Garp's Secret Mission

Marine Elite Training Camp, Battle Arena.

Just from the arena itself, it was clear how different this place was from the recruit camp.

The wider space and solid ground allowed both combatants to maximize their strength.

Under everyone's watch, Leon stepped onto the arena. His opponent today was a senior trainee from the previous batch who bore an uncanny resemblance to the monster Red King—Red King himself.

"Go, Leon!"

Rosinante, watching from the sidelines, shouted encouragement at the top of his lungs. Leon raised a fist in response.

"Tch, childish."

Smoker crossed his arms and muttered, eyeing Rosinante who had practically turned into a cheerleader, then focused intently on the upcoming match.

Unlike Leon's leisurely stride, his opponent Red King looked like he was facing a major threat.

It wasn't that he was overly nervous—Leon's previous sparring partners had all paid a heavy price for underestimating him.

"This kid's body is terrifyingly tough. I'll wait for him to make the first move..."

Red King's gaze was resolute.

"I'll try to last a few exchanges. Even if I lose, I'll lose with dignity..."

Seeing both were ready, Zephyr, acting as referee, announced the start of the match.

"Leon! Leon! Leon!!!"

Rosinante single-handedly carried the cheering for Leon's side. The senior trainees across from him refused to be outdone.

"Red King! Red King! Red King!!!"

The seniors outnumbered them and shared a sense of solidarity, instantly drowning out Rosinante's cheers.

On his side, Smoker and Hina were both stubborn tsunderes. The moment Rosinante's gaze started shifting toward them, they turned their heads away in unison.

T Bone wanted to help, but his roaring face was honestly a bit terrifying...

Fortunately, Rosinante had been through this before and came prepared. He pulled out his secret weapon—a Den Den Mushi with a speaker!

Surround sound blasted out, and Rosinante's voice drilled straight into everyone's skull...

"Sigh..."

Zephyr, struggling to maintain his dignified image, finally couldn't help but press a hand to his forehead.

"How did my training ground turn into this..."

On the arena, Leon was immensely grateful he was wrapped in bandages—at least he wasn't fully exposed to everyone's stares...

Red King, unfazed by the noise, stuck firmly to his strategy: if the enemy doesn't move, I don't move.

Seeing the stalemate, Leon decided to speak first.

"Since Senior Red King is yielding the first move, I'll take it."

This kid's actually polite...

The moment Red King's tense nerves relaxed slightly, Leon's figure vanished from where he stood.

Six Powers: Shave.

So fast!

Even though he'd learned plenty from his peers' experiences, facing Leon's attack firsthand made Red King truly understand the pressure Leon put on opponents.

At that speed, Red King had no time to dodge!

But Red King, with the potential of a Vice Admiral, had his own pride.

Since I can't dodge, let me see if your strength is really that overwhelming!!!

"Steam Knuckle!"

The massive glove on Red King's right arm, emblazoned with "RED," erupted with a torrent of steam!

The attack, propelled by high-pressure steam, met Leon's right fist head-on, striking before Leon's blow could fully land.

"Fist Bone Gun."

Leon adapted to local customs and called out his move.

Combining the Six Powers' Finger Gun technique with Garp's fist style, he gathered all his strength into his right fist, unleashing immense power in a flash.

This was the fruit of Leon's recent training.

As for the result...

Red King felt like his right fist had slammed into a block of tempered steel. His entire body was blasted backward by the sheer force.

Zephyr was quick on the draw. He leaped up, caught Red King midair, and expertly spun him around several times to dissipate the momentum.

Red King's tire-like neck was twisted crooked, but thanks to Zephyr's timely rescue, he avoided serious injury.

Damn... I treated him like the real Red King and put too much force into it...

Leon realized his mistake the moment their attacks connected, but the arrow had already left the bow. Seeing Red King unharmed, he finally breathed a sigh of relief.

He cupped his hands quite sincerely and said, "You yield."

Because of his long neck, Red King's spins in the air left him still feeling dizzy and disoriented.

He barely managed to reply, "Sorry, I wasn't strong enough to let Leon show his full strength..."

The previous batch of trainees exchanged glances. Red King was either genuinely dazed or doing it on purpose.

Though he was responding to Leon, he was facing them...

According to Zephyr's arrangement, each of them would take turns sparring with Leon.

Damn it! They all trained the same way, so why was this kid so strong?

"Woo-hoo! That was awesome, Leon!"

Rosinante cheered for Leon from the bottom of his heart. Zephyr, standing nearby, couldn't take it anymore and shouted at Rosinante.