《One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster》


 Chapter 1: What to Do When You Encounter a Robbery at Sea

    The azure sky was painted with wisps of scattered cirrus clouds, their delicate patterns only emphasizing the pristine purity of the endless blue, so captivating it could steal one''s breath away.


    A blazing sun hung high above, its scorching rays beating down as a few white seagulls frolicked in midair. Their playful chase seemed to have left them dizzyunder the relentless sunlight, their flight paths becoming increasingly erratic and wobbly.


    Amid the vast, boundless sea, a small sailboat stood out starkly against the sparkling waters.


    The boat was tiny, barely large enough to hold two or three people. To call it a sailboat felt generous¡ªit was more like a dinghy with an attached sail.


    "Finally, I''ve escaped that cesspool of deceit and sin¡­"


    Lying flat on the gunwale of the little boat with his hands clasped behind his head, Wright tried his best to clear his mind of the memories of the past few years. After all, stealing a boat and escaping hadn''t been easy. Who knew if those fools back there would even miss him?


    Not that it mattered. He had made up his mind¡ªhe wanted nothing more to do with that place. Nothing at all.


    Wright was young, likely no more than ten or so. He wore a finely tailored coat and a gentleman''s hat atop his golden hair, which was tied back in a neat ponytail. Though his features were youthful, they already bore a striking handsomeness. His belongings were sparse, amounting to little more than a modest bundle. Beside him, however, lay a long blade over one and a half meters in length, its sheer size making it seem more like cargo than a personal weapon.Positioned under the shade of the sail, with the gentle sea breeze and rhythmic sound of waves providing a tranquil backdrop, it was the perfect weather for a nap.


    "¡­Hmm?" Just as drowsiness began to take hold, Wright twitched his ears. "Is that¡­ commotion? A ship?"


    Yawning, he rolled to his feet, his eyes lighting up with excitement. "I''ve only been drifting for a few days since escaping from the Goa Kingdom. With no landmarks on this map and dwindling water and food supplies, another ship showing up is practically a miracle!"


    No, this has nothing to do with my poor navigation skills. How could someone as brilliant as I, the great Wright, venture to sea without a plan? It''s all the fault of this lousy map...


    Chuckling to himself, Wright shaded his eyes with one hand and peered toward the approaching ship.


    "¡­Wait a minute¡­ something feels off."


    "Is that¡­ a pirate ship? My first time seeing a real pirate ship¡ªand what a wreck it is!"


    "Wow, that pirate flag is hideous. How do they have the nerve to fly that thing?"


    The approaching pirate ship looked as though it had barely survived a cannon barrage. Its hull was riddled with patches, and some sections bore what seemed to be scars from sword strikes.Find this and other great novels on the author''s preferred platform. Support original creators!


    Its three masts held only one intact main sail, which itself was patched up with an enormous patch. The two remaining fore-and-aft sails were shredded beyond recognition¡ªbeyond even divine intervention.


    The pirate flag, meant to be an emblem of terror and dominance, was¡­ peculiar.


    A black skull on a white background, surrounded by what looked like tufts of fur?


    Disgusting.


    While Wright stood there critiquing the ship, arms crossed, the "broken and ugly" pirate ship had already noticed the lone sailboat.


    "Hey, hahaha! Guys, look what we''ve got here! A tiny boat!"


    "Huh? Only one person? And he''s just a brat!"


    "Whoa! Look at that pretty face, and those clothes¡­ Is he some kind of noble kid?!"


    "A noble? We''re in luck! Snatch this brat, and we can ransom him for cash! Enough to get ourselves a new ship!"


    Listening to the pirates growing increasingly excited, Wright couldn''t help but smirk. Adjusting the gentleman''s hat atop his head, he muttered, "Just as I thought, a bunch of lowly scum. Didn''t anyone teach them that there are three types of people you shouldn''t mess with while wandering the world?"


    "Hmm¡­ But this isn''t wuxia. There aren''t any rules about monks, women, or children being off-limits. Wait, are there even monks in the pirate world?"


    As the pirates prepared to toss grappling hooks, Wright grabbed his bundle and long blade. With a deep crouch and a powerful leap, he landed gracefully on the pirate ship''s bow in the blink of an eye.


    "!!!"


    The pirates were dumbfounded. Their eyes darted to the now-empty sailboat, which rocked back and forth on the waves as if mocking them for their ineptitude.


    Standing tall on the bow, Wright placed his bundle at his feet and unsheathed his blade. Holding the massive weapon with both hands, he smiled faintly. During his years as a "noble," he hadn''t gained much, but he''d long since lost any fear or discomfort toward taking lives.


    "Nobles, pirates, hmph¡­"


    "They''re all just¡­ filth."


    "Holy Storm!"


    A golden whirlwind erupted among the pirates, shimmering light scattering like mist. At the whirlwind''s core, Wright spun with his long sword, slashing with lethal precision.The pirates gathered at the bow barely had time to react before the "easy target" began cutting them down. Screams filled the air as they were thrown across the deck, with the unlucky ones tumbling straight into the sea.


    "Monster!"


    Desperate cries echoed as the pirates scrambled to flee, only to realize with mounting horror that their wounds burned with faint golden-red flames. The fire brought searing pain and couldn''t be extinguished, no matter how hard they tried¡ªblowing, rolling, dousing with water, even jumping into the sea.


    "Help! He''s a Devil Fruit user!"


    "Captain! Call the captain!"


    In the chaos, Wright sheathed his blade, shrugging. "Pirates? The first thing they think when they see an innocent child is to kidnap him? Truly scum. Compared to them, the Straw Hat Pirates are just adventurers."


    "They''d help a lost kid home, even seek revenge for them if needed!"


    "Now, which one of you suggested ransoming me?"


    "Idiots¡­ I worked so hard to escape. Do you think I wanted to be a noble? If it weren''t for that damned¡ª"


    "Bang!"


    A gunshot rang out. Blood blossomed from Wright''s abdomen, forcing him to his knees.


    "Gahahaha! So what if you''re a Devil Fruit user? A bullet still takes you down!"


    From the cabin emerged the captain¡ªa grotesque, hairy, pot-bellied man wielding a flintlock pistol. He howled with laughter, his eyes gleaming with cruelty.


    The pirates cheered momentarily, only for Wright to smirk through gritted teeth.


    "Ah, the harsh lessons of the sea. Timely, as always."


    Golden light enveloped Wright''s left hand as he pressed it to his wound. In seconds, the injury closed, the bullet pushed out as if by unseen force.


    "Judgment!"


    In a flash, Wright closed the distance. His sword, blazing with golden light, cleaved through the captain in a single, merciless strike.


    "Guh¡­"


    The captain''s laughter died as his body split in two, the wound cauterized instantly, leaving no blood.


    The remaining pirates stared in stunned silence, their terror freezing them in place. Some fainted outright, unable to comprehend what they had just witnessed.

 Chapter 2: Whos Robbing Who?

    "Tsk, such poor mental fortitude. You call yourselves pirates? Just a bunch of third-rate thugs at best."


    At the bow of the ship, Wright picked up his bundle and sword sheath, dragging his long blade behind him as he headed toward the cabin. The stark contrast between the length of the sword and his small frame was striking.


    As they stared at the nearly cleared deck, the pirates felt their worldview shatter into pieces.


    Walking away, Wright muttered under his breath:


    "My white shirt! The bloodstains won''t come out, and this hole¡­ Damn that fat bastard!"


    "You lot over there, stop gawking! If you''re not dead, start cleaning this place up!"


    "If you chose to set sail as pirates, looting and plundering at will, you''d better be prepared to meet someone who''ll cut you down without hesitation!"


    "Inventory all the supplies on board. Deal with the corpses¡ªhaul in anyone still alive in the water, but leave the dead. Oh, and find someone who can actually string a sentence together to meet me in the captain''s quarters!"


    As the terrifying child and his monstrous blade disappeared into the cabin, the remaining pirates were left trembling.


    Wright poked his head out of the cabin, startling the group once more. He casually pointed at a pirate with relatively minor injuries. "You, come here and show me the way. Prepare the cleanest room on this ship for me. Remember¡ªclean!"


    The unlucky pirate, now designated as the guide, followed Wright into the cabin to tidy up a room.


    Meanwhile, the survivors on deck were left with jelly-like legs, nearly collapsing from relief. Some even broke down in tears of joy.


    Sure, they had expected to face death in this line of work. But to be slaughtered like livestock? That was too much to bear. Who wouldn''t want to live if they had the choice?


    ¡­


    After shooing away the quivering guide, who couldn''t even form a coherent sentence, Wright ordered him to find someone with a functional brain to report back. Then, he sprawled on the captain''s luxurious bed with a satisfied sigh.If you come across this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    His long sword stood propped against the bed, the hilt adorned with a gentleman''s hat. The bloodstained white shirt had been replaced with a fresh one. The bed was clean and comfortable, though the now-dead captain''s appearance had been... "unique." At least he knew how to enjoy life.


    "Holy Light... The power of Retribution really is simple and brutal."


    "The combination of physical attacks imbued with holy damage and the burning effect of holy fire¡­ It all seems to rely heavily on slashing as the core attack form."


    "It seems I need to improve my swordsmanship to better utilize the power of Holy Light''s Retribution¡ªor perhaps find a better blade. That won''t be easy."


    "My understanding of the power of Protection is still shallow. Right now, it''s only enhancing my physical attributes, and I can''t always activate defensive measures in time."


    Shaking his head, Wright opened his palm, revealing a golden glow swirling in his hand.


    "First real combat experience, and I''ve already been taught a lesson. Guess it''s true what they say¡­ villains meet their end through¡ªcough¡ªwell, I need to stay alert on the battlefield. If it weren''t for the unreasonable healing powers of Holy Light, I''d have been done for."


    "It''s been six years since I came to this world. Once I confirmed this was the pirate world and not Azeroth... I felt oddly relieved."


    "Azeroth is a world where planetary destruction is just another Tuesday. With so many powerful races and catastrophic threats, it''s far too dangerous. On the other hand, the power systems here in the pirate world are less defined¡ªDevil Fruits are chaotic game-changers¡­"


    Six years ago, Wright had transmigrated into the body of the second son of a noble family in the Goa Kingdom. The original spoiled brat had run away from home and promptly been scared to death¡ªliterally¡ªby a ferocious stray dog.


    That''s how Wright inherited the body.


    In his past life, Wright had been a hardcore World of Warcraft player, a devout fan of the Holy Light class, and an incurable idealist with a passion for retribution.


    For fifteen years, he steadfastly chose the Holy Light path, masking a suppressed desire to smite his enemies.


    He was also a 20-year One Piece fan who watched episodes while AFKing in


    WoW. One fateful day, while fishing in-game during a thunderstorm, he was struck by lightning in real life and...


    A voice seemed to mock him:


    "A devoted One Piece fan, huh? Let''s send you to the pirate world. A Holy Light zealot too? Here, take this power. You''re welcome."


    "¡­"


    "Welcome, my foot!"


    Fortunately, Wright had the good sense to keep a low profile and conceal his Holy Light powers.


    To the outside world, he showed no interest in the political intrigues of nobility.


    However, his talent in the "arts" shocked his "parents," who deemed him a perfect candidate for a marriage alliance¡ªan ideal noble in their eyes.


    All thanks to his idiotic older brother, who was over a decade his senior and single-handedly ensured that Wright had no part in inheriting the family estate.

 Chapter 3: Target — The Hidden Boss!

    It had been a full night since an unknown, hapless pirate crew was single-handedly dismantled by a terrifying young foe.


    The night had been torturous for the remaining pirates. Without their captain, both their bodies and spirits were battered, leaving them yearning for the comforts of home.


    What were they to do when the enemy, after incapacitating the entire crew, decided to stick around rather than finish them off?


    As the morning sun rose over the sea, its light shimmered across the water, and the cool breeze stirred the groaning pirates awake, forcing them to face reality once more.


    "That kid is terrifying! Is that the power of a Devil Fruit user? Absolutely horrifying..."


    "Yeah, yeah! That slash of his¡ªit was like being cut twice in one strike! And that flame..."


    "I swear, that fire felt like it burned my very soul... I''d rather just take a blade to the gut!"


    "Shh! Do you have a death wish?! He didn''t even blink while cutting through so many people! The captain was sliced clean in half with just one strike. And you dare gossip?"


    "..."


    The sun grew brighter as clouds thinned, hinting at yet another beautiful day.


    On the deck, injured pirates lay sprawled out, groaning in pain as they soaked up the sun. Their bandages were haphazard, and some had none at all, given the lack of medical supplies aboard their subpar ship. Only the mysterious holy flame that had cauterized their wounds had kept them from bleeding out entirely.


    Occasionally, hushed whispers would break the silence, only to be swiftly silenced. After all, in the vast and ruthless world of the Grand Line, strength ruled supreme, and many who dared speak ill of the strong found themselves dead soon after.


    For now, sunbathing was their best bet. At least it eased the pain in their wounds. The ship''s doctor had claimed sunlight was good for recovery, after all.


    "Haah¡­ achoo!"


    A loud yawn and sneeze broke the monotony as a figure emerged from the cabin. It was Wright, the boy who had dismantled their crew. His expression twisted in mild disgust as his golden eyes scanned the scene before him: a group of shirtless, sunbathing pirates sprawled out like beachgoers.


    This low-tier pirate crew was the epitome of mediocrity. Their supplies were pitiful, and their medical provisions even worse. Most didn''t even have proper bandages. Their lives had been spared only because of the cauterizing effect of Wright''s Holy Flame, though the searing pain it caused was clearly unforgettable.


    Hearing the pirates'' groans of agony, Wright smirked. He hadn''t realized just how much the Holy Flame could torment someone until now. But considering the energy''s spiritual connection, it made sense.Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.


    "Stop whining. Come closer."


    "..."


    The pirates exchanged wary glances, reluctant to approach the "Little Demon." Some even assumed defensive stances, prepared to flee at the first sign of danger.


    Wright''s lips twitched in annoyance, but he shrugged it off, raising both hands. A radiant golden light surged from his palms, spilling across the deck.


    "Light of Dawn."


    The golden light rippled outward like waves. The nearest pirates, haunted by memories of their captain''s demise, flinched in terror, expecting the worst. Yet, as the light washed over them, they suddenly felt relief. Their wounds began to heal, and strength returned to their weary bodies.


    "Huh¡­ feels like a misnomer. I can''t even get it to ''blind'' like a proper flashlight¡­" Wright muttered to himself, shaking his hands. "Oh well, it works. Details don''t matter."


    The pirates couldn''t understand his self-directed grumblings, but their shock was evident. The healing light¡ªso broad and immediate¡ªwas unheard of in a world where life on the sea was fraught with danger and resources were scarce.


    Excitement erupted among the crew as they inspected their wounds and reveled in their renewed vigor.


    "Amazing! Such power¡ªhe''s unstoppable in a fight and can heal too!"


    "Not even the legends speak of such abilities¡­"


    Wright raised a hand, silencing their clamor.


    "That''s enough!" His stern voice cut through the excitement. "For the record, I had planned to keep my powers secret. But now that you all know... If I hear even a whisper about my abilities floating around the East Blue, you know what''ll happen, right?"


    The pirates broke into cold sweats, stumbling over each other to swear secrecy.


    "Yes, sir! Understood!"


    "Not a word, we promise!"


    "Please let us follow you, Boss!"


    "Awooo¡ª"


    A strange howl emerged from the crowd, but Wright ignored it.


    Shaking his head, he grabbed his long blade and walked toward the stern. "Follow me? Forget it. I''m no pirate."


    "How much longer until we reach Shimotsuki Village?"


    Hearing Wright ask about their destination, the pirates quickly quieted down. The ship''s navigator stepped forward.


    "Sir, the weather should stay favorable for the next few days. With steady winds, we should arrive at Shimotsuki Village in two days."


    "Good." Wright nodded, satisfied.


    As the pirates scattered to give him space, Wright began practicing swordsmanship. The blade, nearly five feet long, moved as if weightless in his hands. His strikes were fluid and precise, honed by six relentless years of training.


    Slash. Thrust. Parry. Leap.


    Though his body had been enhanced by the Holy Light over time, Wright knew his strength stemmed from relentless effort. The energy''s regenerative properties allowed him to push his training to the extreme without fear of injury, creating the formidable swordsman he was today.


    For Wright, the choice between martial arts and swordsmanship was clear. Swords were undeniably cooler.


    "Sir is so strong yet trains so hard¡­"


    "No wonder he''s so powerful at such a young age!"


    Two days passed in a blur.


    "Sir! We''re approaching Shimotsuki Village!"


    Wright, now dressed in training clothes with his signature gentleman''s hat and coat tucked away, slung his bag over his shoulder and prepared to disembark.


    Turning to the pirates, he left them with a final warning: "If I ever catch any of you as pirates again, I''ll take you down without hesitation."


    "Yes, sir!"


    "Understood!"


    "And no spreading any word about me. You''ve been warned."


    "Yes, sir! We swear!"


    With that, Wright strode onto the shore, long blade resting against his shoulder as the pirates watched him leave, their gazes filled with a strange mix of fear, awe, and even reluctant admiration.

 Chapter 4: Becoming a Disciple of the Isshin Dojo

    Shimotsuki Village wasn''t very large, but the Isshin Dojo was a well-known landmark. It didn''t take Wright long to find its exact location.


    As a former "hardcore fan" of the seas, Wright knew the significance of this village''s background. In the relatively weak East Blue, Shimotsuki Village was like a hidden dragon''s den for pirates¡ªa place many underestimated at their peril.


    How many pirates had already met their end here? Take that gang of thugs he''d just encountered, for example...


    "Who knows? Maybe some of the villagers I asked for directions earlier were Shimotsuki family samurai. If even one of them decided to make a move, they could dominate an entire region of East Blue."


    Wright couldn''t help but notice how fit the villagers looked. At the very least, most seemed to have undergone deliberate physical training¡ªor, more accurately, rigorous discipline.


    Ahead lay the Isshin Dojo. The shouts of children practicing swordsmanship could already be heard from a distance.


    The dojo''s master, Koushirou, stood alongside his wife, observing the students as they practiced. A young Koushirou, his black hair tied neatly into a ponytail, wore round glasses that rested lightly on his face. His eyes were perpetually narrowed in a gentle expression, his lips curled into a slight smile.


    The children''s training ranged from about seven to sixteen years old. Although they practiced earnestly, there was a certain... cluelessness to their demeanor.


    Koushirou chuckled softly. These were, after all, just kids from the village. His duty was simply to pass down the art of swordsmanship and ensure they could protect themselves. As for whether they could achieve the glory of their ancestors...


    "Wright the swordsman requests an audience with the dojo master!"


    A clear, youthful voice rang out with impressive momentum, drawing the attention of Koushirou, his wife, and the students to the dojo''s gate.


    Standing there was a boy of about twelve or thirteen years old. His handsome face was framed by long golden hair tied into a ponytail, and he held a sword significantly longer than most. The boy''s well-crafted training attire hinted at a privileged background.


    "..."


    Koushirou unconsciously touched his own ponytail. What had the boy called himself? A swordsman?


    Well, he certainly carried himself with remarkable poise.


    However... Koushirou was certain he''d never seen this child before. At that age and with such an aura, if he were from the village, his name would already be well-known.


    "I am Koushirou, master of the Isshin Dojo. There''s no need for formalities. Since you''ve introduced yourself as a swordsman, please, come in."


    Wright raised an eyebrow. Koushirou was as kind and unpretentious as the rumors suggested¡ªa seemingly easy going man.Unauthorized usage: this narrative is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    For most swordsmen, visiting a dojo unannounced usually meant one of two things: issuing a challenge or seeking revenge. Yet Koushirou hadn''t asked a single question before inviting him in. Was it because of his age?


    Unfortunately, that was something Wright couldn''t change.


    After thanking Koushirou, Wright stepped into the dojo, prompting a wave of whispers among the students.


    "His sword is so long!"


    "He called himself a swordsman!"


    "Wow, when will I graduate and become a swordsman too?"


    "Master says we''re just beginners!"


    "Maybe if we carried real swords, we''d look as cool as him!"


    In the reception room, Koushirou had changed into casual clothing to meet Wright alone. As they sat, Koushirou''s round glasses caught the light, briefly obscuring his eyes, which seemed to gleam with sharpness beneath their usual calm.


    "You''re not a local, are you, Wright?" Koushirou asked with a smile. "At such a young age, to achieve this level of skill and possess the potential to become a swordmaster... your future is boundless. May I ask what brings you to my humble dojo?"


    Wright wasn''t surprised by Koushirou''s perceptiveness. After all, those with perpetually squinted eyes often concealed extraordinary abilities.


    The current Koushirou was far from the serene and polished demeanor he would display in later years. Though gentle in personality, his youthful vigor and sharp presence made him more direct than the seasoned master Wright had envisioned.


    "Indeed, Master Koushirou," Wright replied. "My name is Wright, age twelve, originally from the Goa Kingdom... though I no longer have any ties there."


    "Since I was young, I''ve had a dream: world peace."


    Cough, cough, cough.


    "..."


    A few veins twitched on Wright''s forehead.


    Was it really necessary to make this so awkward? He''d already felt embarrassed saying it¡ªcouldn''t they at least pretend to take him seriously?


    "Ah, my apologies. Please, continue." Koushirou adjusted his glasses, the reflection masking his earlier lapse in composure.


    "Ahem. I once heard a saying that struck me deeply:


    ''Peace is the highest ideal. But to achieve it, one must be ready to fight for it.''


    I''ve reflected on this deeply. And I''ve come to believe that strength is the foundation for realizing any dream.


    To that end, I''ve tirelessly trained in swordsmanship. However, lacking proper guidance, my progress has stalled for months. Basic practice has improved my physical conditioning, but my swordsmanship has hit a plateau.


    So I set out to explore the seas. Not long ago, I encountered a pirate crew and barely escaped. When I heard how highly your dojo was regarded in this village, I knew I had to come here.


    Master Koushirou, I wish to become your disciple and learn advanced swordsmanship! Please grant me this opportunity!"


    Of course, Wright couldn''t outright admit that he knew about the village''s hidden legacy of master swordsmen, that Koushirou''s father had forged legendary blades like Enma and Wado Ichimonji, or that the Shimotsuki family''s ancestor was the "Sword God" Ryuma, a hero revered in Wano Country.


    That kind of talk would surely get him sliced in two.


    Koushirou sipped his tea and sighed lightly. "Yours is indeed a noble ideal, Wright. But even more admirable is the clarity and determination you''ve shown in pursuit of it.


    "To achieve so much at your age... the effort you''ve poured in must have been extraordinary.


    "And your conviction and maturity are such that they overshadow your youth entirely."


    "In this vast sea, there are countless strong individuals, and dreams are as numerous as the stars.


    "Isshin Dojo is but a small, humble place in an unremarkable village. We do not concern ourselves with why our students choose to study swordsmanship.


    "Some seek strength to protect their families. Others wish to rise above their station. Still others, like you, pursue their ideals.


    "To follow your heart, and wholeheartedly carve your own path of the sword¡ªthat is the essence of Isshin."


    Wright noticed that Koushirou had stopped calling him "young man" and now addressed him by name¡ªa sign of the master swordsman''s acknowledgment.


    Reflecting on Koushirou''s philosophy, and recalling how two decades later he would still support Zoro''s choice to become a pirate while staying true to his own path, Wright felt a flash of inspiration.


    He dropped to his knees and bowed deeply.


    "Disciple Wright greets Master Koushirou!


    "I will diligently follow your teachings and uphold the name of Isshin!"

 Chapter 5: Swordsmanship Training at the Dojo

    Though Koushirou was leading a secluded life, hiding his true identity, he displayed decisiveness befitting a swordsman when he took Wright under his wing.


    This decisiveness, as fate would have it, would greatly benefit Koushirou himself in the near future.


    "From today onward, Wright officially joins our Isshin Dojo to practice the Way of the Sword alongside everyone," Koshiro announced.


    "Wright, since you''re the newest member, that makes you the junior disciple. Be sure to take good care of your senior brothers."


    Huh? Something seems off here. Shouldn''t it be the other way around? As the junior disciple, wasn''t he the one supposed to be taken care of?


    Suppressing the urge to complain, Wright cast a glance at his so-called "senior brothers."


    Hmm¡­ a couple were still wiping snot from their noses, some stared blankly into space, and as for the relatively "normal" ones¡ªwell, they only looked somewhat stable in their basics. If it came down to a fight, Wright was confident he could handle the whole group with one hand.


    "¡­Understood, Master," Wright replied weakly.


    And thus began the "joyful" life at the dojo.


    "The Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, will be publicly executed in Loguetown under the custody of the Marines!"


    "The Flying Pirates led by ''Golden Lion'' Shiki attacked Marineford but were defeated by Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Garp working together. Shiki has been imprisoned in Impel Down!"


    "Before his execution, the Pirate King revealed an earth-shattering secret: the existence of the legendary treasure known as One Piece!"


    "The Great Pirate Era begins!"


    "The World Government establishes the Seven Warlords of the Sea system. The first Warlord: the great pirate ''Crocodile''!"


    The information network in the world of pirates was incredibly advanced. The peculiar News Coo birds and the equally bizarre Den Den Mushi operated like cash-on-delivery drones and mobile phones, with advanced projection features to boot.


    In this pivotal year, several world-shaking events rapidly spread across the globe, altering the course of history forever.


    Over the next few months, Wright practiced swordsmanship under Koushirou''s meticulous guidance. This helped him address the flaws and hidden dangers left behind by his prior self-taught training.


    Thanks to the healing and restorative powers of the Holy Light, Wright could train harder and recover faster than other swordsmen of his level, making him fearless of injury. Consequently, his training became exceptionally intense.


    Often, Wright would challenge his senior brothers to gang up on him, using their combined assaults to refine his combat reflexes. Despite his solid foundation and superhuman physical strength, Koushirou''s elite disciples could sometimes breach Wright''s defenses, leaving him bruised and battered when he relied solely on swordsmanship.


    This only deepened Wright''s admiration for Koushirou''s teaching ability. Motivated by this respect, Wright continued to train relentlessly, sparring with his fellow disciples to validate his progress.


    Meanwhile, history was marching into the Great Pirate Era. Panic gripped civilians, the Marines struggled to manage their stretched resources, and pirates reveled in newfound freedom¡ªall of which began reshaping the world''s balance.Unauthorized usage: this tale is on Amazon without the author''s consent. Report any sightings.


    To survive in this increasingly perilous sea and achieve his dreams, Wright knew he had to grow incomparably strong¡ªstrong enough to stand among the world''s strongest, and perhaps even strong enough to shake the era itself.


    With over twenty years until the story''s main events began, Wright had ample time to strengthen himself to the point where even the tides of revolution couldn''t unsettle him¡ªor perhaps, where he alone could alter the tides of an entire era.


    Time flew, and soon it was the year 1502 of the Sea Calendar. That year marked a momentous event: under the charge of conducting "illegal research into the Poneglyphs with the intent to revive ancient weapons," the World Government ordered the Marines to unleash a Buster Call on the archaeologists'' sanctuary of Ohara, erasing it from the map. The Tree of Knowledge, which had stood for over 5,000 years, was destroyed.


    Though Wright understood the hidden truths behind the incident, he feigned the same shock as everyone else. Privately, he and his fellow disciples condemned the World Government and the Marines for the atrocity of firing upon civilian evacuation ships. But soon, Wright returned to his grueling training, knowing that strength was paramount.


    His efforts paid off handsomely. After resolving the flaws in his swordsmanship, Wright''s progress became explosive. Before long, he reached a critical bottleneck.


    "The realm of the Swordmaster: cutting what you wish to cut, and protecting what you wish to protect¡­"


    Swordsmanship is not something that can be mastered with a few simple pointers. If it were, Wright wouldn''t have needed a teacher despite his extensive knowledge of famous lines from masters like Koshiro, "Hawk-Eye" Mihawk, and Hyogoro the Flower.


    The path of swordsmanship involves comprehensive improvement¡ªof the body and the mind alike. Physical training requires correct guidance to avoid long-term harm, while mental cultivation demands even more precise direction.


    Physical training methods are relatively uniform, but mental cultivation varies greatly:


    Some temper their spirits through relentless combat, forging an indomitable will.


    Others immerse themselves in slaughter, teetering on the edge of madness to achieve their goals.


    Many prefer meditation to sharpen their awareness, attaining a harmonious and resilient spirit.


    A rare few experience sudden epiphanies, where a single moment of insight transforms them forever.


    The orthodox approach combines combat and meditation, balancing action and stillness for gradual progress. Without guidance, however, this path becomes fraught with missteps and inefficiencies.


    Most people lack the ability to recognize and correct their own spiritual flaws unless a major opportunity arises¡ªa rare event that often comes at a heavy cost. This is where the importance of a skilled mentor becomes undeniable.


    Wright, however, possessed something this world had never seen before: the power of Holy Light. This energy, deeply tied to one''s spirit, faith, and willpower, was unparalleled in its ability to heal wounds, restore stamina, and strengthen the mind.


    Moreover, training both body and mind enhanced the Holy Light itself, creating a feedback loop akin to the synergy of a Devil Fruit user mastering their ability.


    Now armed with an exceptional mentor in swordsmanship, Wright could navigate mental cultivation without stumbling blindly.


    "The breath of all things, and their voices¡­"


    Everything in existence has a "breath," a "voice." More precisely, all things constantly emit a rhythm, a pulse of life.


    To attune to this rhythm is to gain the power to cut what you wish to cut, and to protect what you wish to protect:


    The rhythm of stone.


    The pulse of leaves.


    The whisper of the wind.


    The dance of flames.


    The flow of water.


    The heartbeat of grass and trees.


    And the countless rhythms of life itself¡­


    No, it goes even beyond that.


    Sitting cross-legged before a massive boulder, Wright meditated as usual. Suddenly, it felt as though his consciousness had left his body. Though his physical form remained relaxed, strange and fleeting images seemed to appear before his closed eyes. Mysterious, faint, and dazzling "messages" seemed to pour into his mind, as though carried by unseen currents.


    "What a wondrous sensation¡­ almost like the legendary ''spiritual out-of-body experience.''"


    Wright had been entering this state more frequently of late. He knew this was the threshold he needed to cross¡ªa barrier between being a mere swordsman and becoming a Swordmaster¡­ or perhaps even more.

 Chapter 6: "Cutting Steel" and "Observation Haki"

    Sensing the rhythm of all things was more complex and profound than merely perceiving their "breath" or "voices." Could this deeper complexity be why he hadn''t yet crossed the threshold?


    Once he broke through, his mastery of the Cutting Steel realm would surely differ from the ordinary.


    Time passed, but it was impossible to tell how long. The rhythms of the rocks, trees, and flowing water around him were steady and unperturbed, as if nothing could disturb their balance. In contrast, the lively rhythms of people and animals in the distance seemed ever-changing.


    Suddenly, an unprecedented "presence" emerged in Wright''s perception.


    This new "presence" was extraordinary, radiating a unique rhythm¡ªa "convergence of will."


    ...Joy, existence, aspiration, anticipation, and prayer¡ªall these beautiful wills coalesced into a rhythm so vivid and clear that it even influenced the surrounding world.


    This was... birth.


    A new life, filled with boundless light and infinite potential, carrying countless hopes and blessings, had come into existence.


    A faint sound echoed, like shattering frosted glass that had obscured his vision. In an instant, the world became vividly clear. Wright felt as if he were immersed in a hyper-realistic VR experience, where every detail within his sensory range was perfectly defined.


    The breath of all things, their voices, their colors, and even... their emotions!


    "Is this the special enhancement of the Holy Light?"


    He drew his blade and casually slashed forward.


    A sharp zing resounded.


    Before him, a boulder the size of a house split cleanly in two. Yet, the blades of grass standing in the path of the strike remained utterly unharmed.


    A surge of pure joy filled Wright''s chest.


    "Cutting Steel!"


    "Observation Haki!"


    "And... Kuina..."


    Even before entering the dojo, Wright could sense the overwhelming joy enveloping the entire place.


    "Wright is back!"


    "Wright! Master asked to see you as soon as you returned!"


    "Wright, you missed something big a few days ago!"


    "Haha, looks like you''re the only one in the dojo who doesn''t know yet!"


    Wright couldn''t help but regret spending extra days stabilizing his newly awakened Observation Haki before returning. With a nod, he replied, "Alright, I''ll go see Master right away. Is he going to tell me personally?"


    When Wright met Master Koshiro, the usually calm and smiling man had an expression overflowing with happiness. Beside him, Mistress was pale but cradled a tiny bundle in her arms, her serene and gentle smile radiating a sacred beauty.This story originates from a different website. Ensure the author gets the support they deserve by reading it there.


    "Ahaha, Wright, you''re finally back! The other disciples have already met her¡ªcome and meet your little junior, Kuina!"


    Normally composed and steady, Koshiro now resembled a proud collector introducing his most treasured possession.


    "Congratulations, Master and Mistress! The future of the dojo is secured!"


    Wright bowed deeply, his emotions surging.


    Mistress, though moving about freely now, still seemed pale. Something felt... off.


    "Master, I feel that Mistress doesn''t look well..."


    "Dear child, don''t worry," Mistress replied with a smile. "It''s just a minor issue. I''m much stronger than you think~."


    In the two years since Wright had joined the dojo, his thirty-something soul inhabiting a teenager''s body, Master Koshiro and Mistress had shown him great care. His diligence, respectfulness, and maturity had earned their favor, and Mistress, in particular, treated him like her own child. Compared to the six wasted years of noble life before, Wright felt these years were far more fulfilling.


    But now, thinking of Mistress''s and Kuina''s future fate...


    If he had the ability to change things, then he had to act. Otherwise, he would regret it forever.


    "Master, Mistress."


    "Please forgive me, but there is something I''ve been keeping from you."


    "I am... a Devil Fruit user. I possess the ability to heal injuries and illnesses."


    "!!!"


    Koshiro and Mistress stared at him in shock.


    "Wright, you..."


    "That explains it!" Koshiro exclaimed, his expression turning thoughtful. "No wonder your training volume is several times that of others, yet your body shows no signs of hidden injuries or strain..."


    After a moment of concern flashed across his face, Koshiro spoke seriously:


    "Wright, for Devil Fruit users, their abilities are their greatest secret and final trump card¡ªespecially one as rare and unheard of as yours. Since you practice swordsmanship, your ability should be kept as a last resort. Why would you reveal this now?"


    "Master, I have already achieved the realm of ''Cutting Steel.''"


    "!?"


    The couple froze before breaking into wide smiles.


    "Wonderful! Wright, you were close to breaking through, and now you''ve done it. Your future is limitless¡ªcongratulations!"


    "This is truly a time for double celebration!" Mistress added warmly. "You''ve done so well, Wright."


    With his Observation Haki, Wright could perceive the genuine joy and pride emanating from the two, completely devoid of any falsehood.


    "Master, Mistress, the enhancement of my strength is one reason I''m revealing my ability now. But there''s another reason..."


    "Due to the nature of my ability, I''m particularly sensitive to the condition of life. While Mistress''s situation might seem minor on the surface, it could lead to serious consequences later."


    "So, please trust me and allow me to heal Mistress''s hidden ailments."


    Mistress''s eyes softened as she tried to refuse.


    "Dear child... you don''t need to go this far..."


    But seeing the determination in Wright''s gaze, Koshiro and Mistress finally relented.


    Koshiro gently carried the swaddled Kuina a short distance away while Wright extended his right hand. A golden light began to gather, forming into a radiant flame.


    Unlike the sacred flames of retribution, this golden fire seemed veiled in a soft, ethereal glow.


    Wright guided the fire forward, letting it merge with Mistress''s body. Instantly, her entire being was enveloped in a flowing, golden radiance, magnificent and awe-inspiring.


    "The Eternal Flame!"


    "Mistress''s body has become frail due to childbirth, and there are deeper hidden ailments. Crude healing methods would be too harsh," Wright explained. "The Eternal Flame works through gentle permeation¡ªits healing is gradual, yet profound."


    Moments later, the glow faded, and Koshiro noticed that Mistress''s complexion had regained a healthy flush. The weariness hidden in her eyes was entirely gone.


    "What an incredible ability!" Koshiro exclaimed.


    "With this treatment, Mistress''s hidden ailments are completely resolved. She will live a long, healthy life."


    "And as a bonus," Wright added with a grin, "her skin will be smoother and fairer."


    "...!"


    With that, Wright bowed again.


    "Master, Mistress, I must take my leave. I wish to depart the dojo, set sail, and forge my own path as a swordsman!"

 Chapter 7: A Growing Weapon and a Peculiar Incident

    As always, it was another sunny morning. The sea sparkled in the gentle light, its dreamy shallow blue hues reflecting the unique charm of coastal waters. Schools of small fish darted by, while larger underwater predators occasionally appeared, playing out vivid survival dramas reminiscent of scenes from a nature documentary.


    Having bid farewell to Koshiro and his wife, Wright, now 14 years old, departed Shimotsuki Village aboard a merchant vessel.


    "Whew..."


    Stretching languidly, Wright dangled his legs over the ship''s railing, his longsword resting behind his head as he basked in the morning sun.


    Two years of training at the dojo had brought significant changes. No longer the "junior disciple," Wright now had younger trainees looking up to him. As the strongest among his peers, he''d become somewhat of a role model, much to the adoration of the newcomers.


    Still...


    "Every single kid from the dojo came to see me off¡ªdon''t they have practice?!" Rubbing his eyes, Wright exhaled deeply. "Almost made me not want to leave."


    Dressed in new clothes that Koshiro''s wife had specially prepared for him, Wright''s striking golden hair, now tied into a ponytail, complemented his confident, sharp features. His two years of growth made his use of a longsword appear natural rather than oversized.


    Before his departure, Koshiro had taken Wright''s training sword, promising a parting gift.


    Initially puzzled why a gift required taking his old sword, Wright soon received his answer. Koshiro returned the blade, now reforged and elevated to the level of a high-quality weapon. While delighted, Wright wasn''t entirely surprised¡ªafter all, Koshiro hailed from the famed blacksmith lineage of Wano Country.


    Weapons generally reach their final form once forged, rarely benefiting from subsequent upgrades. However, since Wright''s original training sword was an ordinary blade without unique craftsmanship, it could still undergo refinement.


    In the world''s vast seas, renowned swords were exceedingly rare and often unobtainable treasures. To wield one that perfectly matched its user was a privilege few could claim. Wright decided to name his sword Ashes.


    In the two years at the dojo, Wright had remained his same youthful and occasionally dramatic self.


    Although the longswords of the One Piece world bore little resemblance to the Blade of Radiance he once imagined, Koshiro''s words piqued Wright''s curiosity:


    "Wright, this blade carries traces of your ''spirit.'' It''s like a unique ''mark''¡ªlikely tied to your abilities. This mark resonates with the aura your abilities emit. While it appears as a finely crafted sword, it may not yet rival some battle-worn legendary blades. However, when wielded by you, it might surpass the power of an ordinary Grade 50 Skillful Blade.This narrative has been unlawfully taken from Royal Road. If you see it on Amazon, please report it.


    "This ''mark'' is faint for now, but knowing of its existence, I emphasized preserving this feature during the reforging. As a result, while the blade could''ve been made stronger, it retains this unique characteristic. Over time, as your abilities grow, this sword may become a one-of-a-kind weapon, usable only by you.


    "Its base power has limits, but its potential has no ceiling. Its growth depends entirely on how you ''nurture'' it. Truly powerful swordsmen can temper ordinary blades into mighty black blades.


    "The world-famous Supreme Grade Swords and Great Grade Swords include both masterpieces crafted by legendary smiths and ordinary weapons refined by their users'' countless battles."


    "¡­"


    A sentient blade? A spirit-infused sword? A cursed weapon?


    It was likely tied to his Holy Light abilities. Wright had chosen this sword merely because it was the longest and coolest-looking among the options. Over the years, he''d infused it with Holy Light during combat to enhance his strikes.


    Tempering a blade into a black blade¡­ Wright recalled Mihawk, the world''s greatest swordsman, describing this phenomenon. Ushimaru of Wano Country had also provided a notable example: Shimotsuki Ryuma''s sword Shusui, a Great Grade Sword, had evolved into a black blade through Ryuma''s countless battles.


    Could Mihawk''s Yoru, a Supreme Grade Black Blade, have been forged by Mihawk himself rather than discovered?


    If Wright continued imbuing Ashes with Holy Light and later with Armament Haki and Ryuo, could it too evolve into a formidable weapon?


    A weapon that grows alongside its wielder¡ªwasn''t that the ultimate artifact template?


    Excitement coursed through Wright at the thought.


    The merchant ship sailed steadily under the noon sun. The aroma of food wafted from the galley, signaling lunchtime.


    After a hearty meal, Wright returned to his cabin to meditate and strengthen his spirit. He planned to test infusing Ashes with Holy Light, both as practice and to experiment with its growth potential.


    Suddenly, a cry for help disrupted the tranquility.


    "Doctor! Is there¡­ a doctor? Someone¡­ help!"


    "?"


    The commotion outside drew Wright''s attention. Activating his Observation Haki, he sensed chaos aboard the ship¡ªpassengers and crew were collapsing, foaming at the mouth. Poison?


    Rushing to the scene, Wright found the source of the cries¡ªa galley assistant who had barely managed to call for help. A quick Cleanse restored the man''s vitality, allowing him to recount the grim events.


    A poisonous fish had accidentally been included among the ship''s ingredients, its toxin contaminating the soup served to the crew and passengers. Tragically, the ship''s doctor, an avid fan of the fish soup, had consumed too much and was incapacitated.


    As for Wright¡­


    "Good thing I only eat fish, not fish soup," he muttered.


    Ignoring the tearful gratitude of the assistant, Wright directed him to gather the poisoned individuals. With his Observation Haki, Wright quickly located everyone aboard and treated them with Holy Light, which excelled at detoxification.


    By the time the rescue was complete, everyone had fully recovered, sparing the chef from an enraged mob''s wrath.


    The crew and passengers were overwhelmed with gratitude.


    "Young as you are, your medical skills are unparalleled!"


    "A miracle worker! Wright, thank you for saving us!"


    "You''re leagues above the so-called ''miracle doctors'' I''ve heard of!"


    "Wright the Miracle Worker! Please, let us repay you!"

 Chapter 8: Reflections on Power and an Unexpected Encounter

    Wright finally managed to escape the overly enthusiastic crowd under the pretense of sheer exhaustion, finally finding a moment of peace.


    At first, Wright didn''t understand why such an uproar had been caused by something as simple as curing poison. But upon reflection, it made sense. On a ship where the entire crew, including the doctor, had been poisoned, their only foreseeable outcome was drifting aimlessly at sea until death.


    In the world of pirates, whether civilians, marines, or pirates themselves, bonds of camaraderie are deeply valued. In such a life-and-death scenario, saving an entire ship in such a decisive manner deserved the praise he received.


    Thinking this through, Wright realized something else: since mastering the power of the Holy Light, he had become indifferent to life and death. Unless he was struck down in one decisive blow, it was nearly impossible to kill him. Even severe injuries could be instantly healed by the Holy Light''s power¡ªat the cost of varying amounts of energy.


    It was akin to a video game where the player, on the brink of death, activates invincibility and fully heals themselves before charging back into battle. That was the level Wright had reached.


    However, this attitude of disregarding life and death was clearly detrimental to his mastery of the Holy Light.


    Realizing this, Wright felt a wave of alarm. If this strange experience hadn''t woken him up, would he have gradually become cold and emotionless, ignoring life and death altogether? Would he transform into a mere conduit for the Holy Light, acting solely on logic and basic principles¡ªjust like that so-called "Mother of Light"?


    "Becoming like that would probably get me smashed into pieces and turned into weapon materials¡­" Wright muttered to himself.


    "To wield power, not be wielded by it¡ªthis is a universal principle across any system of strength."


    "The next phase of my training must focus on cultivating my state of mind. Perhaps I need to experience more of the world¡­"


    With that resolution in mind, Wright began his routine meditation to adjust his condition to its peak. "Let''s test the theory I''ve been working on," he murmured.


    Sitting cross-legged, Wright drew his longsword, Ashes, and placed it across his lap. Activating his Observation Haki, he focused on sensing the sword.


    Gradually, as Wright concentrated his Observation Haki on the blade, he felt as if he could see its structure, sensing a faint connection between himself and the sword.


    "Is this the ''mark'' that Master spoke of?"


    Coating his hands in a dense layer of Holy Light, Wright gently ran them along the blade, using his Observation Haki to monitor its condition. Though faint, some of the Holy Light''s power wasn''t dissipating. Instead, it was being absorbed by the sword, albeit at the cost of slowing down the light''s natural dissipation.


    Wright''s spirits soared¡ªthis worked! He decided to dedicate more time to mastering his control over the Holy Light.This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    "Doctor Wright, we''ve arrived at Orange Town!"


    Carrying his luggage and Ashes, Wright stepped off the ship, greeted by a throng of people on the deck, all bowing and expressing their gratitude. This left him somewhat embarrassed.


    "You really don''t have to be so polite. Also, I''m not a doctor¡ªI''m a swordsman! Look at the sword, people!" Wright protested, though his audience''s knowing glances told him they clearly thought otherwise.


    After much effort, Wright finally freed himself from the crowd and set foot in Orange Town¡ªthe third stop on his journey in this world.


    Yes, it was that Orange Town, the place where Monkey D. Luffy would, twenty years later, face the man whose name you should never say backward¡­


    Wright hadn''t planned any specific destinations since leaving Shimotsuki Village, but it was a surprise that his first stop ended up being this peculiar town.


    Orange Town was newly built and still relatively small. Many facilities weren''t yet complete, so the townsfolk relied heavily on visiting merchant ships. News of a young prodigy doctor arriving spread quickly, and soon everyone in town was talking about him.


    "Luffy found an incredible navigator here. I wonder what I might stumble upon¡­ Wait, what?!"


    Wright''s musings were interrupted as he expanded his Observation Haki to its limit, both training and surveying the area. What he sensed left him dumbfounded.


    "That straw hat! Am I seeing things?"


    "No¡­ even if my eyes deceived me, my Observation Haki wouldn''t!"


    Wright''s Observation Haki, likely influenced by the Holy Light, had shown signs of a legendary advanced trait¡ªthe ability to sense emotions. Additionally, its range was impressive, covering nearly the entire town despite being recently awakened.


    "''Red-Haired'' Shanks!"


    The man hadn''t noticed him yet, but Wright''s curiosity was immediately piqued. Recently, news had spread of Golden Lion Shiki escaping from Impel Down. Around this time, Shanks should be¡­


    "Who knows! Even as a hardcore fan, I only remember the major events. Who could possibly recall every little detail?"


    Still, Wright couldn''t resist eavesdropping. Observation Haki not only detected emotions but also, in this case, thoughts. It felt far classier than simply hearing voices¡ªthough the end result was similar.


    Shanks was in a bar, laughing and drinking heartily. Wright speculated, "Is he out here for some leisure time? Has he formed his crew yet?"


    Then Shanks spoke:


    "That sharpshooter, what a shame. I went out of my way, only to be rejected!"


    "But no matter. I can tell he''s someone with a longing for the sea. One day, he''ll join my crew. Hahaha!"


    Wright raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Even Shanks, with his so-called ''Face-Fruit'' charisma, gets rejected. Other than, well, that guy with the name you shouldn''t say backward¡­"


    "A sharpshooter? Isn''t Syrup Village nearby? Could it be Yasopp? Hah, I bet Shanks is sulking about it."


    Shanks continued, "I heard there''s a miracle doctor in town, just a kid. Sounds interesting! I''d love to meet him¡­ I just lost a sharpshooter; maybe I can find a ship doctor instead!"


    Wright: "¡­"


    What? How did that thought process even make sense? Was Shanks'' crew always this¡­ chaotic?


    Still¡­


    The Shanks standing here seemed only 17 or 18 years old. He didn''t yet bear the three scars on his face from Blackbeard.


    Maybe? Could it be? Worth a shot?


    This was a man who had joined Gol D. Roger''s crew at just nine years old, someone destined to become one of the world''s strongest swordsmen and a future Yonko. Even if he wasn''t yet at his peak, as a veteran of the Edd War, he had to be a high-level swordsman already.


    It would be a waste not to seize this rare opportunity.


    In the town''s only tavern, Shanks was already downing barrels of beer with several tables of drinking companions, his immense tolerance for alcohol on full display.


    "Creak~"


    The tavern door opened, and Wright poked his head in. He immediately frowned at the sight of swaying drunkards and was nearly overwhelmed by the stench of booze.


    "Uh¡­"


    "Doctor! Have you come to join the fun? Drink to your heart''s content¡ªit''s all on me today!" someone shouted cheerfully.


    Wright: "¡­Sorry for the interruption. Goodbye."

 Chapter 9: Seeing is Believing

    "What an idiot I am. Got distracted by Shanks and didn''t even notice the merchant ship crew in the tavern¡­"


    Wright turned to leave, realizing the loudmouth from earlier was one of the merchants selling alcohol from the ship. It made perfect sense for him to be in a tavern, especially since he was treating his crew. Those same crew members were also among the people Wright had healed before.


    "Doctor! I propose a toast! No¡ªthree toasts!"


    "Three? That''s nothing. I''ll toast the doctor with a whole barrel! To thank him for saving my life!"


    "Get out of the way! I was the first to offer the doctor a drink!"


    One man staggered forward with a glass of wine, only to trip over the second man, who then toppled onto the third. The scene quickly devolved into utter chaos.


    "Good thing they''re all drunk. If they latched onto me, it''d be a real headache."


    Wright slipped into a nearby alley, intending to make a quiet exit. Shanks¡­ there''d be plenty of opportunities to deal with him later.


    Just as Wright was about to step out of the alley, he froze in place.


    "Hey there, young man!"


    Shanks appeared at the entrance, waving cheerfully.


    "Damn it! I didn''t extend my Observation Haki earlier, and now Shanks is right on top of me!"


    "What kind of monster is he? After drinking so much, he looks completely fine!"


    Wright rubbed his forehead in exasperation and muttered, "I''m not a doctor, okay? Don''t listen to their nonsense. I don''t know anything¡ªI''m just a swordsman. See? I carry a sword¡­"


    Shanks'' eyes lit up. "A swordsman, huh? Judging by your quick reflexes earlier, you must be pretty skilled. And so young, too! You''ve got a bright future ahead of you. Why don''t you join my crew?"


    "I''m Shanks, a pirate!"


    "Fine, I''m a doctor. And my dream is world peace."


    "...Hahahaha! You''re such an interesting guy!"


    With his characteristic boldness, Shanks threw an arm around Wright''s shoulders. "It''s rare to meet someone as fun as you. Come on, let''s go drink!"


    "Didn''t you just finish drinking?!"


    ¡­


    In the end, Wright couldn''t escape Shanks'' infectious energy and was dragged back to the tavern. Between Shanks'' insistence and the enthusiastic toasts of the merchant crew, Wright found himself drunker than he''d ever been in his life. After all, his years of disciplined training had never involved drinking so recklessly.


    The next day, Wright awoke with a pounding headache and followed Shanks to a clearing in the mountains far from the town.


    A gentle breeze rustled the nearby trees, and the sounds of nature filled the air. Orange Town occupied only a small portion of the island''s coastline, with the rest of the land remaining untouched wilderness. Forests, grasslands, and rivers spread across the island, providing the resources that supported the town''s trade.Reading on Amazon or a pirate site? This novel is from Royal Road. Support the author by reading it there.


    "Wright, come sail with me! The East Blue is just one of the Four Seas, and beyond them lies the Grand Line¡ªa place filled with countless islands, extraordinary people, and breathtaking wonders. The ocean''s marvels are beyond imagination."


    As Shanks gazed out at the island''s stunning natural scenery, he spoke with genuine passion, once again extending his invitation.


    Having confirmed that Wright was indeed the "interesting doctor" he''d heard about, and discovering that Wright also possessed advanced swordsmanship and unparalleled healing abilities, Shanks became relentless in his efforts to recruit him into his "soon-to-be-formed" pirate crew to explore the Grand Line together.


    It had been two years since Shanks'' captain, Gol D. Roger¡ªthe Pirate King¡ªwas publicly executed by the Navy in Loguetown. At the time, a 15-year-old Shanks had stood at the execution site, clutching Roger''s straw hat as he wept silently. Years earlier, Shanks had voluntarily stepped away from Roger''s final journey to care for a gravely ill man whose name no one dared to pronounce backward, missing the chance to reach Laugh Tale.


    Although Shanks had once resolved to sail to Laugh Tale aboard his own ship, something Roger had told him after returning from that journey seemed to have given Shanks a new perspective. Regardless of his ultimate decision, he knew it would require forming his own crew. Two years earlier, on the day of Roger''s execution, Shanks had invited his "friend"¡ªthe man with the unmentionable name¡ªto join his crew. However, the offer was declined, as the man refused to serve under anyone.


    Since then, Shanks had wandered alone, experiencing untold adventures. Now, he was ready to assemble his own pirate crew and return to the seas where he had once fought alongside his captain.


    "Shanks, it''s too early for that. I''ve only just grasped the basics of the ''Cutting Steel'' stage, and I have almost no combat experience¡­"


    Wright sighed. This world wasn''t some anime; it was real. There were no plot-armored characters immune to harm. Even though his Holy Light powers gave him a better chance of survival, a fatal strike would end him just as easily. Forget the Grand Line¡ªeven the Four Seas hid masters capable of killing him outright.


    Wright understood his limits. He wasn''t invincible, so he couldn''t afford to be reckless. If he made a wrong move and lost his life, who knew if he''d get another chance? Playing it safe was the smarter choice. Grinding in the newbie area until he''d maxed out his experience was the only way to ensure survival in new territories.


    Besides¡­


    "My dream is world peace! How can I become a pirate?"


    "Ahahaha¡­"


    Shanks burst into uncontrollable laughter, clutching his stomach and doubling over. "Sorry, sorry! I know I shouldn''t laugh, but I can''t help it! Hahaha¡­"


    Wright glared at the red-haired man who was laughing so hard he could barely stand. "Laugh all you want, idiot! Paying for your drinks wasn''t an invitation to mock me!


    "You''re not much older than me, but it''s clear you''re much stronger! And it''s rare to meet such a pure swordsman. I can sense that aura we swordsmen share!


    "Draw your blade! Let''s see how far apart we are in skill!"


    "Shing¡ª"


    The sword Ashes slid from its sheath, imbued with the power of Holy Light. Golden-red divine flames ignited along its length, illuminating the air with their brilliance. Wright gripped the sword with both hands, his stance resolute as his Observation Haki flared to its fullest.


    "Oh~! So this is your ability? What a dazzling effect! I''m so jealous~"


    Shanks straightened up, his expression turning serious as he steadied his own blade¡ªa seemingly ordinary weapon, not yet the legendary saber Gryphon.


    "Your ability is truly remarkable, Wright. I''ve heard of Devil Fruit users who can heal injuries and even use their powers offensively, but I''ve never seen anyone as efficient as you.


    "And damn it, why do all you healing types have such flashy abilities? That guy''s powers are just as eye-catching. I''m so jealous¡­"


    What "heard of"? Wright knew Shanks had likely crossed paths with that man countless times. The mythical Zoan Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Phoenix, belonged to Marco the Phoenix, the ship doctor of the Whitebeard Pirates.


    Thanks to Marco''s existence, Wright''s Holy Light powers wouldn''t stand out too much in the Grand Line. He could simply claim to be a unique Paramecia user. After all, he couldn''t turn into an element like a Logia-type user¡ªsay, the notorious Glint-Glint Fruit.


    Although¡­ wouldn''t that catch the attention of that guy?


    Wouldn''t it be troublesome if Kizaru came looking for him?

 Chapter 10: Are You Seriously Jealous of My Special Effects?!

    As Shanks had mentioned, in terms of show-stopping flair, the power of Holy Light far outshines even the Glint-Glint Fruit. What''s more, Wright is a strikingly handsome young man, while Kizaru is, well¡­ a sleazy uncle.


    That jest aside, the two stood poised with their blades, a tense aura freezing the air around them.


    Boom!


    The ground beneath Wright''s feet crumbled into a crater as he launched forward like a cannonball, slashing downward with immense force. Shanks, unfazed, stood his ground, calmly raising his sword to block.


    Clang! Bang!


    The clash of their blades unleashed a tempestuous shockwave. While Shanks was a crew member of the Pirate King, at just 17 or 18 years old, his raw strength couldn''t completely contend with Wright, who wielded the power of Holy Light. In fact, Shanks was slightly disadvantaged in this contest of brute force.


    But Shanks had fought countless battles alongside the Pirate King, his combat experience vast and sharp. With a swift shift in technique, he aimed to deflect Wright''s strength and close the distance.


    "Hm?"


    As Shanks adjusted his movements, Wright seemed to predict it perfectly, moving in sync and forcing Shanks to abandon his offensive and redirect the force of their clash into the ground instead.


    Boom!!


    The ground exploded beneath their combined strength, leaving a massive crater as both retreated to opposite sides.


    "I didn''t expect this, Wright," Shanks remarked, a hint of admiration in his voice. "At your age, you''ve already awakened Observation Haki. With your talent and mastery of the ''Cutting Iron'' level, the Grand Line is well within your reach!"


    "Even if you don''t want to become a pirate, with your strength, you''d have no problem entering Marine Headquarters. Many of the officers there haven''t even awakened Haki."


    "Hahaha! This is exhilarating, Shanks!" Wright laughed heartily, feigning humility. "But Haki? That concept isn''t exactly common knowledge in the Four Seas. Your background must be rather extraordinary!"


    Though Wright''s Observation Haki could perceive emotions and even thoughts, it only worked if his opponent''s mind was unguarded or their will wasn''t strong enough. Moreover, it required his full concentration, which significantly limited its utility in heated battles. At most, it allowed him to vaguely sense an opponent''s intentions.


    "Besides," Wright teased, "aren''t you supposed to be a pirate? Why are you suggesting I join the Marines?"


    Shanks smirked. "Haha, you''ve done your homework, huh? The East Blue really is full of surprises. As for being a pirate or a Marine¡­ I''m not that hung up on labels. Now, let''s take this up a notch. My turn to activate Observation Haki!"If you find this story on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the infringement.


    Clang, clang, clang, clang¡­


    With both wielding Observation Haki, each could read the other''s moves effortlessly. In their evenly matched exchange, the flurry of strikes went on for several minutes without either gaining an upper hand.


    Whew¡­


    Wright exhaled deeply, observing the increasingly serious look on Shanks'' face. "Shanks, it''s obvious you''re holding back. At this level of sparring, we''ll never determine a winner."


    Shanks glanced around at the surrounding wreckage¡ªevidence of their earlier clashes¡ªand grinned. "Wright, your ability seems to do little more than obscure my vision. But your swordsmanship is truly remarkable. If you can master Armament Haki, the latter half of the Grand Line won''t be out of reach!"


    "Judging by your strength and physical capabilities, you should be able to awaken Armament Haki soon. Still¡­ you''re terrifyingly young."


    Wright healed his minor wounds with a quick Holy Light spell, feeling his strength rapidly return. "You talk as if you''re so much older than me. I don''t believe for a second you haven''t mastered Armament Haki. And you''ve been engaging me in close combat¡ªis that to spare me from facing flying slashes?"


    "My training is still lacking," Wright admitted. "I''m not yet proficient in Armament Haki or flying slashes. However, my ability lets me mimic some of their effects in my swordsmanship."


    The golden-red holy flames on Ashes began to condense, their intensity diminishing but becoming more concentrated. A faint golden glow enveloped the blade, exuding an aura of sharpness and resilience¡ªan effect eerily similar to Armament Haki!


    This was the Seraphim''s Blessing, a technique that combined the punishing and protective traits of Holy Light to enhance a weapon''s durability and offensive power.


    "And now¡­"


    Wright activated King''s Blessing to amplify his physical attributes and Divine Protection to boost his defense. A soft golden aura surrounded him, the visual effect utterly dazzling.


    !!!


    Shanks'' eyes sparkled with envy. This was unfair. Coupled with Wright''s striking looks, these golden effects were far too flashy. If this kid stepped onto the Grand Line, someone would definitely want to beat him up out of sheer jealousy.


    He wanted to beat him up right now.


    "Alright!" Shanks declared, his blade enveloped in the black sheen of Armament Haki. "Let''s go!"


    Whoosh¡ª


    A bright flying slash arced through the air, cutting toward Wright.


    Wright smiled faintly. "So this is a flying slash? Watch this!"


    Final Judgment!


    A golden slash flew from Wright''s blade, formed by Holy Light projected outward. Though its range was limited, it had previously sliced a hapless pirate captain clean in two.


    The two slashes collided and canceled each other out. Wright''s eyes lit up. "Though it was just a casual strike, that came from the Shanks. This technique should work well in mid-range battles."


    "Oh?" Shanks said, intrigued. "That''s almost indistinguishable from a true flying slash. Is your ability primarily focused on support? If I didn''t already know what the Glint-Glint Fruit does, I''d have thought your power was a weaker version of it. It seems more like a Paramecia-type ability. Truly unprecedented."


    Excited by the encounter, Shanks felt invigorated¡ªnot just by meeting someone so interesting, but also because of the thrill of the fight.


    "A fair match? This is going to be fun!"


    Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!


    Though Shanks held back, refraining from using his famed Conqueror''s Haki¡ªor perhaps he hadn''t yet mastered imbuing it into attacks¡ªhis Observation and Armament Haki, along with his swordsmanship, were still formidable.


    "Huff¡­ huff¡­ huff¡­"


    Leaning on his sword, Wright panted heavily, drenched in sweat. He glared at Shanks, who was only slightly winded. "You monster! Even with my ability to recover stamina, you''ve worn me out completely. What is this absurd endurance of yours?!"


    "Hahaha!" Shanks laughed heartily, secretly savoring his victory. Serves you right for being so cool with those flashy effects. Outwardly, though, he extended a hand to Wright. "Don''t sweat the details. Today was a blast. Come on, let''s grab a drink!"


    "Drink your sister!" Wright snapped.

 Chapter 11: Even the "Face-Face Fruit" Gets Rejected

    It was the same tavern, the same fiery liquor, the same drunken fool, and the same boisterous crowd of drinkers...


    Wright was once again plastered, and this time it was worse than ever. It seemed like the entire Orange Town now knew about Wright, the "ultra-skilled doctor." People came to the tavern in droves to toast him¡ªafter all, the town had never had a decent doctor since its founding.


    To make matters worse, that bastard Shanks had declared that if anyone managed to drink Wright under the table, he would foot the entire bill. Was Shanks robbing someone recently? Where did he get that much money?


    That scoundrel had realized Wright had no intention of setting sail anytime soon, much less becoming a pirate. Now, it seemed like Shanks was dead set on making Wright his drinking buddy¡ªafter all, you don''t have to be on the same ship or a pirate to share a drink together, right?


    Dragged into the tavern by Shanks, who had drained him of his Holy Light powers, Wright managed to cast a few cleansing spells to stave off the worst of the alcohol''s effects. Yet, the relentless waves of toasts eventually drowned him. He ended up buried beneath a mountain of drunken bodies. How tragic.


    Before succumbing to this collective assault, Wright had desperately managed to outdrink Shanks, leaving the man sprawled beneath a collapsed table. Of course, Shanks had also been swallowed up by the wave of revelers, table and all. The scene was a complete disaster.


    "Ugh, my head¡­ I can''t breathe..."


    Wright groggily cast a cleansing spell to clear his mind. He immediately noticed that the crushing weight of drunken bodies pressing down on him was about to make him vomit blood. With sheer physical strength, he crawled out of the tavern, only to see Shanks still sprawled beneath the wreckage of a broken table, drooling.


    Sighing, Wright trudged back into the tavern to drag him out.


    A cleansing spell later, Shanks groggily opened his eyes and quickly snapped awake. "Wright¡­ your ability is incredible. You could dominate the world in drinking competitions¡­ I''m so jealous!"


    "My stomach lining isn''t going to dominate anything," Wright shot back irritably. His steps were still unsteady, and he had to lean on his sword for support. "Forget that¡ªhow are you planning to pay the tab? That was an entire crowd drinking, and yesterday alone probably wiped out the tavern''s monthly supply!"


    "Hahaha, don''t worry, Wright. It''s touching that the first thing you thought of was the bill," Shanks said with a hearty laugh. "I''ve been in this town a few days longer than you, and I''ve been racking up a tab at that tavern. I''ll just use the money I''ve made recently to cover it. Shanks never skips out on a drinking tab!"


    "Wright, I''m preparing to leave," Shanks said, adjusting his straw hat and stretching with a wide yawn under Wright''s skeptical gaze. "I''m serious about forming a pirate crew. I recently heard about a sharpshooter on a nearby island and went to recruit him, but he turned me down with the excuse that he ''hasn''t experienced marriage yet.''"This story has been taken without authorization. Report any sightings.


    "Pfft! Hahaha!" Wright burst out laughing. "That guy sounds like a real character. You''re talking about Yasopp, aren''t you? What a bizarre excuse!"


    "So, did you give up after that?" Wright asked, still chuckling.


    "Of course not! I told him I''d come back to recruit him before officially setting sail. Then I came to Orange Town to gather information since the merchant ships here carry plenty of news. I finally found someone who could''ve been both a ship doctor and a swordsman, but¡­ well, you turned me down."


    "Aw, now I''m heartbroken," Shanks said, feigning a tragic expression. "What a crushing blow."


    "If you''re crushed by that, I''ll eat my sword," Wright retorted flatly.


    "...Guess you won''t have to eat it after all. Hahaha¡­"


    The two eventually found a restaurant¡ªnot a tavern this time¡ªto fill their empty stomachs. In no time, two towering stacks of empty plates piled up on their table.


    "I''ll be heading out soon too, traveling across the East Blue," Wright said between bites. "I''ve barely explored the world before¡ªit''s such a shame. This time, I left the mountain to hone my craft, and the first town I visit, I run into someone as young and powerful as you, Shanks. If anyone calls the East Blue the ''weakest sea'' again, I''ll spit in their face!"


    Wright''s heartfelt declaration drew a chuckle from Shanks, who paused to scratch his red hair. "I''m actually from the West Blue. I''m just traveling through the East Blue for now. But you''re a true native, Wright. That ''weakest sea'' label? It''s about the pirates here, not the people."


    Shanks swatted Wright''s hand away as he reached for a plate near him, quickly dumping its contents into his mouth. "Mmm¡­ gulp¡­ whew. That was close." After washing it down with a mug of ale, Shanks continued, "In reality, the East Blue is a symbol of peace, with the Marines maintaining tighter control here compared to the other seas. Plenty of big names have come from this region."


    "Even the Pirate King himself was from the East Blue," Shanks added, his voice tinged with a fleeting sadness before he smiled again. "And let''s not forget the most powerful figure from the East Blue still active today: Vice Admiral Garp, the Marine Hero!"


    "Word is Vice Admiral Garp visits the East Blue occasionally to see his family. He''s definitely the strongest presence here. If wandering pirates ever cross paths with him¡­ well, it''s bound to be entertaining. Hahaha!"


    Wright rolled his eyes. "Everyone in the East Blue knows Garp''s name. Don''t tell me you''ve run into him while roaming around here, Shanks. Did the Vice Admiral ''educate'' you?"


    Caught off guard, Shanks choked on his drink and coughed violently. Desperate to change the subject, he asked, "What about you? What''s your plan? If you''re not going to be a pirate, why not join the Marines? With your strength, the Marines would definitely groom you for greatness."


    "Maybe I''ll be a bounty hunter," Wright replied after swallowing a mouthful of food. "The Marines have too many rules. Maybe I''ll consider it when I''m stronger, but for now, joining them feels too restrictive." Turning to the kitchen, he called out, "Boss! Ten more servings!"


    "Doctor, eat as much as you like! It''s on the house!" the cheerful restaurant owner replied from the back.


    "¡­"


    "Hahaha! You''re quite the celebrity, Wright!" Shanks laughed, gnawing on an unidentified roasted leg. "Who knows? Maybe we''ll meet again someday. By then, I might regret it¡ªyour Armament Haki awakening feels just around the corner. Your abilities¡­ they''re so versatile, even for developing Haki."


    "Just thinking about fighting you when that happens gives me a headache¡­ hahaha!"


    "Hmph! When that day comes, I''ll make you look like a pig!" Wright retorted confidently.


    "Hahaha! Don''t do that¡ªI didn''t make you look like a pig last night, did I?"


    Thus ended Wright''s first fateful meeting with the future Emperor, Shanks. He turned down the invitation to join Shanks'' crew, only to become an unexpected drinking buddy. And somehow, they ended up swearing to beat each other senseless in the future. Fate truly works in mysterious ways.


    Leaving Orange Town, Wright boarded a small sailboat similar to his previous one, stocked with supplies, and set off to explore the East Blue.

 Chapter 12: The Bug of the East Blue

    Time flies¡ªthree years passed in the blink of an eye.


    In these three years of roaming, Wright awakened his Armament Haki early. However, his Armament Haki was rather unusual. He also achieved a basic mastery of Flying Slashes, integrating them with the power of Holy Light.


    While Wright''s strength had grown significantly, the world had also changed. Following the death of Gol D. Roger and the legend of the One Piece, countless people set sail in pursuit of their dreams, choosing the path of piracy.


    But among these so-called dreamers, only a few genuinely pursued their dreams¡ªor persevered in chasing them. The majority were cruel, merciless, greedy, and deceitful individuals. For them, piracy satisfied their darkest desires and boundless ambitions, driving them to slaughter civilians, loot merchant ships, and attack towns. The stronger pirate crews even dared to assault royal ports, and some grew bold enough to strike at Marine bases.


    Despite being the "weakest sea" and a supposed "symbol of peace," even the East Blue wasn''t spared. If the relatively peaceful East Blue was this chaotic, how dire must the other seas¡ªand the Grand Line¡ªbe?


    The so-called "Sea of Dreams" was nothing more than a romantic notion for adventurers. In reality, the ocean was fraught with dangers and shrouded in darkness. True pirates were like cancerous tumors spreading across the sea.


    Pirate crews like Roger''s, Whitebeard''s, Shanks'', and Luffy''s were essentially adventuring groups driven by their own dreams. But figures like Kaido, Blackbeard, and Shiki embodied the essence of true piracy¡ªmerciless predators of the seas. Even Big Mom, in her own twisted way, was a dreamer¡­ albeit an utterly mad one.


    As the number of pirates grew, the damage they inflicted on the world increased. Yet for various reasons, the Marines found themselves stretched thinner, struggling more and more to maintain control over the seas.


    For the past three years, Wright wandered the East Blue as a bounty hunter. He visited nearly every inhabited island and trained alone on deserted islands for at least a month at a time. Thanks to the immense restorative power of Holy Light, his survival needs were greatly reduced, and his growth accelerated significantly.


    A master of both Armament and Observation Haki, a swordsman capable of Flying Slashes, and a Devil Fruit user, Wright was practically a bug-like existence in the East Blue. Under his relentless pursuit, very few pirate crews managed to successfully depart Loguetown for the Grand Line during those three years.


    To hone his combat skills and swordsmanship, Wright often avoided using Haki or his Devil Fruit powers, defeating countless pirate crews with pure swordsmanship. His Holy Light ability, however, found frequent use in long-distance chases, restoring his stamina, or healing civilians wounded by pirates.


    Wright''s unique healing power became his signature. Tales of the "doctor" spread far and wide from Orange Town to the rest of the East Blue. Coupled with his strikingly distinctive Holy Light powers, Wright earned the title of "Dawn Medic," the East Blue''s strongest bounty hunter.


    Bringing hope to the people and dispelling the darkness of the East Blue, Wright became a legend among commoners. Even the Marines actively cooperated with him, nearly eradicating the few remaining pirate crews with bounties exceeding ten million berries.The author''s content has been appropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    As for letting pirates go to report back? Such occurrences became rare. With his Observation Haki, Wright easily discerned the intentions of those who weren''t truly evil¡ªand those individuals were few and far between.


    Yet, greed and ambition know no bounds. Despite Wright''s overwhelming presence, new pirates continued to set sail, convinced that such a powerful figure couldn''t stay in the "weakest sea" forever. They believed Wright would eventually leave for the Grand Line, and when he did, they planned to reemerge stronger than ever.


    Over the years, the Marines repeatedly invited Wright to join their ranks. After his consistent refusals, they finally gave up. Wright''s strength was enough to sweep through the East Blue. Every Marine base in the region coveted his abilities, but none could realistically recruit someone capable of defeating East Blue''s highest-ranking officers with ease.


    Even a Marine from Headquarters at the rank of captain would find Wright a formidable opponent. Compared to Headquarters, the Four Seas'' branch forces were three ranks lower¡ªa mere shadow of the true Marine strength.


    Wright''s decision not to join the Marines was due to more than his independent streak. There was also Shanks. Over the past three years, the Red-Haired Pirates had formed their crew. Though they were elusive, they occasionally returned to the East Blue to rest. As a true "adventuring crew," they never crossed Wright''s moral boundaries, allowing his friendly relationship with Shanks to endure.


    Whenever Wright felt he''d made progress in his training, he would seek out the Red-Haired Pirates for a "friendly exchange"¡ªwhether sparring, drinking contests, or outright feasts.


    This arrangement suited Wright''s freedom as a bounty hunter, at least until he ventured to the Grand Line. That was, until one day...


    "Shanks, is this your new crewmate? Let me guess¡­"


    During a routine drinking¡­ er, sparring session, Wright arrived at the Red-Haired Pirates'' camp. By now, the crew was used to his visits, greeting him warmly. Some even jokingly asked Wright to heal their "stubborn ailments" like hemorrhoids¡ªa remark that left Wright momentarily speechless.


    As Wright regained his composure, he noticed Shanks walking over with a sly grin, accompanied by a familiar face. Shanks'' smug expression was like that of a fox that had successfully stolen a chicken.


    "Judging by that smirk, is this the sharpshooter from Syrup Village you''ve been raving about for three years¡ªYasopp?"


    "Ahaha, Mr. Wright, it''s not like we''ve never met!" Yasopp scratched his head with a sheepish smile. "I haven''t had the chance to thank you for defending our village against those pirates¡ªand for treating our illnesses."


    "Don''t mention it¡­" Wright greeted Shanks with a fist bump before turning to Yasopp. "Healing aside, if I hadn''t been around, wouldn''t you have taken care of those small-time pirates yourself?"


    "I heard about your reason for refusing to join Shanks last time¡­ You never disappoint!"


    "So, you''ve finally joined this bastard''s crew. Don''t tell me¡­?"


    Yasopp glanced helplessly at Shanks, who looked particularly pleased with himself, then sighed. "Yes, I''ve gotten married and even have a son now. But¡­ I''m destined not to be a good father, am I?"


    "And you, Mr. Wright," Yasopp continued, smirking slightly. "As someone who also turned Shanks down, your ''dream'' must be¡ªpfft, sorry, sorry!"


    "Hahahaha!"


    The Red-Haired Pirates burst into laughter. Shanks, the biggest culprit, was laughing so hard he nearly doubled over.


    "No matter how many times I hear it, Wright, your dream never fails to crack me up. But don''t worry¡ªwe''ll definitely help you when the time comes!"


    "You bastard, Shanks! All of you! Bring me the booze! I''ll show you all today that a man''s dream is sacred and inviolable!"


    "Listen up! If even one of you is sober by sunrise, I''ll eat this entire ship¡ªthe Red Force!"


    Ben Beckman laughed. "With Yasopp on our side today, Wright, you might not win this time!"


    Lucky Roux grinned. "Here it comes¡ªWright''s ''nothing is impossible to eat'' series!"


    Shanks roared, "Let''s have a feast!"


    "Yeah!" the crew cheered in unison.


    The festivities erupted once more, as Wright and the Red-Haired Pirates prepared for yet another night of revelry.

 Chapter 13: The Power of a Fist Filled with Love

    After parting ways with Shanks, Wright watched as the Red Force sailed into the distance.


    However, there was something off¡ªgone was the usual rowdy banter of the crew, replaced by an unnatural silence that felt almost eerie.


    In truth, besides Shanks, whom Wright had respectfully roused with his purification abilities, only the navigator and helmsman remained conscious to ensure the ship''s proper departure. As for the rest of the crew? They''d all remain blissfully asleep until tomorrow night.


    Who told them they could mock a young man''s "grandiose dream"? Not retaliating would make him unworthy of his pride. Revenge might be petty, but it sure was satisfying!


    With the Red-Haired Pirates out of the picture, there was no one left in the East Blue to test his abilities against. That meant it was time to set course for the Grand Line. However, heading there without a reliable navigator would be tricky. Though he had studied some navigation skills, they were surface-level at best. Perhaps he could negotiate with the Marines for a ride?


    "One day," Wright muttered wistfully, "I''ll have the strength of someone like Dracule Mihawk, able to roam freely on the sea with just a small boat."


    After spending the night on the island to rest and prepare, Wright planned to visit a nearby Marine base for information about Grand Line routes.


    The sun was relentless¡ªit hadn''t rained in half a month, and the scorching heat left Wright drenched in sweat. Unable to endure, he dove into the sea for a refreshing swim.


    "Ahh, much better."


    Still, he reminded himself not to make this a habit. As far as the world knew, he was a Devil Fruit user. Swimming? That would raise all kinds of suspicions¡ªpotentially dangerous ones.


    Sprawled on his small boat, Wright found himself envying the carefree mastery of Mihawk, the future World''s Greatest Swordsman.


    "Ugh, I''m so tired... Shanks and his crew sure had good booze," he mumbled, dozing off as the boat drifted.


    "Vice Admiral Garp! You''ve already eaten all the rice crackers and donuts! We''re really out until we return to headquarters!"


    "Hmm? Is that so... No snacks left, huh? How boring. Guess I''ll take a nap then... Zzz..."


    "Vice Admiral Garp? Sir?"


    On the tranquil sea, a massive ship with a comically oversized dog''s head sailed steadily forward. The dog head even held a giant bone in its mouth, giving it a goofy, unassuming appearance.


    But this "silly-looking" ship was feared throughout the Grand Line¡ªnone other than the flagship of Marine Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp, the Hero of the Marines!


    It had been only five years since the public execution of the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger. The world still vividly remembered his unparalleled power. In the process of capturing Roger, Garp was the sole Marine who could stand toe-to-toe with him.Unlawfully taken from Royal Road, this story should be reported if seen on Amazon.


    Garp''s strength was beyond question. Only his love of freedom¡ªand, perhaps, his eccentric personality¡ªkept him from accepting the promotion to Admiral. Strength-wise, he was a top-tier powerhouse.


    The East Blue was vast, and the odds of two ships meeting by coincidence were slim to none. But sometimes, fate had other plans.


    "Report! Vice Admiral Garp!"


    "Zzz..."


    Garp, wearing his iconic dog-head hat, sat sprawled in his chair, fist propping up his head, snoring soundly with a giant snot bubble bobbing with each breath.


    "Vice Admiral Garp! Sir!?" The scout was sweating nervously. Should he wake Garp? Would he get punched into the horizon if he did? Probably.


    "What''s the matter?" Thankfully, Garp''s dependable adjutant, Bogard, stepped in. The scout breathed a sigh of relief, saluted, and reported.


    "Sir! We''ve spotted a small sailboat ahead with only one person aboard!"


    "Oh?" Bogard glanced at Garp, still snoring away, and sighed. "Have you identified the individual?"


    The scout hesitated. "Apologies, sir. The individual appears to be... asleep, with their face covered by a hat. We haven''t been able to confirm their identity."


    "..."


    Why, Bogard thought bitterly, am I always surrounded by people who love to sleep?


    Adjusting his gentleman''s hat, Bogard walked to the bow to observe the slowly drifting sailboat. His sharp eyes quickly caught something unusual.


    "That sword... glimmering with a golden radiance. Across the East Blue¡ªno, even the Grand Line¡ªthere''s no second blade like it."


    "That''s the Dawn Doctor, Wright¡ªthe famed Pirate Hunter!"


    So this guy just drifts around on the ocean like this? Isn''t he a Devil Fruit user? What if he fell overboard and drowned? Sure, the East Blue has mild weather, but let him try this nonsense on the Grand Line!


    Suppressing the urge to grumble further, Bogard returned to Garp.


    "Vice Admiral Garp, we''ve spotted ''Wright the Dawn Doctor,'' the notorious Pirate Hunter whose name has been making waves lately."


    "Pop!" The snot bubble burst as Garp woke abruptly, catching a key word. "Oh? That little monster? I hear he''s a young prodigy who''s already mastered a Devil Fruit, Haki, and swordsman-level techniques?"


    "Crack, crack..."


    Stretching and cracking his knuckles, Garp grinned. "Ah, a talented youngster from the East Blue¡ªmakes this old man proud! I should give him a proper introduction to my Fist of Love. What''s he doing wasting his potential as a Pirate Hunter?"


    "Boom!"


    As Wright''s sailboat collided with the warship, the impact jolted him awake. Reflexively, he grabbed his sword, leapt to his feet, and landed on the deck of the larger vessel just as Bogard ordered a halt.


    "Hmm? What did I hit?" Wright blinked groggily, scanning his surroundings.


    Marines? Wasn''t the nearest base still quite far? Did his boat drift onto a strange current again?


    He turned to see the massive dog-head prow of the warship. Slowly, realization dawned as he looked around. His eyes finally settled on a towering man in a dog-head hat, clad in a Marine Vice Admiral''s coat, grinning at him with fists like boulders. Beside him stood a serious-looking man in a suit, also wearing a Marine coat, his gentleman''s hat casting a shadow over an annoyed expression.


    "Oh, uh... Vice Admiral Garp? Nice weather today, huh?"


    "You know me, kid?" Garp grinned, his booming laughter shaking the deck. "Even after so long away, my name still echoes in the East Blue, eh? HAHAHA!"


    Wright, Bogard, and the Marines collectively sweat-dropped. Long away? No kidding! Maybe your absence is why the East Blue is called the weakest sea...


    Still, this might be the perfect chance to test his strength.


    "Vice Admiral Garp, your reputation precedes you! Your deeds are, uh, legendary and all that..."


    "HAHAHA! Enough talk, kid!" Garp cut him off with a laugh, leaping forward. "You''ve been making a name for yourself in the East Blue, but it''s a waste for someone like you to stay here!


    "I hear you''ve beaten all the Marine base commanders in the region, claiming you''ll join the Marines if anyone can best you. Well, I''m always on the lookout for interesting youngsters! Let''s see if you''re worthy of joining under me!


    "Feel the power of my Fist of Love!"

 Chapter 14: A Punch to the Face, and Out Cold

    Facing Garp¡ªthis true man of action who resorts to fists at the slightest provocation¡ªWright might have admired him. Yeah, right!


    What''s with this crazy old man? Does he enjoy bullying kids or something?


    Still¡­ this kid isn''t your average child!


    Wright''s eyes narrowed. His blade, Ashes, was drawn, meeting Garp''s fist head-on. "I couldn''t ask for more! Please guide me, Vice Admiral Garp!"


    Golden Armament Haki entwined around Wright''s long sword, which had been infused with the power of Holy Light for three years. The blade shimmered with a faint golden glow, looking like a masterpiece forged from pure gold¡ªboth stunning and exquisite.


    From the moment Wright awakened his Armament Haki, it had been unique. Perhaps due to the synergy between his Haki and his Holy Light abilities, a special effect emerged.


    Observation Haki fused with the spiritual properties of Holy Light, granting the derivative ability to perceive emotions and thoughts.


    Armament Haki combined with Holy Light''s three traits¡ªjudgment, protection, and healing¡ªaltered its color from black to gold. This endowed Wright''s attacks with divine damage, boosted his defense, and enhanced his regenerative abilities.


    Now, Wright''s Armament Haki could simultaneously provide weaker versions of Seraphim''s Holy Seal, Divine Protection, and Eternal Flame effects in any area it covered¡ªwithout consuming additional Holy Light energy. The Holy Light instead replenished his stamina, ensuring his Haki never ran dry.


    Truly terrifying!


    Thus¡ª


    Clang!


    Boom!


    Before the Marines on deck could process what was happening, Garp and Wright had exchanged just two sentences before launching into combat! Was this bounty hunter insane? Did he have no idea how monstrous Garp''s "Fist of Love" was?


    As Wright''s blade clashed with Garp''s fist, the collision of Armament Haki sent shockwaves rippling outward. The force lifted Marines off their feet and even skewed the giant sails of the warship. Bogard quickly ordered the crew to lower the sails and drop anchor until Garp was done stretching his legs.


    "Not bad, kid!" Garp grinned widely. "That golden stuff¡ªis it a Devil Fruit power? Interesting! Guess I''ll add more strength!"


    Boom!


    Wright didn''t dare hold back. Activating King''s Blessing and Seraphim''s Holy Seal at full power, he barely withstood Garp''s increasingly heavy blows, golden flames flaring around him.


    "So this is the strength of a Marine hero? Armament Haki of unparalleled caliber!" Wright silently marveled at the overwhelming power Garp was unleashing, despite it being only the tip of the iceberg. To protect himself, Wright activated Divine Protection, reinforcing his defenses to prevent his arms and body from breaking under the immense pressure. Golden mist swirled around him¡ªafter all, even while taking a beating, a leading man must keep up appearances!If you stumble upon this tale on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    "He''s actually holding his own against Vice Admiral Garp''s punches, even after Garp ramped up the power... Looks like the title of ''Strongest Bounty Hunter in the East Blue'' is well-earned." Bogard''s Justice Coat flapped in the shockwaves, but he stood firm. "And that golden energy... Is it a Devil Fruit ability? But it feels so much like Armament Haki. There''s no way he could block Garp''s punches without using Haki. Could it be a fusion of Devil Fruit powers and Haki?"


    Unaware that someone had already pieced together much of the truth, Wright struggled to fend off Garp''s relentless punches. Before long, he was on the verge of collapse. "So this is the strength of a top-tier powerhouse? Even someone like Shanks would be reduced to taking a beating!"


    "That''s why I said I should bide my time, yet here I am, facing Garp the boss so soon. What rotten luck!"


    "Impressive, kid! At your age, there are few in the Grand Line who could take a punch from me!" Garp''s grin turned increasingly maniacal. "But you''ve only got one sword¡ªI''ve got two fists!"


    Wright''s face paled. Before he could curse Garp, another Haki-coated fist appeared before him.


    "Not the face!"


    That was Wright''s last coherent thought before passing out. His previous thought? "This shameless old geezer!"


    "Vice Admiral Garp, you''ve damaged the deck again." Bogard sighed, shaking his head at the sight of the large hole in the deck and the unconscious Wright, who''d been sent flying into the ship''s interior by a single punch. With a resigned expression, he directed the Marines to haul Wright back up and repair the damage.


    "That kid held out against your punches for so long. You didn''t kill him, did you?"


    "Hahaha! Rare to find a brat who piques my interest! I might''ve gone a bit hard, but he''s not dead," Garp said, scratching his head. "This kid, with his skills at such a young age, in the East Blue no less, wants to join the Navy but hesitates? Now that I''ve found him, I''m taking him to headquarters! With monstrous talent like his, he could become a key figure in the Navy''s future!"


    "Indeed. Wright''s talent is frightening. He''s akin to Whitebeard''s ship doctor, Marco¡ªor perhaps even stronger, considering his balanced abilities in attack, defense, and healing." Bogard paused, his ever-neutral expression softening slightly. "There are also rumors that he can discern good and evil in people''s hearts, possibly due to a unique form of Observation Haki."


    "The Dawn Healer, they call him¡ªmerciless to evil pirates, yet like the light of dawn to ordinary folk. He heals anyone with sincerity in their hearts, regardless of status, and doesn''t charge a single Berry. Supposedly, his dream is ''world peace.''"


    "Oh?" Garp''s playful demeanor turned serious. Sitting back in his chair, he instinctively reached for his senbei but found the pouch empty. "At his age, with such a dream and his deeds to back it up, it doesn''t sound like empty talk. Do we know his background?"


    "According to our reports, Wright is the second son of a noble family in the Goa Kingdom. Disliking the politics of nobility, he took to art and, more importantly, swordsmanship. After reaching a basic level of mastery, he secretly left home to train at a dojo. Three years ago, he made his debut by saving an entire ship from poisoning, earning the nickname Healer through word of mouth. Since then, he''s traveled the East Blue as a bounty hunter, building quite a reputation."


    "So he''s from my hometown?" Garp bellowed with laughter. "The more I hear, the more I like this kid! To have such principles in this era of rampant piracy¡ªhe''s a born Marine!"


    "As I said, his talent would be wasted in the East Blue. From what I''ve seen, he''s outgrown this sea entirely. Only the Grand Line can provide the challenges he needs to grow further."


    "Haha! My grandson should aim to be just like Wright! I''ll raise Luffy to be a Marine with a heart full of justice!"

 Chapter 15: Because Its All for Justice!

    "Ouch, ouch, ouch... my face hurts so much..."


    Wright slowly regained consciousness, the sharp pain in his face quickly bringing back memories of what had happened.


    "That damned old geezer Garp... not only did he cheat, but he also punched me in the face! Isn''t he afraid he''ll break something in my head? A little more force, and my skull might''ve cracked!"


    "Is this how Luffy grew up getting beaten? No wonder he''s so tough. Even Kaido''s drunken rampage couldn''t kill him."


    Casting a quick Holy Light Spell on his face, the soothing warmth rapidly healed his swollen, pig-like visage, and the agony from the "Fist of Love" finally dissipated. Only then did Wright have the leisure to survey his surroundings.


    He was in a single-occupancy cabin. Though the decor was modest, the room was remarkably clean and tidy. Was he on Garp''s ship? Since when did a bounty hunter like him get such VIP treatment? Then again, maybe that old man knew about his healing abilities and figured he didn''t even need to waste a bandage on him!


    Grumbling inwardly, Wright grabbed his sword, Ashes, from the bedside, straightened his clothes, and stepped out of the room.


    Out on the deck, Wright noticed the marines were hard at work repairing a massive hole near the ship''s bow. That spot looked oddly familiar¡­


    "Wait, was I punched straight through there?!"


    "That old man Garp really went all out! He doesn''t even spare his own ship! What if he punches through the bottom? Lucky for me, I''m still alive¡ª"


    "Ensign Wright! You''re awake!" A marine noticed him and saluted, his face full of admiration. "It''s incredible, sir! Someone as young as you can withstand a punch from Vice Admiral Garp¡ªyou''re amazing!"


    "Ensign?" Wright raised an eyebrow at the marine, skeptical. "What''s going on here? I''m not a marine¡ªI''m a bounty hunter."


    "Sir, Vice Admiral Garp has already appointed you as an ensign of Marine Headquarters. The official transfer orders will be processed once we return to base," the marine replied crisply. "Also, Vice Admiral Garp instructed that you report to him as soon as you wake up."


    "I¡­ what?"


    "Oh, Ensign Wright, you''re up? Feeling better already? What remarkable abilities you have." Bogard, the stoic man who always stood by Garp''s side, appeared silently, motioning for Wright to follow. "You must have a lot of questions. Come with me; Vice Admiral Garp is waiting for you."


    Wright followed Bogard cautiously, wary of the enigmatic swordsman whose skill level and rank were unclear. In the original story, anyone with such a perpetually stern expression was no simple character. After all, people with frowning faces were often the most dangerous!


    "You''re the one who was standing beside Vice Admiral Garp earlier, right? What should I call you?" Wright feigned casualness as he walked alongside Bogard toward the ship''s side, where Garp had gone to fish after punching a hole in the deck out of boredom.A case of content theft: this narrative is not rightfully on Amazon; if you spot it, report the violation.


    "Just call me Bogard. I''m Vice Admiral Garp''s adjutant." Bogard''s face remained as impassive as ever. "Vice Admiral, Ensign Wright is here."


    "Hey, old geezer Garp! I respect you as a naval hero, but cheating and punching me in the face?! That''s crossing the line!" Wright couldn''t hold back his rant when he saw Garp reclining on a deck chair at the ship''s side, fishing while dozing off. His lazy demeanor reminded Wright of a retired neighbor from his previous life, and he couldn''t resist roasting him.


    "!!!"


    The nearby marines froze in shock. Did the new ensign really just call Vice Admiral Garp "old geezer"? And accuse him of cheating? Even if Garp was known for his good temper, this was¡­


    "Oh, Wright, you''re already up? Seems like my ''Fist of Love'' has gotten soft. Should we train some more?" Garp turned to him with an innocent look, but the words he said were anything but.


    "Don''t worry. This time, I''ll make sure you don''t wake up for three days."


    "¡­"


    Help! A naval hero is threatening a rookie with violence! What''s the protocol for dealing with such tyranny? Fine, I''ll endure it¡­ But seriously, I haven''t even agreed to join the marines yet!


    "Ha-ha¡­ Vice Admiral, you''re joking, right? I just came to¡­ thank you!" Wright forced a smile, emphasizing the word "thank." "By the way, I''m just a bounty hunter. How did I suddenly become an ensign? Isn''t this a bit¡­ inappropriate?"


    "Huh?" Garp nonchalantly picked his nose, flicking something unspeakable into the sea. "What''s so inappropriate about it? I''m a Vice Admiral; I have the authority. Even if I didn''t, that idiot Sengoku does."


    The marines around them kept their expressions neutral, doing their best not to react. Joking about Fleet Admiral Sengoku? Pretending not to hear was the only way to stay alive.


    "Uh¡­ I''m not really the type to make a fuss, so let''s not bother the Fleet Admiral, ha-ha¡­" Wright laughed nervously. "Alright, fine. If you say so, I''ll join as an ensign. What a promotion! Ha-ha-ha¡­"


    "Smart kid!" Garp grumbled. "There aren''t many young folks these days who catch my eye. But if you embarrass me back at HQ, you''ll taste the ''Fist of Love'' again!"


    "Yes, yes¡­" Wright retreated in defeat, following Bogard to collect his new uniform and recruit handbook. He was instructed to familiarize himself with marine regulations before arriving at Marineford to avoid any embarrassing mishaps.


    Dressed in a pristine ensign''s uniform, Wright stood before a mirror, activating his "leading man" persona. The spotless white coat and the iconic Justice Cloak draped across his shoulders¡­


    "The Justice Cloak¡­ heh heh heh heh¡­" Wright couldn''t help but grin like an idiot at his reflection.


    For a diehard One Piece fan, the Justice Cloak was a dream. The high-collared white long coat with shoulder epaulets and billowing sleeves, emblazoned with the kanji for "Justice" on the back¡ªnothing could be cooler!


    The most magical part? No matter how intense the battle, marine officers never seemed to lose their Justice Cloaks. Even the manga creator once jokingly explained: It stays on¡­ because it''s for Justice!


    What nonsense¡­ but still, it''s glorious! Seeing others wear it was one thing, but now that he had it on himself¡ªpaired with his good looks and acting skills¡ªit was perfect! If he''d known it felt this amazing, he would''ve joined the marines three years ago!


    "Meeting that old geezer Garp might''ve been a good thing after all," Wright mused, his grin fading as he began contemplating his future. "He''s from the Goa Kingdom in the East Blue, same as me. I''ve been unconscious for a while now¡ªhe''s probably looked into my background. Good old hometown connection, huh?"


    In any organization, factions were inevitable, and the marines were no exception. At this point in time, the Fleet Admiral was Kong, while the Admirals were Sengoku and Zephyr. Zephyr, however, had retreated from active duty to train recruits, leaving Garp as the untamed force among the marine elite.


    With Garp personally vouching for his enlistment, Wright figured the old man wouldn''t just leave him out to dry. After all, look at Coby''s meteoric rise years later!

 Chapter 16: The Potential of a Human Punching Bag

    In the new generation of Marine officers, the most famous figures are the three "monster" vice admirals, future Admirals of the Marines: Kuzan, the "Blue Pheasant"; Sakazuki, the "Red Dog"; and Borsalino, the "Yellow Monkey."


    When it comes to factions within the Marines: Sengoku and Garp lead one group, which includes Vice Admiral Tsuru and Kuzan. Vice Admirals Sakazuki and Borsalino each have their own groups. Admiral Zephyr, meanwhile, remains uninvolved in political affairs, although a significant portion of the Marines'' core strength has been trained under him.


    Each faction has its strengths and weaknesses. Sengoku and Garp''s faction leans toward compassionate justice, adhering to their own principles while maintaining their position under the World Government. Sakazuki''s faction represents the Marines'' young hawkish officers, championing absolute justice, using any means necessary to achieve their goals¡ªeven defying the World Government if it serves the Marines'' interests. Meanwhile, Borsalino''s group maintains a hands-off, non-confrontational approach, avoiding internal power struggles while dutifully carrying out orders. As for Zephyr, let''s just leave him out of it for now.


    Had Wright joined the Marines independently, he might have been able to observe the internal dynamics and choose a faction to align with over time. However, as a recruit personally scouted by Garp and brought directly into Marine Headquarters as an ensign, he was already marked as part of Sengoku and Garp''s faction from the outset.


    This spared Wright the trouble of making a choice but also meant he immediately caught the attention of key figures in the Marines. On the bright side, it also signaled the start of a period of rapid growth in strength for him!


    The next morning, just before dawn, Wright was already up, infusing his sword, Ashes, with the power of Holy Light. Afterward, he moved to the deck to practice basic swordsmanship and meditate to strengthen his spirit, earning admiration from the Marines on duty.


    "Yo! Wright, kid! You''re pretty diligent!"


    A booming voice startled Wright mid-meditation. Opening his eyes, he saw Garp standing on the deck.


    "Vice Admiral Garp, you''re up this early?"


    "Ahahaha! Old folks like me need less sleep!"


    "Come on, kid, let''s get a little morning exercise. Spar with me!"


    What''s with the excuse about old age and less sleep? Aren''t you the same guy who falls asleep standing up in broad daylight? You just want an excuse to beat me up, don''t you?!


    And so, the ship was soon filled with the sound of Garp''s hearty laughter, Wright''s indignant shouts, and eventually, heavy blows accompanied by Wright''s agonized screams¡­


    As the sun rose, the Marines completed their rotations and morning drills, and the warship began to decelerate.


    "Report! Vice Admiral Garp, we are approaching the Calm Belt. Awaiting your orders!"This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    The messenger delivered the report but couldn''t help glancing at Wright, who lay beaten and barely conscious.


    "Oh? We''ve arrived already? Time sure flies when¡­ uh¡­ training the rookies! Ahahaha!" Garp laughed loudly. "Prepare to enter the Calm Belt!"


    "Yes, sir!" The messenger quickly left to relay the command, silently offering two seconds of sympathy for the battered Ensign Wright.


    Sprawled on the deck, Wright looked like a swollen mess. Garp''s aide, Bogard, stood by the vice admiral''s side, listening as Garp mumbled to himself.


    "Did I go too hard? It''s been a while since I''ve seen such a durable young man¡ªgot a little carried away! Ahahaha!"


    "..."


    Bogard glanced at the wrecked Wright and sighed silently. "Sometimes, having extraordinary healing abilities is more of a curse than a blessing..."


    "All right, kid! Stop playing dead and get up already!" Garp barked, now draped in his Justice coat and settling into a chair. "We''re almost at the Calm Belt. You''re in charge of keeping watch!"


    Bogard nodded in acknowledgment before adding quietly, "I''ll keep an eye on him, Vice Admiral."


    Garp, however, was already snoring.


    "Smack!"


    Even lying on the deck, Wright could feel the vein throbbing on his forehead. But, knowing his protests would be useless, he had no choice but to comply.


    "Ow, ow, ow¡­ Why does that old bastard love hitting my face so much?! Is he jealous of my good looks or something?"


    "How is his Armament Haki so devastating? Even when I coat myself in Haki, I can''t block the damage! Could it be that he developed this technique just for the fun of beating people up?!"


    Wright slowly got up and cast a Holy Light Spell to heal himself. It didn''t fully restore him, so he cast it again, marking the first time a single spell wasn''t enough to recover his injuries.


    "Garp''s attacks are so destructive that they directly harm the body! I''ll need to work on improving my physical defense in the future."


    "Such a convenient ability," Bogard mused silently, observing Wright. "That''s why Vice Admiral Garp didn''t hold back. As long as it doesn''t kill him, there''s no lasting damage. He''s the perfect punching bag."


    Clearing his throat, Bogard pushed aside further thoughts about "punching bags" and stepped forward. "Ensign Wright, Vice Admiral Garp has assigned you to oversee the upcoming watch. Let me explain the situation in the Calm Belt."


    "Thank you, Lieutenant Commander," Wright replied, though he had only recently confirmed Bogard''s rank after inquiring with other Marines. Despite holding the rank of lieutenant commander, Bogard was Garp''s trusted aide and handled the training of new recruits, his true strength shrouded in mystery.


    "This guy could easily outrank lieutenant commander if he wanted," Wright thought, paying close attention as Bogard explained the Calm Belt.


    "The Calm Belt is a unique sea area that borders the Grand Line on both sides and separates it from the Four Blues. Unlike Reverse Mountain, ships passing through the Calm Belt can directly enter the Grand Line. As its name suggests, this sea is perpetually calm, with no winds or currents."


    "In the past, ships relied on wind power and couldn''t traverse the Calm Belt. However, with advances in technology, the Marines developed steam-powered warships capable of navigating these waters. That said, the Calm Belt is also the territory of Sea Kings, making it extremely dangerous. Even with powerful escorts, safety isn''t guaranteed."


    "Fortunately, the Marines eventually acquired the technology to forge Seastone. When embedded in a ship''s hull, Seastone emits the same energy signature as the sea itself, allowing ships to avoid attracting Sea Kings while crossing the Calm Belt."


    "Still, unexpected incidents can occur. That''s why, whenever navigating the Calm Belt, a strong officer must remain vigilant to fend off any Sea Kings that do attack. This is your task, Ensign Wright."


    It seemed Bogard wasn''t used to speaking at such length, as his expressionless face almost cracked by the time he finished.


    "Oh, sounds like an important mission! I''ve never encountered Sea Kings in the East Blue, and now there''s a chance to see so many¡­ I can''t wait!"


    "Sea King meat is such a delicacy¡ªdelicious and nutritious! Maybe I''ll bag one for dinner tonight?"


    The surrounding Marines collectively groaned: "Please, no!"

 Chapter 17: The Grand Movie of the Calm Belt

    "Ugh¡­ such a shame. Not even a single Sea King showed up to deliver themselves as training material."


    Leaning lazily over the ship''s railing, Wright yawned in boredom. Suddenly, a quiet voice sounded behind him, asking softly, "Pretty dull, huh?"


    Wright instinctively replied, "Yeah, super boring. Not even a Sea King to¡ªhuh?!"


    Realizing something was wrong, Wright jolted upright. That voice¡ªwasn''t it Garp''s? This old man must have deliberately softened his tone to¡­


    Before Wright could spiral into worse thoughts, Garp had already taken action, practically tossing him into the firepit.


    "Ahahaha! Full alert, crew! Fire the cannons, 500 meters to starboard!"


    "!!!"


    "Old man Garp! I''m not bored at all! Please, don''t¡ª"


    Wright''s protest turned into a wail, but it was too late. The sailors, already accustomed to Garp''s eccentric commands, executed them with perfect precision. They had already traversed most of the Calm Belt, and with "Hero" Vice Admiral Garp onboard, even blasting through the rest of the route seemed manageable.


    But apparently, today''s "trailblazing" wasn''t for Garp¡ªit was Wright''s hellish turn.


    "Look alive, Wright!" Garp''s booming voice barked with a mischievous grin. "A Sea King has shown up. Clear the way!"


    "All crew, stay on alert! Full speed ahead! Drag those beasts behind us!"


    Wright almost wanted to slap himself. What kind of idiot says something that gives Garp ideas? He used to think the old man was just a clown, but now he realized he was a cunning one too!


    The Sea Kings charged toward the ship. With no time for regrets, Wright unsheathed Ashes, his blade shimmering with cinematic brilliance, ready for battle.


    "Swish, swish, swish, swish¡ª!"


    As the warship continued its course, the Sea Kings pursued relentlessly. Wright''s job was to guard the right flank and rear of the ship. His mastery of Observation Haki and his flying slashes, previously unseen even in sparring matches with Garp, were now fully unleashed.


    Wright''s strikes were precise and powerful, defending the ship while minimizing wasted effort. Occasionally, he even had time to slice off particularly appetizing-looking parts of the Sea Kings and toss them onto the deck for the cooks.


    But as the kills piled up, the scent of blood began to spread, attracting more Sea Kings to the pursuit. Wright, a fresh recruit, hadn''t yet mastered the Navy''s Rokushiki, particularly Geppo and Soru, which were crucial for mobility and aerial combat.


    Thus, Wright could only rely on short bursts of air-jumps to stay aloft. Given his outward persona as a Devil Fruit user, going into the water was out of the question¡ªmaking things quite awkward.If you discover this tale on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen. Please report the violation.


    The growing number of Sea Kings forced Wright to abandon thoughts of picking out the best meat and focus solely on massive slashes to protect the ship. Fortunately, his Holy Light-infused attacks left minimal blood splatter, but even so, the number of slain Sea Kings quickly surpassed double digits.


    After another Holy Light spell healed his wounds and restored his stamina, Wright laughed triumphantly: "Come on! I can do this all day!" He unleashed a golden slash that severed a massive tentacle in two, then followed it up with his Final Judgement technique, cleaving an incoming giant claw cleanly in half. His energy showed no signs of waning.


    The crew, watching the spectacle, felt as though they were witnessing a monster movie. They marveled at Wright''s immense power and incredible endurance. Meanwhile, Garp and Bogard stood on high alert, observing Wright''s techniques and habits closely.


    "This kid Wright sure has some talent!" Garp remarked with a sly grin. "When I was pounding on him earlier, I thought he was just tough, but his slash power isn''t bad either. His Observation Haki is sharper than I expected, and his recovery rate¡ªdownright terrifying."


    Garp squinted as he watched Wright fend off the relentless Sea Kings, evaluating his combat prowess. Bogard chimed in, "Indeed, Vice Admiral. Wright''s balanced skill set gives him an edge in high-intensity battles."


    "Unless he''s up against overwhelming strength, Wright''s combat style could potentially wear down even slightly stronger opponents. With his flying slash-level offense, specialized defense, and absurd recovery rate, his only real weakness is mobility. But once he formally learns Rokushiki, that gap will close, and his combat power will soar to new heights."


    Garp nodded. "Exactly. Even now, he''s already surpassed most Headquarters officers. This kid is a real find!"


    "Ahahaha! I can''t wait to brag about him to that grumpy old Sengoku!"


    ...


    After finally reaching the edge of the Calm Belt, the warship raised its sails and accelerated, leaving the pursuing Sea Kings behind. The ship''s cooks wasted no time preparing meals from the Sea Kings Wright had "harvested," earning him unanimous praise for his food-picking instincts during battle.


    As Wright finally sat down to rest and await dinner, he reflected on the battle. While Holy Light could restore stamina, it wasn''t limitless. His Haki replenished as his energy recovered, but mental exhaustion couldn''t be avoided.


    Though he''d fought many battles in the East Blue, this was his first time enduring such prolonged, high-stakes combat. If Garp hadn''t been nearby, Wright wouldn''t have dared to fight this recklessly.


    "Report! Vice Admiral Garp, we''re approaching Marineford!" a sailor announced as Wright and Garp were digesting their meal.


    "Finally!" Garp exclaimed. "Wright, gather your things and follow Bogard shortly." Tossing aside a toothpick, Garp donned his "Justice" coat, pretending to look serious.


    "Uh¡­ okay," Wright replied, still awestruck by the massive Gate of Justice looming ahead. Seeing it up close for the first time, he couldn''t help but blurt, "It''s way bigger than the Gate of Darkness!"


    ...


    Upon arriving at Marine Headquarters, Garp immediately sent someone to fetch him senbei and ordered them to deliver it¡ªnot to his own office, but to Admiral Sengoku''s!


    Meanwhile, Bogard escorted a bewildered Wright, who was visiting Marineford for the first time, through the process of enlistment paperwork and assigning him quarters.


    In Sengoku''s office:


    "Dammit, Garp! The first thing you do when you return is raid my office for snacks?!"


    Sengoku''s furious roar echoed through the Marineford base, announcing Garp''s arrival to all within earshot.


    "Aw, don''t be so stingy, Sengoku!" Garp replied, munching loudly on senbei he''d pilfered. "We ran out on the ship, and I''ve been holding back for ages. Anyway, I already sent someone to fetch more. We''ll share later!"


    In the humble office, a plaque reading Justice Rules the World hung prominently behind Sengoku''s desk. Beneath it sat Admiral Sengoku, the Marines'' sole active admiral at the time, who looked utterly exasperated.


    Dealing with Garp always tested his patience. "What did I do to deserve this clown?" he muttered to himself.

 Chapter 18: Let the Bosses Handle It

    Marine Admiral''s Office


    Sengoku and Garp had just finished another round of their perpetual battle over senbei snacks. The victor this time? The shameless old man, Garp!


    "Huff¡­" Suppressing his growing frustration, Sengoku leaned back behind his desk, refusing to look at the old fool sprawled on the sofa, munching loudly on senbei. "Alright, you''re heading back to the East Blue for your vacation this time, right? Nothing unexpected?"


    "Peaceful as can be over the last two or three years. Not a single pirate with a bounty exceeding ten million. Tell me, is that new upstart bounty hunter really that strong?"


    "Oh, he''s strong, alright. At least top-tier Headquarters Captain level. With a little training, reaching Rear Admiral won''t be difficult," Garp chuckled heartily, spraying crumbs everywhere.


    "Swallow before you speak, you damned old fool!" Sengoku resisted the urge to explode again but hesitated as a thought struck him. "Wait a minute. A few days ago, you asked me to file a registration form for a Headquarters Ensign. And now you''re so familiar with this bounty hunter''s strength...


    "Did you bring him to Headquarters? Did you even¡­ spar with him? You didn''t injure him, did you, you old codger?"


    "Hmph! Injuring that brat is easier said than done!" Garp squinted as he took another bite of senbei. "Sengoku, this time I''ve struck gold. This kid''s talent rivals those three ''monsters'' from the New Recruit Training Camp back in the day."


    "His name''s Wright. Most of the basic information is already in our database: Devil Fruit ability, swordsmanship on the level of a Swordmaster. But what''s not listed in detail is that he''s already awakened both types of Haki!"


    Sengoku''s expression shifted to surprise. "He''s awakened both Armament and Observation Haki? In the East Blue? Without ever stepping foot into the Grand Line? That''s... unexpected."


    "It gets better. His Devil Fruit is a rare Paramecia type. He controls an energy similar to light, which he calls Holy Light. It''s not a Logia like Kizaru''s Glint-Glint Fruit, so he can''t become intangible. But its auxiliary capabilities are extraordinary¡ªhealing, shielding, and even offensive techniques. It''s like that ''Phoenix'' ability¡­ but arguably stronger."


    "Oh? I''ve heard rumors about a remarkable healing-type ability emerging in the East Blue. If it can also attack and defend, then it''s indeed unique. Rare, but not incomprehensible," Sengoku remarked, his tone neutral. The world was filled with strange powers, after all.


    "But for someone so young to awaken two types of Haki in the East Blue? That''s nearly impossible without pressure from opponents of equal or greater strength. The waters of the East Blue may run deeper than we thought."


    Garp nodded. "Not just that. His abilities seem to merge with his Haki. His Armament Haki turns golden, stronger than normal. His Observation Haki allows him to perceive good and evil. The specifics are unclear, but the kid''s potential is staggering."This content has been misappropriated from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.


    "But none of that is as important as his temperament," Garp added, his face darkening slightly. "He''s from a noble background but shows no interest in politics or power. As a bounty hunter, he clearly understands the Marine system. And yet, when meeting me, a Vice Admiral, he had the audacity to call me ''old man''¡­"


    "Pfft¡ª!" Sengoku spat out his tea, laughing uncontrollably. "You, Garp, the hero of the Marines, getting disrespected by a rookie? That''s gold! Hahahaha!"


    "Damn it!" Garp growled, crunching his senbei with extra force. "I gave him a beating, of course. But afterward, the brat acted all respectful and polite, even asking for another chance to spar¡­ Naturally, I found another excuse to give him a thrashing!"


    Garp''s tone grew serious. "I had Bogard collect intel on him. Over the past three years, he''s shown a consistent and unwavering sense of justice, one he actively practices."


    Sengoku tapped his desk thoughtfully. "Sakazuki''s brand of justice is too extreme. Borsalino''s too slippery, and Kuzan¡­"


    "Back in the day, Kuzan followed ''Burning Justice.'' But since Ohara, his approach has grown more¡­ lackadaisical."


    "The Marines need fresh perspectives. Wright, is it? Send him to the New Recruit Training Camp. He needs to learn Marine discipline and give us time to observe his version of ''justice.''"


    Meanwhile, Wright


    Completely unaware of the plans Sengoku and Garp had cooked up for him, Wright followed Bogard to complete his registration and couldn''t resist asking for a tour of Marineford. His excuse? "At the very least, I should know where to get food, right?"


    Normally, any Marine soldier could handle such a task. But given that Wright was personally brought in by Vice Admiral Garp, Bogard begrudgingly acted as his guide. It was a rare sight to see the perpetually stoic Bogard forced to introduce Wright to acquaintances along the way.


    After a tour, Wright had a rough mental map of Marineford''s key areas:


    The Port: Where warships and supply vessels dock. The scale was nothing short of impressive, with built-in defensive structures for added protection.


    The Military District: Headquarters for officers, hosting strategy meetings and war councils. The nerve center of Marine operations.


    The Training Grounds: A massive area equipped with state-of-the-art facilities and arenas for training Marines of all ranks. Marineford''s largest drill ground was located here, used for competitions and parades.


    The Living Quarters: Housing for officers and soldiers, complete with mess halls, dormitories, hospitals, and recreational facilities.


    The Inner District: Reserved for the families of Marines, heavily fortified and serving as a sanctuary for their loved ones.


    After settling into his dormitory, Wright was approached by Bogard once more. This time, Bogard handed him his official enlistment papers and promotion to Ensign, along with an order to join the current session of the New Recruit Training Camp.


    Wright, of course, knew the prestige of this program. Led by Admiral Zephyr the Black Arm, the camp had produced countless Marine elites, including the current "monster" Vice Admirals: Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan.


    Though the current session had already begun, Wright''s "backdoor" entry, courtesy of Garp, afforded him a chance to join halfway through. This was a significant advantage, offering direct exposure to the future backbone of the Marines.


    If he''d climbed the ranks alone, his strength would have sufficed. But skipping the camp altogether would mark him as an outsider, potentially hindering his future promotions.


    "Get some food and rest well tonight. Report to the camp on time tomorrow," Bogard instructed with his usual stoic demeanor. "Take this transfer order. Mid-term entries into the camp are rare, and those who qualify are all elites.


    "Don''t waste this opportunity. Both Vice Admiral Garp and¡­ others expect great things from you."


    Wright grinned, knowing the unspoken "others" referred to Sengoku. "Relax. I''ve always been reliable. Just watch¡ªI''ll dominate the whole camp!"

 Chapter 19: Marineford Recruit Training Camp

    After a good night''s rest to recover from the mental exhaustion of fighting Sea Kings, Wright arrived at the Recruit Training Camp punctually the next morning, carrying his transfer orders.


    Knock, knock, knock.


    Standing outside the instructor''s office, Wright knocked on the door.


    Having gone through the Recruit Manual several times, he understood perfectly well the importance of showing the right attitude in the right setting¡ªmaturity demanded it.


    "Come in!"


    A warm voice sounded from within. Pushing open the door, Wright stepped inside and was greeted by the sight of a plump, balding¡ªalmost bald¡ªman sitting behind a desk, engrossed in processing a mountain of documents.


    "Reporting! Ensign Wright, reporting for duty at the Recruit Training Camp! Awaiting your orders, sir!"


    "Oh?"


    The man behind the desk raised his head and gave Wright a scrutinizing look. Wright stepped forward, placing his transfer order on the desk, and stood at attention, awaiting further instructions.


    "So, you''re this year''s specially approved transfer student¡ªWright, correct?" the balding instructor remarked, picking up a cup of coffee.


    Taking a sip, his face instantly twisted into a grimace. "Ugh, so bitter¡­" The instructor froze for a moment, his expression resembling a crumpled gourd.


    Wright: "...Yes, Instructor!"


    Seriously? If it''s so bitter, just add some sugar! What kind of balding instructor enjoys torturing himself with unsweetened coffee¡­


    "I''m Brigadier General Goomir, currently serving as an instructor at the Recruit Training Camp." Goomir set the coffee cup aside and adjusted his posture, his tone suddenly serious. "Since you''ve joined a week later than the others, you''ll need to work even harder to catch up. Don''t slack off¡ªthis camp is the cradle of countless outstanding officers of Marine Headquarters!"


    "Yes, Instructor! Awaiting your orders!" Wright replied firmly. Knowing the camp''s significance in Marineford, he fully intended to make the most of this rare opportunity.


    "Hmm¡­" Goomir seemed pleased with Wright''s attitude as he reviewed the file in his hands. "Already promoted to Ensign right after joining the Marines? Dual mastery of Haki, a Devil Fruit ability, and Swordsmanship at the level of a Swordmaster. No wonder¡­ A truly exceptional recruit."


    "A combat ability on par with a Marine Captain¡ªor perhaps even stronger¡­" Goomir muttered thoughtfully. "It seems the daily training here might not be enough for you. The elite test scheduled in a week should provide you with a suitable challenge."


    "For now, Ensign Wright, come with me to meet your fellow recruits," Goomir said, rising from his seat. "You are the future backbone of the Marines, so make sure to get along! Hahaha!"


    This baldy¡­ He''s probably destined to become a Vice Admiral someday. A man with hidden depths who once served as an instructor at the Recruit Training Camp must have terrifying connections within Marineford.Unauthorized content usage: if you discover this narrative on Amazon, report the violation.


    Following Goomir, Wright mused silently, I might even encounter future Marine legends here. It would be fascinating to beat them to a pulp now and watch them rise later!


    Arriving at the campgrounds, Wright was greeted by an impressive sight: recruits engaging in intense sparring sessions under the supervision of an instructor¡ªa tall, long-limbed man with braided hair and a dark face. The massive training field was filled with shouts and the clash of weapons.


    "What a chaotic display¡­ Like chickens pecking at each other," Wright thought with a faint smile, his eyes quickly picking out a few interesting individuals.


    "Isn''t that Smoker, the ''White Chase''? And over there¡­ Donquixote Rosinante? They''re in the same class?"


    "Wait, is that¡­"


    Wright''s attention shifted to a towering figure at the edge of the field¡ªa man with short purple hair, a resolute face, rimless glasses, and a Justice cloak. Though he appeared older, his explosive muscles nearly tore through his suit.


    Marine Admiral. Head Instructor of the Recruit Training Camp. Black Arm Zephyr.


    Holding his breath, Wright gazed at the legendary figure. Zephyr, known as the "Non-Killing Admiral," had joined the Marines in the same era as Admiral Sengoku, Vice Admiral Garp, and Vice Admiral Tsuru. Despite lacking a Devil Fruit ability, he had reached the rank of Admiral through his unmatched Armament Haki and extraordinary physical prowess.


    He had defeated countless pirates in his career without ever taking a life. As the head instructor of the Recruit Training Camp, he had trained countless Marine officers, becoming the foundation of Marineford itself.


    Yet, for someone who upheld such a steadfast sense of justice, fate had been cruel¡­


    Instructor Goomir approached the long-limbed instructor, greeting him warmly. "Shuzo, it seems the tests here are going well. I''m here to bring this transfer student to meet Teacher Zephyr."


    "Hahaha, a transfer student this year too? They''re always exceptional¡ªwithout exception! Looks like we''ve got another remarkable recruit on our hands," Shuzo, a Marine Brigadier General and member of the longarm tribe, remarked cheerfully.


    "Teacher Zephyr is over there. Goomir-senpai, I heard you''ve applied for a posting at a branch base after this class graduates? That''s impressive," Shuzo continued.


    Goomir chuckled. "Yes, Shuzo. Dalmatian was promoted to Rear Admiral ages ago, and as his senior, I can''t lag too far behind. The pressure in the New World has only grown in this Great Pirate Era. It''s time to enact my own justice outside of Headquarters. But you¡­"


    Goomir glanced at Zephyr and said, "You had a bright future ahead of you. With your strength, a promotion to Rear Admiral would have been more than achievable. Even Teacher Zephyr hoped you''d forge your own path."


    Shuzo waved dismissively. "Senpai, Teacher Zephyr has been a father figure to me. I swore long ago that wherever Teacher Zephyr goes, I''ll follow. My rank as Brigadier General is just to support him as an instructor. What need do I have for promotions?"


    "Well, let''s leave the catching up for later," Shuzo said with a grin. "Don''t keep Teacher waiting. I''m curious to see what kind of young man earned this year''s transfer slot!"


    With a sigh, Goomir patted Shuzo on the shoulder and led Wright toward Zephyr.


    "Chief Instructor!" Goomir saluted. "Recruit Ensign Wright reporting! Awaiting your instructions, sir!"


    Zephyr withdrew his gaze from the training field, nodding at Goomir. "Well done, Goomir. Sengoku has already briefed me. I was curious about what kind of talent could catch Sengoku''s attention like this¡ªsomething I haven''t seen since Kuzan¡­"


    "He won''t disappoint, sir. Admiral Sengoku''s wisdom and judgment are always impeccable," Goomir said with a smile.


    At Goomir''s beckoning, Wright stepped forward and saluted. "Instructor! Chief Instructor!"


    Zephyr and Goomir returned the salute.


    "This is Ensign Wright," Goomir introduced. "A Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user with the power of the Holy Light Fruit. He''s a Swordmaster skilled in ''Flying Slash'' techniques and has awakened both Observation and Armament Haki."


    "Wright, this is Admiral Zephyr, Chief Instructor of the Recruit Training Camp. Nearly all Marine Headquarters officers, including myself and Instructor Shuzo over there, were trained under him."


    "A pleasure to meet you, Admiral!" Wright saluted again. As a long-time fan of the Marines, Wright held deep admiration for Zephyr.


    "Just call me Chief Instructor from now on," Zephyr replied. "You''re about to embark on an unforgettable journey here at the camp."

 Chapter 20: New Friends

    Admiral Zephyr, as the commanding officer of the new recruit training camp, is responsible for all camp operations, including the training plan, educational implementation, and practical combat experience. When new recruits arrive, they must meet with Admiral Zephyr for a briefing.


    "According to the data, you may be the strongest recruit in this batch. However, as a Devil Fruit user, a large part of your combat strength comes from your abilities," Zephyr said slowly. "I have no objection to using abilities, but if you want to become a top-tier fighter, relying too heavily on Devil Fruit powers is unwise. I''m sure you understand this; you''ve chosen to use your Devil Fruit ability to assist your swordsmanship, which is indeed a path with broader prospects."


    "Swordsmanship, like martial arts, is based on the user''s own strength. Even without a Devil Fruit, specializing in swordsmanship or martial arts can make you a top-tier fighter!"


    "The sea and Seastone can counter Devil Fruit users, but martial arts and swordsmanship cannot be countered. A truly top-tier fighter, even a powerful Devil Fruit user, will certainly study stronger martial arts or swordsmanship."


    Zephyr motioned for Wright to follow and took two steps forward. "Attention! Stop the sparring. All recruits, gather for a briefing!"


    Instructors Shuzo and Goomir flanked Zephyr on either side. The recruits quickly assembled. Zephyr continued, "Recruit Wright, last row, fall in!"


    "Yes!" Wright swiftly made his way to the back row, finding a spot at the far edge. Next to him was¡­ Donquixote Rosinante!


    No one dared to make any moves in front of the three instructors, and Wright was no exception. He didn''t even greet anyone, standing at attention and facing the three instructors.


    Zephyr looked at the recruits and, seeing that there was no disturbance caused by a new face in the formation, nodded with satisfaction and began the briefing. "After a week of training, you should all have a general understanding of the camp''s tasks and the strength of your fellow recruits."


    "You''ve been selected as elite recruits from the headquarters and various branches. You may not be the strongest, but you are the most promising and malleable."


    "Among you, some practice martial arts, some practice swordsmanship, and others are Devil Fruit users. I''m sure many of you wonder how the same training will allow you to improve simultaneously."


    Zephyr paused, noticing that many recruits were nodding in agreement. He continued, "Martial arts, swordsmanship, and Devil Fruit powers¡ªany one of them can make you a top-tier fighter if taken to the peak. But martial arts and swordsmanship have no obvious weaknesses, while Devil Fruits do¡ªthey are countered by the sea and Seastone!"


    "Thus, there are many top-tier fighters who specialize in martial arts or swordsmanship, but the top-tier Devil Fruit users must also study martial arts or swordsmanship. In fact, many top-tier fighters use their Devil Fruit powers to assist their martial arts or swordsmanship."Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    "Devil Fruits are all unique, and how they are developed depends on the user. However, no matter the Devil Fruit, the foundation of its power is physical strength. Only with powerful physical strength can a Devil Fruit''s true power be unleashed and its potential developed to greater heights!"


    "Martial arts and swordsmanship, as well as essential techniques for movement, evasion, and defense, all rely on strong physical power. So, one prerequisite for becoming a top-tier fighter is having formidable physical strength."


    "Therefore, the next phase of training will focus on building physical strength, and Instructor Shuzo will teach you martial arts, while Instructor Goomir will handle swordsmanship."


    "In one week, we''ll have the ''Elite Test'' at the training camp to select the ten strongest recruits for in-depth training!"


    Zephyr saw the recruits'' breathing quicken upon hearing about the "Elite Test" and gave a cold snort. "The training of elite recruits comes with death quotas. Those who are afraid of dying cannot become top-tier fighters! Prepare well over the next week. New training projects will begin in the afternoon. Dismissed!"


    ¡­


    At the training camp''s exclusive cafeteria, Wright was dining with some newly made friends.


    After this morning''s briefing, Wright had ended up beside Rosinante in the formation, so it was natural that they would greet each other after the briefing. Admiral Sengoku had clearly not informed Rosinante about Wright being the new recruit, but Rosinante was friendly and easy to get along with.


    Wright noticed that Rosinante hadn''t mentioned his surname, and he realized that, just like himself, Rosinante had abandoned his surname. They were kindred spirits... However, when Wright was about to introduce his ability, a white-haired, cigar-smoking delinquent-looking young man suddenly interrupted.


    "New recruit, you''re a Devil Fruit user too? So, this batch of recruits has only three Devil Fruit users."


    "Heh..." Rosinante glanced at the young man and introduced him to Wright. "Wright, this is Smoker, a Logia-type ''Smoke-Smoke Fruit'' user. And I''m a Paramecia-type ''Calm-Calm Fruit'' user. With your ''Holy Light Fruit'', the three of us are the only Devil Fruit users in this batch."


    Wright "exclaimed" in surprise, "Oh? What a coincidence! Come on, let''s go grab a meal today, my treat! We can help each other out with our abilities in the future!"


    The three of them headed to the cafeteria.


    Smoker grumbled, "You''re treating? In the cafeteria?! All meals are free for recruits here!"


    Rosinante laughed, "Haha, Wright must be new to the headquarters, he doesn''t know yet. But we all have to eat, right?"


    Wright scratched his head, "Wait, so the training camp treats us like this? No problem, I''ll go ask Bogard for some Sea Kings'' meat. That stuff''s tasty and nutritious. I''ll cook it tonight at my dorm!"


    "Bogard, huh? Ah, Wright, you came to the headquarters on one of Captain Garp''s ships. But what''s this about Sea Kings?" Rosinante, of course, recognized Bogard, Captain Garp''s low-key aide.


    Wright sighed. "A long story¡­ That old man Garp tricked me. That sly bastard actually fired cannons into the sea when we were in the Calm Belt! The scene¡­ tsk, tsk, tsk¡­"


    ¡­


    Rosinante and Smoker were slack-jawed, stunned as they listened to Wright rant about Garp''s "crimes."


    "If I hadn''t had some swordsmanship skills, I wouldn''t have made it out of the Calm Belt! There were so many Sea Kings, and the whole crew couldn''t finish them all. There was still some left over, so I''m sure I can get some more."


    "Is that so strong?!" Smoker''s face stiffened. Thinking about his own ability¡­ he could probably just escape from those Sea Kings'' mouths, but the Smoke-Smoke Fruit wasn''t very good at direct offense.


    Rosinante couldn''t help but laugh bitterly. His fruit ability worked in combat, but against Sea Kings¡­ at most he could hide to avoid detection.


    "Don''t be discouraged," Wright said, noticing his two new friends looking awkward. He smiled and added, "Everyone specializes in different areas. Your Devil Fruits may be a little unconventional, but when used well, they''re just as powerful as the so-called ''strong'' Fruits."


    "Thanks¡­" Rosinante glanced at Smoker, who nodded resolutely. "Then, from now on, we''ll be relying on you, Wright!"

 Chapter 21: Elite Squad Selection

    The basic physical training was intensely grueling.


    When Wright first gained the power of Holy Light, he immediately realized the importance of physical strength.


    The requirements for Holy Light were even higher than those of Devil Fruit abilities. Not only did it demand immense physical strength, but it also required mental fortitude. If one possessed great physical strength but lacked the corresponding spiritual discipline, the Holy Light would gradually begin to assimilate the user''s consciousness¡ªleading them to disregard life and death, becoming cold and detached, acting purely on basic logic.


    For this reason, Wright placed a significant emphasis on physical training from the outset. Moreover, because the Holy Light enhanced physical conditioning, Wright''s physical abilities had already become extraordinarily powerful. So powerful, in fact, that even without using Holy Light to recover his stamina, the physical training in the camp only left him slightly winded.


    Now, let''s take a look at the other recruits¡ª


    After the afternoon physical training session, Rosinante and Smoker were dragged back to their dorms by Wright, their exhausted bodies scraping the ground. Unlike Wright, their Devil Fruit abilities weren''t so overpowered, unable to enhance their physical strength.


    Wright threw his two exhausted companions onto the dorm floor, then used a Holy Light spell on them. In an instant, the two who had been on the brink of death were revived.


    "This is¡­" Smoker''s eyes nearly popped out of his skull. "This is your ability, Wright? You never mentioned your power was this overpowered, able to restore stamina?"


    "Ah, I see now¡­" Rosinante, almost biting his tongue, murmured, "No wonder you could kill so many Sea Kings. I originally thought it was because of Vice Admiral Garp''s intervention, but with this ability, you could have done it all by yourself¡­"


    "Ah¡­ I didn''t tell you guys?" Wright scratched his head. "Restoring stamina is just one of its effects. It''s mostly used for healing injuries, but it can also be used for offense and defense¡­"


    Seeing the complex looks Rosinandi and Smoker shot his way, Wright wisely decided to remain silent.


    "Anyway, wait here. I''ll go ask Bogard for some Sea King meat so we can have a good meal¡­"


    The next week''s physical training began, and the recruits in the camp started their daily struggle, pushing themselves to the brink of death in high-intensity exercises. Their goal¡ªElite Test!


    Ever since discovering Wright''s ability to restore stamina, Rosinante and Smoker felt like they had hit the jackpot. They did the most extreme training every day, only to be rejuvenated by Wright''s powers, allowing them to recover fully and rest well, ensuring they were ready for the next day''s training. There was no risk of collapsing from exhaustion.


    Zephyr, Shuzo, and Goomir, the three instructors, already knew about Wright''s abilities and guessed what was going on. They were pleased to see the three Devil Fruit users forming a group so quickly. As for asking Wright to help all the recruits recover their stamina during training, they had never considered it. Wright was under no obligation to do so, and they felt lucky he was willing to help.


    "Looks like the three of them, these already impressive Devil Fruit users, are certain to pass the elite test. Their physical training results are several times better than the others," Zephyr thought as he examined the training data. "I''ll have to discuss with Sengoku about having Wright return as an assistant instructor after he graduates. This ability¡­ when used well, could greatly boost the training efficiency of new recruits!"Ensure your favorite authors get the support they deserve. Read this novel on Royal Road.


    ...


    A week of enjoyable physical training came to an end.


    "Today''s morning session is over!" Zephyr looked at the recruits sprawled on the ground and couldn''t help but glance twice at the three young men who were still full of energy. "This afternoon is for rest and recovery. Tomorrow morning, we will begin the ''Elite Test,'' which will decide the members of the ''Elite Squad!'' Dismissed!"


    Wright and his companions, laughing and talking, headed to the cafeteria, their path obstructed by the resentful gazes of the other recruits who had collapsed all around the training grounds. The recruits'' backgrounds were complex, but they were all selected from the main branch and various divisions¡ªsome had earned their place through merit, others were sent for further training due to their strength, and some were the children of high-ranking officers, while others were top geniuses newly recruited into the Navy. Could they really ignore the strange behavior of Wright and his friends? Of course not!


    The three of them were all Devil Fruit users, but for the recruits who had already undergone various trainings, it was impossible for them not to notice that these three were different. This wasn''t a common perk of being a Devil Fruit user. Maybe some Zoan-type Devil Fruit users could get away with it, but these three clearly weren''t.


    So, the only conclusion they could draw was that Wright''s ability must be related to stamina recovery. And soon enough, some recruits started to ask Wright if he would use his ability to restore their stamina, one way or another. Would Wright be that kind-hearted? Under normal circumstances, he might help out, but right now, during training, it was enough that he was keeping himself, and especially Rosinante and Smoker, in peak condition. If too many people started asking for his help, things would get out of hand.


    The recruits were mostly denied when they asked, and they gave up after being refused by enough people. After all, this was Zephyr''s territory¡ªdid they want to risk their lives?


    The next morning, the recruits gathered in the training field, and Admiral Zephyr announced the rules for the Elite Test.


    "As members of this training camp, you''ve already undergone two weeks of rigorous training. I''m pleased to see that all of you have persevered so far," Zephyr said, scanning the recruits with a piercing gaze. "The next phase of training will be even more difficult. Some of you may drop out due to exhaustion or injury, but I believe more of you will stay and complete your training, becoming the backbone of the Navy and fulfilling your own sense of justice!"


    "But, as the Navy''s most elite training camp, having gathered the finest recruits of this generation, that''s still not enough! We need to establish an elite squad, one that will undergo the harshest training, receive the most cutting-edge education, and enjoy the highest-level resources from the main branch. This squad''s goal is to become future Admirals!"


    Wright silently thought to himself, "So there''s an elite squad¡­ I didn''t know that. I always thought all recruits were treated equally, but now that I think about it, there are so many recruits, but only a few who actually become Admirals. I''m excited to join this ''special class!''"


    Zephyr noticed the change in the recruits'' expressions and continued, "The rules are simple. First, each of you will take one punch from me!"


    "I will keep my punch at the average level of a Navy Elite Colonel. You may use any method to block it¡ªattack, defense, physical techniques, swordsmanship, or abilities¡ªbut you cannot dodge it," Zephyr added with a satisfied smirk as the recruits'' faces turned pale. He added, "By the way, I will be using Armament Haki. So, Devil Fruit users, don''t even think about dodging with your abilities."


    Smoker''s face turned black. He was the only one with a Logia-type Devil Fruit...


    "Those who take my punch will have to fight in a group battle. The last ten remaining will directly enter the Elite Squad!"


    "Now, according to the training camp numbers, step forward in order!"


    Since Wright was a late addition, he had the lowest number. At first, he just watched as the other recruits went up to take their punches.


    Zephyr''s Armament Haki-enhanced punch, even at the level of a Navy Colonel, was not something an ordinary recruit could handle¡ªwithout dodging, they could only face it head-on with either offensive or defensive techniques, meaning tricks wouldn''t work, and the recruits would be forced to rely solely on their raw strength.


    Whew, what a sight to behold!

 Chapter 22: The First Encounter with the Admiral

    "Pu!" "Ah!" "Ugh~"...


    It was a scene too gruesome to look at, truly unbearable to witness.


    More than a hundred cadets, but no more than thirty could withstand Zephyr''s controlled punch, and fewer than ten managed to counterattack and take it head-on¡ª


    Smoker, a martial artist, had used all his strength to exchange a blow with Zephyr, yet his hand was still trembling. As for Rosinante, who wasn''t skilled at direct confrontations, he could only rely on his solid fundamentals to defend against the blow.


    "My turn," Wright said, stepping forward. Taking this punch was a mere trifle; he wouldn''t even need to draw his sword...


    "Wright," Zephyr smiled, his usually serious face now showing interest. "You''re the exception. I''ve heard that you can withstand Vice Admiral Garp''s punches... though they were just a greeting."


    "I need to gauge your true strength to formulate a proper training plan, so..."


    "Give it your all. Treat me as your opponent. This is a battle of life and death. Go all out!"


    "..."


    Wright only felt an overwhelming malice fill the entire training field¡ªevery cadet, even the instructors Gumer and Shuzo, looked at him differently!


    "Can withstand Vice Admiral Garp''s punches!" What kind of explosive news was this?! That was Vice Admiral Garp, known as "Iron Fist"! Even if it was just a casual punch as a greeting, no new ensign should be able to take it¡ªlet alone anyone at the colonel level of the headquarters!


    Shuzo and Goomir sighed. It seemed that Admiral Zephyr truly held Wright in high regard. Since the current Headquarters Vice Admiral Kuzan, Zephyr hadn''t shown such interest in anyone else.


    "Understood!" Wright disregarded the odd stares. He felt calm on the outside, but inside, he couldn''t help but feel exhilarated. Joining the Marines brought him one step closer to his dream. To catch the attention of three Admiral-level figures like Garp, Sengoku, and Zephyr was a shortcut to the top!


    Zephyr, whose family had been killed by pirates, had turned his focus toward training Marine soldiers. Strengthening the collective power of the Marines would greatly strike at pirate forces. And if he could train an Admiral-level powerhouse, it would change the balance of power in the world!


    So far, Zephyr had encountered three Admiral-level talents¡ªthe current "monster" Vice Admirals¡ªSakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan, all of whom were trained under him. And now... Was Wright the fourth?! Zephyr was eager to verify it personally!


    Taking a deep breath, the "Ashes" sword was drawn. The previously unseen golden-colored Armament Haki wrapped around the blade, followed by a brilliant golden aura that soon ignited into blazing golden-red flames, drawing gasps of awe from the onlookers.


    "This sword... Interesting!" Goomir, a swordsman who had practiced the blade, was seeing such a magnificent longsword for the first time. The sword''s aura... was unique, and the golden Haki was unlike anything he had ever witnessed.


    Surrounded by a faint golden mist, Wright had activated his full potential. Zephyr, watching Wright bathed in golden light, grinned: "So this is the ''Holy Light Fruit,'' the one said to combine attack, defense, and healing? It truly lives up to its reputation... Wright, are you ready?"This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    "Ready, Chief Instructor! I''m good to go anytime!"


    "Alright, everyone step back! Wright, begin your attack!"


    The cadets quickly moved to a safe distance, and after a moment, they retreated even farther.


    "Swish¡ª" Wright surged forward with speed, his special training further enhancing his physical abilities.


    "Final Judgment!" A massive crescent-shaped golden slash flew forward. Zephyr covered his arm in Armament Haki, swinging to dissipate the attack. "A flying slash combined with Devil Fruit powers? Interesting! It actually consumed some of my Haki!"


    Before Zephyr could finish speaking, Wright had already closed the distance and was in melee range. With both hands gripping his sword, which blazed with divine fire, Wright brought it down heavily. Zephyr''s fist, wrapped in dark Haki, swung up to block¡ª


    "Clang¡ª!"


    The punch and blade collided, sparks flying as the metallic clash echoed, followed by a shockwave that spread outward.


    "Crackle¡ª"


    The attack was ineffective. Wright quickly changed tactics, tilting his sword to the side. His eyes flashed with golden light as his Observation Haki kicked in¡ªjust like the martial artists, Zephyr''s other fist, cloaked in dark Haki, was already silently heading for Wright. He managed to block it with the angled blade!


    "Your Observation Haki is not bad," Zephyr remarked. "But your reaction speed is too slow!" Wright had sensed the change in Zephyr''s movements, but it was too quick¡ªhis body simply couldn''t keep up.


    "Boom¡ª!"


    With a dull thud, Zephyr''s punch slipped past the blade and struck Wright squarely in the abdomen. However¡ª


    "Armament Haki and your Devil Fruit ability? Your defense is strong!"


    Zephyr''s punch had failed to knock Wright off his feet¡ªnormally, anyone receiving such a punch would have been sent flying!


    Taking the blow head-on, even with the protection of Haki and Holy Light, and despite Zephyr holding back, Wright still felt a searing pain in his stomach.


    At this moment, Zephyr wasn''t just attacking Wright; his arms were also pinning Wright''s sword, preventing him from drawing it. The chance earned by tanking that punch couldn''t go to waste. Wright''s sword shook, using the momentum to twist his body and sweep his leg in a horizontal strike, his right leg smashing into Zephyr''s side!


    "Boom¡ª!"


    A shockwave sent the air flying, but Zephyr remained completely unmoved, while Wright felt his leg was nearly broken. "So this is Admiral-level strength... How is it possible that he didn''t even budge?!"


    "Not bad. You understand that you can''t just rely on your weapon. In a real fight, any part of your body can be a weapon. A top-level swordsman won''t be easily controlled just because their weapon is restrained!"


    Zephyr, though unmoved, released his grip on Wright''s sword and continued attacking. Wright pressed the tip of his blade upward, launching himself into the air, using Holy Light to heal mid-flight. As he landed heavily on the ground, he immediately dashed toward Zephyr again.


    "Ashes Awakening!"


    With Armament Haki wrapping around the blade and burning with divine fire, Wright''s sword, "Ashes," seemed to break through some barrier. The entire sword transformed into a massive blade of glaring golden-red flames, slashing down at Zephyr!


    "Boom¡ª!"


    The slash and Haki collided, creating a shockwave so powerful it felt like an explosion on the training field. Zephyr crossed his arms to defend, but was still knocked back two steps by the strike!


    "Shave!"


    Wright, prepared to press the advantage, noticed through Observation Haki that Zephyr had disappeared. A moment later, Wright felt a crushing blow to his abdomen...


    This strike was completely different from the previous ones. Wright was immediately knocked to the ground¡ªone hit, and he was down!


    "Alright, that''s enough. I''ve got a good idea of your strength," Zephyr said, his final punch knocking Wright down. "So, Wright will be the leader of this elite squad. Anyone with objections can challenge him¡ªif you win, the position is yours."


    Looking at Wright lying motionless on the ground, Zephyr cleared his throat. "Stop playing dead. Get up and heal yourself. Let''s see if anyone wants to challenge you."


    The cadets who had passed the first test watched as Wright slowly stood up, using Holy Light to heal himself and bounce back. They could only shake their heads.


    This was a monster... Definitely not someone to mess with!

 Chapter 23: The Big Shot’s Special Training Session

    Following the usual exchange of blows... team battles ensued, and the final nine remaining were selected to join the elite squad. Wright was first, with no challengers daring to take him on, while Smoker and Rosinante, as expected, remained as well. After all, no matter how unreliable their Devil Fruit abilities were, at this stage, they were practically overpowered.


    Smoker''s Smoke-Smoke Fruit was essentially an invincible defense in the current phase where most trainees hadn''t mastered Haki. All he had to do was rely on his Devil Fruit powers for defense, conserve his stamina, and he could stand unharmed until the end.


    As for Rosinante, his abilities might seem insignificant, but they were a godsend for stealth and assassination. When he activated his Silence Domain, he was undetectable to the hearing senses of others. Not only that, by flexibly controlling the range of the domain, he could even mislead other trainees, causing confusion in their hearing and making them more vulnerable to being knocked out.


    With the elite test over, the elite squad was officially formed. Goomir and Shuzo would lead the other trainees, while Zypher personally led a ten-person squad to a special training ground.


    "This will be your training ground for the foreseeable future," Zypher said, stopping and introducing the site. "The materials here are made from a special alloy developed by the headquarters'' scientific research division. Its durability is extremely high and can withstand the full-force attacks of a Navy Colonel."


    "Additionally, the training equipment and instruments here are designed to withstand the strength of a Commodore-level fighter. Whether you can reach this limit depends entirely on your individual efforts," Zypher continued, his gaze narrowing. "Except for some people."


    The trainees exchanged strange glances, subtly eyeing Wright, while Wright stood there, utterly confused¡ªwhat did he mean? Has my fighting strength reached the level of a Colonel? How am I supposed to train now?


    "Cough!" Zefa cleared his throat to draw attention back. "The elite squad is the cream of the crop, the best of the best, so the training will also be top-tier."


    "In addition to your regular basic training, I will be inviting several current Vice Admirals to guide you in practical combat training, battle knowledge, and military strategy during their off-hours. As for me, I will personally teach you the Six Styles, and after six months, we will move on to real combat practice. From now on, you can call me ''Teacher!''"


    This meant that Wright was now a direct disciple of Admiral Black Arm Zypher!


    "True elites, the future backbone aiming for the rank of Rear Admiral, cannot be mere fighters who know nothing but combat. Even if the combat abilities of our officers are similar in rank, there is still a significant difference. But those who become officers always have their own specialties, even if it''s not in the realm of combat!"


    "And you... Wright," Zypher turned to look at Wright, who stood at the far right, a mischievous smile crossing his face. "Your combat ability surpasses the other nine by far. Even if they combined forces, they wouldn''t be a match for you."This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Wright opened his mouth, ready to humbly deny such claims and express his intention to be a team player, but Zypher''s demonic voice cut in again. "So, I will personally teach you all the lessons. Prepare for hell!"


    "I..."


    ...


    Three months later, Zypher had been personally instructing Wright.


    The other elite squad members, including Smoker and Rosinante, had once skeptically tried to match Wright''s training intensity, thinking that as elites, they could handle it¡ªbut the result was a collective day spent lying down. If Wright hadn''t healed them, they might have ended up resting for three days...


    From that moment on, they gave up any thoughts of competing with Wright and redirected their focus toward Smoker and Rosinante¡ªespecially Smoker, a natural-type Devil Fruit user specializing in physical combat. His "Ten Hands" weapon was merely a supplement to his Devil Fruit, compensating for the lack of Haki, but his main focus was still on physical techniques.


    Rosinante, on the other hand, focused on stealth, assassination, intelligence, and military strategy, rather than being a frontline fighter.


    As for Wright, thanks to the incredible recovery power of the Holy Light and the comprehensive enhancement of his physical abilities, he managed to complete all the hellish training tasks Zypher assigned to him. To exhaust his abilities, Zypher even sparred with him directly.


    The hellish training led to explosive progress in Wright''s strength. In addition to daily infusions of "Ashes," his Holy Light was fully drained during training, and after meditation, Wright could clearly feel both the quality and quantity of his Holy Light steadily increasing.


    Zypher was determined to cultivate Wright into a peak powerhouse capable of shaping the world''s power dynamics¡ªhis goal was to make Wright a Fleet Admiral! Zefa poured all his efforts into Wright. After all, even after decades of teaching at the Marine training camp, Zypher had only fully sparred with elite trainees like Sakazuki and Kuzan. As for Borsalino, Zypher was lucky not to be driven to madness by him...


    Zyphee had studied Wright''s profile. Compared to the extreme Sakazuki, the laid-back Borsalino, and the lazy Kuzan, Wright undoubtedly aligned more closely with the will of Zypher, Sengoku, Garp, and Crane. Now that Zypher still had some strength left, he wanted to nurture a new "hope."


    ...


    "After three months of training, your progress has met the expected standards." Zypher looked at the ten members of the elite squad, now reassembled. Today''s lesson was for the entire squad: "Your basic training is nearly complete, and your physical abilities are up to standard. Therefore, today I will teach you the long-awaited ''Six Styles!''"


    Seeing the excitement in their eyes, Zypher took off his Justice coat. "The Six Styles are an advanced martial art that surpasses the limits of the human body, requiring high physical fitness. Attempting to learn it without meeting these requirements can result in irreversible damage."


    "The Six Styles consist of Soru (Shave), Geppo (Moonwalk), Rankyaku (Tempest Kick), Tekkai (Iron Body), Kami-e (Paper Drawing), and Shigan (Finger Gun). Soru and Geppo emphasize mobility, Rankyaku and Shigan focus on attack power, and Tekkai and Kami-e are geared toward defense. You can learn all six or focus on those that suit you best."


    "Now, I will explain and demonstrate the training methods for the Six Styles..."


    True to his reputation as a top-tier fighter with mastery of the Six Styles, Zypher''s understanding and technique were unparalleled, unlike most Marine officers who only studied or specialized in one or two of them. Under his demonstration and guidance, the elite squad quickly understood the training methods and began to try them out.


    As the others started practicing, Wright quickly mastered "Soru," "Rankyaku," and "Kami-e," thanks to his physical abilities far exceeding theirs. For Wright, speed, aerial movement, and turning techniques were what he needed most. The Holy Light''s ability to enhance speed was still in the process of deeper development, so Soru for high-speed movement and Geppo for aerial control were his primary focuses.


    What would happen once he mastered Geppo? Flying through the air like a big-breasted powerhouse? Shiver... That was terrifying!

 Chapter 24: The Six Powers and Practical Training

    The Six Powers are intricately interconnected, and arranging their study in a logical order can save significant effort.


    For example, Shave (Soru) serves as a "preparatory ability" for Moonwalk (Geppo). By first mastering Shave, one can transition more smoothly into practicing Moonwalk later.


    Tempest Kick (Rankyaku), strictly speaking, isn''t a kicking technique but rather the ability to unleash slash-like attacks using one''s legs. It can serve as a supplementary attack when Wright''s melee weapons are restricted. As a swordsman capable of Flying Slashes and with legs imbued with Armament Haki, Wright''s Tempest Kick is on par with standard sword slashes, making it an excellent addition to his close-quarters combat arsenal.


    As for Paper Art (Kami-e), it fundamentally involves mastering control over one''s body. Wright''s purpose in learning Paper Art is to combine it with mental cultivation and the power of Holy Light, aiming to quickly grasp the miraculous physical technique known as Life Return (Seimei Kikan).


    It''s a widely accepted fact that the Navy''s Six Powers actually encompass seven techniques. Life Return enables conscious control over the body, including hair and internal organs. This technique isn''t just a combat marvel but is also immensely practical for disguise, infiltration, and reconnaissance¡ªafter all, who wouldn''t want to conceal their identity at some point?


    ...


    In the following days, Zephyr assigned the squad members to spar against one another to practice the Six Powers. As for Wright? Zephyr took it upon himself to personally handle Wright''s training, subjecting him to merciless beatdowns. The elite training ground was lively as the other squad members cheerfully practiced with each other while gleefully watching Wright endure Zephyr''s "special treatment."


    Mastering the Six Powers had a profound impact on Wright''s combat prowess, forcing him to adapt many of his battle strategies. And what better way to adapt than through direct combat? Facing off against a top-tier powerhouse like Zephyr greatly accelerated Wright''s adaptation, though it came at a price¡ªWright''s Holy Light energy was often so depleted from healing his injuries that he couldn''t last until the end of training sessions.


    ...


    Two months passed. Under Zephyr''s guidance and through intense sparring, the elite squad members had largely mastered varying numbers of the Six Powers, integrating them into their combat styles.


    Wright, however, had not only mastered the Six Powers but seamlessly incorporated them into his fighting techniques, even developing new combat moves, causing his strength to skyrocket.


    ...


    The day of practical training, as Zephyr had mentioned, was fast approaching. This "practical training" involved Zephyr personally leading all the recruits from the training camp on a warship to the Grand Line to engage in real pirate-hunting operations.


    Most recruits in the camp came from branch divisions in the Four Blues. Those originating from Navy Headquarters were not much stronger than their peers from the branches, except for having broader horizons. As a result, their experience dealing with pirates was limited, with most having only faced low-bounty pirates.If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, be aware that it has been stolen from Royal Road. Please report it.


    Even the "Paradise" section of the Grand Line vastly differs from the Four Blues. Many pirates who dominate in the Four Blues either meet their end or retreat back in failure after venturing into the Grand Line. Others don''t even get the chance to retreat, sinking to the ocean depths instead. Only elites reach Sabaody Archipelago intact, and only the cream of the crop successfully enter the New World from there.


    The warship led by Zephyr would target pirate crews approaching the midsection of the Grand Line¡ªthose whose strength was generally at an elite level.


    The training camp''s warship was manned by ordinary marines responsible for its operations, with the combat force comprising the 50-plus recruits, the ten elite squad members, and, as a failsafe, Admiral Zephyr himself. Two Rear Admirals served as instructors¡ªone staying at Headquarters to maintain communication with the warship, while the other accompanied the group to document the recruits'' performance.


    Over the past five months, the elite squad had largely mastered various aspects of the Six Powers, while the ordinary recruits weren''t as fortunate. They needed to distinguish themselves in the practical training through combat and merit before being granted the opportunity to learn the Six Powers. During this time, they had focused on basic training to build the necessary physical foundation.


    "Finally! Actual combat!" Wright exclaimed in excitement.


    Back in the East Blue, as a pirate hunter, Wright typically trained for only a month or two before seeking out pirate crews to fight. His battle experience was on an entirely different level compared to these recruits, many of whom had only participated in naval operations against low-tier pirates.


    "Hey, Wright, I heard you were a pirate hunter in the East Blue and basically wiped out the entire sea?" Smoker, a Grand Line native, and Rosinante, who grew up at Navy Headquarters, were both unfamiliar with Wright''s past. His exploits were classified and known only to Headquarters officers of Commander rank and above, with even they assuming the reports were exaggerated. The only person who fully believed them was Garp, who had planned to seek out Wright regardless if the latter hadn''t come to Headquarters himself.


    Despite the scarcity of East Blue recruits in the camp, those who were here had all heard of Wright''s reputation. For Wright, this practical training was merely a step up in combat intensity, without the usual tension of facing pirates for the first time.


    "Well, saying I wiped out the East Blue might be an exaggeration," Wright said, thinking it over. "But in the three years I was active, fewer than five pirate crews I pursued managed to reach the Grand Line!"


    "The pirate crews in the East Blue aren''t very formidable. Most of them are just a ragtag bunch," he added.


    "But even these ragtag crews can wreak havoc if left unchecked," Wright said gravely. "Since Roger''s execution, even the weakest East Blue has seen an explosion in pirate numbers every year. It''s insane!"


    "Impressive as always, Wright," Rosinante said admiringly. Smoker, puffing on a cigar, frowned and asked, "Then¡­ in the half-year you''ve been away from the East Blue, wouldn''t the pirates there have grown more reckless, harming civilians even more?"


    Wright chuckled. "No need to worry about that. Before coming to Headquarters, I discussed this with Vice Admiral Garp."


    "According to him, the East Blue is the Navy''s symbol of peace. Even without me hunting pirates, Headquarters has been systematically reinforcing its presence there. My efforts simply bought them more time to prepare. After bringing me to Headquarters, Garp issued orders for all East Blue divisions to go into full-scale readiness."


    "As expected of the Hero, Vice Admiral Garp!" Smoker, ever the martial enthusiast, couldn''t hide his admiration.


    Wright, however, rolled his eyes. "That unreliable old man wouldn''t think that far ahead. If you ask me, it''s probably Fleet Admiral Sengoku pulling the strings. Garp just signed the orders because he''s from the East Blue."


    Thinking of Garp''s carefree personality, Smoker covered his face and exhaled a puff of smoke, while Rosinante chuckled. Calling Vice Admiral Garp an "unreliable old man"¡ªWright certainly was¡­ unique.


    Rumor had it that Wright had endured Garp''s "special education" aboard his warship en route to Headquarters. Judging by Wright''s demeanor, the stories might just be true.

 Chapter 25: Retribution Paladin — Switch to Healer!

    The live combat training for the recruits'' boot camp was a significant event, even within Marineford. One could liken it to a university''s final group internship before graduation.


    Marineford held these training missions in high regard, providing dedicated intelligence support and even having Admiral Zephyr, the Chief Instructor, personally accompany the fleet to minimize unexpected incidents.


    The training ship, carrying a full complement of cadets, had set sail. Instructor Shuzo remained at the headquarters, while Instructor Goomir followed Admiral Zephyr aboard the ship to record the cadets'' performance. This would be Goomir''s final mission before being promoted to Rear Admiral and reassigned to the G-2 Branch on the Grand Line. There, he would face an increasing influx of pirates and uphold his vision of justice.


    Several Marine Vice Admirals, former students of Zephyr, came to see the cadets off. These elites had served as assistant instructors for the recruits over the past few months: Vice Admiral "Doberman" taught swordsmanship, Vice Admiral "Dalmatian" taught hand-to-hand combat, and Vice Admiral "Strawberry" taught military strategy.


    Wright was familiar with these renowned Vice Admirals, but since Zephyr had personally instructed him in all subjects, he hadn''t had much interaction with them. Conversely, the Vice Admirals were highly interested in Wright and held him in great regard. As fellow disciples of Zephyr, they saw Wright as their "junior brother," one with exceptional potential and receiving Zephyr''s special attention.


    Yet, unlike the other cadets, who were either tense, composed, indifferent, or excited, Wright was feeling... complicated.


    As a seasoned player with fifteen years of experience as a Retribution Paladin, his mind wandered to moments that had haunted him during those early gaming days:


    "Forming a party! Bring potions, food, and bandages! DPS players, assemble!"


    "Retribution Paladin, join!"


    [PlayerName] invites you to the party.


    "Group up, buff up, ready to roll!"


    "Uh... healers are hard to come by. Hmm? Hey, Retribution Paladin, switch to healer!"


    Wright snapped out of his reverie as he recalled his conversation with Zephyr before boarding the ship.


    ...


    "Wright, based on my assessment, your combat strength is at least Rear Admiral level. For this training mission, you will have a unique assignment," Zephyr had told him.


    "Understood!" Wright had been thrilled. It was only natural. Placing him with his classmates would make their efforts pointless unless he refrained from intervening. In that case, why even bring him along? Clearly, Zephyr had thought this through. Wright silently gave him a thumbs-up.


    "The live combat mission will last a month," Zephyr continued. "Your assignment will be issued afterward."Stolen from its original source, this story is not meant to be on Amazon; report any sightings.


    "...?" Wright was puzzled. A task that wouldn''t start until after the mission? Did that mean he would just wait at headquarters? That would be dreadfully boring.


    "You''re thinking that staying at headquarters would be dull, aren''t you?"


    Zephyr''s uncanny perception left Wright speechless. Was he teaching mind-reading now? Wright sighed.


    "Don''t worry," Zephyr reassured him. "During the mission, you''ll be fully engaged. Your healing abilities are extraordinary, and the versatility of your healing methods is unprecedented among the recruits."


    Zephyr''s sharp gaze met Wright''s widening eyes. "As a warrior, I understand your desire to face enemies head-on. Your history as a Pirate Hunter proves your hatred for pirates. But your actions also reveal a different side of you. You spared those who had not committed atrocities and were labeled pirates solely due to circumstance. This shows that you have a conviction to protect."


    "To safeguard civilians and the weak, you eliminate the wicked, heal the innocent, and have joined the Marines to grow stronger."


    "Aww, come on, Zephyr-sensei, you''re making me sound so noble," Wright said, grinning smugly and scratching his head¡ªhardly looking embarrassed at all.


    Zephyr frowned, grabbing Wright''s face and pinching it into a comical shape. "Is this what embarrassment looks like? Stop ruining the mood!"


    Zephyr''s tone grew somber. "I''m telling you this for a reason. Live combat missions come with casualties. While I''ll do my best to prevent deaths, the chaos of battle means even an Admiral cannot protect everyone. Cadets who suffer severe injuries may never progress further¡ªor worse, leave the battlefield permanently. Every one of them is a potential future pillar of the Marines, and their loss weakens our ability to protect the innocent."


    "Over the years, cadets have been lost during these missions. If they had survived, the Marines would be far stronger today, with greater dominance over pirates and more lives saved."


    Zephyr released Wright''s face, his expression heavy with sorrow. For once, Wright didn''t joke.


    "That''s why, Wright, I''m asking you¡ªno, I''m begging you. Use your abilities to protect these cadets. Reduce casualties as much as possible. Don''t let these damn pirates extinguish the bright futures of our comrades this year!"


    "Can you promise me this?"


    Wright met Zephyr''s gaze, seeing not only the resolute will of an Admiral but also the pain and regret of a mentor who had borne too many losses. Zephyr, the "Don''t Kill" Admiral, had quietly nurtured countless Marine elites, upholding his own brand of justice. Such a man didn''t deserve the fate that awaited him in the canon timeline.


    Wright''s expression softened into a confident smile. "Don''t worry, Sensei. As long as their heads remain attached, I''ll patch them up good as new."


    "Honestly, I''m kind of a coward. Healing people from the back is way safer and less hassle than clashing swords with pirates¡­"


    Zephyr chuckled at Wright''s obvious deflection. "You rascal, always quick with the lip. Haven''t changed a bit since coming to Marineford!"


    Wright saluted, grinning. "Mission accepted, Sensei. From now on, you can call me ''Gold Medal Support!''"


    Zephyr shook his head, smiling despite himself. Patting Wright''s shoulder, he said, "On behalf of the cadets, thank you, Wright. Your presence gives them a fighting chance at a brighter future."


    "Go board the ship. I''ll head off first."


    As Zephyr''s imposing figure disappeared into the distance, Wright felt a surge of determination.


    "With me here, your tragedies end today, Sensei."


    "There''s still time¡­ I need to become even stronger!"


    Then reality hit him like a ton of bricks.


    "Still, I''m just a healer now, huh? Is Holy Light destined to be support-only¡­?"


    His grand aspirations deflated, Wright found himself sinking into a bout of despair.

 Chapter 26: Daddy’s Got You Covered!

    As an Admiral of the Navy, Z¨¦phyr''s combat power was beyond doubt. Even the pirates targeted during the boot camp''s live training exercises¡ªthose who had ventured near the New World¡ªremained mostly confined to Paradise. Encountering a pirate with a bounty exceeding 100 million berries was a rare occurrence.


    Pirate crews with bounties in the tens of millions were nothing to Z¨¦phyr. Alone, he could annihilate an entire fleet. However, as the boot camp''s instructor, Z¨¦phyr couldn''t simply obliterate every threat. If he did, what purpose would the training serve? His role was strictly as a failsafe, stepping in only during critical moments where the lives of most trainees were at risk.


    The true value of the training lay in experiencing life-and-death situations. As Z¨¦phyr himself often emphasized, even under the protection of an Admiral, injuries leading to permanent disability¡ªor worse¡ªwere an inevitable risk in team combat.


    But with Wright present, such risks were effectively erased.


    Shortly after the trainees'' warship set sail, they encountered a pirate crew¡ªthe Butcher Pirates. Their captain, Hobart Fergus, the Blade Butcher, carried a bounty of 58 million berries. At that time, such a bounty rivaled the value of nearly 100 million berries a decade later.


    Hobart Fergus was a former butcher from the North Blue who turned to piracy, wielding a massive double-edged axe. A sadistic killer by nature, he treated human lives like livestock, and his crew delighted in slaughtering and tormenting the weak. After a year of rampaging through the Grand Line, they had built a reputation for sheer brutality.


    Z¨¦phyr, who had spent years keeping a low profile at Navy Headquarters, was largely unknown to the outside world. For the Butcher Pirates, who had only recently entered the Grand Line, their knowledge of high-level Marine forces was limited. To them, the Navy''s powerhouse figures were limited to the likes of Fleet Admiral Kong, Admiral Sengoku the Buddha, and Vice Admiral Garp the Hero.


    Seeing that the trainees'' warship was of standard design, the pirates assumed it was led by a mere Headquarters Commander. Confident in their numbers, they chose to engage head-on.


    They were gravely mistaken.


    The warship carried over 50 boot camp trainees, whose average combat strength was on par with a Headquarters Lieutenant. Among them were nine elite trainees, each proficient in varying degrees of the Navy''s Rokushiki (Six Powers) techniques¡ªand two of them were Devil Fruit users.


    This lineup was more than enough to overwhelm the Butcher Pirates, who numbered over 200.


    Hobart Fergus himself faced Smoker, a Logia-type Devil Fruit user. Without Haki to counter Smoker''s Smoke-Smoke Fruit, Fergus was utterly outmatched. His raw strength and resilience only delayed the inevitable.


    Meanwhile, Rosinante displayed the tactical brilliance he had shown during the elite selection tests. His ability to disrupt enemy senses proved invaluable in improving his team''s kill efficiency¡ªa model support fighter.Support the creativity of authors by visiting Royal Road for this novel and more.


    From a distance, Z¨¦phyr and Goomir observed the trainees'' performance. With Wright as their ultimate safety net, they didn''t even need to move, relying on their Observation Haki to monitor the situation.


    Amid the chaos, a trainee found himself overwhelmed. Attacked by two pirates, he was slashed across the leg and fell to the ground. As the pirates closed in for the kill, he thought to himself, This is the end!


    Suddenly, a golden light flashed. Strength returned to his injured leg, allowing him to dodge the fatal blow at the last second. Counterattacking instinctively, he punched one pirate into the air. Only then did he notice that his leg showed no signs of injury¡ªnot even a scar. If it weren''t for the tear in his pants, he might have thought he''d imagined the whole thing.


    Nearby, another trainee had just defeated five pirates but suffered severe abdominal injuries. Blood poured from his wounds, and he could barely stand. As more pirates charged at him, he closed his eyes in resignation, expecting death. Instead, he felt a wave of warmth. Opening his eyes, he discovered his wounds had vanished entirely¡ªno bleeding, no scars. Even his exhaustion had faded. Without hesitation, he grabbed his sword and rejoined the fight.


    Positioned at the rear, Wright kept the battlefield under constant surveillance using his Observation Haki. Whenever a trainee faced critical danger or life-threatening injuries, he cast his Holy Light Technique to turn the tide.


    A true gold-tier support.


    "Ah, it''s that familiar ''whack-a-mole'' feeling again," Wright mused, stifling a yawn to avoid breaking the tense atmosphere. His expression became increasingly peculiar as the battle raged on.


    With Wright''s support, the trainees achieved an almost flawless victory. The Butcher Pirates'' ordinary crew members were annihilated, and the remaining officers were taken down by the trainees working together. All that remained was their captain, Hobart Fergus, who continued his desperate duel against Smoker.


    "Logia users are so limited without Haki," Wright noted, watching the battle. "That jitte Smoker''s using isn''t great against someone this durable."


    As Smoker and Fergus clashed, the other trainees began to surround them, confident that the battle was nearing its conclusion. However, Wright''s frown deepened.


    Just as he anticipated, Fergus¡ªwounded and enraged¡ªrealized his crew had been decimated. Understanding he was no match for this force, he decided to go out in a blaze of vengeance. With a roar, he swung his massive axe in a wide arc, targeting the "spectators."


    The elite trainees, all proficient in Soru, easily evaded the attack. But some of the regular trainees, having let their guard down, were less fortunate. Several were struck¡ªone had his abdomen slashed open, another lost an arm, and others were sent flying.


    "Ugh, such a rookie mistake. Haven''t they ever heard of not crowding around in a fight?" Wright muttered, shaking his head.


    At Z¨¦phyr''s glance, Wright nodded and stepped forward. He first healed the gravely injured with a Holy Light Technique, then turned to the others. "Stop standing around! Bring the injured over here¡ªdon''t forget the severed arm."


    While Smoker, humiliated by the incident, knocked Fergus unconscious in a fury, Wright focused on repairing the damage. Under his guidance, the injured were stabilized. One by one, he healed wounds, even reattaching severed limbs with a combination of Holy Light Technique and Eternal Flame.


    By the time he finished, the previously injured trainees were as good as new. Even Z¨¦phyr, familiar with Wright''s abilities, was visibly impressed.


    Without Wright, this battle would have ended with at least half the trainees injured, and a few suffering permanent disabilities¡ªeven with Z¨¦phyr''s intervention.


    Wright had truly earned his title as a gold-tier support.

 Chapter 27: The Combat Medic Turns Cleaning Bot

    "You are the new generation of Marine elites! You''ve undergone the most rigorous training, and some among you have even mastered the Rokushiki techniques!"


    On the deck, Zephyr addressed the trainees who, despite having just completed an intense battle, stood before him unscathed. It was an unusual experience for Zephyr to lecture a group in such pristine condition after a fight, leaving him with mixed feelings.


    "But look at your performance¡ªit''s no better than that of green recruits straight out of boot camp!"


    "You''ve fought on battlefields and earned commendations in your respective branches. Yet now, despite being far stronger than before, you find yourselves fumbling when faced with enemies. Why is that?"


    Zephyr paced slowly in front of the neatly lined trainees, his stern expression and sharp gaze suffocating their earlier excitement. Just moments ago, they had wiped out a notorious pirate crew with a bounty of 58 million berries. Now, however, their elation had completely vanished.


    "Is it because the enemy was stronger? Because they had greater numbers?"


    "None of those excuses matter! It''s about willpower! You lack the tenacity needed to face life-and-death struggles in close combat!"


    Zephyr''s voice echoed like thunder.


    "When you were new recruits, most of you were ordinary soldiers relying on firearms to defeat enemies. Any formidable foes requiring close combat were handled by officers, and naval battles had the firepower of warships as support. Back then, most of the pirates you faced were disorganized rabble, easily cowed by the Navy''s superior equipment!"


    "But here, on the Grand Line¡ªeven in what''s known as ''Paradise''¡ªpirates have survived countless battles, emerging as elites through brutal survival of the fittest. Their strength is formidable, but more than that, their willpower is unshakable. Those lacking in resolve have long since perished!"


    The trainees, now sweating, reflected on Zephyr''s words. They recalled how their past battles often began with the Navy''s overwhelming firepower crippling the pirates before any real combat began. As soldiers, they mostly dealt with terrified or weak foes, enjoying victory after victory.


    Their promotions to headquarters had come more from standout performances during such favorable circumstances and their potential, rather than achievements in uphill battles or against overwhelming odds.


    "Though you''ve developed a strong foundation and honed your combat techniques in training, your time here has left you lacking the resolve to confront death head-on. You don''t have the composure to turn danger into opportunity or the determination to prove your worth even in death!"


    "What did I see in the battle just now? Some of you, injured, froze in place waiting to die! Others, surrounded, flailed chaotically, giving the enemy opportunities to strike! And worse, some of you approached weakened enemies without caution, just to spectate!"If you come across this story on Amazon, it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    Zephyr''s voice, tinged with anger, resembled that of a strict homeroom teacher berating his students.


    "You are the worst group I''ve ever trained!"


    It had finally happened. Zephyr had unleashed his infamous "stern homeroom teacher" persona.


    "If not for your luck in having a healer among you, even I couldn''t have saved a third of you from leaving the battlefield permanently! How will you achieve your dreams or uphold your sense of justice if you can''t even survive? Reflect on what it means to have a ''death quota''!"


    Standing to the side, Wright blinked innocently, thinking, Is Zephyr-sensei giving me credit? Well, I did a good job, didn''t I? Hahaha!


    "Now, return to your quarters, rest, and each of you write a battle report¡ªor call it a self-reflection, if you prefer. Submit it to Instructor Goomir by tomorrow morning. Reflect thoroughly on today''s experience!"


    "In the next battle, Wright will not heal you during the fight. Only those still alive after the battle will receive treatment. Combat isn''t training¡ªif you die due to your own foolish mistakes, you''ll join the death quota!"


    "Dismissed! Wright, stay behind!"


    As the trainees dispersed with grim expressions, Wright exchanged a glance with Smoker and Rosinante, signaling that he would catch up with them later. He then approached Zephyr and Goomir.


    "Sensei! Instructor!"


    Both nodded in approval, clearly pleased with Wright''s contributions.


    "Just as I expected, your presence has directly altered the structure of this practical training exercise," Zephyr remarked.


    "?" Wright tilted his head in confusion. Practical training had been a part of the program for years. Wasn''t this just the usual format?


    Noticing Wright''s confusion, Goomir chuckled and explained, "Previously, we tailored these exercises carefully. Considering the trainees'' lack of resolve, we''d select newly arrived, lesser-known pirates on the Grand Line¡ªtypically with bounties between 10 and 20 million berries¡ªas the targets."


    As expected, Wright''s eyes widened.


    Zephyr smirked. "Today''s target was quite a leap, wasn''t it? A pirate crew with a bounty of 58 million berries is considered a seasoned powerhouse in Paradise. Normally, trainees wouldn''t face such opponents until after three to five battles, once their willpower had improved."


    "But your presence inspired a new approach. By starting with a high-difficulty battle, we directly exposed the trainees to the harsh realities of combat and highlighted their weaknesses, forcing them to confront these issues head-on."


    "And if anyone crumbles under the pressure, it just proves they lack the potential to grow. The real despair comes later, after all."


    "..." Wright''s thoughts wandered. So without a healer, the team grinds small mobs to level up. With a healer? Skip the grind and dive straight into dungeon raids?


    Not bad, Zephyr-sensei! Should we power-level to max before soloing the boss? It''s free, after all!


    "And the results proved me right," Zephyr continued. "Because of your abilities, we ended the battle without casualties. From my observations during the debriefing, the trainees recognized their shortcomings without falling into despair. The insights gained in life-and-death situations are invaluable, and they didn''t pay the usual price for it."


    "Then, Sensei," Wright asked, "if I don''t heal during the next battle, will the target difficulty be lowered?"


    "Correct." Zephyr nodded. "Goomir will coordinate with Shuzo at headquarters to select a pirate crew with a bounty between 20 and 40 million berries as the next target."


    "During that battle, Wright, you''ll only heal them after the fighting is over. If unforeseen situations arise, I''ll intervene, just as before."


    "Understood, Sensei."


    Heh, dear classmates, your combat medic is now officially a cleaning bot! Next time, if you''re careless¡­ well, some of you might actually die.


    After all, this great me doesn''t know resurrection techniques¡­ yet!

 Chapter 28: Brainstorming Devil Fruit Abilities

    After wrapping up the small meeting with Zephyr and Goomir, Wright returned to his room, only to realize¡ªhad he just participated in drafting a combat strategy? Was this the treatment cadets received?


    Opening the door, he wasn''t surprised to see Smoker and Rosinante waiting for him. However...


    "Rosinante! Smoker''s bad habits are rubbing off on you! Since when did you start smoking too?! And can you explain this charred piece of clothing?"


    The moment Wright stepped in, he was hit by a wave of smoke, nearly choking. One smoker was bad enough¡ªnow there were two? The room reeked not only of cigarettes but also of burnt fabric. A scorched shirt lay discarded on the floor.


    "Hahaha¡­ you''re back, Wright," Rosinante greeted sheepishly, exhaling a plume of smoke. "Don''t you think smoking looks cool? I can''t handle Smoker''s cigars, but regular cigarettes? Those are manageable."


    Smoker shot Rosinante a sidelong glance, his face as stern as ever. "You heard him. This has nothing to do with me. He picked up the habit himself. As for the shirt¡ª"


    "He lit his shirt on fire while trying to light his cigarette. Can you believe that? And the worst part? He didn''t even notice it was burning! I was so dumbfounded I almost forgot to help. By the time I tore it off him, it was already ruined. I had to lend him one of your shirts."


    Wright covered his face, exasperated. How could he have forgotten? Rosinante''s absentmindedness wasn''t just an act¡ªit was his natural state.


    "All right, fine," Wright sighed. He himself had never been a smoker¡ªsure, it looked a little stylish, but it was ultimately a harmful habit. Granted, in this world of freakishly resilient physiques, such concerns could be ignored. Even so, it wasn''t for him.


    "So, how did today''s battle feel?" Wright found a spot to sit, doing his best to avoid the thickening smoke. Unfortunately, it was futile. He resorted to covering his mouth with one hand while casting a cleansing spell with the other to purify the air.


    At the mention of the fight, Smoker, who had been lounging lazily in his chair, straightened up, his expression turning serious. He lit another cigar, somehow managing to speak clearly despite it being in his mouth.


    "I need more offensive power. The Smoke-Smoke Fruit lacks attack capabilities. In Paradise, it''s fine¡ªI can rely on intangibility to stay undefeated. But against enemies who''ve mastered Haki, this ability feels useless without strong offensive techniques."


    Rosinante, holding his cigarette between his fingers, added, "Today''s target was excessively strong for a first battle. Normally, we wouldn''t face an opponent of that level right away. If it weren''t for you, Wright, Zephyr-sensei''s prediction would''ve been spot on¡ªeven with his intervention, the cadets would''ve suffered significant losses."


    As expected of Rosinante, his keen insight was evident. He analyzed the situation from a broader perspective, unlike Smoker''s brute-force mindset.This tale has been pilfered from Royal Road. If found on Amazon, kindly file a report.


    Wright nodded in agreement. "That''s true. But this adjustment was made because of my abilities as a safety net. The goal was to push you into high-intensity, even life-threatening combat, forcing you to confront your weaknesses and flaws under pressure. The immense stimulus sharpens your resolve."


    "The next battle will likely be less intense, but I won''t be participating. That''ll be the real test of what you''ve learned this time."


    Wright''s gaze turned thoughtful. "After observing your fights today, I''d like to discuss your Devil Fruit development directions."


    "Oh?" Smoker and Rosinante''s eyes lit up. They had witnessed Wright''s absurd mastery over his abilities. His healing techniques alone could serve multiple functions. Any advice from him would undoubtedly be invaluable.


    "Smoker, you''re a frontline fighter. You should focus more on physical combat. That jitte of yours is a waste¡ªyes, I understand it''s designed to counter swords, the weapon pirates favor most, and to compensate for the weaknesses of your Devil Fruit." Wright turned to Smoker, who nodded in acknowledgment.


    "But as a Logia user, you clearly don''t understand your own abilities well enough. Let me ask you¡ªwhat is smoke?"


    As expected, Smoker looked baffled, while Rosinante appeared deep in thought.


    "Smoke is made up of countless tiny particles," Wright explained. "It can suffocate, obscure vision, hover in the air, grant flight and extension abilities. But is that all smoke can do?"


    "Since smoke is composed of particles, it has two key characteristics: diffusion and condensation. Smoker, your current usage focuses entirely on diffusion, completely neglecting condensation."


    "If you condense smoke to the extreme, it can form a solid¡ªthough different from returning to a physical body. It would still fundamentally be smoke."


    "A solidified form of smoke under your control could potentially surpass the hardness of steel¡ªperhaps even rivaling Haki!"


    "With this ability, Smoker, you''d gain a pseudo-shaping ability¡ªsimilar to Vice Admiral Kuzan!" Wright grinned. "After all, ice is formed by compressing countless crystals. If shattered into fine particles, how different is ice from smoke?"


    "!!!"


    Smoker, who was well-acquainted with Kuzan, immediately grasped the implications. Wright''s analogy opened his eyes to the possibilities.


    "If I could condense my smoke to the hardness of ice¡­ it wouldn''t just restrain enemies. I could launch direct attacks in my elemental state!" Smoker exclaimed.


    "And if you can seamlessly switch between condensation and diffusion¡­" Wright continued, "imagine instantly dispersing a condensed smoke sphere back into vapor form¡­"


    "That kind of manipulation¡­" Smoker''s eyes gleamed with understanding, his cigar nearly falling from his mouth. "The sudden expansion in volume¡­ could cause an explosion!"


    "Exactly," Wright confirmed. "Master this, and who would dare call the Smoke-Smoke Fruit weak? And once you''ve mastered Armament Haki, think about how devastating this attack method could become."


    "Hahaha! I can''t wait to try this out!" Smoker said, brimming with excitement.


    "As for you, Rosinante¡­" Wright turned to him. Rosinante had been silent, clearly deep in thought after Smoker''s breakthrough.


    "You''re on the right track, using overlapping zones of silence to confuse your enemies'' auditory senses. It''s effective in disrupting coordination and disorienting their perception. However, it''s limited against stronger foes."


    Rosinante nodded. "This is currently the limit of my ability. In team battles, I can prevent the enemy commander from giving orders or disrupt their auditory awareness. But for powerful opponents, it''s not enough."


    Wright smiled. "From what I''ve observed, the Calm-Calm Fruit creates a zone or barrier that blocks sound from traveling. Sound is a vibration¡ªso your ability effectively eliminates vibrations within that zone. Now, what if you could extend that to eliminate other forms of vibration? Or perhaps¡­ motion itself?"


    "Motion¡­ itself?" Rosinante murmured, stunned by Wright''s imagination.


    "Exactly. If you could eliminate all motion within a designated area¡­" Wright leaned forward, a glimmer in his eye.


    "¡­then you''d achieve what''s known as absolute stillness."


    Rosinante''s jaw dropped. "Wright, you''re a genius!"

 Chapter 29: Testing a New Tactical Approach

    "Hey! You two!" Wright sighed as he glanced at Smoker, who was endlessly generating smoke, and Rosinante, who was lost in thought while staring at the cigarette between his fingers. Breaking their focus, Wright exclaimed, "Practice is all well and good, but don''t you think you''re turning my room into an uninhabitable mess?"


    The room was now engulfed in various types of smoke¡ªsome from Smoker''s Devil Fruit abilities and the rest from their cigars and cigarettes.


    "If either of you dares to smoke in my room again, I''ll kick you out myself! Go back to your own rooms to conduct your experiments!"


    ...


    After successfully evicting the pair¡ªwho, despite profusely thanking him, refused to apologize¡ªWright cast a large-scale purification spell to clear the air and flopped onto his bed. "Ah¡­ let me die here in peace¡­"


    Although he hadn''t participated directly in the battle earlier, Wright had stayed on high alert, maintaining his Observation Haki at full capacity to monitor the entire warship. His responsibilities didn''t stop there; he also had to assess the intent and emotional fluctuations of particularly extreme pirates to anticipate their attacks and provide timely healing. This task was far more exhausting than simply annihilating an entire pirate crew himself.


    "Smoke-Smoke Fruit and Calm-Calm Fruit¡­ I wonder how far those two will develop their abilities. It''ll be interesting to see what kinds of changes they bring about," Wright thought to himself groggily before falling asleep.


    Three days passed quickly. During this time, the cadets at the training camp had clearly reflected deeply on their previous shortcomings. They gained valuable insights into their own combat weaknesses and began emulating the approaches of Wright and his two fellow Devil Fruit users. Those with similar fighting styles formed discussion groups, sharing experiences and learning from one another to progress together.


    Zephyr and Gummir observed these developments with growing satisfaction. Wright, in particular, had proposed a new team-based combat tactic based on their last battle. His idea was to form small squads comprising members with different combat styles and train them to work together. The goal was to determine whether such cooperation could pose a threat to high-level combatants.


    Zephyr, surprised by Wright''s interest in tactical studies beyond personal combat prowess, decided to test the effectiveness of this new strategy. To do so, he assigned Wright the role of a sparring partner¡ªa living training dummy, as it were.


    In this world, the Navy''s grasp of "team combat" strategies remained weak. With its philosophy heavily centered on individual strength, soldiers often focused on personal valor. As a result, lower-ranking Navy troops were frequently relegated to cannon fodder roles, incapable of effectively damaging mid- or high-tier enemies.


    True "human wave tactics" were fearsome because every soldier contributed to wearing down the target, no matter how small their impact. The cumulative damage would eventually overwhelm the opponent. However, the Navy''s so-called human wave tactics often devolved into disorganized "piecemeal attacks." In these cases, stronger opponents could systematically slaughter wave after wave of soldiers, rendering their numbers meaningless.If you encounter this story on Amazon, note that it''s taken without permission from the author. Report it.


    This flaw stemmed from the emphasis on personal power in this world. Consequently, the Navy prioritized cultivating high-level combatants. Even Zephyr, an experienced "education expert," adhered to this belief, knowing that a single top-tier fighter could turn the tide of battle. Naturally, this left little focus on nurturing lower-tier troops.


    The Elite Training Camp''s purpose, therefore, wasn''t to train rank-and-file soldiers¡ªthat was the job of the Navy''s standard academies and branch facilities. Instead, the camp existed to produce elite officers and mid-tier leaders for the Navy.


    Wright, however, had a different perspective. When he used to read the manga and watch the anime, one of his biggest complaints was the Navy''s bafflingly poor tactics. Why did they always attack in small, easily defeated groups instead of overwhelming the enemy with sheer numbers? Were they afraid of dying or just spectators at a show? Why did trained Navy soldiers perform worse than ragtag pirates in battle coordination?


    As a mere ensign and trainee, Wright wouldn''t normally have the standing to suggest tactical changes to a Grand Admiral like Zephyr. But as Zephyr''s true personal disciple, and given Zephyr''s open-minded approach to education, Wright''s ideas were taken seriously. Once Wright outlined his concept, Zephyr encouraged him to share his thoughts fully.


    To validate his strategy, Wright personally participated in the tests. Using a standard-issue longsword instead of his beloved Ashes, he defeated three training squads in succession. After each match, he pointed out their mistakes and emphasized what kind of damage they could have inflicted on him had they avoided those errors.


    Zephyr carefully monitored the battles using his Observation Haki and nodded approvingly. "Squad Four, delay your turn by half an hour. Exchange notes with Squads One, Two, and Three before sparring with Instructor Goomir."


    Recognizing Wright''s expertise as a swordsman, Zephyr decided to have Goomir¡ªa fellow swordsman unfamiliar with such tactics¡ªtest them as well. The goal was to see whether five or six officer-level cadets working together could pressure someone of Goomir''s rank. Zephyr, well aware of Wright''s current strength, knew that Wright had already surpassed Goomir, a Rear Admiral.


    Of course, whether Goomir''s combat ability truly stopped at Rear Admiral rank¡ªor if he was simply an old trickster avoiding promotions¡ªremained a mystery. Considering Goomir''s role as the future G-2 Branch Commander, it was safe to assume his strength was far from ordinary.


    Returning to Zephyr''s side, Wright had essentially become an honorary assistant instructor¡ªa privilege typically reserved for a Vice Admiral.


    "If officer-level squads can use coordinated tactics to pressure a Rear Admiral, they''ll undoubtedly gain the ability to defeat most Major and Lieutenant Commanders. They might even hold their own against a Colonel," Zephyr remarked, casting a glance at the squads, who were now deep in discussion. He then turned to Wright. "If this strategy works, you''ll have achieved something remarkable!"


    "Don''t expect me to go easy, Wright." Goomir chuckled. "I''m eager to see this new approach in action."


    "You won''t be disappointed, Zephyr-sensei," Wright replied confidently. "The same goes for you, Instructor Goomir. When I sparred with them earlier, they had already improved significantly compared to fighting individually. If they follow my suggestions, their combat effectiveness will increase dramatically¡ªthough, for fairness, you''ll need to refrain from using Haki. At this stage, it would be an overwhelming advantage."


    Although Goomir and Zephyr didn''t fully understand Wright''s reference to "overwhelming advantage," they got the gist. Testing a general-purpose strategy required conditions representative of the average Rear Admiral, not someone with advanced Haki.


    "Goomir, don''t exceed Rear Admiral-level strength. Pay attention to the finer details of the test."


    "Understood, sensei."


    ... It seemed Goomir really was an old trickster after all.

 Chapter 30: Cadets Battle the Rear Admiral

    Half an hour passed quickly. The fourth squad¡ªcomprising five cadets with combat styles ranging from ensigns to captains¡ªwas ready. Goomir, their instructor, stepped onto the field wielding two longswords.


    "Begin!" Zephyr commanded. The five-man squad engaged Goomir. Despite facing their instructor, a formidable Rear Admiral of the headquarters, they showed no fear, a testament to their growth after their recent life-and-death battles.


    Goomir, a dual-sword style swordsman, faced off against two cadets skilled in swordsmanship, each targeting one of his blades. Though they were outmatched in strength, their teamwork allowed them to fend off Goomir''s probing attacks.


    The remaining three cadets had different roles: one specialized in direct, overpowering punches, another focused on precise kicks, and the last was a dual-dagger assassin. The swordsmen held Goomir''s attention head-on, while the punch specialist targeted his shoulders and arms from the side. Meanwhile, the kick specialist aimed at his lower body, limiting his mobility.


    Goomir, a battle-hardened Rear Admiral, quickly adapted. Leveraging his superior physique and combat experience, he alternated between using one sword to engage the two swordsmen and the other to defend against attacks from the puncher and kicker, forcing them to retreat multiple times.


    The intense battle continued for several minutes. The punch and kick cadets, showing excellent coordination, applied relentless pressure, reducing Goomir''s room to maneuver. As he realized he was close to being encircled, his pride as a Rear Admiral demanded action.


    Just as Goomir prepared to unleash a powerful move to repel the attackers, a thought struck him: "Four? Shouldn''t there be five in this squad? Where is the fifth?"


    Alarmed, Goomir began to adjust his technique, but it was too late. A sharp pain radiated from both sides of his ribs as blood sprayed out. Two daggers, wielded by the stealthy assassin cadet, had struck deep into his flanks before slicing outward¡ªa textbook "double-edged strike."


    "Stop!" Zephyr''s voice rang out. The cadets retreated, leaving the bloodied Goomir standing alone. However, none stepped forward to check on him, knowing full well what would happen next. A golden glow enveloped Goomir, and the wounds on his waist vanished without a trace.


    Zephyr stood and approached the field with Wright following behind. Goomir remained rooted in place, dazed, as if unable to process the humiliation of being outmaneuvered by cadets despite his rank.


    Smack!


    Zephyr patted Goomir''s shoulder, snapping him back to reality. Goomir forced a bitter smile. "Teacher¡­ this is such a disgrace. If the folks back at headquarters hear about this, I''ll have no face left."


    "Hahaha¡­" Zephyr laughed heartily, though it wasn''t at Goomir''s expense. "Goomir, it''s clear you didn''t lose due to arrogance or underestimation. Instead, it was the dense, coordinated assault of four cadets that left you vulnerable to the fifth''s stealth attack."Stolen content warning: this content belongs on Royal Road. Report any occurrences.


    "You didn''t activate Observation Haki, but we could see it clearly. The fifth cadet, the assassin with the daggers, is an elite. Having mastered Soru, he exploited his mobility to remain in your blind spot, carefully avoiding your notice while waiting for the perfect moment to strike."


    "When you initiated your move to repel the four around you, he seized the opportunity with precision. That was a brilliant strike!"


    Zephyr was in high spirits. The new squad tactics had proven effective. A team of five officer-level cadets, through seamless cooperation and complementary combat styles, overwhelmed a Rear Admiral-level opponent and created an opening for the assassin to land the decisive blow¡ªa breathtaking display of strategy!


    Wright chimed in, "Their coordination is still somewhat loose. It worked because Goomir is their swordsmanship instructor, and they are familiar with his fighting style, allowing them to tailor their strategy."


    "If their opponent were an unfamiliar Rear Admiral or a pirate of equal strength, they might have been overwhelmed before understanding the enemy''s style¡ªjust like in most current scenarios. However, as their tactics improve and teamwork deepens, these shortcomings will be resolved."


    "The ideal goal," Wright continued, "is to prepare tactical plans for different combat styles¡ªswordsmen, brawlers, kickers, technical fighters, powerhouses, speedsters, and so on. With regular drills on these plans, they can adapt dynamically during battle."


    "Furthermore, the tactics should not rely solely on fixed squads. Any group of soldiers with the required combat styles should be able to execute the strategies, as battlefields are unpredictable, and no squad can guarantee staying intact."


    "Well said!"


    Zephyr''s eyes gleamed as he looked at Wright, as though witnessing a rising star. Kind-hearted, determined, brimming with potential, immensely powerful, and possessing a sharp mind¡ªthis was a student worth nurturing. He silently thanked Garp for recruiting Wright into the Navy and sending him here.


    Feeling Zephyr''s intense gaze, Wright shifted uncomfortably. "Teacher Zephyr, this is just a concept. I was a solo bounty hunter before joining the Navy, so I''m not particularly experienced in tactics. My insights are based on observations during the battle and are far from complete. Further development will require the expertise of experienced officers at headquarters."


    "Indeed." Zephyr nodded, impressed. It was remarkable for Wright to identify flaws and propose effective concepts based on a single battle. One couldn''t expect more.


    "I will personally report this to Fleet Admiral Kong. Headquarters will assign experienced officers to refine and implement this concept!"


    Zephyr''s ultimate goal was to strengthen the Navy and suppress pirates. This new strategy promised to unleash the full potential of the Navy''s vast number of soldiers and officers, multiplying their combat effectiveness. That this concept came from his own student only added to Zefa''s pride.


    Just then, a Den Den Mushi in Zephyr''s pocket, which Goomir had entrusted to him, began ringing. Picking it up, the snail''s face morphed into that of Shozu.


    "Zephyr-sensei!" Shozu''s voice came through. "Per your instructions, we''ve locked onto the next target for the field training mission. Intelligence indicates their recent activity near Long Ring Long Land!"


    "Excellent. Good work, Shozu!"


    "It''s my honor, Sensei!"


    Ending the call, Zephyr turned to the field, his expression serious. "Training is over! Headquarters has identified our next target!"


    "This time, I''ll emphasize again: Wright will not use his abilities during combat! I expect none of you to appear on the casualty list!"


    Pausing, Zephyr raised his voice, "Now! Set course for Long Ring Long Land! Full alert!"


    The cadets erupted with excitement. Finally, they would have the chance to test the fruits of their hard work since the last battle.


    "Understood, Chief Instructor!"

 Chapter 31: Standing Out Can Be a Hassle

    The practical training for the recruits of the Marine training camp concluded successfully. This batch of trainees was extraordinarily fortunate¡ªhaving Wright as their dependable "guardian angel." Even if his role was limited to post-battle recovery, it offered an unprecedented level of reassurance that previous trainees could only dream of. Such treatment was nothing short of miraculous!


    Zephyr also set a historic record for the training camp: a perfect survival rate for all participants during their live combat training. Furthermore, a groundbreaking new tactic was tested in combat¡ªcoordinated strike formations. This strategy greatly enhanced the combat effectiveness of mid- and low-ranking Marines, transforming them from mere cannon fodder into a force capable of holding their own. Its potential to revolutionize the Navy''s overall strength was undeniable.


    The tactic was initially proposed and validated by none other than Ensign Wright, the miracle worker behind the zero-casualty record. Zephyr, the camp''s chief instructor and a Marine Admiral, refined and formalized the method, personally reporting it to Fleet Admiral Kong. A request was made to allocate officers of all ranks from Marine Headquarters to further develop and standardize the approach.


    Due to its strategic significance, this project was highly classified, and all participating recruits were sworn to secrecy until the strategy''s official unveiling by Marine Headquarters.


    Having completed his supporting role in the practical training, Wright was finally assigned his long-awaited solo mission: to track down and capture the notorious pirate Daniel Joyce, captain of the Mad Dog Pirates. With a bounty of 75 million berries, Joyce was a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user who had consumed the Inu Inu no Mi, Model: Pit Bull, granting him incredible strength and ferocity.


    This was still the early phase of the Great Pirate Era, with an explosive increase in pirates entering the Grand Line. However, only those with bounties exceeding 50 million berries typically made it to the mid-point of the Grand Line, the Sabaody Archipelago, which served as a transit hub. A bounty of 75 million berries placed Daniel Joyce among the more formidable pirates in this chaotic era.


    The Mad Dog Pirates differed from the typical crews aiming for the New World. For months, they had lingered along the shipping routes between Sabaody and Water 7, showing no intention of entering the New World. They hadn''t even coated their ship with resin for underwater travel, raising suspicion among the Marines. Such erratic behavior naturally caught the Navy''s attention, especially given the growing number of pirates with significant bounties.


    However, with the rising number of pirates, Marine resources were stretched thin. The Grand Line''s Paradise region had seven major routes, and there were barely enough officers to maintain a presence along these routes. The Mad Dog Pirates, being highly elusive and adept at gathering intelligence, made matters worse. They would flee at the first sight of a high-ranking officer and were too powerful for most mid-ranking officers to handle.If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Zephyr assigned Wright this mission precisely because Wright was an unknown figure in the Grand Line. Furthermore, Daniel Joyce hailed from the West Blue, not Wright''s infamous East Blue, reducing the chances of the pirate recognizing him. Despite holding only the rank of Ensign, Wright''s strength was anything but ordinary. Zephyr, who had trained Wright personally, was well aware that his combat prowess was on par with a Rear Admiral. Combined with his near-immortal endurance thanks to his unique Holy Light, Wright was practically untouchable.


    Recently, Naval Intelligence uncovered evidence suggesting that the Mad Dog Pirates had turned to slave trading, kidnapping civilians and weaker pirates from nearby islands to sell as slaves at the infamous Sabaody Auction House. This explained their strange movements between Sabaody and Water 7.


    While the Marines were well aware of the slave trade''s connection to the Celestial Dragons, the Navy''s proximity to Sabaody Archipelago posed a dilemma. Destroying or significantly disrupting the slave trade could provoke the Celestial Dragons, leaving the Marines no choice but to focus on combating pirate slavers instead. To deter such activities, bounties for pirates involved in slavery were often raised as high as possible.


    Upon learning this, Wright eagerly accepted the mission. Back in the East Blue, pirates would rather turn themselves in at Marine bases than risk becoming slavers. Surrender offered a slim chance of survival, while engaging in slavery meant certain doom¡ªWright had made it his mission to annihilate such crews without exception.


    Hunting pirates in the Grand Line was no easy task. Even in the relatively tame Paradise region, solo pursuits were unrealistic. Wright initially considered ambushing the Mad Dog Pirates at Sabaody but quickly dismissed the idea.


    His sword, Ashes, infused with Holy Light over years of training, had become an inseparable part of him. However, Ashes had also acquired a unique characteristic that perfectly reflected Wright''s flamboyant personality¡ªit shone. A constant misty golden glow enveloped the blade, making it impossible to hide, even when sheathed or wrapped.


    Bringing such a conspicuous weapon to Sabaody Archipelago, combined with Wright''s relative anonymity, would undoubtedly attract the attention of shady figures, CP agents, and possibly even the Celestial Dragons. That would force Wright into a situation far beyond his current abilities to handle¡ªsomething he preferred to avoid.


    Instead, Wright decided to take matters into his own hands. Sabaody might not be suitable for a stakeout, but other places could work just as well.


    After resupplying, Wright disembarked from the Navy ship that was returning to Headquarters. He took a small spare boat for his mission. Years of experience handling small vessels served him well as he sailed toward a distinctive island he had scouted before¡ªa place impossible to forget: the world-renowned shipbuilding hub, Water 7.

 Chapter 32: Don’t Move, This Ship is Mine!

    After providing an initial report to Headquarters, Zephyr assigned Wright a task and, per his request, dropped him off at Water 7.


    Although Water 7 lay along the route of the Mad Dog Pirates, they never docked there, obtaining all their supplies from the Sabaody Archipelago instead¡ªan obvious precaution to avoid naval ambushes in a relatively unregulated area like Water 7.


    "No problem, Teacher Zephyr! I''ve thought it through. Head back to HQ and wait for my good news!" Wright waved as Zephyr departed. A solo mission¡ªit had been far too long!


    Watching the warship disappear into the horizon, Wright secured his small boat and stepped onto the shores of Water 7. The sight of the majestic city left him stunned. Even after being awed by it in the anime, seeing it in person was on a completely different level.


    After changing into casual attire and enjoying a sumptuous meal featuring the city''s specialties, Wright chose a decent-looking inn near a tavern for his stay. Settling in, he activated his Observation Haki.


    "Who needs a tavern for gathering intelligence? That''s amateur stuff! Lying in bed and eavesdropping¡ªnow that''s the pro move." Wright smirked, fully embracing his role as a seasoned intelligence expert.


    "First, I need to pick a pirate crew of moderate strength¡ªsomeone with a bounty around 30 or 40 million berries..." Water 7 was a shipbuilding haven with the best craftsmen and repair facilities. Naturally, it was frequented by pirate crews needing repairs or new ships.


    After spending an afternoon "listening in," Wright finally came across useful information.


    "Hmmm¡­ The Fang Pirates, led by Captain Edmond, with a bounty of 38 million berries. He''s a Zoan-type user, Mouse-Mouse Fruit: Squirrel Form. Pfft, a squirrel? That''s adorable!" Wright chuckled. "Oh? Their ship gets repaired today, and they''re leaving tomorrow? Perfect. Looks like this dog will have to handle a mouse¡ªit''s a classic scenario!"


    After a good night''s rest, Wright rose at dawn and headed to the port where the Fang Pirates were docked. The distinctive pirate flag¡ªa skull with two oversized buckteeth¡ªmade the ship easy to spot.


    Using Observation Haki, Wright slipped aboard unnoticed and hid in the captain''s quarters. Captain Edmond had yet to board, making this the ideal spot to wait.


    Hours passed before commotion outside signaled the crew''s return. Soon, the ship set sail.


    Under the constant surveillance of his Observation Haki, Wright quickly identified the ship''s strongest presence¡ªCaptain Edmond himself. He could even pick up Edmond''s thoughts:


    "Damn it! Those shipwrights in Water 7 are bloodsuckers! Repairs cost me half my fortune!"


    The narrative has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the infringement."We''ll need to plunder along the way. This little money won''t even cover the coating costs at Sabaody!"


    "So, he''s broke too." Wright rolled his eyes, unsheathing Ashes. He waited patiently for Edmond to walk into the lion''s den.


    A loud bang echoed as the door was kicked open. Still fuming over his expenses, Edmond froze in shock, staring at Wright casually seated in his chair. For a moment, his mind went blank.


    Before Edmond could shout, a flash of golden light streaked past. He felt a sharp pain in his neck, followed by the warm trickle of blood as a magnificent, gold-tinged long sword rested against his throat.


    "Shh¡­ Quiet."


    Wright watched in satisfaction as Edmond''s expression shifted seamlessly from confusion to fury, then to fear, and finally to forced obedience. Well-trained, isn''t he?


    "For a ''big-time'' pirate with a 38-million berry bounty, you sure have a strong survival instinct," Wright said, patting Edmond on the shoulder. "I hear you''re a Devil Fruit user. How''d you manage such a bounty while being so spineless?"


    Edmond, a small-framed man, trembled at Wright''s mocking tone. He wanted to protest but swallowed his words. How could he fight someone capable of silently ambushing him? Not surrendering on the spot was a sure way to lose his head!


    "L-Lord¡­ You jest. As a Zoan user, the Mouse-Mouse Fruit: Squirrel Form excels in agility and speed. Achieving a bounty of 38 million berries requires a keen sense of self-preservation¡­" Edmond stammered, then added cautiously, "Um¡­ about your sword¡­"


    Wright smirked, withdrawing Ashes and resettling into the chair. Any sudden moves from Edmond would see his head lopped off before he could even transform.


    Understanding this, Edmond nervously closed the door and stood aside. "I take it you''re not here to kill me, Lord. A man of your strength wouldn''t go to such lengths for that. You must need my¡­ assistance?"


    "Smart," Wright replied with a pleased nod. Talking to intelligent people was always a relief. "I need you to do something for me."


    "Whatever you say, Lord."


    "You''ll continue to Sabaody Archipelago at your usual pace, but slow down along the way. I need you to ''coincidentally'' encounter the Mad Dog Pirates."


    "!" Edmond froze. The Mad Dog Pirates were infamous. Having spent time in Water 7, he was well aware of their captain, Daniel Joyce, a pirate with a bounty over twice his own.


    "You¡­ you want to¡­"


    Catching Edmond''s panicked glance, Wright spoke in a chilling tone: "Relax. My target is Daniel Joyce, not you. I''m just ''asking'' for a ride."


    "You''re precisely the kind of prey the Mad Dog Pirates enjoy. Running into them should be easy enough, don''t you think?"


    Edmond felt his knees weaken. Crossing paths with the Mad Dog Pirates was a nightmare, not a coincidence. But what choice did he have? His ship had already set sail, and as a Devil Fruit user, there was no escaping into the sea. Opposing Wright now was a death sentence.


    "Understood¡­ Lord¡­"


    A native of the South Blue and no stranger to peril, Edmond found himself walking on eggshells around Wright. The man''s seething disdain for pirates and the faint bloodlust he exuded were suffocating. Just how many pirates had this guy slaughtered? Edmond could only speculate.


    To prevent any foolish crewmember from provoking Wright and meeting a swift end, Edmond ordered the navigator to reduce speed and keep an eye out for the Mad Dog Pirates. He also concealed Wright''s presence, claiming he was unwell and forbidding anyone from entering his quarters unnecessarily.


    Thus, five tense days passed.


    One morning, as Wright meditated, Edmond burst into the room, his face pale and frantic. "Lord! The Mad Dog Pirates have been spotted ahead!"


    Edmond was practically in tears, overjoyed at finally shaking off this living nightmare. If this lunatic left to deal with the Mad Dog Pirates, peace would return at last!


    "¡­"


    Wright opened his eyes, grabbed Ashes, and strode out. "Finally. Let''s see how this dog deals with a rat."

 Chapter 33: When Dogs Chase Rats, Tigers Lurk in the Shadows

    Emerging from the cabin, Wright held his longsword aloft, Ashes¡¯ blade encircled by a shimmering golden aura. The sight stunned the pirates on deck, none of whom noticed when this stranger had even boarded their ship.


    "Disperse! This man is my esteemed guest!" Edmond, the captain, barked urgently, noticing the greedy glances some crew members cast at Wright''s weapon. Fearing a single slash might wipe them out, he shouted, "Get lost and stay vigilant! Have you forgotten who¡¯s ahead of us? The Mad Dog Pirates aren¡¯t your average crew!"


    "That''s a pirate worth over 70 million berries! Are you planning to stand here and wait for death instead of preparing to run?"


    Edmond''s authority among his crew was undeniable. As a Devil Fruit user, he was the strongest member of his crew, and his knack for survival had allowed them to climb to a 38-million-berry bounty. Despite his bravado, his panicked urgency wasn''t lost on his seasoned crew. They immediately understood the underlying message: "This guy¡¯s a big deal! Don¡¯t mess with him! Say the wrong thing, and you''re dead! The Mad Dog Pirates ahead? They¡¯re our distraction¡ªget ready to run!"


    Without hesitation, the pirates scattered, efficiently resuming their duties.


    "Not bad," Wright remarked with a half-smile, watching Edmond sweat bullets as he plastered on a nervous grin. "Your leadership skills seem decent. Your crew trusts you enough to pick up on what you really mean."


    "Your wisdom is unmatched, sir," Edmond replied hurriedly, wiping his brow. "Just some minor tricks that couldn¡¯t possibly escape your notice. That said... the Mad Dog Pirates are just up ahead..."


    "Yeah, I see them." Wright moved to the bow, observing the enemy''s ship closing in. It had been some time since they spotted the Mad Dog Pirates, and the opposing crew clearly noticed them too, drawing near at speed.


    Without Wright¡¯s command, Edmond dared not turn his ship to flee. He could only hope this mysterious powerhouse honored his word, focused solely on taking down ¡°Mad Dog¡± Joyce, and allowed them to escape unscathed.


    Wright gave no further instructions, leaving Edmond paralyzed. All he could do was watch as the Mad Dog Pirates approached, now close enough to see their infamous captain, ¡°Mad Dog¡± Joyce, himself.


    Joyce was tall and wiry, his muscular, bare upper body flaunting his strength. Draped in a black captain¡¯s coat, his snarling, long face twitched with protruding veins, radiating cruelty and bloodlust.


    "Ha ha ha! Just when I was running low on goods, some fat sheep deliver themselves to me! What luck¡ªlet¡¯s see which pirate crew this is! Such a slow ship¡ªare you waiting for me to come aboard?"This text was taken from Royal Road. Help the author by reading the original version there.


    Joyce, true to his moniker, was like a rabid dog. Before the strong, he fled with his tail between his legs; before the weak, he tore them to shreds without mercy.


    "Captain, it¡¯s the Fang Pirates¡ªCaptain Edmond, with a bounty of 38 million! He¡¯s a Zoan-type, Mouse Mouse Fruit user: Squirrel Form. Judging by their heading, they must¡¯ve come from Water 7!"


    "Oh?" A gleam of calculation flashed in Joyce''s eyes. "A 38-million bounty? And from Water 7? No way he hasn¡¯t heard of me. So why isn¡¯t he running? Frozen in fear? No, impossible¡­ Could this Devil Fruit user captain be hiding his true strength?"


    As Joyce puzzled over the situation, the two ships drew even closer.


    "Hm? Is that the Devil Fruit user in the captain¡¯s coat? Why is he standing behind some random kid?"


    Joyce¡¯s sharp eyes scrutinized Wright, a young man he didn¡¯t recognize. "He¡¯s no famous bounty hunter, nor a notorious pirate in the area. A Marine, maybe? Even if he is, he¡¯s too young to be an officer of rank!"


    While Joyce spun theories, Wright, listening in with his Haki, couldn¡¯t help but laugh. "This guy sure loves overthinking¡ªhe¡¯s like an old granny!"


    Wright leapt into the air, stunning Edmond, who had never before seen a display of the Marine¡¯s Six Powers technique. As Wright ascended with Geppo, Joyce¡¯s face twisted in alarm, and he immediately activated his Devil Fruit powers.


    "Marine Six Powers! He¡¯s a Marine! Prepare to fight!"


    "He¡¯s too young to be a Marine officer from headquarters! If he¡¯s just a captain or commander, I¡¯m not afraid of him!"


    "With no warship in sight, he came here alone? Does he think my bounty is just for show? Let me teach this cocky brat a lesson!"


    ¡°Hey! Old dog down there!¡± Wright called from above, his voice dripping with mockery. ¡°Aren¡¯t you pirates supposed to hunt each other? You¡¯ve got a Dog Dog Fruit user here and a Mouse Mouse Fruit user there¡ªwhy not give me the classic ¡®dog chases rat¡¯ show?¡±


    "I¡¯m a squirrel, not a rat!" Edmond screamed internally, though his body betrayed him, retreating rapidly as he shouted, "Captain Joyce! We mean no harm! We don¡¯t even know that guy! Farewell!"


    "Hurry! Full speed ahead!" Edmond ordered, but Joyce felt like he¡¯d swallowed molten iron. You don¡¯t know him? Then how is he on your ship attacking me?!


    Shifting into a combat-ready hybrid form, Joyce roared, "Fire the cannons! Shoot that brat out of the sky!"


    Wright dodged a volley of shells with ease, smiling as he taunted, "Old dog, you don¡¯t have any long-range attacks, do you?"


    "Bang!"


    A bullet whizzed past Wright¡¯s face. Nodding in approval, he said, "Not bad. Your sniper¡¯s got skill¡ªdeserves some praise."


    But the sniper, terrified after witnessing Wright dodge every shot, was already firing wildly, none of his bullets landing.


    Enraged, Joyce bared his fangs, snarling, "Marine! If you want to catch me, come down here! Your sword can¡¯t reach me from up there!"


    "Can¡¯t reach you?" Wright clicked his tongue in mock disappointment. "Whoever said swords can¡¯t fly?"


    Drawing Ashes, its blade glowing with golden Haki, Wright swung downward.


    "Final Judgement!"


    A massive crescent-shaped golden slash flew from Wright¡¯s blade, growing larger as it traveled. The Mad Dog Pirates, frozen in horror, watched helplessly as their ship was cleaved in two.


    Edmond¡¯s crew fell silent as they watched the carnage unfold, their captain murmuring in resignation, "I knew this lord could cut an entire ship apart, but¡­"


    "We¡¯ve never seen flying slashes before either!"


    "Do you think running too fast will get us slashed next?"

 Chapter 34: Arrest Everyone, Whether They Dare to Fight or Not

    The pirate ship, cleaved into two, collapsed with a thunderous crash.


    On the deck, Captain Daniel Joyce gritted his teeth as his crew scattered in disarray. Some fell into the sea, others were dragged underwater by the vortex created by the ship¡¯s sinking hull. Joyce leapt and dodged frantically, trying to avoid the same fate.


    Finally, the ship¡¯s broken remains stabilized, becoming a heap of debris floating on the water¡¯s surface, though it continued to sink gradually.


    Daniel "Mad Dog" Joyce, still in his semi-beast form, panted heavily as he stood on a relatively stable piece of wreckage. He stared at the debris sinking ever so slowly, knowing full well that as a Devil Fruit user, the moment the wreckage completely submerged, his fate would be sealed.


    In the air, Wright descended using Geppo and landed lightly in front of Joyce. ¡°That was just a warm-up. Frustrated? Come on, try to take me down before this wreck sinks completely. Who knows? Maybe you¡¯ll get lucky and survive long enough for your rescue to arrive¡­ or at least take me down with you.¡±


    A faint golden glow emanated from Wright¡¯s body. ¡°Oh, and by the way, I¡¯m a Devil Fruit user too.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Joyce¡¯s face darkened. The young man standing before him was undoubtedly a rising officer of the Marines¡ªone who was far beyond the rank of a mere junior officer. He¡¯d clearly underestimated his opponent, only to find himself biting off more than he could chew.


    ¡°Who¡­ exactly are you?¡± Joyce growled.


    ¡°Ah¡­ my bad,¡± Wright said with a casual shrug. ¡°I¡¯m still getting used to introducing myself. Marine Headquarters Ensign Wright. Used to be a bounty hunter, you know.¡±


    ¡°Ensign?!¡±


    Joyce¡¯s fury boiled over. He lunged at Wright, roaring, ¡°Are you mocking me?!¡±


    ¡°Clang!¡±


    Wright parried Joyce¡¯s beastly claws with his sword. A flicker of golden light traced his right leg, now coated in Armament Haki, as he delivered a sweeping kick.


    ¡°Boom!¡±


    The kick produced a muffled explosion, sending a shockwave rippling through the air. Joyce, unfamiliar with Haki, was launched violently into the wreckage, embedding himself into the mast¡¯s base just a few steps from the waterline.


    ¡°Light-Speed!¡±


    Wright had perfected a technique he named Light-Speed, which combined the Shave (Soru) technique with his Holy Light powers. By delivering concentrated bursts of energy at specific points, he achieved speeds ten times faster than ordinary Soru, allowing him to accelerate as though teleporting. Unlike Soru, Light-Speed could be applied to any part of the body¡ªfists, elbows, legs¡ªand even partially emulated Admiral Kizaru¡¯s Light-Speed Kick.Reading on this site? This novel is published elsewhere. Support the author by seeking out the original.


    Of course, Kizaru¡¯s so-called light-speed was a fraction of a millionth of a second. Wright¡¯s version, at best, was only a few thousandths of a second¡ªbut it was a work in progress.


    Joyce, struck by Wright¡¯s imitation Light-Speed Kick, was gravely injured despite his Zoan fruit¡¯s resilience. Bloodied but still standing, he heaved himself from the mast¡¯s base. The wreckage sank further, and Joyce realized his chances of survival were slim.


    ¡°You¡¯re a monster,¡± Joyce muttered with a bitter laugh. ¡°I was too afraid of the New World¡¯s real monsters to venture there. I thought I could make some money trading slaves, gather a stronger crew¡­ but who¡¯d have thought I¡¯d meet someone like you here, in Paradise?¡±


    ¡°Tch. Someone like me?¡± Wright scoffed. ¡°I¡¯m just about the level of a Headquarters Rear Admiral¡ªone of the stronger ones, maybe. If not for the unique situation in the Sabaody Archipelago restricting Marine operations, do you think someone of your level, with a bounty of just 75 million berries, could roam free for this long?¡±


    ¡°You¡­¡±


    ¡°I know what you¡¯re about to say,¡± Wright interrupted, smirking. ¡°That I¡¯m lying about being an Ensign to mess with you? Sorry to disappoint, but I really am just an Ensign.¡±


    Joyce coughed up blood, his eyes red with rage. With a roar, he activated his full beast form. ¡°To hell with you, Ensign! Let¡¯s settle this in a fight to the death!¡±


    A massive pit bull stood before Wright, its maw lined with razor-sharp teeth. Its hulking frame and explosive musculature radiated power¡ªa beast worthy of a 75-million-berry bounty.


    As the enormous pit bull charged, Wright nodded approvingly. ¡°Your courage is commendable.¡±


    With a single slash, his Haki-infused blade severed one of the beast¡¯s forelimbs. ¡°But ultimately futile.¡±


    ¡°Judgment Strike!¡±


    Combining the principles of Tempest Kick (Rankyaku) with Holy Light and Armament Haki, Wright unleashed a strike that caused paralysis and temporary numbness. Against severely injured foes, it could even knock them out instantly.


    Joyce, already critically wounded, succumbed immediately.


    ¡°Convenient,¡± Wright muttered, catching the unconscious and reverted human form of Joyce. He tossed the limp body into the air. ¡°Off you go!¡±


    ¡°True Holy Storm!¡±


    Golden, blade-like energy blasts swirled like a storm, obliterating the sinking wreckage and shredding the scattered pirates who hadn¡¯t managed to escape. Wright leapt into the air, caught Joyce, and made his way toward a nearby pirate ship that hadn¡¯t dared to flee.


    ¡°Yo, Edmond! Still here?¡± Wright landed on the deck, tossing Joyce¡¯s unconscious body onto the planks.


    Edmond, captain of the Jagged Fang Pirates, forced a grin that looked more like a grimace.


    ¡°Too bad,¡± Wright said with mock regret. ¡°I couldn¡¯t manage a double-kill on both pirate crews.¡±


    ¡°Damn it! You Marines are all the same! You promised we could leave once you dealt with the Mad Dog Pirates!¡± Edmond raged internally while counting himself lucky for his restraint¡ªat least for now.


    ¡°Brr brr brr¡­ click!¡± Wright pulled out a Den Den Mushi and dialed.


    ¡°Zehahahaha! Wright here. Mission accomplished¡ªcaptured Daniel Joyce, bounty 75 million berries. His crew? Wiped out.¡±


    ¡°Impressive, Wright,¡± Zephyr¡¯s voice crackled. ¡°You¡¯ve only been on solo missions for less than a week.¡±


    ¡°Oh, by the way, Zephyr-sensei¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes?¡±


    ¡°I kind of¡­ left the boat you gave me at Water 7.¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    ¡°But no worries! I commandeered a medium-sized pirate ship! And as a bonus, I captured the entire Jagged Fang Pirates crew¡ªbounty 38 million berries!¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Even through the Den Den Mushi, Zephyr¡¯s exasperation was palpable. ¡°Fine. I¡¯ll arrange for a nearby warship to escort you and your¡­ spoils.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Sensei!¡±


    ¡°Hmph. Don¡¯t push your luck! Return to Headquarters immediately. Sengoku and Garp have been waiting for you. Oh, and effective immediately¡ªyou¡¯re promoted to Headquarters Lieutenant Commander!¡±


    ¡°???¡±


    ¡°Seriously, Sensei? A triple promotion?¡±


    ¡°With your contributions, it¡¯s well-deserved. Now get back to Marineford!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Sensei!¡±


    With a grin, Wright savored his newfound rank. Triple promotion. Not bad.

 Chapter 35: The Survival Tactics of Small Creatures

    After dealing with "Mad Dog" Joyce, the entire Jagged Fang Pirates were honored to be "temporarily conscripted" by Wright. Of course, their accommodations had been arranged¡ªfree cells in Impel Down.


    Joking aside, for a pirate crew to thrive under a bounty of 38 million berries, even a cursory glance would reveal the survival tactics of their seemingly docile squirrel-like captain. Naturally, it was nothing more than preying on the weak and fearing the strong.


    Zephyr contacted a warship to collect the "spoils of war," led by Captain Cancer of the Headquarters. As it happened, Cancer was a senior from two years ahead of Wright at the Academy, also trained under Zephyr. Upon learning Wright¡¯s whereabouts, the senior hurried over to assist in handling the aftermath.


    Joking? Hardly. As a fellow elite graduate from Zephyr¡¯s unit, Captain Cancer knew his mentor¡¯s character well. Now, seeing Zephyr personally endorsing a newly minted major? "Newly minted" barely did justice¡ªthis year¡¯s training camp had produced a monster. Even the officers and generals under Zephyr¡¯s tutelage had heard the news.


    Had there ever been a major promoted before officially graduating from training camp? Not in Zephyr¡¯s tenure. Moreover, this particular major was completing personal field assignments?


    The buzz from the training camp¡¯s combat internship records hadn''t even reached Cancer yet, as he''d been patrolling the seas recently. But it had only been a week since Zephyr himself passed Cancer¡¯s warship on his return to Headquarters.


    And within that week, this freshly promoted Major Wright had already taken down a pirate captain with a 75-million berry bounty, along with the entire crew under a captain worth 38 million berries?


    The 38 million wasn¡¯t worth mentioning, but Cancer certainly recognized the name Daniel ¡°Mad Dog¡± Joyce. Long an infamous figure, Joyce never fled when encountering Cancer; it was Cancer who often had to calculate strategic retreats.


    Now, here stood Cancer¡ªa Headquarters captain, a cut above many others in rank and skill¡ªfacing a mere one-day-old major, knowing full well that if they fought, he¡¯d be obliterated.


    "Heh, this isn¡¯t a major; Headquarters is just playing games!"


    ¡°Yo, Senior Cancer! Finally, you¡¯re here. I¡¯ve been waiting so long I¡¯m practically smoking!¡± Wright greeted Cancer with casual enthusiasm as he boarded the warship. Cancer, with his slicked-back hair, triangular shades, and cigar, chuckled as he exhaled a puff of smoke.


    ¡°Hohoho, Junior Wright, your achievements¡­ utterly humbling. Truly, Zephyr-sensei has raised a prodigy.¡±If you stumble upon this narrative on Amazon, it''s taken without the author''s consent. Report it.


    This kid wasn¡¯t bad. Calling him "senior" offered an easy out from the awkwardness of addressing him formally as "Captain" or "Sir." After all, who wanted to bow to someone they couldn¡¯t defeat?


    ¡°Ahaha, Senior Cancer, you¡¯re too kind. It¡¯s all thanks to Zephyr-sensei¡¯s excellent teaching.¡±


    Praising Zephyr was always a safe bet¡ªit brought comrades closer.


    ¡°By the way, Senior, I¡¯ll leave this pirate crew to you. Shall I rough them up a bit first? In case they get unruly, it could save us some trouble later.¡±


    ¡°We¡¯ll fully cooperate with Captain Cancer! Please, sir, no need to exert yourself!¡± chorused the Jagged Fang Pirates, their survival instincts on full display, leaving Cancer twitching slightly at their overly ingratiating behavior.


    ¡°Oh? Really? What a shame,¡± Wright sighed in disappointment. ¡°I was hoping for a little resistance to save Impel Down some room.¡±


    The pirates immediately shot their captain a look of admiration. His ¡°survival tactics¡± were miraculous¡ªanother life spared!


    Meanwhile, "Mad Dog" Joyce, chained with seastone shackles, slumped unconscious. Beaten senseless, missing an arm, starved for a day, and now subjected to Wright¡¯s biting sarcasm, fainting was a mercy¡ªdreams offered solace.


    ¡°Phew¡ª¡±


    Cancer exhaled deeply, narrowly avoiding choking on his cigar. ¡°Wright, you don¡¯t need to worry. With seastone handcuffs on them, these ability users won¡¯t cause any trouble.¡±


    ¡°I¡¯ll handle the pirate crew¡¯s transport to Impel Down. You should take a break, Junior. Once we¡¯re back at Headquarters, I¡¯ll notify you. This part is routine for me!¡±


    ¡°Haha, thanks, Senior. But before I rest, how about we grab a bite? These pirates¡¯ cooks are mediocre at best¡ªhow do they even get so fat?¡±


    The Jagged Fang Pirates¡¯ cook teared up, grateful for Wright¡¯s "mercy" in sparing his life despite his poor culinary skills.


    At Marineford, Headquarters.


    After parting with Captain Cancer, who quickly departed for Impel Down, Wright was met by a group of familiar faces. Cancer clearly wanted no part of the crowd here¡ªlosing face to a new major was bad enough without adding more witnesses.


    As the youngest-ever ¡°Fastest Rising Major in Headquarters,¡± barely 18-year-old Wright was already famous. His sword, Ashes, was even more renowned than he was.


    When Smoker and Rosinante led their fellow cadets to greet him, Wright grinned.


    ¡°Yo! Looking good, everyone. All dressed up¡ªZephyr-sensei gave you the day off?¡±


    ¡°Hey, Wright, you jerk! Getting this strong so fast makes it hard for the rest of us to keep up!¡±


    Rosinante, now puffing cigarettes and spouting slick remarks, was clearly developing some style. Wright couldn¡¯t help but wonder if Fleet Admiral Sengoku might discipline Smoker and the other ¡°elite cadets¡± for this.


    ¡°Stop wasting time. Zephyr-sensei is waiting. Go change into your formal uniform!¡± Smoker¡¯s stoic demeanor hadn¡¯t changed.


    ¡°Oh, Smoker, you¡¯ll get punched someday!¡± Rosinante jumped in to salvage the situation. ¡°Wright, Zephyr-sensei scheduled the graduation ceremony for today because he knew you¡¯d arrive!¡±


    ¡°What?!¡± Wright panicked. Zephyr hadn¡¯t mentioned this surprise, and these guys were all dressed up for the ceremony, not him?


    With a quick ¡°I¡¯m out!¡± Wright activated his Light Speed ability, vanishing in moments.


    Left behind, the cadets exchanged wry smiles.


    ¡°At this speed, we wouldn¡¯t even touch him if he didn¡¯t fight back. The gap¡¯s too big¡­¡±

 Chapter 36: Daydreaming During a Meeting? Prepare to Be Punched!

    At the Navy Recruit Training Grounds, Wright, hastily dressed in full uniform, was shoved to the very front of the lineup by Rosinante and Smoker.


    He raised his head, utterly confused, only to see Zephyr striding into the grounds through the main gate. Following closely behind him was Shuzo¡ªbut Goomir, their instructor, was nowhere to be seen. It seemed the branch was indeed understaffed, as Goomir had already departed for his new post at the G-2 branch.


    "Ten minutes until we start. Not bad, you¡¯re reasonably on time." Zephyr glanced at Wright, who had just barely settled into position, and remarked, "It¡¯s rare to see you flustered like this these days."


    What? Did he deliberately not warn me ahead of time just to see me make a fool of myself? Zephyr-sensei, you¡¯ve changed! You used to be so kind to me!


    Wright¡¯s expression darkened, but Zephyr quickly masked his fleeting smirk with a stern demeanor, as if realizing he was breaking character. "Alright, focus up, everyone! Today, Fleet Admiral Kong, Admiral Sengoku, and several Vice Admirals stationed at headquarters will be attending this ceremony and giving speeches."


    "The recruit training camp exists to cultivate the Navy¡¯s backbone. Today, you¡¯ll have the opportunity to choose which Vice Admiral¡¯s command you want to join. This is a pivotal moment in shaping your future."


    "You¡¯ve all heard about the reputations of these Vice Admirals during your time at Marineford. Today, they¡¯ll personally explain their philosophies on leadership and answer your questions. At the same time, they¡¯ll also be evaluating and selecting you. Make the most of this opportunity!"


    Zephyr glanced at the time. "Alright, it¡¯s about to begin. The rest is up to you!"


    "Thank you for your guidance, Chief Instructor!"


    Outside the training grounds, Fleet Admiral Kong stood at the entrance, listening to the recruits¡¯ unified, resounding chants. A gratified smile spread across his face.


    "Sengoku, Zephyr has once again cultivated an excellent batch of talent. The Navy is truly fortunate to have him. As admirals, you two have worked tirelessly to maintain stability both within and beyond the seas these past years. Your efforts have been invaluable."


    Behind him, Admiral Sengoku replied solemnly, "Zephyr has always upheld the principles of a Navy Admiral, embodying unwavering justice in all his actions."


    "No one has worked harder than you, Fleet Admiral¡­ But let¡¯s not keep him waiting. Brother Kong, shall we?"


    "Haha, of course!" Kong turned and pushed open the doors, stepping confidently into the training grounds. "Let¡¯s see what the future pillars of the Navy have to offer!"


    Inside, Zephyr had just taken his place on the stage when the doors swung open. Entering first was a towering, muscular man with spiked hair and a bristling mustache¡ªFleet Admiral Kong¡ªwearing a Justice cloak over his shoulders. Filing in behind him were:


    Admiral Sengoku, sporting his signature afro, braided beard, and tinted glasses;This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.


    Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp, with his trademark wide grin and carefree demeanor;


    Vice Admiral Tsuru, a petite yet commanding woman in a lavender suit and Justice cloak;


    And the younger generation of Vice Admirals: Sakazuki, Borsalino, Kuzan, Momonga, Doberman, Yamakaji, and Dalmatian.


    The high-ranking officers took their seats in the guest area. Chief Instructor Zephyr motioned for Shuzo to distribute the recruits¡¯ personal files to the officers. Turning to Kong, he nodded. "Brother Kong, it¡¯s all yours."


    Kong nodded back, rising to address the recruits.


    "Elite recruits of the training camp, today marks a significant milestone as you step out of this camp and take your first step toward becoming the Navy¡¯s backbone!"


    "In this Great Pirate Era, the challenges ahead will be even greater than those we face now. With more pirates flooding into the Grand Line, the Navy¡¯s mission to uphold peace and justice grows ever more daunting. You, as the elite of the next generation, will lay the foundation for true justice through your choices, your perseverance, and your strength!"


    "Strive forward, young recruits, in the name of justice!"


    "In the name of justice!" The recruits roared in unison, their voices filled with conviction. At least in this moment, the word "justice" shone brilliantly.


    "What is my ¡®justice¡¯?" Wright pondered as he watched Kong step down and Sengoku take the stage.


    "Sengoku follows the philosophy of ¡®Overwhelming Justice,¡¯ a stance that ensures the Navy¡¯s authority is absolute. As Fleet Admiral, he had to adopt ¡®Absolute Justice¡¯ to maintain the Navy¡¯s deterrent power¡­"


    "The future Admirals¡ªtheir concepts of justice are already set. But their ¡®justice¡¯¡­ It¡¯s all about how the Navy enforces justice, never stepping outside the framework of the Navy itself."


    "Heh. In this world, the Navy represents justice¡­ But this fundamental notion is flawed. The Navy is merely a tool of the World Government, a means to enforce their will. More often than not, it serves as an instrument of ¡®elimination,¡¯ erasing anything that threatens the interests of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons. It¡¯s not about protecting the people¡ªit¡¯s about protecting the status quo."


    "Pirates? Protecting civilians? Those are trivial concerns when weighed against the atrocities caused by the ¡®Heavenly Tribute.¡¯ Compared to those, the relationship between the World Government, civilians, pirates, and the Navy is nothing more than a landlord exploiting tenants, with thieves running rampant, and hired enforcers protecting the landlord¡¯s interests¡­"


    "The so-called justice they uphold is merely a facade for maintaining the ¡®landlord¡¯s¡¯¡ªthe World Government¡¯s¡ªpower!"


    "That¡¯s not real justice."


    "True justice is protecting the fundamental interests of the people."


    "Wright, you¡ª"


    "But¡­ to achieve true justice, I need strength, I need allies, I need¡ª"


    "Wright!"


    "And the Navy, as it stands now, is¡ª"


    "WRIGHT! You damn brat!"


    "!"


    Wright¡¯s drifting thoughts were abruptly yanked back by a furious shout. The moment his vision refocused, he was greeted by the sight of a massive, Haki-coated fist inches from his face. Accompanied by the booming voice of Vice Admiral Garp, the punch landed with unerring precision.


    "How dare you ignore me, you little punk!"


    "Huh?!"


    Unsurprisingly, Wright¡ªdaydreaming, unguarded, and in the safety of the training grounds¡ªdidn¡¯t stand a chance of dodging Garp¡¯s iron fist. If he had, Garp might as well retire and spend his days babysitting his grandson.


    BANG!


    "It seems you¡¯ve forgotten the taste of my ¡®Fist of Love,¡¯ Wright!" Garp stood triumphantly in Wright¡¯s previous spot, hands on his hips and laughing uproariously. Meanwhile, Wright lay face-down in the crater Garp had punched him into, his body twitching slightly. The scene was comically grotesque.


    "¡­"


    The recruits were left gaping, jaws hanging in disbelief. Zephyr facepalmed, massaging his temples. Shuzo stared at the ground intently, as if entranced by a line of ants. Sengoku¡¯s eye twitched as his outstretched hand froze mid-air, seemingly failing to stop Garp. Tsuru¡¯s lips curled into a faint smile, her gaze nostalgic. Meanwhile, the younger Vice Admirals looked on with expressions ranging from bemusement to resignation¡ªthey¡¯d all been on the receiving end of Garp¡¯s antics at some point.


    "Hahahaha!" Fleet Admiral Kong roared with laughter. "So this is the top recruit of this year¡¯s camp? Just as his profile described¡ªinteresting!"

 Chapter 37: Brace Yourself for a Beating!

    "¡­"


    The atmosphere on the training grounds was nothing short of bizarre. Wright lay twitching on the ground, his thoughts of justice slowly overwhelmed by the searing pain coursing through his body.


    ¡°Pain¡­ Pain¡­ Pain¡­!¡±


    Who am I? Where am I? What just happened?


    Oh right, I¡¯m Wright! A Marine Headquarters Major!


    And that crazy old man Garp just sucker-punched me?!


    This is the Marine Headquarters! The training grounds of the elite camp! Up there, we¡¯ve got a Fleet Admiral, two Admirals, and a bunch of Vice Admirals watching! How could Garp do this? How dare he do this?!


    Then again¡­ when has that old geezer ever cared about ¡°daring¡± to do anything?!


    What just happened?!


    And why is that crazy old man laughing? He¡¯s so smug! This is completely unacceptable! I swear, I¡¯m going to¡ª


    ¡°Uh¡­ Vice Admiral Garp¡­ uh, hello, sir! Hahaha¡­¡±


    Struggling to his feet, Wright managed to cast two bursts of Holy Light to heal himself back to full strength. Plastering a smile across his face, he stammered, ¡°Uh¡­ how could I not answer you, sir, right? I was just¡­ just too¡­ too excited! Yes, that¡¯s it! Too excited to react!¡±


    ¡°Everything you said¡ªI agree to all of it! Absolutely! Hahaha¡­¡±


    "¡­"


    Hmph, survival instincts, huh? Two can play that game!


    ¡°Oh? You said it yourself, Wright, kid!¡± Garp picked his nose with his pinky finger, then turned to Sengoku and called out, ¡°Hey, Sengoku! You heard that, right? The kid agreed to come with me! Don¡¯t you go assigning him to anyone else!¡±


    ¡°¡­?¡±


    What?! Go with Garp?! Join his command?! No way! My goal is to serve under Kuzan! Fleet Admiral Sengoku, please don¡¯t agree to this!


    ¡°¡­Garp, you idiot!¡± Sengoku glared at Garp angrily. ¡°Get back here this instant! What kind of example are you setting for the younger generation?!¡±


    ¡°And as for Wright¡­ are you sure he agreed willingly?¡±


    ¡°Didn¡¯t he?¡± Garp turned back to Wright, blowing on his fist.


    ¡°¡­Uh, reporting to Fleet Admiral Sengoku¡­ I¡­ I did agree! Voluntarily!¡±


    Voluntarily?! If that¡¯s true, I¡¯ll eat my Justice cloak!


    Sengoku pinched the bridge of his nose. ¡°Fine, fine, it¡¯s settled then¡­¡±


    Turning to the Fleet Admiral sitting beside him, Sengoku added, ¡°Kong, I apologize for the spectacle. Garp is a constant headache¡ªI¡¯ll deal with him later.¡±


    ¡°No harm done, no harm done!¡± Fleet Admiral Kong laughed heartily. ¡°I¡¯m just here to observe. Assignments are your responsibility. With Garp watching over such lively recruits, I¡¯m sure they¡¯re in good hands! Hahaha!¡±


    In Garp¡¯s hands? That¡¯s what worries me the most!


    Sengoku thought for a moment before announcing, ¡°There are three Devil Fruit users in this cohort. Garp, you¡¯ve already claimed one. The other two will be assigned elsewhere.¡±The genuine version of this novel can be found on another site. Support the author by reading it there.


    ¡°Smoker and Rosinante, you¡¯re aware of the ideologies of the Vice Admirals. Do you have any preferences?¡±


    ¡°Reporting to Fleet Admiral Sengoku! I¡¯d like to join Vice Admiral Kuzan¡¯s command!¡± Smoker replied decisively, his prior rapport with Kuzan influencing his choice.


    ¡°Fleet Admiral Sengoku¡­ I have a different request. I¡¯d like to speak with you privately,¡± Rosinante said, his tone calm but resolute.


    "¡­"


    Sengoku studied Rosinante¡¯s determined expression for a long moment before nodding. ¡°Very well. We¡¯ll discuss your matter later.¡±


    ¡°With the Devil Fruit users assigned, the remaining seven elite recruits will now state their preferences, one by one.¡±


    ¡­


    As the other recruits were paired with the Vice Admirals whose philosophies aligned with their own, Wright huddled glumly with Smoker and Rosinante.


    ¡°Sigh, I originally wanted to join Kuzan for the freedom¡­ Now I¡¯m stuck with Garp, and he¡¯s definitely going to beat me to a pulp!¡± Wright lamented.


    ¡°Then why agree to it?¡± Smoker asked, puzzled, though secretly relieved¡ªif Wright had gone to Kuzan, Sengoku might¡¯ve assigned him to someone else.


    Rolling his eyes at Smoker, Wright grumbled, ¡°If I hadn¡¯t agreed, do you think Garp wouldn¡¯t have just crippled me on the spot?¡±


    ¡°You could just heal yourself, right? A few broken bones aren¡¯t the end of the world.¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Smoker, you¡¯re really pushing it today. Is it because the top brass are watching, and you¡¯re not smoking your cigars? Has your brain short-circuited? Should I give you a friendly slash to remind you who you¡¯re dealing with?


    Sensing the increasingly dangerous look in Wright¡¯s eyes, Smoker wisely changed the topic. ¡°Rosinante, what about you? Why didn¡¯t you pick a Vice Admiral?¡±


    Silent until now, Rosinante instinctively reached for a cigarette, only to shiver and hastily put it away under Sengoku¡¯s sharp, smoldering glare from the observation platform.


    Unaware he¡¯d already attracted the attention of a certain big boss, Smoker absently patted the cigars in his pocket, resisting the urge to light one. He turned back to Rosinante.


    Rosinante sighed deeply. ¡°I have a mission I must complete. There¡¯s something only I can do¡­ and I have to do it.¡±


    ¡°Oh?¡± Smoker started to probe further, but Wright raised a hand to stop him.


    ¡°Smoker, everyone¡¯s got their secrets, right? Leave it be.¡±


    ¡°Go for it, Rosinante,¡± Wright added with a grin. ¡°But don¡¯t forget to develop your Devil Fruit ability. If you really push it to its limits¡­ who knows? You might achieve what you¡¯re aiming for.¡±


    ¡°And if things get tough, call us. We¡¯ve got your back!¡±


    ¡­


    The graduation ceremony concluded, and the recruits¡ªnow officially Marines¡ªbade farewell to Chief Instructor Zephyr before departing with their new commanding officers.


    Rosinante followed Sengoku to his office for a private conversation, while Garp didn¡¯t seize the chance to pester Sengoku for tea and snacks. Instead, he stared blankly at the backs of Sengoku and Rosinante as they left.


    "¡­"


    No one else noticed, but Wright had figured it out.


    Rosinante wasn¡¯t just anyone¡ªhe was Sengoku¡¯s adopted son. Sengoku, who never had a family, treated Rosinante as his own flesh and blood.


    And Rosinante¡¯s full name was Donquixote Rosinante¡ªa descendant of the Twenty Kings, a former Celestial Dragon, and the second son of Donquixote Homing, the younger brother of Donquixote Doflamingo, the future Warlord of the Sea!


    Rosinante¡¯s kind and gentle nature stood in stark contrast to the pure malice of his brother Doflamingo, the very embodiment of light versus darkness.


    Years ago, Rosinante had witnessed his brother kill their father. Now, he was preparing to confront his increasingly unhinged brother and stop him at all costs.


    This mission¡­ was fraught with peril.


    But Garp¡­ Garp couldn¡¯t possibly know about this, right? Even Sengoku wasn¡¯t aware yet!


    So why was Garp acting this way?


    The normally jovial old man seemed strangely melancholic. But before Wright could think further¡ª


    ¡°Wright, kid!¡±


    ¡°?!¡±


    Garp snapped out of his trance, his grin returning as he walked toward Wright. ¡°Stop staring at those two. It¡¯s been a while since we¡¯ve sparred. Come, let¡¯s have a match!¡±


    ¡°Crazy old man, wait¡ª¡±


    Before Wright could protest, Garp dragged him to the high-level training field reserved for officers. Judging by his enthusiasm, Wright had no chance of avoiding a thorough beating.


    What¡¯s with you, Garp? Are you letting something slip without realizing it? And why am I the one you¡¯re dragging into this?!


    Garp¡¯s son leaving to forge his own path is no reason to vent your frustrations on me!


    I can¡¯t beat you, but just wait¡ªone day, I¡¯ll beat your grandson instead!

 Chapter 38: In the Name of a Punching Bag…

    ¡°So, you¡¯re saying you¡¯ll be in closed training for the next year?¡±


    Wright crunched noisily on senbei crackers¡ª"borrowed" from Garp, who had, in turn, swiped them from Fleet Admiral Sengoku. ¡°C¡¯mon, Rosinante, have some senbei! Let me tell you, this is Sengoku¡¯s prized stash. I wouldn¡¯t share it with just anyone!¡±


    Seated across from Wright on the sofa, Rosinante looked helplessly at the younger man gorging on the rare senbei, fully aware they¡¯d been pilfered by Garp from his own father. He couldn¡¯t even muster the energy to retort.


    ¡°¡­You eat it. I¡¯ve had plenty of that flavor,¡± Rosinante finally said after holding back for a while. Then, unable to resist, he sighed, ¡°You¡¯ve been with Vice Admiral Garp for only two months, and you¡¯ve already mastered his ¡®essence¡¯?¡±


    ¡°Rosinante, you don¡¯t understand.¡± Wright gazed mournfully out the office window. This was Garp¡¯s office in Marine Headquarters¡ªa quiet and spacious place with a decent view. Yet, in Wright¡¯s eyes, anything related to Garp carried a peculiar sting.


    A deep, soul-crushing sting.


    ¡°Do you notice any changes in me over these past two months?¡± Wright asked, sighing deeply.


    ¡°You seem¡­ bulkier? And your aura feels stronger?¡± Rosinante ventured, his expression turning odd as a realization struck him.


    ¡°Wrong. I¡¯m more haggard.¡±


    ¡°Prolonged mental stress can lead to physical exhaustion,¡± Wright explained with mock seriousness. ¡°It causes symptoms like loss of appetite, lethargy, incoherence, reluctance to get out of bed, and irregular bathroom habits¡ª¡±


    Rosinante¡¯s eye twitched violently. Loss of appetite? Lethargy? The man before him was devouring senbei, babbling nonstop, and clearly not missing meals.


    ¡°Brother, I¡¯m not eating senbei. I¡¯m eating my sorrows¡­¡± Wright lamented, crunching another bite.


    ¡°These past two months have been hell. You were off in secret training, so you wouldn¡¯t know¡ªbut trust me, the whole Headquarters does.¡±


    ¡°Every single day, I¡¯ve been beaten senseless by that old geezer Garp for eight hours on average. It¡¯s pure abuse!¡±


    ¡°Do you know how famous I¡¯ve become here? From Fleet Admiral Kong down to the newest recruits¡ªwho doesn¡¯t know about Garp¡¯s new punching bag of a major?!¡±


    ¡°Ah, my dignity, my image, my grace, my future¡­¡±


    ¡°All ruined by that crazy old man! Completely ruined!¡±


    As Wright spiraled into a rage-filled rant, Rosinante couldn¡¯t help but feel a twinge of schadenfreude. With a slight smile, he remarked, ¡°Sometimes, having a strong healing ability can be a curse, huh?¡±If you spot this narrative on Amazon, know that it has been stolen. Report the violation.


    Even Rosinante felt awkward about the situation. His own father, Sengoku, was outwardly dignified, serious, and wise, but in reality, he was just as much of a clown as Garp. If Garp had been tormenting Wright so thoroughly these past two months, it was only possible with Sengoku¡¯s tacit approval¡ªor worse, his active participation.


    After all, both Garp and Sengoku had taken a liking to Wright ever since he joined the Marines. First, they had Zephyr personally mentor him. Now, it was Garp¡¯s turn. The more Rosinante thought about it, the more it seemed like his father¡¯s handiwork.


    Ahem. Better keep that to myself.


    ¡°So, Wright¡­¡± Rosinante awkwardly steered the conversation back. ¡°I only suggested meeting somewhere to talk. Why did you bring me to Garp¡¯s office?¡±


    ¡°And¡­ isn¡¯t Garp here?¡±


    ¡°...¡±


    Wright glanced at him with a strange expression. ¡°Tch, don¡¯t you know where Garp loves to go? This office is spacious and quiet, perfect for a serious conversation.¡±


    ¡°Besides, Garp left this morning after discovering his senbei stash was¡­ gone. Trust me, he won¡¯t be back before the day¡¯s over. If it weren¡¯t for your issue, I wouldn¡¯t even set foot in this painful place¡­¡±


    Rosinante facepalmed. He could already hear his father¡¯s enraged bellow in his mind: ¡°Damn you, Garp! That was my favorite flavor!¡±


    Wright¡¯s demeanor shifted as he guessed the reason for Rosinante¡¯s visit. Lightening the mood with a few jokes, he soon grew serious. ¡°So, Rosinante, what¡¯s troubling you so much that you¡¯d come to me?¡±


    ¡°It¡¯s that mission you must complete, isn¡¯t it?¡±


    ¡°¡­You always see right through me.¡± Rosinante smiled bitterly. ¡°I just finished my training, and Smoker is out on a mission with Admiral Kuzan. I had no one else to turn to but you.¡±


    ¡°Wright, you¡¯re the best among us¡ªwhether it¡¯s combat skills or strategy. So, I need to ask you something.¡±


    ¡°If you uphold justice, but your closest family member is someone unspeakably evil, and you lack the strength to stop them outright, how would you prevent their madness?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡± Wright gazed steadily at Rosinante. ¡°No matter how evil or powerful a person may be, they¡¯re still just one person. If their ambitions are grand, they¡¯ll need to build a force to achieve them. That¡¯s the true threat¡ªa powerful leader of a nefarious organization.¡±


    ¡°As someone close to them, your only advantage is the trust and leniency they might extend to you. You may be the only light in their darkness, the one restraint on their madness.¡±


    ¡°But if you betray them or die¡­¡± Wright¡¯s gaze shifted to the table as he took another bite of senbei. ¡°They might lose all restraint, destroy everything around them, and then self-destruct.¡±


    ¡°In my opinion, there are two solutions.¡±


    ¡°First, grow overwhelmingly strong and confront them head-on. Beat them down, show them that might makes right, and make it clear¡ªif they want to wreak havoc, they¡¯ll have to get past you first.¡±


    ¡°Second, undermine their foundation. Sabotage their forces, infiltrate their ranks, assassinate their lieutenants, and cripple their organization from within. Once their support crumbles, a single individual won¡¯t pose much of a threat on this vast sea.¡±


    ¡°If it were you, you¡¯d obviously choose the first option.¡± Rosinante smiled, a hint of resolution in his eyes. ¡°You have the ability, potential, and the character to back it up.¡±


    ¡°And you¡¯d choose the second,¡± Wright said flatly, eyeing Rosinante as he lit a cigarette.


    A spark quickly caught on Rosinante¡¯s shoulder.


    ¡°Cut it out! You¡¯re too much of a klutz to be a spy!¡± Wright shouted as he rushed to put out the small fire on Rosinante¡¯s shirt.


    After the chaos subsided, Rosinante stood to leave. ¡°Thank you for helping me decide, Wright.¡±


    ¡°I didn¡¯t help with anything! Don¡¯t twist my words!¡± Wright rolled his eyes, watching Rosinante head for the door.


    ¡°¡­Don¡¯t die.¡±


    ¡°¡­I¡¯m just going into closed training for a year. Don¡¯t miss me too much~¡±


    ¡°Get out. Right now!¡±

 Chapter 39: Joining the G-3 Branch

    "Vice Admiral Garp has returned!"


    This is the G-3 Branch of the Grand Line¡ªoverseen by none other than the Navy hero, "Iron Fist" Garp. Thanks to Garp''s formidable strength and down-to-earth personality, the G-3 Branch is more renowned among the public than its sibling branches and boasts a more elite force¡ªjust ask a certain "punching bag" major.


    At the G-3 Branch port, Garp''s iconic dog-headed warship slowly docked. Standing at the bow were Garp, Bogard, and Wright. After over two months of "loitering" around Marineford, the persistent nagging of Fleet Admiral Sengoku had finally chased Garp back to the G-3 Branch to take charge.


    "Ahahahaha! So, Wright, what do you think? Isn''t my G-3 Branch magnificent?" Garp laughed heartily, folding his arms while the floppy ears on his dog-headed hat bounced with each laugh.


    "Tch, old man," Wright scoffed, unimpressed. "After seeing Marineford, what branch could possibly claim to be ''magnificent''?"


    Bang!


    "Ow! Dammit, old man, not again!" Wright yelped, clutching his head.


    "You brat! Your wings are getting strong, huh? Daring to undermine me like that!"


    Beside them, Bogard let out a resigned sigh, black lines of exasperation faintly appearing on his usually stoic face. "Vice Admiral Garp, Major Wright, please try to maintain some decorum as we''re about to disembark."


    "Has Vice Admiral Garp ever cared about decorum?" Bogard thought silently. "As for Major Wright¡ªhe used to care back in the training camp. But after two months under Garp''s fists, I just hope he can hold on to some shred of dignity."


    "Ahem! Decorum! Pay attention to decorum, old man!"


    Pulling his head out of the hole in the deck, Wright cast a quick Holy Light Technique on his swollen, pig-like face, instantly healing himself. With his face restored, he adjusted his clothes and hair, reverting to his refined, charming persona¡ªa bit too much of a "prince of the mortal realm," if you asked him. Well, "just decently handsome" would suffice.


    As for Garp, he couldn''t care less about appearances. Everyone at the G-3 Branch knew his habits all too well.


    After assigning Bogard to deal with the backlog of branch affairs, Garp led Wright to his office, ready to enter full slacker mode.


    "Wright, you have no idea how much I¡¯ve suffered..." Garp sighed dramatically, chomping on a donut¡ªhe seemed to favor these now, perhaps because he only enjoyed senbei when Sengoku was around.


    "That bastard Roger! Even after his death, he can''t rest in peace! One Piece? Really? Over the past three years, more pirates have set sail than in the past ten combined!"


    "And Sengoku! That old bastard is even worse than Roger! He blames me for not attending Roger''s execution, saying that''s why Roger could spout such nonsense before his death. Now he''s dumped the entire G-3 Branch on me without assigning a single rear admiral or commodore!"


    "He says, ''Oh, Garp, you''re so brilliant and powerful! You can handle this by yourself, no problem!'' Bah! I fell for that old fox''s lies! Now I can''t even take a proper vacation in the East Blue without worrying!"You might be reading a pirated copy. Look for the official release to support the author.


    Wright listened, inwardly smirking. "Technically, Sengoku''s not wrong. If you''d been at the execution and delivered one of your famous punches, Roger would¡¯ve been too busy spitting teeth to say anything provocative. As for why you didn''t go... Heh, I know, even if you don¡¯t think I do."


    Sengoku truly lived up to his title of "The Strategist." With just a few words, he''d tied down Garp, forcing him to shoulder more responsibilities. After all, wasn¡¯t Garp the Navy''s hero? A symbol of unparalleled strength and prestige? Surely, he could manage a branch solo while others dealt with the growing tide of pirates.


    "So, old man, that¡¯s why you¡¯re so stingy about promoting your subordinates. You just want them stuck here, working for you at the G-3 Branch, huh?" Wright said with a sly grin, snatching one of Garp¡¯s donuts to taste. Not bad, but still inferior to Sengoku''s preferred senbei.


    "..."


    Garp choked on his donut, his face turning beet red as he struggled to swallow. Finally recovering, he leapt three feet into the air.


    "You little brat! Do you think I don¡¯t promote them because I¡¯m selfish? My subordinates willingly stay here out of loyalty to my incredible charisma! Do you think I''m some petty man?!"


    Wright gave him a look that clearly said, "Yes, I do." Garp nearly raised a fist again but restrained himself. Breaking things at Marineford or on a warship was fine since the Headquarters would foot the bill, but damaging the branch office? That came out of his own pocket. And he''d rather spend that money on donuts.


    "Hmph!" Garp snorted, flopping back into his chair with a look that screamed, "I''m the bigger man here." "Since you¡¯ve joined my G-3 Branch, Wright, you¡¯d better get familiar with its operations quickly and start managing the place properly. Bogard will assist you."


    "?"


    Excuse me, what? A major managing an entire branch? Even if the branch lacked rear admirals or commodores, weren¡¯t there at least some lieutenant commanders or captains? And now I, a newly transferred major, am supposed to handle this?


    Has Garp finally lost his mind?


    "I know what you''re thinking, brat," Garp said, waving dismissively. "From the moment I met you in the East Blue, I knew you weren¡¯t ordinary. Sengoku also sees great potential in you, which is why I sent you to the recruit training camp."


    "Wait, it was Fleet Admiral Sengoku¡¯s arrangement?" Wright asked, genuinely surprised. "I thought it was you who pulled the strings, old man! Well, next time I visit Headquarters, I¡¯ll have to thank him properly. Now that is a leader who knows how to nurture talent. Unlike someone, hmph."


    Bang!


    This time, Garp couldn¡¯t hold back. Even with restrained strength, his fist landed squarely.


    "You little punk! If I hadn¡¯t recommended you and trained you to unlock your potential, would Sengoku even care about you?!"


    "Ow, ow, ow!"


    Wright rubbed his head. Standard procedure. Nothing new. "Zephyr-sensei taught me more patiently than you! At least he only hit me when I actually deserved it. You¡¯re just unreasonable!"


    "Ahahahaha!" Garp burst into laughter. "Zephyr''s been an instructor too long¡ªhe¡¯s gone soft! Me? I¡¯ll train you every chance I get to make sure you become a powerful marine! Ahahaha!"


    "Is ''because my fist is stronger than yours'' a good enough reason? Ahahaha!"


    "..."


    Damn it. The old man actually made a good point. I have no rebuttal.


    ...


    When the strongest person around insists, you have no choice but to comply. And so, Wright''s days at the G-3 Branch began.


    Just kidding. No way would he settle for a mundane routine of "eat, sleep, and get punched by Garp."


    Garp handed Wright a grueling daily schedule:


    <ul>


    <li>


    6:00 AM: Wake up, handle personal matters, eat breakfast, and jog for half an hour.


    </li>


    <li>


    7:00¨C10:00 AM: Patrol at sea for three hours.


    </li>


    <li>


    10:00 AM¨C12:00 PM: Two hours of physical training.


    </li>


    <li>


    12:00¨C1:00 PM: Lunch and relaxation.


    </li>


    <li>


    1:00¨C3:00 PM: Meditation training to replace a nap.


    </li>


    <li>


    3:00¨C6:00 PM: Sparring with Garp for three hours.


    </li>


    <li>


    6:00¨C7:00 PM: Dinner and relaxation.


    </li>


    <li>


    7:00¨C10:00 PM: Study combat theory, military strategy, and branch management for three hours.


    </li>


    <li>


    10:00 PM: Lights out.


    </li>


    </ul>


    This schedule was even more packed than his days at the training camp!

 Chapter 40: Kuzan’s Visit

    I, Wright! Back in 1996, I was stuck with a terrible boss who constantly forced me into overtime, leaving me with no time to game unless I stayed up all night.


    Now, I¡¯ve decided to work hard and strictly discipline myself to achieve my dream. But why do you locals seem even more eager than I, an outsider, to see me grow stronger?


    First, an admiral personally trained me. Then, after graduation, a vice admiral with the combat power of a peak admiral started training me daily. Aren''t these resources... just a bit too incredible?


    Wright''s favorite part of his daily routine was patrol time¡ªessentially, his version of ¡°break time.¡±


    During this period, he secretly hoped some clueless pirate would show up to entertain a certain pent-up major who was itching for action.


    In truth, nighttime navigation on the Grand Line was particularly dangerous for pirates. The perils of the sea at night far exceeded those on land.


    That¡¯s why the probability of encountering pirates was much higher during the day. Yet, for some reason, during Wright¡¯s recent patrols, he hadn¡¯t come across any pirates worth his time. The ones he did meet, with bounties of 20 or 30 million, were just warm-up fodder for him.


    ¡°Report! Major Wright!¡± A Marine saluted as he approached Wright. ¡°Lieutenant Commander Bogard has sent a message requesting your immediate return to base!¡±


    ¡°Huh? What¡¯s the rush? I¡¯ve only been patrolling for two hours and haven¡¯t even seen a pirate yet!¡± Wright grumbled, suspecting it might be Garp stirring up some mischief again.


    ¡°Well¡­ reportedly, Vice Admiral Kuzan is about to arrive at the base. You¡¯re needed back to make arrangements,¡± the Marine replied. He couldn¡¯t help but silently hope Wright would stay frustrated.


    If Wright stayed dissatisfied due to the lack of pirates, wouldn¡¯t that mean the rest of them¡ªhis subordinates¡ªcould finally breathe easy?


    ¡°Ah, a major figure has arrived,¡± Wright said with a newfound interest. ¡°Pass the order! Return to base. Let¡¯s meet this ¡®Monster¡¯ Vice Admiral. This should be exciting!¡±


    How wide was the gap between himself and this famous figure?


    ¡°Yo, Smoker!¡±


    At the port, Wright immediately spotted his fellow trainee disembarking behind Kuzan. Smoker, as always, had two cigars clenched in his mouth, with even more strapped to his coat and arm. Wright couldn¡¯t help but laugh.


    ¡°How¡¯s this guy affording all these cigars? Or maybe old man Garp¡¯s just being frugal. After all, donuts are way cheaper than cigars.¡±The author''s tale has been misappropriated; report any instances of this story on Amazon.


    ¡°Bang!¡±


    As expected, Garp delivered his usual ¡°Iron Fist of Love¡± to Wright¡¯s head.


    ¡°Brat! My salary is way higher than a captain¡¯s! And my donuts are top-quality! Expensive, too!¡±


    But¡­ was this really the part Garp should be focusing on?


    ¡°Ah, Garp-san, seeing you so lively puts my mind at ease,¡± Kuzan said, yawning lazily.


    The tall vice admiral, clad in a dark coat and small round sunglasses, chuckled as he spoke.


    He had initially expected Garp to be a bit down lately, but clearly, this enthusiastic major was keeping him entertained.


    Kuzan took note of Wright¡ªcurrently nursing a lump on his head from Garp¡¯s punch. A major who had gained such fame at headquarters was hard to ignore. After all, anyone who could endure being Garp¡¯s ¡°punching bag¡± had to possess remarkable durability and recovery.


    Even Kuzan, a natural-type Devil Fruit user with extraordinary resilience, wouldn¡¯t want to face Garp''s method of ¡°training.¡±


    ¡°Ah, Kuzan!¡± Garp, completely ignoring his responsibilities as the branch commander, greeted him.


    ¡°Perfect timing! I just set a new donut-eating record yesterday! Care to challenge me?¡±


    ¡°Ahaha, Garp-san, breaking records again? Then I¡¯ll have to step up my game. Want some ice-cold beer to go with those donuts?¡±


    ¡°¡­¡±


    Watching the two laugh and walk off, their subordinates seemed entirely unbothered¡ªclearly, this was normal behavior. Meanwhile, Wright and Smoker stood frozen in place, utterly bewildered.


    Wright: That senile old man is unreliable, but was Kuzan always this laid-back in his youth? Ice beer with donuts? Really?


    Smoker: What¡¯s happening here? Where am I? And how is Garp¡¯s ¡°Hero of the Marines¡± image still intact after this?


    ¡°Ahem!¡± Wright cleared his throat and called out to Smoker, who was still processing what he¡¯d just witnessed.


    ¡°Smoker, doesn¡¯t it feel like Garp¡¯s heroic image just completely fell apart? Like, shattered into pieces?¡±


    Smoker nodded numbly. ¡°Somehow, this base seems perfect for you, Wright.¡±


    Wright¡¯s face darkened as he punched Smoker in the head.


    ¡°You¡¯re saying I¡¯m like that crazy old man? Impossible! Ask your adorable subordinates if we¡¯re anything alike!¡±


    Smoker¡¯s subordinates: Absolutely alike. Major Wright, didn¡¯t you just get punched the same way by Garp moments ago?


    ¡°Tch. Enough joking. Smoker, why¡¯s Kuzan visiting our G-3 branch? Aren¡¯t you usually out on long-term missions?¡± Wright asked.


    Smoker, nursing his bruised head, puffed on a cigar before answering.


    ¡°Kuzan¡¯s here because of the rising number and strength of pirates lately. High-bounty pirates with rewards over 100 million have been appearing more frequently, far surpassing the levels seen in previous years.¡±


    ¡°So, he¡¯s here¡­ to borrow troops?¡± Wright asked, surprised.


    Smoker nodded, his expression dark. ¡°Pirates are like locusts, swarming endlessly. We capture one batch, only for another to emerge. During my time with Kuzan, I¡¯ve seen countless villages and towns devastated by pirates.¡±


    ¡°Unfortunately, due to a lack of manpower, we often couldn¡¯t arrive in time. No matter how strong Kuzan is, he¡¯s still just one person. The pirates¡­ there are too many, and they¡¯re too scattered.¡±


    ¡°That¡¯s why Kuzan wants to borrow elite Marines from Garp¡ªto help locate pirates. This way, he can focus on directly taking them out instead of wasting time searching.¡±


    ¡°Ah, that sounds exactly like Kuzan. Lucky him! Fighting pirates while I¡¯m stuck here, taking punches from Garp daily¡­¡±


    Smoker smirked. ¡°You¡¯re not fighting Garp. You¡¯re getting beaten by him. Learn the difference, Wright.¡±

 Chapter 41: Stealing Soldiers? Taste the Fist of Love First!

    With Kuzan and Smoker''s arrival, Wright¡¯s life finally became less mundane. However, the process of "borrowing soldiers" was far from simple in practice, despite sounding straightforward.


    To crew a single Marine Headquarters battleship, about a thousand personnel were required. This included operators for the warship, scouts, intelligence officers, logistical support staff, combat specialists, and so on. Additionally, a commanding officer of at least the rank of Commander was necessary to lead the crew. While Kuzan would provide the commanding officer, the warship and its crew had to be ¡°borrowed¡± from Garp. Consequently, the reorganization of branch personnel had been exceptionally hectic.


    Though Kuzan was a junior that Garp admired greatly, thanks to his incredible strength, he was notoriously lazy. As such, Garp needed to select sharp-witted Marines to avoid disrupting his sleep.


    Of course, Garp himself wasn¡¯t one to think that far ahead. All of this was Wright¡¯s special instruction to Bogard, who was responsible for personnel selection. This time, the normally stoic Bogard was impressed¡ªhad this seemingly idle guy actually put thought into this?


    Meanwhile, with Kuzan handling Garp, Wright set himself a new task: training Smoker¡ªor as Wright jokingly called it, "educating" him.


    ¡°Hey, Smokehead, you''ve been shadowing Vice Admiral Kuzan for a while now. He''s technically our senior disciple, you know?¡± Wright asked, resting his sword against his shoulder as he glanced at Smoker, who was sprawled on the ground, black lines running across his face. ¡°Kuzan-senpai is a master of the ¡®Form-Shaping¡¯ combat style. Haven¡¯t you learned anything useful from him?¡±


    Smoker had recently asked for a sparring session to gauge his progress. Wright agreed enthusiastically, only for Smoker to be thoroughly schooled.


    Smoker¡¯s growth over this period had been significant¡ªhe¡¯d developed his Moku Moku no Mi (Smoke-Smoke Fruit) abilities along the concept of condensation, achieving preliminary success. He could now form a hardened layer of smoke similar to Armament Haki, boasting remarkable toughness while retaining the intangibility of a Logia user. Smoker had even abandoned his signature jitte, focusing on honing his martial arts to create a more versatile fighting style.


    ¡°You¡¯re a freak, Wright!¡± Smoker cursed, lighting a new cigar after the previous one was sent flying by Wright¡¯s kick. He had challenged Wright full of confidence, only to find himself on the ground after a single sweeping kick. The bastard hadn¡¯t even drawn his sword! Is this guy even a swordsman? How is his kicking technique this monstrous? Does he practice Rankyaku as part of his swordsmanship?!


    Wright cast a Holy Light spell to help Smoker recover, realizing how much Garp¡¯s special training had strengthened him. His foundation in physical fitness, strength, and defense had advanced significantly. While his swordsmanship hadn¡¯t progressed much, his speed and destructive power had improved drastically.


    Smoker stood, puffing on his cigar, his eyes locking onto Wright. ¡°Of course, I sought Kuzan-senpai¡¯s advice on shaping techniques. How else could I master the basics so quickly?¡±Enjoying this book? Seek out the original to ensure the author gets credit.


    ¡°Kuzan-senpai even praised my development approach¡ªthough I told him it was based on your guidance,¡± Smoker added, ignoring Wright¡¯s darkening expression. I might not be good at thanking people, but I can always give credit to the higher-ups.


    ¡°Kuzan-senpai also said that my ¡®condensation¡¯ concept is fundamentally different from his ¡®ice forming¡¯ techniques. His experience can only serve as a reference, not a direct learning path. However, if fully developed, my ability might be more versatile than his.¡±


    Indeed, Smoker¡¯s smoke condensation was akin to 3D printing¡ªmore flexible than simply forming ice. However, it lacked the extreme cold of the Hie Hie no Mi (Ice-Ice Fruit). Each ability had its advantages and disadvantages, depending on the user¡¯s creativity and mastery.


    Smoker, realizing the vast gap between himself and Wright, wasn¡¯t discouraged. After all, Vice Admiral Kuzan had also been considered a ¡°monster¡± in his day. Justice couldn¡¯t rely on a few monsters alone; it needed capable elites like Smoker to support them. Smoker resolved to focus on improving himself, trusting that hard work would close the gap.


    Once the crew transfer was complete, Kuzan departed with Smoker and the borrowed warship. Before leaving, Kuzan extended an invitation to Wright.


    ¡°Ah, Wright-kun, interested in joining my ship for a bit? I hear you¡¯re very passionate about hunting pirates. Isn¡¯t staying cooped up at the branch base a little suffocating?¡±


    ¡°Damn you, Kuzan!¡± Garp roared, leaping to his feet. ¡°Borrowing a warship isn¡¯t enough¡ªyou want to take Wright too? Take this Fist of Love!¡±


    Wright watched helplessly as Garp¡¯s iron fist shattered Kuzan into a pile of ice shards, which slowly reformed. Sighing, Wright said, ¡°Vice Admiral Kuzan, I was actually considering it, but if that old man¡¯s willing to punch even you, I¡¯m afraid he¡¯d sink your ship if I joined you.¡±


    ¡°Haha, true enough. Garp-san doing that wouldn¡¯t surprise me at all,¡± Kuzan replied, waving nonchalantly. ¡°Well then, Wright-kun, train hard under Garp-san. ¡®We¡¯ look forward to fighting alongside you someday.¡±


    ¡°See you at headquarters.¡±


    ¡°...¡®We,¡¯ huh¡­¡±


    After Kuzan and Smoker¡¯s departure, Wright returned to his ¡°peaceful¡± life. As the pirate threat continued to grow, Garp began assigning Wright long-term patrol missions. For pirate crews that required a Vice Admiral¡¯s attention, Garp would merely oversee while Wright handled the specifics.


    Two years passed, during which Wright¡¯s combat strength steadily reached the level of a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral. He spent most of his time refining his combat techniques and further developing his Holy Light powers.


    The rank of Marine Vice Admiral encompassed a wide range of combat abilities¡ªsome, like the future Admirals, were incredibly strong, while others barely surpassed Rear Admiral-level strength. Wright¡¯s power placed him on the lower end of the Vice Admiral spectrum, as he had focused on building a strong foundation and well-rounded skills, including leadership, strategy, and military administration.


    As former Admiral Zephyr once said, the Marines couldn¡¯t rely solely on fighters; even the strongest warriors had to excel in command and strategy. Even Garp, who seemed like a pure brawler, possessed keen strategic insight and excellent leadership. Of course, with tacticians like Sengoku and Tsuru around, Garp rarely needed to think much, letting them handle the planning while he enjoyed punching things.


    During these two years, Wright captured or killed countless pirates. Many pirates from the East Blue remembered Wright as a nightmare. When Wright transferred to the Grand Line and Marine Headquarters, East Blue¡¯s pirates celebrated¡ªbriefly. Reinforcements soon suppressed them again, though without high-ranking officers stationed there, some managed to escape to the Grand Line.


    Unfortunately for them, many met their end at G-3, where Wright was stationed. None of those who encountered Wright returned alive. This earned him both military accolades and a promotion to Headquarters Captain.


    A Headquarters Captain with Vice Admiral-level combat strength¡ªalongside Garp¡¯s overwhelming power and Bogard¡¯s Rear Admiral-level skills¡ªmade G-3 a nightmare for nearby pirates.

 Chapter 42: A Wild Idea Born of a Joke

    The officers and soldiers of G-3 Branch were in a state of bittersweet turmoil.


    Wright¡¯s fervor for pursuing pirates was beyond ordinary comprehension. As his strength grew, Garp granted him extended patrol times. Even during sustained pursuits, Wright no longer needed to report back to the branch base regularly.


    This led to an unusual scenario¡ªWright chased down pirates with relentless determination, akin to a rabid dog. As long as a pirate crew had undeniable evidence of harming civilians or Marines, Wright would hunt them to the ends of the earth, even beyond the jurisdiction of G-3 Branch.


    How did he verify their crimes? Activating his Observation Haki, Wright would simply call out, ¡°Have you harmed civilians or Marines before?¡± and immediately discern the truth¡ªunless the pirates somehow collectively brainwashed themselves.


    Remarkably, thanks to Wright¡¯s powerful healing abilities, the Marines under his command maintained an unprecedented record: zero casualties in the past two years. Such an achievement was unheard of.


    However, this created new problems. Marines from all corners desperately sought to join Wright¡¯s unit, eager to serve under his command. Wright had become the "golden ticket" not only within G-3 Branch but also among low- and mid-ranking personnel of Marine Headquarters. Even HQ officers schemed to transfer to G-3 to serve under him.


    In the waters surrounding G-3 Branch, Wright was patrolling alongside Garp¡¯s warship.


    ¡°This won¡¯t do, old man Garp,¡± Wright complained. He had grown accustomed to addressing Garp this way, and the latter no longer minded¡ªit was a testament to how powerful habits could become. ¡°Since G-3 Branch was established, it¡¯s probably never been this popular. Even with you, the Marine Hero, stationed here, it was never this crazy!¡±


    ¡°Ahahahaha!¡± Garp laughed heartily, his signature dog-headed hat firmly in place. ¡°This frenzy is all because of you. Countless people are pulling strings to get into G-3, and that¡¯s after I blocked a lot of them!¡±


    Wright sighed helplessly. ¡°What can I do? It¡¯s not like I can sit idly by and watch my subordinates get injured or even die when I have the ability to save them.¡±


    Garp smirked. ¡°Who knew your blasted Holy Light Fruit would be so ridiculously effective? Healing injuries costs you almost nothing and works so fast. Most importantly, as long as someone¡¯s still breathing, you can bring them back from the brink of death. It¡¯s unheard of!¡±


    ¡°No known healing-related Devil Fruit even comes close to this. To regular Marines, going into battle with you is like carrying an insurance policy on their lives¡­¡± Garp leaned closer, his grin turning mischievous. ¡°I¡¯ve heard a lot of female officers from HQ are interested in you. Want me to introduce some?¡±


    ¡°Absolutely not!¡± Wright shoved Garp¡¯s face away. ¡°What do you want me to do? Blame me for being too capable?¡±


    ¡°Yes, it is your problem,¡± Garp teased. ¡°If you could spread your Holy Light like a Den Den Mushi signal, none of this would be an issue¡ª¡±The tale has been stolen; if detected on Amazon, report the violation.


    ¡°That¡¯s impossi¡­ble¡­¡± Wright began dismissively but then froze mid-sentence, struck by an idea.


    The power of Holy Light was extraordinary. It could be used for offense, defense, healing, and even materialization, such as forging weapons. Wright¡¯s sword, Ashes, was a prime example.


    Over the years, Ashes had transformed significantly due to the continuous infusion of Holy Light. The blade no longer had a metallic texture but resembled a semi-energy construct with an ethereal appearance. Despite this, it was sharper and more durable than ever, capable of cutting through steel like butter.


    This phenomenon was a manifestation of an advanced technique called ¡°Lightforging,¡± where Holy Light, combined with a strong will, could imbue objects with unique properties. Ashes was a personalized Lightforged weapon that grew stronger over time, encompassing Holy Light¡¯s three attributes: offense, defense, and healing.


    Creating Ashes required immense effort, as it needed to embody all three attributes perfectly. But what if Wright used a smaller medium, infusing it with only a fraction of Holy Light focused solely on healing? Such a device could serve as a life-saving tool in critical moments and would be much easier to produce.


    In this era, Marine warships were well-equipped with medical resources, even carrying blood banks for transfusions. If Wright could devise a way to stabilize fatal injuries temporarily¡ªbuying time for a medic¡¯s treatment or a return to base¡ªhe could save countless lives.


    For injuries that even medics couldn¡¯t handle, Wright could periodically gather the critically wounded and heal them himself.


    This solution would not only address Wright¡¯s inability to be everywhere at once but also allow other medics to play a greater role. More importantly, it could be distributed across the entire Marine force, enabling widespread use to save severely injured soldiers. Those who survived such near-death experiences would often emerge as stronger, more resolute warriors.


    Furthermore, these tools could serve as essential humanitarian supplies, saving civilians victimized by pirates. Unlike Marines, ordinary people lacked the physical resilience to survive serious injuries. A small wound for a Marine could be fatal for a civilian.


    The potential was immense¡ªthis invention could save countless lives and be regarded as a monumental achievement.


    Garp noticed Wright suddenly stopping mid-sentence, his expression contemplative as golden light flickered faintly around him. Concerned, Garp dropped his playful demeanor and asked seriously, ¡°What¡¯s wrong, Wright?¡±


    After a moment, Wright snapped out of his trance, the golden aura dissipating. ¡°Old man Garp, I think I¡¯ve just come up with an idea that could significantly impact not only the Marines but the world at large¡­¡±


    Garp raised an eyebrow. ¡°Important? Dangerous?¡±


    ¡°No, not dangerous, but it¡¯s still in its early stages. I¡¯ll need to experiment further. If this works¡­¡± Wright¡¯s eyes glinted with determination as he looked at Garp, who was now genuinely intrigued. ¡°Not only can it solve the current issues plaguing G-3 Branch, but it could give every Marine an extra life!¡±


    Garp¡¯s jaw dropped. ¡°You¡¯re serious? Are you actually thinking of creating something like a Den Den Mushi for healing? I was joking!¡±


    Wright nodded solemnly. ¡°It won¡¯t be as miraculous as what you¡¯re imagining, but your joke sparked this idea. Without it, I might never have thought of this solution.¡±


    ¡°I owe you my thanks, old man Garp, on behalf of every Marine, civilian, and ally of justice who will benefit from this invention in the future.¡±


    Back at G-3 Branch, Garp fully supported Wright¡¯s plan, mobilizing resources to help him test potential materials. The requirements were clear: low cost, high availability, artificial reproducibility, small size, environmental stability, and durability.


    Once the ideal medium was identified, Wright would imbue it with healing-focused Holy Light, creating a groundbreaking new strategic resource.


    ¡°If my idea succeeds,¡± Wright joked to Garp, ¡°maybe I¡¯ll even earn the title of Hero of the Marines, just like you.¡±


    ¡°Bam!¡±


    ¡°¡­Was the punch really necessary?¡±

 Chapter 43: An Artifact of Strategic Significance

    "Metal... It offers the greatest malleability, stability, and strength. The most abundant metals are..."


    "...Not suitable. These metals are moderately compatible with the Holy Light¡¯s offensive and defensive properties, but completely unsuitable for its healing essence."


    "What about wood? Its nature should align more with healing concepts, right?"


    "No, that won¡¯t work either. The Holy Light isn¡¯t a force of nature¡ªit doesn¡¯t pair well with wood materials."


    "Leather? It only reacts to defensive aspects of Holy Light and lacks versatility."


    "Bone? Absolutely not. Even if it worked, we wouldn¡¯t use it¡ªthis isn¡¯t Shadow Magic!"


    "Minerals, then? Excluding metals, perhaps gemstones?"


    "Gemstones are highly compatible with healing Holy Light, but their scarcity and high cost make them impractical for mass production."


    "Let¡¯s try something else..."


    For over a month, Wright spent most of his time in a specially designated laboratory that Garp had arranged, testing materials brought from all corners of the seas. Outside of his routine foundational training, this was his focus.


    The results were less than optimistic. Commonly available materials often failed compatibility tests. Those that worked were either unsuitable for healing Holy Light or too rare and expensive to produce at scale.


    "What about glass? Its properties are somewhat similar to gemstones. Let¡¯s test it..."


    "Compatible, but glass is too fragile, and its density is too low to effectively contain a significant amount of Holy Light."


    "Artificial gemstones, perhaps?"


    Wright¡¯s thoughts drifted to synthetic diamonds, crystals, and agates. He turned to Garp for more information about the availability of artificial gemstones.


    ¡°Hey, Wright,¡± Garp soon returned with a document in hand. ¡°This stuff¡¯s classified¡ªbig-time military intel, you hear? The most widely produced synthetic gemstone is quartz. Here¡¯s a sample.¡±


    The sample, a small rhomboid crystal about the size of a thumb, was colorless, highly translucent, and incredibly uniform. Garp explained, ¡°Quartz is dirt cheap and mass-produced. Originally, jewelers made it to counterfeit real gems. That got a lot of them busted. These days, it¡¯s used more practically¡ªfor eyeglasses or specialty glass. The G-3 Fortress uses quartz for its glass panels because it¡¯s durable and transmits light exceptionally well.¡±


    ¡°This material is nearly perfect,¡± Wright commented as he inspected the sample. A single unit of synthetic quartz weighed twice as much as the same volume of regular glass yet cost only a few dozen Berries to produce.


    "Lightcast¡ªHealing!"


    Wright clasped the quartz crystal in his hand, channeling the essence of the Holy Light into it with the intent of healing fatal wounds. As the energy flowed into the crystal, it began to change.Stolen story; please report.


    By the time Wright released it, the once-clear quartz had transformed into a faint golden hue, with soft, radiant halos of light circulating within¡ªmore mesmerizing than the finest amber.


    ¡°Did it work?¡± Garp¡¯s excitement was uncharacteristically evident. Even with his usual nonchalance, he couldn¡¯t ignore the implications of what he was witnessing.


    ¡°Excellent compatibility,¡± Wright confirmed, examining the crystal. ¡°This crystal absorbed roughly one-fifth of the energy required for a full Holy Light spell. It should easily stabilize a person on the brink of death.¡±


    ¡°Great! Let¡¯s test it right away!¡± Garp declared. ¡°I¡¯ll gather some, uh... volunteers¡ªliving beings will suffice for now.¡±


    ¡°Wait, wait! Let me refine the process further. We¡¯ll test it tomorrow morning!¡± Wright stopped the overzealous Vice Admiral.


    ¡°Fine, fine. I¡¯ll bring you more quartz later. Just don¡¯t keep me waiting!¡±


    The next morning.


    At dawn, Garp pounded on Wright¡¯s door with unrestrained enthusiasm.


    ¡°Wake up, Wright! Everything¡¯s ready¡ªlet¡¯s get those results! I¡¯ve waited all night for this!¡±


    Grumbling, Wright reluctantly followed Garp to the sealed training grounds. As they approached, strange cries echoed from within.


    ¡°Garp, just how many test subjects did you prepare?¡±


    ¡°Not too many, just a few dozen. They¡¯re all unharmed¡ªfor now. We¡¯ll adjust based on testing needs. If they die... Well, we¡¯ll just send them to the kitchen for a feast!¡±


    "...You¡¯ve got some nerve, old man." Wright sighed.


    From rabbits and cats to wolves, bears, and even an elephant, Garp had somehow gathered an eclectic mix of "volunteers" overnight. Despite his frustrations, Wright acknowledged that this variety would ensure comprehensive testing.


    Through the morning, Garp personally inflicted varying levels of injuries¡ªminor wounds, severe trauma, near-death conditions, even loss of limbs and extreme blood loss. Each scenario tested the efficacy of the "Lightcast Crystal." The results exceeded expectations. After minor adjustments, Wright finalized the crystal¡¯s specifications and activation method.


    By the afternoon, Garp was gleefully bragging to Sengoku over a Den Den Mushi:


    ¡°Ahahaha, Sengoku! You¡¯ll never guess what Wright has invented this time!¡±


    Between Garp¡¯s colorful narration and his gloating remarks, Sengoku gleaned the significance of the Lightcast Crystal. His demeanor shifted to one of grave focus as he listened.


    ¡°This invention is classified as top-secret. You and Wright are to return to Marineford immediately to report to me in person. No delays!¡± Sengoku¡¯s tone brooked no argument.


    Marineford: The Heart of the Navy


    Upon arrival at Marine Headquarters, Wright and Garp were ushered directly to Fleet Admiral Kong¡¯s office. Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru were already waiting, their eyes alight with anticipation.


    Without preamble, Wright placed a Lightcast Crystal on the conference table. The room¡¯s occupants momentarily marveled at its breathtaking beauty.


    ¡°This,¡± Wright began, ¡°is the Lightcast Crystal. It has been extensively tested on various animals. My ability works identically on humans and animals, so while we haven¡¯t conducted human trials yet, I¡¯m confident in its effectiveness.¡±


    He explained its healing properties in detail. Sengoku, Kong, and Tsuru listened intently, their expressions growing increasingly serious.


    ¡°This crystal isn¡¯t just a medical breakthrough,¡± Sengoku finally spoke. ¡°It¡¯s a strategic resource that could turn the tide in our favor against the pirates.¡±


    Kong nodded, his gaze fixed on the gleaming crystal. ¡°We must ensure this discovery is utilized to its fullest potential¡ªand protected at all costs.¡±

 Chapter 44: The Strategic-Level Admiral’s Meeting

    ¡°A truly perfect masterpiece.¡± Vice Admiral Tsuru examined the golden crystal intently. ¡°Wright, explain this little creation in detail. We¡¯ve all heard what Garp relayed, but the three of us remain... skeptical.¡±


    ¡°Ah, Tsuru, how can you not trust me?¡± Garp exclaimed dramatically, feigning indignation. ¡°Sengoku, didn¡¯t I explain it clearly to her? I laid everything out perfectly!¡±


    ¡°Shut up, Garp!¡± Sengoku barked. ¡°You¡¯re making a scene in front of Fleet Admiral Kong!¡±


    ¡°...Haha, carry on. I¡¯m listening,¡± Kong said with a faint chuckle.


    Wright stood by in silence, a touch exasperated by the banter. It seemed even Tsuru had a humorous side.


    ¡°Yes, Vice Admiral Tsuru!¡± Ignoring the exchange, Wright began his explanation. ¡°As you all know, my abilities allow me to heal injuries rapidly. No matter how severe the wounds, as long as the person is alive, I can save them.¡±


    ¡°Because of my abilities, my subordinates have maintained a perfect record of zero casualties. However, this is only feasible in isolated cases. Given the increasingly dire global situation, it doesn¡¯t provide a comprehensive solution.¡±


    The admirals nodded lightly, indicating their agreement. Wright continued, ¡°While joking with Vice Admiral Garp, I considered a possibility: could I infuse my abilities into objects to achieve similar effects?¡±


    ¡°This idea wasn¡¯t without precedent¡ªmy sword, Ashes, has undergone remarkable changes due to the unique nature of my abilities.¡± Wright unbuckled Ashes from his waist and placed it on the table. The legendary weapon, more famous than Wright himself, immediately drew the commanders¡¯ attention.


    ¡°Unlike weapons, which are carefully crafted companions for battle, what I aim to create are disposable, single-use items with much weaker effects. Therefore, I believe this approach is feasible.¡±


    Wright then produced a piece of synthetic white crystal. ¡°After extensive material experiments, with Vice Admiral Garp¡¯s assistance, I identified this material as ideal. It¡¯s inexpensive, mass-producible, and compatible with my abilities. With it, I created what I call the Lightcast Crystal.¡±


    ¡°These crystals activate automatically when the wearer sustains life-threatening or severe injuries. They heal the user just enough to keep them alive, buying time for medical treatment. Essentially, they function like an auto-triggered healing potion, but without side effects.¡±


    ¡°For minor injuries or non-lethal severe wounds, the crystal doesn¡¯t activate on its own. Instead, it can be manually crushed to release its healing power.¡±


    Wright demonstrated the process, crushing a crystal to release a faint glow. ¡°Crushing multiple crystals amplifies the healing effect¡ªroughly five crystals are equivalent to a single healing session from me.¡±The story has been illicitly taken; should you find it on Amazon, report the infringement.


    ¡°Incredible! A stroke of genius!¡± Sengoku murmured, astonished. ¡°And you came up with this while joking with Garp? For once, that man has done something worthwhile¡­¡±


    ¡°Oi! Sengoku! I heard that!¡± Garp retorted, clearly annoyed.


    Kong, speaking up with gravity, added, ¡°On the battlefield, treating the wounded is always a monumental challenge. I¡¯ve witnessed countless subordinates and comrades fall, unable to receive timely medical attention.¡±


    ¡°Even if medics reach the wounded quickly, multiple critical injuries can stretch their efforts thin. But with these Lightcast Crystals, this problem may become a thing of the past. Wright, you¡¯ve accomplished something remarkable.¡±


    ¡°Thank you, Fleet Admiral!¡± Wright replied. ¡°Because the crystals require mental focus to infuse with my ability, I experimented with utilizing my Observation Haki while imbuing them. I believe this enhances their auto-activation feature by detecting fluctuations in the user¡¯s life force.¡±


    ¡°During this process, I discovered something extraordinary.¡± Wright retrieved a crystal with a golden core. ¡°This particular crystal is unique¡ªit has a special inner core, a golden light.¡±


    ¡°Oh? Wright, you¡¯ve been holding out on us!¡± Garp exclaimed in surprise.


    ¡°This is a recent experiment aboard my ship,¡± Wright explained, his tone turning serious. Noticing this shift, the commanders grew attentive. Sengoku asked, ¡°What¡¯s the function of this special crystal, Wright?¡±


    ¡°I call it the Lightcast Beacon Crystal,¡± Wright declared solemnly.


    ¡°Beacon¡­¡± The four admirals exchanged looks, a shared sense of astonishment in their eyes. ¡°Are you saying¡­¡±


    ¡°Yes!¡± Wright raised the golden-core crystal. ¡°This crystal retains all the capabilities of a standard Lightcast Crystal, but it also possesses a ¡®resonance¡¯ feature.¡±


    Wright demonstrated by taking a standard crystal and infusing it, creating another Beacon Crystal. When placed together, the two crystals began emitting synchronized, intermittent flashes of light.


    ¡°The resonance is a unique interaction between my ability and Observation Haki. When two Beacon Crystals are near each other, they emit flashes at the same frequency. And if one is crushed¡­¡±


    ¡°¡­I can immediately sense its location!¡± Wright concluded. ¡°By following the direction of the signal, I can pinpoint the crystal¡¯s exact position.¡±


    A brief silence followed, broken by Sengoku¡¯s incredulous voice. ¡°This is extraordinary¡­ It¡¯s the perfect tool for distinguishing friend from foe and for emergency signaling. Wright, this could revolutionize our intelligence operations.¡±


    ¡°However,¡± Sengoku added, his tone measured, ¡°this Beacon Crystal must remain classified. Your support abilities are already unparalleled. If these crystals guide you to critical battlefields, your presence could shift the tide of war.¡±


    ¡°I understand, Admiral,¡± Wright replied.


    Tsuru then asked, ¡°What about production? How taxing is it to create these crystals, Wright?¡±


    Wright leaned back thoughtfully. ¡°For standard Lightcast Crystals, the burden is minimal¡ªI can produce 600 to 700 per day. However, Beacon Crystals require far greater precision. I can only make five or six of them daily.¡±


    ¡°Excellent!¡± Kong exclaimed. ¡°Wright, begin by producing 500 standard crystals today. Sengoku, coordinate with Wright to procure sufficient white crystals and organize volunteers for testing. Tsuru, analyze battle damage statistics from the past year to identify optimal deployment scenarios.¡±


    ¡°As for you, Garp, assist Sengoku with testing. Your expertise with¡­ unconventional methods may prove useful. I¡¯ll personally oversee the confidentiality measures.¡±


    ¡°Every moment counts,¡± Kong concluded gravely. ¡°Delays mean more lives lost. If we have a chance to save them, we must seize it with all our strength!¡±


    ¡°Yes, Fleet Admiral!¡± the room replied in unison.

 Chapter 45: The Emotionless Laborer

    ¡°For the innocent civilians tormented by pirates!¡±


    ¡°For the subordinates who trust me!¡±


    ¡°For the Marines on the frontlines!¡±


    ¡°For justice in this world!¡±


    ¡°For world peace!¡±


    ¡°For ideals¡­¡±


    ¡°Damn it!¡±


    ¡°I¡¯m exhausted!¡±


    ¡°Ah!!¡±


    Wright let out a faint, sorrowful cry. The last trace of Holy Light around him slowly extinguished, and he collapsed to the ground, losing consciousness.


    This was the most secure secret room in Marineford¡¯s Marine Headquarters.


    Looking around, all unnecessary items such as desks, chairs, sofas, and file cabinets had been removed. The entire room had been transformed into a factory¡ªspecifically, a factory for processing the Lightcast Crystals.


    A month ago, after a high-level emergency meeting, the four bigwigs immediately took action, with Wright¡¯s terrifyingly high efficiency resolving all matters¡ªthese usually calm and occasionally humorous individuals turned out to be incredibly impatient when it came to getting things done.


    A volunteer team of a hundred was quickly assembled, all made up of elite Marines who were loyal to justice and had clean records.


    Under the coordination of Sengoku, Garp, and Wright, the hundred Marines were subjected to simulations of common battle injuries¡ªeven limb severing injuries. With Wright present, these injuries were not a problem. His presence ensured that no matter what accidents occurred, no lives would be lost.


    There was no doubt about it: the tests had been a perfect success! Even with injuries severe enough to sever limbs, as long as the severed limb remained intact, the Lightcast Crystal could be activated to reconnect them, awaiting Wright¡¯s deep healing.


    Under the suggestion of the veteran Admiral Sengoku, they even tested a previously overlooked function of the Lightcast Crystal¡ªpurification.


    Years ago, Wright had become famous for his cleaning techniques, battling the Red-Haired Pirates in drinking contests. Of course, this referred to his Holy Light skills¡ªhealing techniques that could detoxify, cure diseases, and remove various negative effects. The purification function was undeniably part of his healing Holy Light powers.


    Through tests involving poisons, viruses, toxic gases, and even alcohol, frostbite, burns, and various other harmful conditions, the Lightcast Crystal showed the expected results¡ªit could effectively eliminate these harmful effects. In cases where the damage was too severe for complete elimination, the crystal would still ensure no loss of life.


    ¡°Amazing!¡± Sengoku exclaimed, delighted. ¡°Wright, the effect of the Lightcast Crystal is even more useful than direct healing¡ªit can eliminate poisons and viruses, which would otherwise waste time searching for a specific antidote or, in some cases, lack a suitable cure!¡±


    ¡°We even tested poisons obtained from a Devil Fruit user, the Poison-Poison Fruit, and all were effectively neutralized!¡±


    While Wright was still wondering if Magellan suspected Sengoku of plotting something, Sengoku had already arranged for the first batch of 20,000 White Crystals to be delivered to Wright¡ªeach one a life-saving miracle!This novel''s true home is a different platform. Support the author by finding it there.


    ¡­¡­


    Seeing the 20,000 White Crystals piled up in the room, Wright felt a sense of collapse. He had known this moment was inevitable ever since he first developed this item, but he didn¡¯t expect it to come so soon!


    Sengoku really was an old bastard!


    ¡°Sengoku, you bastard! Garp, you old fool!¡± Wright grumbled as he finished infusing the Lightcast Crystals after a month of hard work. He opened the door of the secret room and found a general and a vice-admiral waiting outside, meditating.


    Upon hearing the door open, the two old men opened their eyes and saw Wright¡¯s tired face, which briefly flashed with a hint of guilt.


    ¡°Wright, boy!¡± Garp rushed over and checked him over, relieved to see that Wright was just tired but otherwise in good spirits. He turned to Sengoku, pointing an accusing finger. ¡°Damn you, Sengoku! I felt that Wright¡¯s energy was faint a few days ago, and you wouldn¡¯t let me in!¡±


    ¡°You idiot, Garp!¡± Sengoku shot him an annoyed glare. ¡°The creation of the Lightcast Crystals can only be done by Wright. He had already specifically told me not to let anyone in unless absolutely necessary to avoid any mistakes. If you had gone in, there could have been unforeseen consequences!¡±


    ¡°A weakened energy doesn¡¯t count as a special case?¡± Garp retorted.


    ¡°Ugh¡­ Garp, I¡¯m fine. No need to get worked up.¡± Wright rubbed his forehead. ¡°Sengoku¡¯s decision was right¡­ huh?¡±


    ¡°Huh? Sengoku? Ahahaha!¡± Garp quickly picked up on something he wasn¡¯t supposed to hear. ¡°Sengoku, you old bastard! You¡¯ve finally lowered yourself to my level, hahaha!¡±


    ¡­¡­


    Wright worried briefly about accidentally revealing his true thoughts. Would this be considered disrespectful? Would it cause trouble for him?


    ¡°Hmph!¡± Sengoku looked at Garp disdainfully. ¡°What¡¯s wrong? Do you think I¡¯m such a petty person? Wright¡¯s still young, and if he wants to call me ¡®old man¡¯¡­ well, it¡¯s not a big deal.¡±


    ¡°Given Wright¡¯s monumental contributions this time, I allow him to call me that!¡±


    As expected of the ¡®Buddha¡¯ Sengoku¡ªhe certainly had a big heart!


    Looking around at the golden light surrounding the room, Sengoku couldn¡¯t help but sigh deeply. ¡°Wright, if the Marines knew what you¡¯ve done for them, your name would surely echo across the world! But¡­¡±


    ¡°Haha, my goal is world peace. This is just the beginning. I understand,¡± Wright said dramatically.


    ¡°World peace, huh¡­¡± Garp and Sengoku didn¡¯t laugh. This kid¡­ maybe...


    ¡­¡­


    In the Admiral¡¯s office, it was still Wright and the four bigwigs. Fleet Admiral Kong was announcing a new appointment.


    ¡°Lieutenant Colonel Wright, due to your tremendous contribution and your strength far surpassing your current rank, I hereby promote you to Commodore.¡±


    Looking at Wright with approval, Kong continued, ¡°Wright, the accomplishments you¡¯ve achieved are enough to warrant a promotion to Rear Admiral, but in order to protect you, we must slow down your ascension and keep your involvement in this matter confidential. Do you understand?¡±


    ¡°I understand!¡± Wright pointed upwards with a finger and smiled knowingly, which surprised the four bigwigs. It seemed the boy knew more than he let on. But considering Wright¡¯s background, the four of them quickly figured it out.


    ¡°I¡¯m glad you understand,¡± Sengoku said, giving Wright a long look. ¡°Although the Lightcast Crystals have immense potential, our plan is to move forward slowly.¡±


    ¡°We won¡¯t overburden you. Your primary goal is to become stronger¡ªto grow even more powerful. Not only will that make these Lightcast Crystals easier for you to handle, but it will also ensure you have the strength to protect yourself!¡±


    Wright nodded, understanding. Vice Admiral Tsuru spoke up, ¡°Based on current data, the first batch of 20,000 Lightcast Crystals can support about a year on the most dangerous frontlines, simply as precious life-saving resources. Even so, I recommend distributing them to elite teams first, then expanding usage after evaluating the situation.¡±


    Garp agreed, ¡°Though the Lightcast Crystals are powerful, we can¡¯t let soldiers become reliant on them. Soldiers who stop valuing their lives will cause major problems!¡±


    Sengoku nodded gravely, ¡°Vice Admiral Tsuru is right. We need enough time to observe the soldiers¡¯ psychological changes and the new data that arises after the Lightcast Crystals are introduced to battle. Only then can we gradually spread them. Wright, your task will be to produce 20,000 Lightcast Crystals per year.¡±


    ¡°Additionally, Wright, I hope you¡¯ll create some Lightcast Beacon Crystals for secret purposes, ones that won¡¯t be made public. Of course, you can create them and give them to trusted individuals.¡±


    Wright nodded and took out a prepared wooden box. ¡°I¡¯ve already taken care of that.¡±


    He opened the box, revealing ten neatly arranged Lightcast Beacon Crystals inside.