From Today On, Call Me Brother Kai!

Morito's Revolving Heaven turtle shell was broken, yet Zephyr couldn't stop the explosive force of the shockwave. He retreated five to six steps backward with a swish, swish, swish sound!

"Old monster! Revolving Heaven is said to be absolute defense!"

"Little monster! He used eighty percent of his strength, and still got pushed back!"

Morito and Zephyr exchanged a look of 'mutual appreciation'.

Then, both of them simultaneously restrained their auras.

Zephyr and Morito's initial intention in fighting was merely to test Morito's strength, not necessarily to determine a winner.

Morito's performance satisfied Zephyr.

He not only used Observation Haki, but also employed Armament Haki in the final move.

This alone was enough to prove Morito's strength.

"Report directly to the Elite Class tomorrow, don't be late!"

With that parting remark, Zephyr turned and left.

Morito rubbed his sore wrist. It seemed like an evenly matched battle, and in reality, it was indeed an evenly matched battle.

I, Ōtsutsuki Morito, am on par with Zephyr!

Believe it or not, I believe it.

On the small path behind the mountain, Garp hadn't gone far. He had left the area to Zephyr and Morito and was waiting for Zephyr halfway up the mountain.

At the end of the lush green path leading to the summit, Zephyr, draped in a Marine coat, walked slowly.

It was clear from Zephyr's expression that he was very satisfied with this battle. Morito's combat power was even stronger than he had imagined.

"How was it? How's that kid Morito's strength?"

Garp's tone was a little proud, as if he were showing off his own treasure.

Zephyr glanced coldly at Garp and corrected him, "He's my student now. What does he have to do with you?"

Garp was stunned. He couldn't refute that.

Did it feel like a loss?

However, Garp hadn't specifically stayed here to wait for Zephyr just to brag about Morito.

He stayed to remind Zephyr, "What are you going to do about that Onigumo incident? If it's not handled properly, it might reach Fleet Admiral Sengoku."

Marine Headquarters presented a united front to the outside world, but internally, it was divided into three factions.

The Dove Faction, a Marine force advocating for a gentle and mild approach and methods in handling diplomatic and military issues.

Representative figures: Sengoku, Garp, Tsuru, Kuzan.

The Hawk Faction, a Marine force advocating for strong diplomatic methods or aggressive military expansion.

Representative figures: Tarantula, Sakazuki.

The Lethargic Faction, those who clock in and then drink tea, some Marines in Marine Headquarters who slack off and muddle through their work.

Representative figure: Borsalino.

Marine Headquarters had three Admirals. The former Admiral Zephyr had retreated behind the scenes to become the chief instructor of the Naval Academy. Garp, who had the ability and reputation to be promoted to Admiral, refused the position.

Therefore, Marine Headquarters currently only had one Admiral, Sengoku.

In other words, the current situation in the Marines was that the Dove Faction held the strongest influence.

Most of Marine Headquarters' current military operations were led by the Dove Faction, but there were still many influential Hawk Faction naval officers.

Onigumo's father, Tarantula, was an influential Hawk Faction Vice Admiral at Headquarters!

He paused, then Garp added.

"If you need anything, just let me know."

"I know what I'm doing."

Zephyr understood Garp's meaning. Vice Admiral Tarantula would definitely not let this matter rest.

Before fighting Morito, Zephyr hadn't made up his mind. After fighting Morito, he had made his decision.

What was one Onigumo compared to anything?

Even a hundred Onigumo's value couldn't match one Ōtsutsuki Morito!

A genius or a monstrous talent – choose one?

Was this even a multiple-choice question?

Since Zephyr had made up his mind, Garp didn't say anything more.

They were all smart people; some things were best understood in silence.

At this moment, a figure rushed up the mountain path in a hurry, their speed like thunder and swift as lightning.

Using Soru to travel?

The person who arrived was none other than Vice Admiral Tarantula, Onigumo's father.

"He came straight here? It looks like this is more troublesome than I imagined."

Garp frowned almost imperceptibly.

"Tarantula, huh?"

Zephyr had naturally also spotted Tarantula.

Compared to Garp and Zephyr, who had discovered Tarantula much earlier, Tarantula only noticed the two of them when he was much closer.

If Tarantula had discovered Zephyr and Garp earlier, he would have chosen to avoid them.

But now, he couldn't avoid them.

Tarantula was fast, and in a few blinks, he appeared before the two of them.

"Admiral Zephyr, Vice Admiral Garp? What are you two doing here?"

The older generation still preferred to call Zephyr 'Admiral'; only the newer generation of Marines would call Zephyr 'Teacher', 'Instructor', or 'Sir'.

Tarantula was very surprised to see Zephyr and Garp.

He hadn't expected these two to show up here.

Tarantula subconsciously assumed he had been exposed and that Zephyr and Garp were waiting for him here specifically!

However, after a moment's thought, he calmed down.

'Before Morito returns to camp, I'll intercept him on the back mountain path and break all his bones' – he hadn't told anyone this plan!

Perhaps Zephyr and Garp's appearance here was just a coincidence?

"Why are you here?"

Zephyr guessed Tarantula's thoughts but still pretended ignorance as he probed.

Tarantula wasn't stupid; some things couldn't be said. "Onigumo seemed to have gotten injured in the recent combat exercise, so I came to check on him."

After the combat exercise ended, Onigumo had been sent to the hospital.

The hospital would definitely inform Tarantula of Onigumo's condition immediately.

Yet Tarantula claimed he was coming to find Onigumo?

Who was he trying to fool!

Zephyr and Garp exchanged a knowing glance; they both understood perfectly.

Tarantula was here for Morito!

"Onigumo has already been sent to the hospital."

Garp's gaze turned slightly cold; he wouldn't allow Tarantula to find Morito.

Zephyr followed up, "We just received the news and were planning to go check on Onigumo ourselves. Let's go together!"

At the end of the back mountain path, Morito's figure could be vaguely seen.

Tarantula's gaze shot towards him like an arrow, but he knew that with Zephyr and Garp present, he absolutely couldn't make a move on Morito.

Why?

He couldn't win! What other reason could there be!

Let alone Garp and Zephyr, even Zephyr alone could easily defeat him!

The strength difference between an Admiral and a Vice Admiral wasn't just a little; a Vice Admiral had no chance of defeating an Admiral.

Garp was the exception, because as long as Garp willed it, he was a Marine Admiral!

"Okay."

Tarantula replied calmly, but his fists, hanging at his sides, clenched with a creaking sound.

Morito walked down from the back mountain, his features gradually becoming clearer.

Tarantula gave Morito a deep look, as if trying to burn his image into his mind.

The undisguised coldness could be felt by Morito even from a distance.

What was this guy's deal?

He looked like he was carrying a deep-seated hatred, wishing he could kill him and whip his corpse?

"This is Vice Admiral Tarantula, Onigumo's father," Garp said, standing between Tarantula and Morito, introducing them.

Zephyr, standing on Tarantula's other side, said to Morito, "Go back and get some rest today. Don't be late tomorrow."

Garp and Zephyr flanked Tarantula, sandwiching him between them.

Even if Tarantula made the first move, they could suppress him instantly.

Sensing the faint aura emanating from the two powerful figures, Tarantula, caught in the middle, felt a bead of cold sweat trickle down his temple.

Tarantula's furious heart also cleared up slightly.

Ōtsutsuki Morito wasn't just backed by Garp, but also by Zephyr!

Tarantula's eyes flashed with indignation. It was his son who was severely injured! It was his son who would spend the rest of his life in a wheelchair!

Seeing this, Morito understood immediately.

So he beat my son, and now he's coming after me?

Too bad.

My backing is even stronger!

He shot Tarantula a sideways glance before turning and walking away.

From Garp and Zephyr's attitudes, it was clear that Morito didn't need to worry about Vice Admiral Tarantula's affairs, and indeed, he wasn't worried.

If Garp couldn't even handle a nobody like that, he might as well change his name to "Gajī" (a play on words for "useless")!