"Ah, Leon, you've gotten even stronger!"
"You actually managed to fight Sakazuki to a standstill."
The two of them walked side by side. In response to Kuzan's praise, Leon modestly replied, "I just caught him off guard."
"Why do you have time to come here today, Kuzan?"
"Ah, well..."
Kuzan paused. He couldn't exactly say he'd come specifically to watch Akainu embarrass himself...
"I didn't have anything to do today, so I thought I'd visit Teacher Garp. I stopped by here on the way."
Leon didn't think much of it. He nodded and said, "I actually have some questions I'd like to ask you, Kuzan..."
Garp had only recently returned to Marineford as well.
Several months ago, after Roger was imprisoned, the Marines stationed on Baterilla Island in the South Blue searched every baby born on the island over the following ten months.
In the end, they still couldn't find any potential offspring of the Pirate King, and had no choice but to withdraw.
After that, Garp received a message from Rojue and went to the South Blue alone in a small boat, using a secret mission as his cover. He entrusted the child named Ace to Dadan of the Mountain Bandit's House before returning to headquarters.
"So Logia intangibility is both passive and something you can control at will?"
As they walked, Leon looked at Kuzan thoughtfully. He'd always been curious about Logia abilities. Smoker had only acquired his power recently, so he still didn't know much about it.
Now was the perfect chance to learn more from Kuzan.
"That's right. I remember when I first ate the Ice-Ice Fruit, cold air would always seep out of me without my meaning to. Even trying to soak in a hot spring was a hassle."
Kuzan laughed as he spoke.
"And Sakazuki was definitely a little careless just now. If he'd used Observation Haki, he could've turned intangible ahead of time and avoided your attack."
"Like this."
Kuzan raised a hand in front of his face.
As Leon watched, a hole suddenly appeared in Kuzan's hand. The two of them gazed at each other through it...
"Devil Fruit powers really are amazing."
Leon's praise was heartfelt. Devil Fruits truly were the crystallization of human imagination and desire. No wonder the sea hated these "unnatural" powers.
"Kuzan, since your ability lets you control ice..."
"Have you ever tried controlling water directly?"
"After all, ice is just water that's frozen..."
"Huh?"
Kuzan stared at Leon in surprise, making sure he wasn't joking.
Leon really did mean it. Aside from some ordinary Zoan abilities, the strength of a Devil Fruit power depended on how far the user's imagination could take it...
Kuzan opened his mouth, at a loss for how to explain.
"Well... I... cold air... ice... water..."
"Anyway, I can only control ice, not water..."
"I see." Leon nodded as if he'd expected that, then continued, "Then you could stand on a block of ice and ride it through the air..."
"Eh?"
That actually sounded like it might work.
"I guess it could..." Kuzan said uncertainly. "But I'd still rather ride a bicycle than fly."
A bicycle, huh...
Leon took a long look at Kuzan's perfectly healthy legs.
"Kuzan, I've got a good pair of crutches here. Like I said, if you ever need them..."
"Just come to me and pick them up."
The two of them made their way to Garp's courtyard. When they pushed the door open, Garp was indeed lying on a deck chair, legs crossed, snoring away.
Leon was speechless. As one of the Marines' top fighters, Garp had vanished without a trace for nearly two months, and after returning, he hadn't faced a single reprimand...
Maybe Garp had done so many unreliable things that the Marines had long since gotten used to it...
"Mr. Garp!"
"Eh? Kuzan's here. Perfect timing—try some of these rice crackers I just bought."
"Leon, what are you standing around for? Hurry up and make some tea."
The latest Marine Elite Training Camp was nearing its end. Thanks to Leon, the catfish thrown into the mix, this class was considerably stronger overall than the previous few.
Zephyr smiled as he took in the lively atmosphere on the training grounds.
He just wondered whether Akainu and the other two had realized the importance of hand-to-hand combat after their duels with Leon...
Break time.
Leon had taken leave, saying he was going to help Kuzan develop a new technique, so Rosinante, Smoker, and the others gathered together.
"After the training camp ends, headquarters will decide where to assign everyone based on their performance."
Rosinante, who was well-informed, shared the inside scoop with them.
"I'll probably join the Marine medical corps..."
"I really hope we can all stay at headquarters."
"I don't care where I'm assigned. I'll steadfastly uphold the justice I believe in!"
Even while crouching, T Bone kept his back straight, holding a stance similar to a horse stance. But with his legs held together, from a distance he looked just like a chair.
Smoker silently puffed on his cigar. He didn't say anything, but thought to himself:
"Only the G-5 branch is stationed in the New World. I'll definitely get more chances to fight there..."
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