Growing Up
Three years passed in the blink of an eye. It was Sea Circle Calendar 1509, in Marineford.
At the elite Training Camp in the early morning, sunlight mingled with sweat, and the air was charged with fighting spirit.
"Hah!"
A clear shout rang out as nine-year-old Ace leaped into the air, his fist wreathed in pitch-black Armament Haki, and slammed it into a training iron post.
"Boom!"
The iron post caved in, cracks spreading across it like a spiderweb.
"Not bad!"
Zephyr stood nearby with his arms folded, approval in his eyes behind his sunglasses. "Your control is thirty percent better than last week."
Ace landed steadily, grinned, and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Grandpa Zephyr, when are you going to teach me the Six Powers?"
Zephyr snorted. "First, build a solid foundation in physical fitness. Don't reach for things beyond you!"
Not far away, six-year-old Luffy crouched in front of a smaller iron post. Armament Haki so thin it was barely visible wrapped around both fists as he slammed them down with all his might. "Hiyah!"
"Bang!"
The iron post didn't budge, but he clutched his fists and howled. "That hurts!!!"
Ace held a hand to his forehead and said helplessly, "Idiot, I told you to feel the 'flow of power.' Brute force alone won't work."
Luffy shouted, his eyes brimming with tears, "But it's so hard!"
Zephyr sighed as he looked at the brothers. "That bastard Garp left me with nothing but troublemakers..."
Meanwhile, a promotion ceremony was underway in a conference room at Marine Headquarters.
Admiral Sengoku personally pinned the gleaming colonel's epaulets onto Bellemere's uniform, his voice solemn and imposing. "Colonel Bellemere, I hope you keep up the good work."
"Yes, sir!"
Bellemere's eyes were resolute, and her salute was crisp and precise. She carried herself with an air of determination.
Below the stage, Roy and Zephyr stood side by side, watching the figure on the platform.
Nearby, Garp remarked in a low voice, "From a branch ensign to a headquarters colonel in just three years. That girl's growth... even I find it incredible."
Roy smiled faintly, his voice calm. "What she knew in the East Blue held her back. Once someone guided her onto the right path, her potential naturally burst forth."
Over those three years, Bellemere had not only mastered Armament Haki Hardening, but had even awakened Observation Haki, allowing her to perceive movements and killing intent around her.
When she fought alongside Roy, she had once single-handedly suppressed a pirate crew with a bounty of over one hundred million. Her outstanding exploits had shaken the Marines from top to bottom.
Garp remarked, "Good thing we didn't leave her in the East Blue back then, wasting that talent."
In the garden at Marine Headquarters, the sun shone pleasantly and a gentle breeze blew.
A group of female Marines had gathered around a pair of sisters, chatting and laughing.
"Nami, come try this new hair accessory!"
Vice Admiral Gion held a delicate bow and gently clipped it into Nami's orange hair.
Seven-year-old Nami spun around happily, her skirt flaring. "Does it look good?"
"So cute!"
The female Marines all clutched their chests, cooing like doting aunts.
Nine-year-old Nojiko, meanwhile, sat obediently beside Vice Admiral Tsuru, her little hands moving swiftly as she helped organize documents and intelligence reports.
Vice Admiral Tsuru affectionately ruffled her hair. "Nojiko, you're so thoughtful."
Suddenly, Nami ran to the window and closed her eyes to feel the sea breeze. Her eyelashes trembled slightly and her brows furrowed. "There's going to be a rainstorm tomorrow."
Vice Admiral Tsuru paused, her gaze sharpening. "How do you know?"
Nami opened her eyes, confidence shining in her amber pupils. "I can feel the humidity in the air, the wind direction, and the slight changes in air pressure."
Vice Admiral Tsuru's eyes sharpened, then she smiled. "Do you have a talent for sensing the weather?"
Nami smiled shyly. "And... I can draw nautical charts!"
As she spoke, she carefully took a small notebook from her skirt pocket. It was densely covered with drawings of islands, routes, undercurrents, and wind direction markings in the East Blue.
Vice Admiral Gion leaned over and picked up the notebook in surprise. "You... drew this?"
Nami nodded. "Yes! I want to draw nautical charts of the whole world someday!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru and Gion exchanged a glance, each seeing shock and delight in the other's eyes.
"This child's talent for navigation and meteorology—she's a natural navigator!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru immediately made a decision. "Nami, starting today, report to the intelligence department three days a week for professional training in meteorology and navigation."
Vice Admiral Gion added with a smile, "You're welcome to come play at the female Marines' club the rest of the time, too. Everyone's looking forward to having a little cutie like you around!"
Nami's little face reddened. "Really?!"
Nojiko patted Nami on the shoulder and smiled proudly. "That's wonderful!"
Sunlight fell on the sisters in the garden, as though coating them in a golden glow.
After the commissioning ceremony, a burst of wild laughter suddenly came from the training ground. "Hahaha! Brats, I'm back!"
"Oh no! The stinking old man's back!" Ace and Luffy went pale at once and immediately turned to run.
Garp charged forward in a single bound and struck with both fists. "Double Fist of Love!"
"Bang! Bang!"
His fists landed squarely on top of Ace's and Luffy's heads, instantly raising enormous bumps.
"You see your grandpa and try to run?! How rude!"
Ace crouched defensively, clutching his head. "That hurts like hell! You violent old man!"
Luffy's eyes filled with tears. "I'm telling Grandma Tsuru!"
Garp planted his hands on his hips and laughed. "Hahaha! Telling on me won't help! Come on, train with me!"
In the distance, Roy and Bellemere were walking slowly toward them. Both raised a hand to their foreheads at the same time.
"Mr. Garp's way of educating them really is..."
"Always full of 'love'..."
Night fell quietly, the sea breeze picked up, and Marine Headquarters was brightly lit.
In Sengoku's office, Sengoku looked down at a thick training plan, his brows tightly furrowed and his glasses reflecting the cold light. "Roy, are you sure these training plans for the children will work?"
Roy stood straight, his voice firm. "Ace and Luffy have tremendous potential and will surely become pillars of the Marines one day; Nami has an innate talent for sensing the weather and making maps, making her suited to the intelligence department; Nojiko is attentive and steady, making her suited to logistics and medical management."
Tsuru took a sip of tea, the corners of her lips lifting slightly. "I support Roy's plan. The children have different personalities, so their training needs to be tailored to each of them."
Zephyr snorted coldly and folded his arms. "It's better than letting that bastard Garp leave them to their own devices all day. At least someone will be keeping an eye on them."
Garp scratched the back of his head and laughed. "Well, I trust Roy."
Sengoku was silent for a long time. Finally, he let out a long sigh, signed the document, and stamped it. "I hope you won't give me any headaches this time..."
"Yes, sir!"
Roy stood at attention, his gaze sharp.
Just then, his gaze happened to sweep past the window. Out on the training ground in the darkness, Luffy and Ace were tussling and chasing each other, their laughter mingling with sweat.
Roy paused, an idea flashing through his mind. That's right, wasn't this the year something happened to Kuina?
He recalled the young swordswoman in the East Blue who was always competing with Zoro, and his heart tightened slightly. If I can meet Zoro earlier... that guy seems pretty well suited to becoming a Marine too.
His gaze darkened slightly, and he made a decision to himself:
Once I've taken care of things here, I have to make a trip to the East Blue and check on those two.
The light in the office illuminated his somewhat sharp profile, while the night breeze brushed past the window, carrying the scent of the sea.