Aokiji: I Believe in Mr. Garp's Judgment

Familiar?

A few days ago on Mary Geoise, you hit me over eight hundred times in three minutes—of course I'd recognize you...

I don't believe that now I've turned back into human form, wrapped head to toe with only my eyes showing, you could still pick me out?

Leon looked up at Kuzan, who was nearly three meters tall, and said with sincere sincerity, "Guess that means we're fated."

"My name's Leon."

Kuzan chuckled.

"I'm Kuzan, a disciple of Mr. Garp."

"You're pretty good, little brother Leon."

Off to the side, Garp pulled a bag of senbei from who-knows-where, grabbed a handful, and stuffed it into his mouth, chewing as he spoke. "Kuzan, I've got things to do later. You take this kid to Marineford for a tour."

"Let him see the Navy's strength!"

"Got it, Mr. Garp."

The two walked out of the dock. Leon watched Kuzan's nearly three-meter-tall back leading the way and silently sighed.

"Being that tall... must be hard to find a partner..."

Kuzan hadn't forgotten Garp's task—to show off the Navy's spirit and recruit this kid. He raised his hand to point at Marineford's iconic building—the Marine Headquarters.

But as far as the eye could see... it was a pile of rubble.

Repairs from Shiki's attack had only just begun.

Kuzan awkwardly withdrew his outstretched finger, lowered his head, and trudged on in silence. Kuzan didn't speak, and Leon didn't start a conversation either, instead eagerly taking in his surroundings.

He had to admit—this was the Marine Headquarters. Even with plenty of wounded, every passing Marine had a strong spirit, and quite a few greeted Kuzan along the way.

Seems Kuzan had decent standing in the Navy.

The two walked until they reached a massive dock.

"Oh? Ended up here."

Kuzan was clearly very familiar with the place and finally found a topic. He walked up to a huge custom warship and extended an invitation to Leon.

"Little brother Leon, want to throw a few punches?"

Leon looked at Kuzan, who was clearly eager to try, then down at his own bandaged hands...

Kuzan had already taken a stance. He punched the warship, producing a loud boom.

"This is the 'Warship Sandbag.' Same as a real warship. Mr. Garp uses it for his boxing practice."

"Back when I was in the Marine training camp, I wanted to become Mr. Garp's disciple. He didn't agree, so I kept coming here to imitate him and practice boxing."

"Thinking back now, it's nostalgic, hahaha..."

"Hahaha."

Leon laughed along.

Hope that twenty-some years from now, when you punch Garp flying on Hachinosu, you can remember the good old days just as fondly...

"Little brother Leon, Mr. Garp is my idol."

"I trust Mr. Garp's judgment!"

"Join the Navy. Let's work together to uphold Marine justice."

Leon had never doubted Garp's judgment either.

His son was hell-bent on overthrowing the World Government's rule, founded the Revolutionary Army, and was called the world's most dangerous criminal.

Both his grandsons became pirates—one of them, by the time Leon had transmigrated, was already punching the Five Elders.

And the man standing before him, Aokiji, speaking with righteous fervor and burning justice, would have his conviction shattered in two years, adopt a lazy justice, and eventually defect from the Navy to strike down his mentor...

The people Garp valued were indeed all exceptional.

But what worried Leon was that he wasn't some chosen one, nor did he have the charisma to make people bow to him on sight.

What was so special about him that Hero Garp would value him so highly?

Or had Garp already sensed something, and just wanted to keep him close for observation...

Leon grew wary in his heart. People like Garp and Luffy, who seemed simple-minded, often had unnervingly sharp instincts.

He had already decided to join the Navy.

Even if Garp had doubts about his identity, the fact that he hadn't immediately taken him down meant Garp wasn't sure if he was really a problem.

For now, joining the Navy and using its systematic training was the only way to quickly boost his human form's strength.

Plus, Leon guessed that if he mastered Observation Haki and Armament Haki in human form, he could use them in his Godzilla form too.

And Conqueror's Haki...

By then, even if his identity was exposed, he was confident he could escape the Navy.

The world was vast.

At worst, he could just find an active volcano and lie low for a few hundred years...

"Mr. Kuzan..."

"Hm? You've finally agreed. I'll notify Garp right away..."

Leon nodded, tacitly accepting Kuzan's words, then spoke up:

"Mr. Kuzan, I'd like to ask you for a favor."

"No need to be so formal, young Leon. Just call me Kuzan."

"Kuzan... big brother, I'd like you to help me commission a batch of silver bandages."

"Silver bandages? What's that?"

"Bandages made from silver fibers."

Kuzan nodded, half-understanding.

"Sure, I can do that, but what do you need them for?"

"Don't worry, I'm just asking casually."

Leon's face was wrapped in bandages, revealing no expression, and his voice was calm as he said, "Actually, I've suffered from a special disease since childhood, and only these special bandages can ease my condition."