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The G-5 fortress was a sealed-off military base with a narrow entrance, connected to its inner section by a long, thin bridge.
Kyle glanced around. Massive gun batteries stood quietly on both sides, their black metal gleaming under the sun. Navy soldiers patrolled the base—every one of them disciplined, battle-tempered, and sharp-eyed.
What made him tense was that all of them were officers. The lowest ranks he saw were lieutenants, and most were field-grade officers.
"Field officers are basically the entry ticket to the New World."
"Anything lower, and you're just not strong enough," Kuzan said with a grin.
Kyle nodded.
Compared to the first half of the Grand Line—or the Four Seas—the New World was a completely different battlefield. The enemies, the power level… everything demanded far more strength.
A moment later, the group stepped into the fortress interior.
Garp and the others hurried off—they clearly had a meeting to attend—while Kyle stuck with Kuzan and Bogard.
They were greeted by a curvy, blonde female officer with long wavy hair, wearing the insignia of a lieutenant commander.
"Major Kuzan, your name's been echoing through the academy lately. Just like those two officers currently stationed here—the three of you were the monsters of the graduating class."
Her name was Rista. She smiled brightly.
"Monster? Me?" Kuzan waved dismissively, then wrapped an arm around the quiet Kyle. "This kid is the monster."
Rista looked curiously at the black-haired boy. She didn't recognize him, and he didn't seem to care about her presence at all. He didn't even nod—just listened silently.
Kuzan sighed and shook his head.
"Sorry, Lieutenant Commander Rista. He's like Bogard—another sealed jar. Hardly talks."
"I can see that," she said, amused.
Her gaze lingered on Kyle for a bit. He really wasn't much for conversation—just absorbing everything quietly.
A moment later, two tall silhouettes walked over.
"Well, well. The terrifying guy himself. Haven't seen you since graduation!"
Kyle lifted his head at the familiar voice.
His eyes narrowed for a second, then relaxed.
Walking toward them were the other two future Admirals.
"Long time no see, Borsalino, Sakazuki!" Kuzan waved.
"Word is you've been tailing Vice Admiral Garp. I wonder if you've gotten any stronger," Sakazuki said coolly.
"Haha, you'll find out soon enough."
The three immediately slipped into casual chatter. Rista bowed out politely—she knew she wasn't needed here. These three were famous across the academy, dubbed the Three Monsters for their insane talent and strength.
Their future in the Navy was practically guaranteed.
"Oh? And who's this handsome kid?" Borsalino tilted his head toward Kyle, amused. "He looks dangerous. Kuzan, aren't you going to introduce him?"
"He's Kyle, Vice Admiral Garp's disciple," Kuzan said.
He paused, then added with a rare hint of seriousness:
"And he's a monster too."
Borsalino and Sakazuki froze. They knew exactly what that word meant from Kuzan's mouth—it wasn't about personality. It was about power.
The "Three Monsters" was their title.
"If Garp took him in personally," Sakazuki said, his cold expression fading into a sharp grin, "he must be something special."
Kyle lifted his head and met the younger Sakazuki's gaze—the future Fleet Admiral. A slow smile tugged at his lips.
"Not that strong," he said calmly."But beating you wouldn't be a problem."
Kuzan nearly choked. His eternally calm, expressionless friend—showing emotion? (And this much?) Almost unheard of.
Even Bogard blinked in surprise.
Borsalino was delighted. "Ohohoh, another monster! Scary aura, scary aura~"
Sakazuki went quiet for a moment, then chuckled.
He'd already sensed it: this boy instinctively disliked him. Repulsed by him, even.
"In that case, I'd love to experience your strength myself."
The air in the room instantly thickened, the atmosphere crackling like the smoke before a battle.
—
Meanwhile, in another office…
"Shiki the Golden Lion has gathered nearly all his forces at Edd War. Such an unusual move has the entire world on edge."
"We still don't know what he's planning," Sengoku said, brow furrowed as he studied the sea chart spread across his desk.
"That bastard Shiki's stirring up trouble again." Garp snorted, though he couldn't hide the excitement in his voice. "World's biggest source of chaos!"
"But forget him—I want to know where Roger and his crew are."
Sengoku shook his head. "We're certain Roger is somewhere in this sea region, but we haven't pinpointed the exact island."
His expression darkened.
"But I can say Shiki's sudden mobilization is definitely tied to Roger."
Garp grinned and smashed a fist onto the table. "Then what are we waiting for? I can't sit still—I want to meet that guy again!"
"Calm down, Garp," Sengoku said sternly. "From the intel we have, this might turn into one of the highest-level battles between pirates in years."
"The Flying Pirates… they're gearing up to take on Roger."
"And Shiki's ambition—we've known how dangerous it is for a long time."
He sighed, then suddenly remembered something.
"By the way, what made you suddenly decide to take a kid as your disciple?"
"Even Kuzan idolizes you, but he didn't ask to be taught."
Garp grinned proudly and stuck up his thumb.
"Because that kid's incredible."
"He won't be any weaker than me in the future!"
Sengoku and Zephyr both froze.
Garp was at the peak of his prime—one of the strongest men alive. The idea that a kid he just found could grow to his level was absurd.
"The kid's talent is the most outrageous I've ever seen," Garp continued, clearly enjoying their reactions.
"When I first met him a few days ago, he couldn't do anything—his physique was only a bit better than normal. Barely at the level of a standard marine."
"But then he awakened Conqueror's Haki."
Sengoku's face changed. Zephyr's eyes widened, pupils contracting.
"And after just a few days, under my training, he's already mastered Tekkai. His physical strength isn't weaker than Kuzan's."
"He's a monster among monsters."
Garp puffed out his chest as he spoke, but didn't notice how stunned his two old friends had become.
"And on top of that…"
"He's already learned Conqueror's infusion."
Sengoku and Zephyr both jolted as if struck by lightning.
"..."
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