On the sea near the island, Garp stood atop the ship's mast, holding a spyglass as he stared slack-jawed at the situation on the island.
After staring blankly for a moment, Garp turned to Kuzan, who wore the same expression, and asked, "You're so close with him. Haven't you two sparred before?"
"No. He was worried he'd lose control, so when he was at headquarters, he was very mild-mannered and unwilling to fight anyone," Kuzan said, swallowing hard.
Damn it, ever since that campus violence incident, Ortolan had never fought anyone at headquarters. At most, he had sparred with Teacher Zephyr as a master and disciple, and that had only been to earn his credits. It had never gotten this serious.
That was why Kuzan was so shocked. Both he and Garp had believed that Ortolan possessed extraordinary talent, immense potential, and a diligent spirit. He would definitely achieve great things in the future and become a top-tier powerhouse.
But in the end, that was only the future. Their impression of Ortolan's current strength had probably remained stuck at the campus violence incident.
Kuzan had even believed that if he fought Ortolan, he could still completely suppress him as long as he got serious enough!
But just now, standing atop the mast and watching that ten-minute battle, they had seen Ortolan's strength. Though it had been brief, the power he displayed—especially in that final Lightning Armor mode—was simply astonishing!
Kuzan simulated it in his head. If he were the one facing Ortolan in that state, could he handle it?
The answer quickly appeared before his eyes... he couldn't. He might even get the shit beaten out of him!
"The Goro Goro no Mi truly deserves to be called one of the 'invincible' Devil Fruit powers..." Garp thought with emotion.
After