?" All the Amazon Lily women warriors around Michael turned pale. "Run! Little brother Jack's going crazy again!"
Michael sighed and spread his four wings.
Taking off, he caught Jack mid-air with one hand.
Then he slowly set him on the ground.
"Vice Admiral Michael is indeed Vice Admiral Michael! He lifted me with one hand! So strong!"
"More importantly… shouldn't you reflect on the fact that if you had crashed down just now, with your body's toughness… the training ground would need a major repair! That's money, you know!"
Michael's body looked tiny compared to Jack's.
But precisely because of this huge size difference, Michael's stern scolding and Jack's obedient, grandson-like demeanor felt so out of place.
Michael wasn't about to let this guy run wild…
After all, all the money for building Navy and Revolutionary Army infrastructure was basically coming from him!
When it comes to money, there's no such thing as a small matter!
"Ahem, Vice Admiral Michael, I've already been very restrained!" Jack said proudly. "In these three years, the branch's training grounds have only reported major repairs twelve times!"
"T-Twelve times!?" Michael's eyebrows furrowed as he grabbed Jack's ear. "Twelve major repairs in three years! Is your training ground disposable or what!?"
"No choice, Vice Admiral Michael. As the future mainstay of the Navy, I have to train hard!" Jack showed a helpless look. "I know the branch training grounds can't withstand my power, so I tried going to nearby uninhabited islands for training… but Hancock stopped me every time, saying she wanted to protect Amazon Lily's ecological environment… so we ended up with twelve major repairs."
"...You sure listen to Hancock."
"Hehe, no choice." Jack showed an embarrassed smile. "I've been beaten by her since I was little, so I have some psychological trauma."
"Psychological trauma…? You even know that term?"
"...Vice Admiral Michael, I've always scored A+ on the whole military's academic assessments!"
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