Side Story: The Old Men Who Wouldn't Retire

With the advent of New Era, the first major event at the Neo Marine Headquarters was not holding a meeting.

Instead, they rebuilt the Training Camp.

After all, with the collapse of the Red Line, the four seas and the Grand Line were reconnected. The seas that were geographically separated in the past are now like a giant chessboard that has been stitched back together. Ocean currents, shipping routes, caravans, refugees, and remnants of Pirate crews are all flowing again in the new order.

The remnants of the old government are hiding in the shadows.

Underground forces took advantage of the chaos to make their move.

The remaining Pirate crew is still living in the dreams of the old era.

Private armies from various countries are also starting to prepare for action on the new shipping routes.

A new world needs a new navy.

A new navy needs new backbone.

Sengoku's original plan was simple: he intended for Garp, Zephyr, and himself to retire with dignity.

I drink tea occasionally.

I fish occasionally.

I occasionally visit the Training Camp to see the young people.

Then, adopting the kind demeanor of a respected elder, they'll say things like, "Youth is wonderful," and "The future belongs to you."

How wonderful.

More dignified.

It is more in line with the lifestyle of the elderly in the New Era.

As soon as the meeting started, Garp was the first to slam his fist on the table.

"Retire?"

"I'm still young!"

After saying that, he grabbed a handful of Senbei and stuffed them into his mouth, chewing them with a crunching sound.

The sound didn't resemble eating Senbei; it sounded like chewing on the blood pressure of the Sengoku.

Zephyr sat beside him, arms crossed, and gave a cold snort.

"The new recruits these days are too weak."

"I can't stand by and watch."

A vein throbbed on Sengoku's forehead. "Can't you two old geezers have a little self-awareness?"

"New Era has begun; it's time for you to hand over the stage to the younger generation!"

Garp burst into laughter.

"Let it go!"

"Therefore, I, an old man, will go and train the young men!"

Zephyr added casually, "It's better than letting them die on the Battlefield."

Sengoku opened his mouth, but couldn't refute it for a moment.

That's an unpleasant thing to say.

But that makes sense.

The New Era is not a fairy tale.

The world has become a better place, but that doesn't mean the dangers have disappeared.

If we don't toughen up our young people now, when they actually go to the Battlefield, the enemy won't show them any mercy just because they're young.

Sengoku rubbed his temples, just about to try to persuade him from a different angle, when his adjutant suddenly walked in carrying a stack of documents.

"Mr. Sengoku, this is the appointment letter for the new Training Camp advisor."

The Sengoku frowned.

"For whom?"

The adjutant carefully handed over the documents.

"You."

The office fell silent instantly, even Garp paused for a moment while eating his Senbei.

The next second.

"Ha ha--!"

Garp laughed so hard he almost fell off his chair.

"Sengoku!"

"You didn't run away either!"

Zephyr's lips twitched slightly, a rare occurrence for him.

"Looks like your retirement plan failed too."

Sengoku looked down at the appointment letter, his face as black as the bottom of a pot.

It was clearly written in black and white on the paper, "[Honorary Chief Advisor of the Neo Marines Training Camp: Sengoku the Buddha]".

Roy's signature was also at the bottom.

The handwriting is very elegant, and you can tell the person who signed it was in a good mood.

Sengoku took a deep breath.

Where's that brat Roy?

The adjutant swallowed hard.

"Admiral Roy said... the three seniors have the most experience with Training Camps."

He said he would provide emotional support.

Sengoku slammed his hand on the table.

"Moral support my ass!"

Garp laughed even louder.

Zephyr turned his head as well, his shoulders twitching slightly.

Although he didn't laugh out loud.

But the Sengoku was certain that the old bastard was laughing...

Three days later.

The Neo Marines Training Camp has officially reopened.

The new recruits from the Sihai branch all gathered on the huge Training Ground.

They were young, passionate, and their eyes shone with light.

They had heard of Garp.

That Navy Hero who once chased the Pirate King all over the world with a single punch.

They had heard of Zephyr.

That legendary instructor who trained countless naval elites.

They also knew about the Sengoku.

The most reliable strategist in the navy of the old era, a man who withstood countless storms.

So on the first day, the new recruits were full of anticipation.

They thought they would receive a mild, systematic, scientific recruit training program that aligned with the principles of the New Era.

For example, start by talking about the spirit of the navy.

Next, let's talk about the world situation.

Then do a physical fitness test.

Finally, everyone shouted together, "For Justice in this New Era!"

That makes perfect sense.

Very exciting.

Until the Training Ground gates slowly opened.

"Boom--"

Heavy footsteps approached.

Garp carried in a giant iron ball that was bigger than a house.

The iron ball was coated with a jet-black Armament Haki, and several large, crooked characters were engraved on it.

--[Recruit Happiness Ball.]

Seeing this, the recruits' smiles gradually froze.

Zephyr stood in the center of the Training Ground wearing sunglasses, his black cape swaying slightly in the wind.

A faint blue flame Flash across his arm, like a feather or a burning light.

That was the Flame of Life of the Mythical Zoan - Phoenix Form.

Mild.

Beauty.

Cure.

As well as--

This gave the new recruits a strange feeling that they were going to be badly beaten today, but wouldn't die.

Sengoku, holding the documents, walked expressionlessly to the high platform.

He pushed up his Glasses and spoke coldly.

"Starting today, you will receive the highest level of training in the New Era of the Navy."

The new recruits instinctively straightened their backs.

"Yes!"

Garp grinned and slammed the giant iron ball to the ground.

"Boom!!"

The ground of the entire Training Ground cracked instantly, and countless new recruits were thrown about.

Garp stretched his shoulders and grinned like an old child who had just found a toy.

"Let's start by getting beaten up!"

The recruits. "???"

Before they could even grasp the meaning of those words, Garp had already dashed off.

"Micro Fist Wind!"

"Boom!"

The force of the punch exploded, and a whole row of new recruits were sent flying like leaves blown by a gale.

"Ahh!"

"Is this really training?!"

"Why am I being chased and beaten by Garp the Hero on the very first day?!"

"I haven't written my will yet!"

Garp chased after him, laughing loudly.

"Rest assured!"

"I've controlled my strength!"

"Half dead at most!"

The recruits were almost in tears; they couldn't stand it even if they were half-dead!

On the other side, Zephyr slowly raised his hand.

Blue flames ignited on his shoulders, vaguely forming a pair of Phoenix wings.

In that instant, the scrapes on the bodies of all the recruits who had been knocked away began to heal rapidly.

They had just breathed a sigh of relief when Zephyr walked up to them.

"It's back?"

The recruits nodded blankly.

Zephyr unleashed a punch.

"Bang!"

They flew off again.

Zephyr said calmly, "Then let's continue."

"Ahh!"

"Zephyr's fists are on fire!"

"Wasn't the Phoenix to be a healing weapon?!"

"Why are you still getting injections even after you've been cured?!"

Zephyr snorted coldly.

"Because you can still stand up."

A new recruit raised his hand with difficulty, his eyes filled with the last glimmer of hope.

"Sengoku Advisor!"

"Are there any theory classes?!"

Sengoku turned a page of the document.

"Have."

The recruits' eyes lit up.

Sengoku said calmly, "The theory lesson is about how to get up as quickly as possible after being knocked away."

The recruits were utterly desperate.

On a distant high-rise building, Roy watched the chaotic scene unfolding on the Training Ground, and his eye twitched involuntarily.

Familiar.

It's all too familiar.

He seemed to see again his miserable childhood: being chased and beaten by Garp, being punched into a wall by Zephyr, and being pulled by the ear by Sengoku to give him a theory lesson.

Kuzan leaned against the railing and yawned.

"Oh dear, I really miss those days."

Borsalino sipped his tea leisurely, his tone still as irritating as ever.

"Wow, that's awesome!"

"These kids are so energetic!"

Sakazuki stood on the other side, looking down with a blank expression.

"The training intensity can be increased further."

Roy turned to look at him.

Are you serious?

Sakazuki coldly replied, "The New Era doesn't mean there won't be enemies just because it's peaceful."

Roy remained silent for a moment, offering no rebuttal.

On the Training Ground, a recruit who had been knocked away by Zephyr staggered to his feet, his face covered in blood from his nose, but he gritted his teeth and refused to fall.

He looked at Roy on the distant high-rise building, and a light suddenly ignited in his eyes.

"Admiral Roy!"

Did you... also undergo this kind of training back then?

Roy was about to say, "Actually, I had a much worse time than you guys back then."

The Sengoku had already spoken first.

"Certainly."

"And he was beaten ten times worse than you were back then."

The new recruits were instantly filled with excitement.

"So that's how Admiral Roy became strong!"

"If Admiral Roy can hold on, so can we!"

"I see!"

"This is the legacy of the New Era navy!"

Roy's lips twitched.

No.

You don't understand.

This isn't about passing on traditions; it's just the old men having an itch to get their hands dirty.

A new recruit gritted his teeth and charged toward Zephyr.

"Instructor Zephyr!"

"Please continue training me!"

A hint of satisfaction flashed in Zephyr's eyes.

"Good."

"At least he has backbone."

"Bang!"

The next second, the recruit was sent flying again, his entire body pressed against the wall as he slowly slid down.

Zephyr nodded.

"Your posture is more correct than before."

Garp watched with great interest.

He casually picked up the giant iron ball and grinned.

"Then I'll take it seriously too!"

The recruits' expressions changed drastically.

"Wait a moment!"

"Instructor Garp, weren't you serious just now?!"

Garp didn't hear a thing.

"Momo - Fifty Times the Joy Ball!"

"Boom!!"

The giant iron ball expanded instantly, covering half of the Training Ground like a small mountain.

All the new recruits looked up at the towering iron sphere, their expressions blank.

The wind blew by.

Someone murmured, "Mom, I think I saw our ancestors."

Roy covered his face.

Miserable.

That's terrible.

But I don't know why.

Watching those new recruits screaming in pain while desperately trying to get back up.

Seeing Garp laughing heartily, Zephyr a cold face, Sengoku, though verbally disdainful, diligently recorded everyone's performance.

Roy suddenly felt something else.

This kind of Training Camp seems pretty good.

After all, this is the navy.

They are not flowers grown in a greenhouse.

Instead, they're a bunch of idiots who know they'll get beaten up and bleed, but still grit their teeth and stand up.

As the sun set, the Training Ground was littered with new recruits.

Someone was clutching their legs and wailing.

Someone is lying on the ground pretending to be dead.

Some people were crying and laughing at the same time, saying that they had finally been beaten by the Garp the Hero today, and they could brag about it for the rest of their lives when they went back to their hometown.

The blue flame on Zephyr's shoulder swayed gently.

The Phoenix Flames transformed into a warm light, falling upon the new recruits.

The pain is still there.

I'm still tired.

But his injuries began to heal slowly.

Garp sat by the Training Ground eating Senbei.

"Ha ha!"

"Young people these days are so energetic!"

Sengoku looked at him with a dark expression.

"You almost demolished the Training Ground."

Garp grinned.

"Not almost."

"It's already been demolished."

Sengoku: "..."

Roy stood on high ground, watching this scene, and suddenly smiled.

Kuzan glanced at him.

"What's wrong?"

Roy put his hands in his pockets, turned around, and walked out.

"Nothing."

"It just suddenly occurred to me that these old guys can't retire yet."

Borsalino took a sip of tea with a smile.

"You talk as if you're going to retire!"

Roy paused, and Sakazuki coldly delivered the finishing blow.

Your documents haven't been signed yet.

Roy: "..."

He took a deep breath and looked up at the sky.

Really.

The New Era is wonderful.

It's just not suitable for retirement at all.