Chapter 25: The Next Generation
Three years passed in a flash. Sea Calendar 1509, Marineford.
On the elite training grounds, morning light mixed with the sweat of the recruits, filling the air with a sense of burning spirit.
"Hah!"
A sharp yell cut through the air. A 9-year-old Ace leaped, his fist blackened with Armament Haki, and smashed it into a steel training post.
"BOOM!"
The post buckled, and a spiderweb of cracks spread across its surface.
"Not bad!"
Zephyr stood to the side, arms crossed, his eyes showing approval. "Your control is 30% stronger than last week."
Ace landed steadily and grinned, wiping the sweat from his forehead. "Gramps Zephyr, when are you gonna teach me the Rokushiki (Six Powers)?"
Zephyr snorted. "Master your fundamentals first. Don't get ahead of yourself!"
Not far away, a 6-year-old Luffy was squatting in front of a smaller post, his own fists coated in a faint, almost invisible layer of Haki. He punched it with all his might. "Hyaah!"
"BAM!"
The post didn't move. Luffy, however, grabbed his fist and howled. "OWWW!!!"
Ace put his face in his hand. "Idiot. I told you, you have to feel the 'flow.' You can't just use brute force."
Luffy, his eyes full of tears, yelled, "But it's too hard!"
Zephyr just sighed, looking at the two brothers. "That bastard Garp... all he left me were troublemakers..."
Meanwhile, in the Marine HQ conference room, a promotion ceremony was underway.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku personally pinned the shining Captain's pauldrons onto Belle-mère's uniform, his voice grim and respectful. "Captain Belle-mère, we expect you to continue this fine work."
"Sir!"
Belle-mère's eyes were firm, her salute crisp. She radiated an aura of unshakeable resolve.
In the audience, Roy and Zephyr stood side-by-side, watching her.
Garp, standing next to them, muttered, "From a branch Ensign to an HQ Captain in just three years... that girl's growth is unbelievable."
Roy smiled, his voice calm. "Her potential was just held back by the East Blue. Once she was on the right path, it was bound to explode."
In the last three years, Belle-mère had not only mastered Armament Hardening but had also awakened her Observation Haki. She had an impressive combat record, including single-handedly suppressing a pirate crew with a bounty over 100 million Beri, a feat that had stunned Marineford.
Garp just chuckled. "Good thing we didn't let that talent rot in the East Blue."
In the gardens of Marineford.
A group of female Marines, including Vice Admiral Gion (Momousagi), were fawning over two young girls.
"Nami, come try this new hair tie!" Gion said, gently fixing a bow in Nami's orange hair.
Nami, now 7, spun around happily. "Is it pretty?"
"So adorable!" the women cheered.
Nearby, 9-year-old Nojiko sat quietly beside Vice Admiral Tsuru, her small hands expertly helping to sort and file intelligence reports.
Tsuru affectionately ruffled her hair. "You're always such a good helper, Nojiko."
Suddenly, Nami, who had run to the edge of the garden, closed her eyes and tilted her head, a small frown on her face. "It's going to storm badly tomorrow."
Tsuru's expression sharpened. "How do you know?"
Nami opened her eyes. "I can feel the humidity, the shift in the wind, and the tiny changes in the atmospheric pressure."
Tsuru's eyes widened. She looked at Gion, then smiled. "A natural talent for meteorology?"
Nami blushed. "And... I draw sea charts, too!"
She carefully pulled a small notebook from her pocket. It was filled with incredibly detailed charts of the East Blue islands, marking currents, routes, and wind patterns.
Gion and Tsuru were stunned.
"This child's talent..." Tsuru said, "...she's a natural-born navigator!"
Tsuru made an executive decision. "Nami. Starting today, you will report to the Intelligence Department three days a week for professional training."
Gion smiled. "And you're always welcome at the Women's Marine Club! We'd love to have you!"
Nami's face lit up. "Really?!"
Nojiko patted her sister on the back, beaming with pride.
Just as the promotion ceremony ended, a familiar, booming laugh echoed across the training ground. "BWAHAHAHA! The old man's back, brats!"
"Crap, it's the old geezer! Run!" Ace and Luffy took off.
Garp appeared in a flash, his fists flying. "Double Fist of Love!"
"BAM! BAM!"
Two identical lumps swelled on their heads. "That's no way to greet your grandpa!"
Ace crouched, covering his head. "You violent old man!"
Luffy was in tears. "I'm telling Granny Tsuru!"
Garp just laughed. "Go ahead! Now come on, time to train!"
In the distance, Roy and Belle-mère, who were walking over, both sighed in unison.
"Mr. Garp's educational methods are..."
"...certainly full of 'love.'"
That night, in Sengoku's office.
Sengoku was staring at a thick file, his brow furrowed. "Roy, are you sure about this training plan for the children?"
Roy stood at attention, his voice firm. "Ace and Luffy have the potential to be future pillars of the Marines. Nami is a natural for the Intelligence Department. Nojiko is meticulous and calm, perfectly suited for logistics or medical administration."
Tsuru sipped her tea. "I support it. Each child needs a tailored approach."
Zephyr snorted. "Hmph. It's better than Garp's 'free-range' method, at least."
Garp just picked his nose. "Hey, I trust Roy."
Sengoku was silent for a long time, then finally stamped the file. "Fine. Just... try not to give me any more headaches..."
"Sir!"
As he stood there, Roy glanced out the window. In the night, he could see Ace and Luffy wrestling on the training grounds, their laughter mixing with the sea breeze.
A thought suddenly struck him.
"Wait... isn't this the year... of Kuina's accident?"
He thought of the young swordswoman and her rival back in the East Blue.
"If I can get to Zoro early... he seems like he'd make a good Marine, too."
His gaze hardened.
"After I'm done here, I'm taking a trip to the East Blue to find them."
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