No way. Again?
You monsters—do you have eyes growing out of your foreheads?
Facing Kizaru's seemingly pointed remark, Leon replied evenly, "Looks like it really is fate."
"I think Vice Admiral Borsalino looks very familiar, too!"
"Oh?"
"You look just like my second uncle!"
"..."
Hearing Leon's answer, Kizaru couldn't help glancing back at him before rubbing his chin repeatedly.
In the end, he held back and said no more.
Rosinante, standing to the side, didn't find their conversation strange at all. He kept his head down and focused intently on walking along the smooth road.
He gave himself a pep talk.
"Rosinante! You've become a real Marine! From now on, you absolutely must stop tripping over yourself!"
"Come on! You can do it!"
The three of them arrived at the Marine training grounds in an atmosphere that was a little strange.
The moment they pushed open the training-ground gates, a chorus of shouts rang through the sky.
"Two thousand push-ups! Begin!"
"One hundred round trips up the rope!"
"Two hundred laps! Anyone who can't finish in an hour will have another hundred laps added as punishment!"
"Combat practice! Don't stop until you pass out!"
A broken bamboo sword flew through the air again and again before sticking into the ground beside Leon's foot.
"Oh, my~ They're really fired up~"
The sight before Rosinante had sent his blood surging. He said excitedly, "So this is Marine Headquarters!"
"My father told me about it. This is just the Marines' daily training!"
"Only the best performers among them qualify to join the Marine Elite Training Camp founded by Admiral Zephyr!"
Listening to Rosinante's explanation, Leon nodded slightly.
With the World Government behind them, the Marines were the most powerful force on these seas.
The best recruits selected from the Four Seas and the Grand Line, trained by the Marine system and equipped with standard-issue weapons, were more than enough to crush those third-rate pirates.
Unfortunately, the Marines were clearly short on high-end combat power, though for now, the problem wasn't too serious.
Once Akainu became Fleet Admiral, the older generation of powerhouses would leave the stage. Then Aokiji would defect, and Kizaru would slack off...
The only one among the Marines' new generation who could hold the fort was Koby.
Come to think of it, in just three years, he'd gone from a chore boy to the Marine "Hero" who took over Garp's mantle.
Koby's talent might even surpass Monkey D. Luffy's, whose strength had skyrocketed like a rocket.
No wonder people said—
The fake protagonist, the chosen one who ate the Nika Fruit—Monkey D. Luffy!
The real protagonist, the Marine King with no notable accomplishments, who became a Marine "Hero" through sheer effort—two hundred times the effort! Even having once been a deserter didn't stop him—Koby!
"Bulu Bulu Bulu!"
A ringing sound interrupted Leon's thoughts.
Kizaru raised his hand, revealing the black Den Den Mushi on his wrist.
"Hello~"
As he answered, Kizaru turned to Leon and Rosinante. "I've got something to take care of. You two can look around for now."
"Remember to report to the training camp on time tomorrow. It seems Teacher Zephyr has some special arrangements for you."
After giving them his instructions, Kizaru ambled off, the Den Den Mushi on him still ringing.
"How strange~ Why can't I hear anything~?"
"Leon! I'll head back and get ready! See you tomorrow!"
Looking at how fired up Rosinante was, Leon seriously suspected he'd be too excited to sleep tonight...
After saying goodbye to Rosinante, Leon returned to Garp's courtyard.
The situation giving him a bit of a headache now was that, with his current physical abilities, basic Marine training wouldn't do anything to improve his strength.
What he wanted to learn was things like the Six Powers and Haki...
He opened the gate. Garp, who'd been appearing and disappearing without a trace these past few days, was fast asleep in a rocking chair in the courtyard.
Leon was worried about waking Garp, so he quietly lightened his steps. But as he passed Garp, the bubble of snot in Garp's nostril still burst at once.
"Damn it, Leon! You see me and can't even say hello?"
Leon could only sigh.
"Sorry, Mr. Garp. I didn't want to disturb your rest."
"Hmph!"
"You're joining the Marine training camp tomorrow. How do you feel?"
"Pretty good..."
"You little brat! Give me a proper answer!"
Garp's right fist struck Leon on the head with such speed that it came before he could even blink.
"So fast!!!"
The punch was so quick that Leon had no time to react.
A bump rose visibly on Leon's head, pushing the bandage on it into a round ball.
"Hiss~ No wonder they call him Iron Fist Garp. That punch didn't do much damage, but it hurt way more than I expected!"
"Revenge! It's definitely revenge!"
After teaching Leon a lesson, Garp was clearly in a better mood. Grinning broadly, he said, "You're probably thinking that with your strength, there's no need for you to take part in basic training."
Leon looked at Garp without saying a word.
"I'll tell you this plainly: the basics are important! But..."
Garp changed tack.
"But they're not that important, either. You can't become a true powerhouse through training alone!"
"Still, I've got some things to take care of lately, so I don't have time to look after you."
Before you continue