After a bit more idle talk at the harbor, Kuzan lazily waved goodbye and wandered off to his own quarters, hands shoved in his pockets.
Kai watched him go.
Then turned his eyes back to Marineford, his gaze bright with anticipation.
If he could train under Zephyr—
His path toward Haki mastery would become infinitely smoother.
"Training camp, huh…"
"I wonder who else is in this batch."
"Which of them will become the pillars of the Marines' future?"
Kai's eyes narrowed thoughtfully.
Over the years, Zephyr's training camp had produced an entire generation of powerhouses.
Polusalino.
Sakazuki.
Kuzan.
And many more names that shook the sea in the New Era—
Almost all of them had been Zephyr's students.
The significance of that camp to Marine Headquarters couldn't be overstated.
Most of the Marines' mid- to high-level combat power…
Had all come from there.
A short while later—
Garp's trusted adjutant, Lieutenant Colonel Bocato, approached Kai with a respectful bow.
"Mr. Kai,"Bocato said, "Vice Admiral Garp had urgent business and needed to head to the Fleet Admiral's office to report in."
"As for your accommodations…"
"He's delegated that responsibility to me."
"I've already received approval to arrange your lodging."
"That so?"Kai nodded.
He understood perfectly well.
Now that Garp had returned to Headquarters, he'd inevitably be tied up with meetings, briefings, and paperwork—at least the paperwork he couldn't shove onto Bocato.
So Kai didn't mind following the lieutenant colonel for now.
As they walked, Bocato took the chance to show him around.
They crossed plazas and courtyards, passed through training grounds and shooting ranges, walked past armories and mission boards…
Everywhere they went—
There were Marines.
In the outside world, Marine officers were a rare sight.
But here, in Marineford—
They were as common as stones on the beach.
Every few steps, they'd see someone in a "Justice" cloak.
Major.
Lieutenant Commander.
Commander.
Captain.
All of them wore the cloak over their shoulders.
And every time they saw Bocato—
They greeted him warmly.
Not because he was a lieutenant colonel.
Ranks like that were a dime a dozen here.
But because—
He was Garp's right-hand man.
The only adjutant that the Hero of the Marines trusted at his side.
That alone—
Was enough to earn envy and respect.
"Marineford is divided into several main zones," Bocato explained as they walked. "Living quarters, mission area, training district, firing ranges, residential blocks, Marine dormitories, and more."
"In terms of economic resources and supplies…"
"This place is no worse off than any major island."
"The only real difference is that everything here exists to support Marine operations."
Kai nodded as he listened, gradually piecing together an internal layout of Headquarters in his mind.
Before long—
Bocato pointed ahead.
"Next, I'll be taking you to the Marine dormitory sector," he said.
A massive complex of buildings came into view, neatly arranged and stretching out across the foothills of one side of the island.
Row upon row of multi-story dormitories rose toward the sky.
There were at least thirty distinct blocks clustered together.
Thirty large dorm structures—
All for Marines.
Kai silently estimated the capacity.
Hundreds of thousands, easily.
As the Marine's primary military hub, Marineford had to maintain a terrifying reserve of manpower at all times.
"This way, Mr. Kai."
"I've finished all the paperwork on your behalf."
"From today onward, your assigned quarters will be here."
"A private dormitory."
"If you feel it's not suitable, please tell me. I'll do my best to negotiate with the higher-ups for a different location."
Bocato's tone was unfailingly polite.
Not just because Kai was Garp's grandson—
But also because Bocato had been personally floored by this "four-year-old" once before.
Literally.
Three punches.
That was all it had taken to knock him flat.
That kind of power demanded respect.
"No need. This place is fine,"Kai said, looking around. "Nice scenery. Mountain in the back, water to the side. Flowers everywhere. Can't complain."
Bocato smiled and handed him a key.
Kai took it, then walked up to one of the smaller standalone buildings.
A single-unit residence.
He pushed the key into the lock and gave a small wave over his shoulder.
"Lieutenant Colonel Bocato, I won't keep you," he said. "Thanks for showing me around."
With that, he opened the door and stepped inside.
The interior was spacious and fully furnished.
Living room.
Bedroom.
Kitchen.
Separate bath.
Everything a person might need was already in place.
Outside, there was even a little yard—
With flowers in bloom, a few well-tended shrubs, and a small pond reflecting the sky.
Behind the house, a mountain sloped gently upward, trees clustered along its base.
To the left—
A multi-person dormitory for Marine recruits.
To the right—
A clear, broad lake that glittered in the sunlight.
It was, in a word—
Pleasant.
"Nice," Kai murmured, a faint smile tugging at his lips. "Marine HQ does know how to treat a guy."
"Guess being a third-generation officer does have its perks."
Given his deeds so far—
He deserved no less.
From the East Blue to Headquarters, in just this short journey—
How many pirates had he defeated?
How many crews had he wiped out?
How much pressure had he taken off the Marines?
Those records were carved deeply into his personal file.
Once he officially joined the organization and graduated from the training camp—
There was no universe in which they'd make him start from the very bottom.
With his achievements and potential…
His first rank would definitely be at officer level.
Behind him—
Bocato let out a quiet breath and turned to leave, his own thoughts already shifting back to his piles of paperwork.
Life at Headquarters for Marine officers—
Was rarely peaceful.
If you weren't training or on assignment—
You were doing paperwork.
Or sitting in on meetings.
Or picking up the slack for some superior who'd "gone out for a stroll."
And since Garp was the champion of shirking administrative duties…
Most of his workload fell squarely on Bocato's shoulders.
Which was why Garp always seemed so relaxed.
Thanks to one very overworked adjutant.
…
Creaaak—
The door to the private dorm closed behind Kai.
He walked in and glanced around.
High ceilings.
Large windows.
Sturdy, solid furniture.
Everything smelled faintly of cleaning solution and sun-warmed wood, like the place had just been aired out and prepared.
"All set up and ready to go, huh…"
"Marine HQ really doesn't mess around."
He dropped his small travel bag onto the sofa and loosened his shoulders.
"A new environment."
"New rhythm."
"Guess today's as good a day as any…"
"To start getting used to it."
He shrugged off his shirt, revealing a lean, powerful frame crisscrossed with finely honed muscle lines.
Without wasting another moment—
He dropped straight into his usual training routine.
Push-ups.
Sit-ups.
Squats.
Basic conditioning layered with Rokushiki drills.
Every motion was executed with precision and explosive control.
Each breath was measured.
Each rep deliberate.
While Kai's training echoed silently through his new quarters—
Elsewhere, in another part of Marineford—
Things were far from quiet.
…
Fleet Admiral's Office.
This was where Steel Bone Kong, the highest commander of the Marines, handled official business on a daily basis.
On this particular day—
The peace was shattered by a set of heavy footfalls and an extremely aggressive knock.
BANG! BANG! BANG!
The door shook violently with each impact, dust and tiny splinters drifting down from the frame.
Kong's temple throbbed.
He didn't even need to ask who it was.
"Garp, you bastard!" he snarled inwardly, jaw tightening.
Only one person would dare knock like that on the Fleet Admiral's door.
A moment later—
The door swung open.
Garp strode in, as casual as if he owned the place.
He plopped down on the sofa without waiting for permission, grinning from ear to ear.
"Now, now, Kong," he said lazily. "No need to be so worked up."
"Today, I brought back something great for the Marines."
"No—someone."
"A once-in-a-century genius."
"Future pillar of Headquarters."
"My grandson, Kai!"
"The scariest monster on the sea! Bar none!"
His voice was full of pride—
So blatant it practically overflowed into the room.
The anger on Kong's face evaporated in an instant.
His brows shot up.
His eyes lit with anticipation.
"You brought him back?"Kong leaned forward, unable to hide his excitement. "Where is he?"
"Why didn't you bring him with you?!"
"I've been dying to meet that four-year-old who already awakened and mastered Conqueror's Haki!"
"That kid…"
"Is practically guaranteed to be an Admiral in the future!"
"He's the kind of person who'll carry the Marines' banner into the next era!"
Garp smirked.
He'd expected this reaction.
"Relax," he said, waving a hand. "I've already got everything arranged."
"I'm going to send the brat to Zephyr's training camp."
"Have that old guy coach him properly for a while."
"Zephyr's not as strong as he used to be…"
"But when it comes to teaching…"
"He's still the best there is."
"If we leave Kai in his hands…"
"Then with that monster's talent…"
"I'd say that within a few months, tops, he'll be fully proficient in both types of Haki."
He leaned back, folding his arms behind his head.
"And when that happens…"
"You'll see for yourself, Kong."
"This brat of mine…"
"Is going to shake the entire sea."
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