All-Out Effort, Haki Upgrade

"I have already read Major Isca's report."

When Roman arrived at Sengoku's office, Sengoku had already reviewed Isca's report. —It was unrealistic to expect Roman to write a report; although Roman was already a colonel, he didn't even know how many branches the navy had...

"Well done, Colonel Roman."

That's more than impressive; they captured ten pirate crews in just half a month, and not a single one of the marines they led died—it's simply unbelievable!

This wasn't the kind of situation where the commander charges in while everyone else just stands by cheering. Instead, it was a closely contested battle where Roman held the line while the others fought and gained experience! They not only captured a large number of pirates but also trained a ship full of elite marines.

It's fair to say that, in terms of both military merit and strength, everyone on Roman's ship deserves a promotion.

"With your military achievements, even a promotion wouldn't be enough, but—"

Sengoku tapped the table. Parachuting Colonel and then immediately promoted to Commodore seemed a bit too much.

For example, Smoker, the Smoker, picked up the Straw Hat crew's "heads" and thwarted Crocodile's ambition and conspiracy to seize the country, yet he only rose from colonel to Commodore.

Take, for example, the Navy Secretary... ahem, the Navy's "Meeting King" Brannew. This guy with the green afro and sunglasses always chairs meetings. The tough guy who Marineford War a sword and cutting people down while simultaneously contacting Impel Down via Den Den Mushi, only rose to the Commodore two years later.

"So I won't be promoting you this time. Of course, I believe that with your abilities, you'll soon be a general."

"Yes, Fleet Admiral Sengoku."

"So, what about your subordinates—"

Roman didn't care; after all, he joined the navy for better training and:

Bang!

"Little Roman!"

With a hoarse yet hearty voice, Garp, his head full of silver hair, pushed open the door and entered. The door groaned, its teeth chattering, clearly on its last legs.

"Come on, come on, let's spar!"

"Garp, you—"

Sengoku was about to lose his temper as usual, but then he thought about how Garp had already retired, and he himself was about to retire as well... Well, it didn't seem like there was anything to be angry about.

"Go, go."

After waving Garp and Roman away, Sengoku began to seriously deal with the final documents.

"I don't need to explain the basic principles of Haki to you, little Roman."

In a deserted training ground by the sea, Garp, having taken off his navy coat, stood opposite Roman, while Roman, having removed his officer's cloak of justice, stood ready for battle.

"Whether it's 'Observation Haki,' 'Armament Haki,' or even 'Conqueror's Haki,' you've already mastered the basics."

"But you rely too much on your Devil Fruit powers!"

Garp looked at Roman. Don't be fooled by Roman's seemingly unarmed appearance; he was actually brimming with various Devil Fruit abilities ready to be unleashed! Layers upon layers of paper protected him completely.

"I'm not saying developing Devil Fruit is bad, but remember, the body is the foundation of everything!"

"And Haki, especially Armament Haki, is an extension of your powerful body! Only a stronger physique can bear a stronger Devil Fruit ability. — Many people think that the Three Admirals of the Navy are so powerful only because of their Logia Devil Fruit, which is completely wrong!"

"Whether it's Kuzan, Sakazuki, or Borsalino, they were already 'monsters' in the Navy when they were young, even before they ate Devil Fruit! Their Observation Haki and Armament Haki were honed to perfection by genius."

"You were involved in the recent major battle. Tell me about your experience in that kind of situation—"

Faced with Garp's earnest teaching, Roman thought carefully for a moment and uttered a single word.

"Confusion."

"The killing intent and aura of everyone were mixed together, causing even the 'Observation Haki' that could normally be clearly perceived to become murky and indistinct. Only strong fluctuations directed at oneself could be sensed, just like..."

"It's like going back to the time before I first Awakening my Observation Haki, when it was sometimes effective and sometimes not?"

Garp nodded with satisfaction, looking at him with a "you're a promising student" expression.

"Observation Haki isn't a panacea. In those chaotic battles, even Kuzan and his group couldn't avoid getting injured. That's why training in Armament Haki becomes especially important. — You can attack others without Armament Haki, because the attack power of Haki isn't as strong as that of Devil Fruit ability."

"But you must be good at using Armament Haki for defense, otherwise even if you have the best Observation Haki, you'll still be a fragile glass doll that breaks at the slightest touch."

"Understood."

Splash splash~~

The white papers on his body flew to the side and piled up. Bare-chested, Roman faced Vice Admiral Garp with a serious expression. This time, he was truly unarmed.

"Very good!"

His expression turned solemn, and a domineering Haki surged from Vice Admiral Garp, causing the clouds in the sky to suddenly 'collapse' under his imposing presence! The tall old man assumed a stance to throw a punch.

"Unwavering determination is true strength!"

"Colonel Roman! Take this punch with all your might, or you'll die a horrible death!!"

Even though the distance between the two was more than ten meters, Garp swung his fist so fast that it seemed to overturn the concept of space, and it hit Roman head-on without any fancy moves!

?!

In the Electric Light eye, Roman had no time to think and instinctively threw a punch to meet the attack.

Bang,

With a soft thud, the training ground where the two were located shook slightly, and ripples spread across the water glasses, teapots, and swimming pool of the entire Marine Headquarters, as if nothing serious had happened. But for Roman:

He felt an unparalleled sense of oppression surge forth with Garp's punch! It was like a raging tsunami, or like mountains turning upside down! His own Haki was like a candle flame in a storm in front of his opponent. In an instant, the surging power broke through Roman's Armament Haki and then penetrated into every part of his body, even reaching deep into his bones and internal organs.

In an instant, countless layers of impact forces resonated from within and without, erupting simultaneously from Roman's entire body, causing him to see stars, feel his blood churning in his chest, and experience excruciating internal pain.

Puff!

A mouthful of blood gushed out uncontrollably! But what was even more terrifying was:

Roman's entire body was cracking and popping like beans as every bone in his body was violently dislocated and rubbed together. Accompanied by the faint sound of bones breaking, every muscle was twitching and spasming out of control, as if sixty trillion cells were groaning and howling under the force of the opponent's punch!

After Garp's punch, Roman couldn't even control his body movements or facial expressions, let alone fight back.

To die under such circumstances would truly be, as Garp said, an incredibly gruesome death!

One punch and all the bones in his body are shattered, his muscles are twisted, his eyes are crooked, and he looks like a rag doll! His body may even be torn apart by his own out-of-control muscles, like being torn apart by five horses or cut into a thousand pieces, a death that is incredibly bizarre.

One punch and he was reduced to ashes!

This is no joke for a powerful figure like Garp.

Impossible!

I really can't even withstand one punch from Garp!?

I, a dignified time traveler, was punched into an abstract painting?

No, absolutely not!! What do all that training and fighting matter? Even if I'm no match for them, I'll never die such a gruesome death—

An unparalleled rage, accompanied by the unique pride and defiance of a transmigrator, erupted from the depths of his heart. Like a spark ignited in the darkness, Roman began to gradually regain control of his body!

As his muscles regained their control, a violent yet exhilarating sensation began to surge through his body, spreading like a torrent to every part, reaching his internal organs and bone marrow, and extending to every single hair. Under this power, Roman's black hair moved without wind, billowing high as if he were Super Saiyan transforming!

"Take this punch!"

With a roar, what is regained is a deeper control over one's body. The anger deep within drives every muscle, every nerve, and even the most insignificant skin and hair to become one, flowing as one! It transforms into an unprecedented and immense force, bursting forth from within.

In the blink of Electric Light eye, Roman took a half step back, brought his fist to his waist, and then punched out again!

Clang!

This punch unleashed all of Roman's power! It was the true limit of his physical body; even the air seemed to thicken before his fist, and rings of white energy suddenly spread outwards, causing Roman's flesh-and-blood fist to gleam with a metallic sheen!

This punch can split mountains! It can shatter seas!

Roman was so convinced of this, but a hand with outstretched fingers blocked his fist.

With just one block, Roman's full-force burst, capable of instantly blasting a steel warship through, vanished without a trace. As the distant sea roared and a hundred-meter-high wave erupted, Garp's domineering aura vanished, and he reverted to his usual jovial old man.

"How was it, little Roman? Are you satisfied with the power of your full-force punch?"

??

"This is·······"

Looking at his fist, which had a metallic sheen, Roman felt a surge of emotion throughout his body:

Confidence!

Strong self-confidence.

Without relying on external tools or Devil Fruit abilities, it is simply an absolute confidence that arises from one's own body, which has been tempered and refined through countless trials!

Perfectly round and transparent, both inside and out. Buddha Fist could withstand the slashes of Famous Sword, and his muscles could withstand the Devil Fruit ability! It makes Roman wish he could transform into a hand-to-hand combat maniac.

"Phew, this power originating from the flesh..."

No wonder Vergo from Doflamingo's family was so confident that his physical body could withstand the Op-Op Fruit; Armament Haki is a testament to his absolute confidence in his own body!

Of course, excessive confidence is simply overestimating one's abilities.

"As expected, I wasn't mistaken."

The tall Garp nodded.

"Little Roman, your body has long since reached the point of Armament Haki Hardening due to your persistent training, but you have not been able to cross this threshold because you rely too much on the Devil Fruit ability."

"Training and developing Devil Fruit is important, but 'believing' in your own body is equally important. Only by reaching the pinnacle of your body, Haki, and Devil Fruit can you stand at the top of the world!"

Faced with Garp's instruction, Roman stood at attention, placed his hands on his trousers, and bowed his head earnestly.

"Thank you for your guidance, teacher!"

Having received personal instruction from a world-class master of Armament Haki, Roman, the teacher, was completely convinced of his skill.

"Hahaha, I'm hardly a good teacher~~"

Garp, who instantly lost his composure, grabbed his hair with a grinning expression, as if to say "keep praising me," which made Roman laugh as well.

So:

"Teacher Garp, I have something to give you."

P. S.: In this book, basic Armament Haki is invisible; advanced levels manifest as Haki that gives the body a metallic sheen. —It's actually the same principle as 'blackening' in manga, just to differentiate levels; ordinary people can't tell the difference. Otherwise, a jet-black Empress ...