Want to See, Want to Know, Want to Confirm

"Ahahaha, little brother Leon's strength has improved again!"

"To think you could fight Sakazuki to this extent."

The two walked side by side out of the area. Facing Kuzan's praise, Leon replied modestly, "I just caught him off guard."

"Brother Kuzan, what brings you here today?"

"Ah, well..."

Kuzan paused. He couldn't exactly say he'd come specifically to see Akainu make a fool of himself...

"I had nothing much to do today, so I thought I'd drop by to pay respects to Master Garp and came here along the way."

Leon didn't think much of it and nodded. "I actually have a few questions I wanted to ask you, Brother Kuzan..."

Garp had only just returned to Marineford not long ago.

A few months earlier, the Marines stationed on Baterilla Island in the South Blue had searched every infant born on the island within ten months after Roger was imprisoned.

In the end, they found no trace of the possible Pirate Prince's Offspring and had no choice but to withdraw in defeat.

After that, Garp, having received word from Rojue, took a small boat to the South Blue under the guise of a secret mission. Only after entrusting the child named Ace to Dadan at the Mountain Bandit's House did he return to headquarters.

"So, the elementalization of Logia types is both passive and can be actively controlled?"

On the road, Leon looked at Kuzan thoughtfully. He'd always been curious about Logia abilities. It was just that Smoker had only recently gained his power, so Leon's understanding was still shallow.

Now that he had the chance, he could learn more from Kuzan.

"That's right. I remember when I first ate the Ice-Ice Fruit, I'd unconsciously let out cold air all the time. Even going to a hot spring was a hassle."

Kuzan chuckled as he spoke.

"And just now, Sakazuki was indeed a bit careless. If he'd used Observation Haki, he could have elementalized in advance to avoid your attack."

"Like this."

Kuzan reached out and held his hand in front of his face.

Under Leon's gaze, a hole suddenly opened in Kuzan's hand, and the two stared at each other through it...

"Devil Fruit abilities really are amazing."

Leon praised sincerely. Devil Fruits truly were the crystallization of human imagination and desire—no wonder this "unnatural" power was hated by the sea.

"Brother Kuzan, since your ability lets you control ice..."

"Have you ever tried directly controlling water?"

"After all, ice is just water frozen solid..."

"Huh?"

Kuzan looked at Leon in surprise, confirming he wasn't joking.

Leon was serious about it. After all, aside from some ordinary Zoans, a Devil Fruit's strength depended on how creative the user was...

Kuzan opened his mouth, unsure how to explain.

"Well... I mean... cold air... ice... water..."

"Anyway, I can only control ice, not water..."

"I see." Leon nodded as if he'd expected that. "Then Brother Kuzan could just stand on ice and fly around on it..."

"Huh?"

That... might actually work.

"Probably..." Kuzan said hesitantly. "But compared to flying, I still prefer riding my bike."

A bike, huh...

Leon gave a meaningful glance at Kuzan's intact legs.

"Brother Kuzan, I've got a good pair of canes. Like I said before, if you ever need them..."

"Feel free to come get them anytime."

The two arrived at Garp's courtyard. Pushing open the door, they found Garp sprawled in a recliner, legs crossed, snoring loudly.

Leon fell silent. As one of the Marines' top combatants, Garp had vanished without a trace for nearly two months, and after returning, he faced no reprimand at all...

Maybe Garp had pulled so many unreliable stunts that the Marines had just gotten used to it.

"Mr. Garp!"

"Eh? Kuzan's here. Perfect timing—try these rice crackers I just bought."

"Leon, kid, what are you standing around for? Get the tea."

The latest session of the Elite Training Camp was nearing its end. Thanks to Leon acting as a catalyst, the overall strength of this batch was significantly higher than previous ones.

Zephyr smiled, feeling the lively atmosphere within the training grounds.

I wonder if Akainu and the other two have come to recognize the importance of physical combat through their duels with Leon...

Break time.

Since Leon had taken leave to help Kuzan develop a new technique, Rosinante gathered with Smoker and the others.

"After the training camp ends, headquarters will decide where to assign everyone based on their performance here."

The well-informed Rosinante shared this inside scoop with the group.

"I'll probably join the Navy's medical corps..."

"I really hope we can all stay at headquarters."

"No matter where I'm assigned, I'll firmly carry out the justice in my heart!"

Even while squatting, T Bone refused to bend his back, maintaining a stance like a horse stance—though his legs were pressed together, making him look like a chair from a distance.

Smoker quietly puffed on his cigar, saying nothing but thinking to himself.

"In the Navy, only the G-5 branch is stationed in the New World. I'd definitely get more chances to fight there..."