"What nonsense are you talking about?"
"Garp, jokes are fine, but don't spout ridiculous claims!"
Almost simultaneously, two loud shouts rang out.
The shock and disbelief on Sengoku and Zephyr's faces quickly turned into frowns.
At first, they had believed Garp truly accepted a talented, monster-level disciple. But the more he spoke, the more absurd his claims sounded.
A rookie who knew nothing awakening Conqueror's Haki on his first day?
In two or three days, his physical strength rising to Kuzan's monster level?
That alone was already outrageous.
But mastering Conqueror's Haki infusion?
Did this man even understand what he was saying? It sounded like drunken rambling.
Yes, ordinary people could experience rapid power growth after eating a Devil Fruit.
But Conqueror's Haki—especially infusion—was an entirely different matter.
That was a technique belonging only to the world's absolute top fighters, people like Roger.
How could such an ability appear in a teenage boy?
Garp scratched the back of his head helplessly.
"But everything I said is true!"
If he hadn't witnessed it personally, he wouldn't have believed such a monster-like talent could exist either.
And he hadn't even mentioned everything yet.
The kid couldn't be killed—and grew stronger every time.
"If he truly gained power in such a short time, then the possibility of a Devil Fruit cannot be ruled out."
"As for Conqueror's Haki…"
"Garp, what you're saying is too exaggerated."
Sengoku shook his head, his expression easing slightly.
"Regardless, the boy is still worth cultivating."
Zephyr nodded in agreement.
Neither of them believed Garp's claims about Conqueror's Haki. Accepting that someone could suddenly possess field-officer-level strength was one thing—but accepting a teenager capable of Conqueror's Haki infusion was simply impossible.
"I'm telling the truth!"
Garp spread his hands, growing increasingly exasperated.
He was also puzzled.
Was Alex's talent really that unbelievable? He himself had accepted it just fine.
In fact, he even felt Alex's progress in learning the Six Powers and swordsmanship these past few days was a bit slow.
Well… slow compared to absurd monsters, anyway.
Suddenly, all three men's expressions changed drastically.
Buzz!
A domineering aura surged outward, causing even the documents on the office desk to tremble.
"This… Conqueror's Haki?!"
Zephyr exclaimed in shock.
Sengoku froze, then looked toward Garp.
"Is that the boy?"
Garp smiled faintly.
"He's gotten even better at controlling it."
Yet his mood was strangely complicated.
The last time Alex released Conqueror's Haki, friend and foe alike had been affected. This time, however, the aura was clearly targeted, barely affecting anyone outside its intended range.
"Let's go take a look."
"If he suddenly released Conqueror's Haki, something must've happened."
Garp sighed.
Sengoku and Zephyr exchanged glances, both shaken.
If the boy truly possessed Conqueror's Haki—
then his talent might surpass even the three monsters of the younger generation.
A few minutes earlier.
"Hey, hey, Alex, this really doesn't seem like you."
The sudden tension startled Kuzan.
In his impression, Alex had always been calm and quiet. Though Sakazuki's words carried provocation, Alex's response had been equally explosive.
"Let's go outside. This isn't the place for us to fight."
Sakazuki said calmly.
"No need. I can settle this in an instant."
Alex replied.
He simply didn't like the man before him—partly because of Garp, who had saved him, and partly due to pure personal instinct.
"I see no monster. Only arrogance."
Sakazuki sneered coldly.
Among the new generation, he represented a hardline faction—decisive, ruthless, and always striving to be number one.
"Then let me see whether your fists are as tough as your mouth!"
As his words fell, Sakazuki prepared to move.
At that moment, Alex's eyes narrowed as he stepped forward heavily.
Buzz!
A violent, domineering, unstoppable aura erupted instantly, surging outward from him.
The first to bear the impact—
was Sakazuki, the future Admiral Akainu.
The overwhelming pressure distorted the air itself into rippling waves.
Time and all things seemed frozen.
Sakazuki's pupils shrank. Shock and confusion appeared on his face.
Then his eyes rolled back.
Thud.
He collapsed instantly.
Under that overwhelming presence, he failed to last even a single second before losing consciousness.
Nearby, Kuzan's coat fluttered violently, his face filled with shock. Borsalino's expression twisted in stunned disbelief, while Bogard opened his mouth slightly.
Crack!
A cup on the table shattered.
Hairline fractures spread along the surrounding walls.
Then, just as quickly, the violent aura withdrew.
Alex stood quietly where he was, the faint black-and-red lightning wrapped around his right hand dispersing silently.
He looked down at the unconscious Sakazuki, feeling somewhat speechless.
He had clearly overestimated him.
At this stage, the future Three Admirals were merely fresh graduates from the Marine academy—none of them had yet obtained their Logia Devil Fruits.
Their strength differences were minor, all within field-officer level.
They still had much growing to do.
Right now, Sakazuki couldn't even withstand a single burst of Alex's Conqueror's Haki.
Of course, that was also due to the terrifying nature of Level 85 Conqueror's Haki—already nearing the world's top tier.
If fully unleashed, his Haki could cover the entire G5 fortress instantly, knocking out anyone below vice admiral level, and even some weaker-willed generals might fail to endure it.
And if he used Conqueror's Haki infusion and threw a punch—
Alex silently looked at Sakazuki and sighed inwardly.
"My fundamentals are still too weak."
"If I fully master the Six Powers and swordsmanship…"
"then maybe we could have a truly even and intense battle."
Using Conqueror's Haki against a young officer like Sakazuki felt like firing a cannon at a mosquito.
Moments later, Sengoku, Garp, and Zephyr arrived.
Seeing Sakazuki lying on the ground foaming at the mouth while Alex stood calmly amid lingering pressure, they fell into speechless silence.
"What happened here?"
"You brat, why did you attack Sakazuki?"
Garp strode forward and shouted.
Alex pressed his lips together but didn't answer.
Wasn't I just avenging your grandson in advance? he thought silently.
The next moment—
Two iron fists landed on him.
Pain exploded through his body, forcing him to squat down while baring his teeth.
"I asked you a question! Didn't you hear me?!"
Garp roared.
"I-it was just… a friendly spar!"
Alex gasped in pain.
"He's foaming at the mouth! That's a friendly spar?!"
Garp shouted angrily.
"I already held back!"
"And he provoked me first!"
Alex felt his skull ringing, completely unable to understand why Garp's punches hurt so much when he had clearly activated Iron Body.
Not far away, Sengoku and Zephyr stared intently at the black-haired youth.
Shock—and excitement—were unmistakable in their eyes.
Marine trump card.
Limitless potential.
Future invincible Admiral.
The next Marine hero.
One phrase after another flowed silently through their minds.
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