Aokiji: I Believe in Mr. Garp's Judgment

Familiar?

A few days ago in Mary Geoise, you hit me more than eight hundred times in three minutes. Of course I look familiar...

I refuse to believe you'd recognize me now that I'm back in human form, wrapped up from head to toe with only my eyes showing.

Leon looked up at Kuzan, who stood nearly three meters tall, and said sincerely, "Looks like we're destined to meet."

"My name's Leon."

Kuzan smiled.

"I'm Kuzan, one of Mr. Garp's disciples."

"You're pretty impressive, Leon."

Garp, who was standing nearby, pulled a bag of rice crackers from who knew where, shoved a big handful into his mouth, and said as he chewed, "Kuzan, I've got something to take care of in a bit. Take this kid around Marineford and show him the sights."

"Let him see what the Marines can do!"

"Of course, Mr. Garp."

The two of them left the dock. Looking at Kuzan's nearly three-meter-tall back as he led the way, Leon sighed inwardly.

"Being that tall must make it hard to find a girlfriend..."

Kuzan hadn't forgotten Garp's instructions: show off the Marines and recruit the kid.

He gestured toward Marine Headquarters' most iconic building, the headquarters itself.

But all they could see was a pile of rubble...

Repairs had only just begun on the damage caused by Shiki's attack.

Kuzan sheepishly lowered his outstretched finger, then dropped his head and trudged on in silence. Since Kuzan wasn't speaking, Leon didn't start a conversation either. He looked around at his surroundings with interest.

The Marines' headquarters certainly lived up to its reputation. Even with so many wounded, the Marines they passed looked spirited, and plenty of people greeted Kuzan along the way.

Kuzan must have been well-respected in the Marines.

As they walked, the two of them arrived at a huge shipyard.

"Oh? We ended up here."

Kuzan was clearly familiar with the place, and at last he found something to talk about.

He walked up to a huge, specially designed battleship and invited Leon, "Want to throw a few punches, Leon?"

Leon looked at Kuzan, who seemed eager to give it a try, then glanced down at his own hands, which were wrapped in bandages...

Kuzan had already taken up a stance. He punched the battleship, and the blow rang out with a thunderous boom.

"This is a 'battleship punching bag.' It's just like a real battleship. Mr. Garp uses it to practice his punches."

"When I was still in Marine training camp, I wanted Mr. Garp to take me on as his disciple, but he turned me down. So I kept coming here and practicing my punches, imitating the way he did it."

"Thinking about it now really takes me back. Hahaha..."

"Hahaha."

Leon laughed along with him.

I hope that when you punch Garp flying on Hachinosu more than twenty years from now, you'll remember the good times just like today...

"Leon, Mr. Garp is my idol."

"I believe in Mr. Garp's judgment!"

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

Leon had never doubted Garp's judgment either.

His son was determined to overthrow the World Government and founded the Revolutionary Army. He was known as the world's most dangerous criminal.

Both of his grandsons had become pirates. When Leon had crossed over, one of them had been busy beating up the Five Elders.

And the Aokiji standing before him, speaking righteously and upholding his burning sense of justice, would have his faith shattered in a couple of years and start practicing lazy justice. In the end, he'd even leave the Marines and attack his own mentor...

The people Garp took a liking to really were all talented.

The only thing that worried Leon was that he wasn't some chosen one, nor did he have the kind of charisma that made people bow down to him at a single flex.

What was so special about him that had earned Hero Garp's regard?

Or had Garp already noticed something and only wanted to keep him close so he could watch him carefully...

Leon grew wary. People like Garp and Luffy, who seemed simple-minded, often had extraordinarily sharp instincts.

He had already decided to join the Marines.

Even if Garp suspected something about his identity, the fact that he hadn't immediately taken him in proved that Garp wasn't sure there was anything wrong.

Given the situation, joining the Marines and benefiting from their systematic training was the only way for him to rapidly improve his strength in human form.

Besides, Leon guessed that since he had mastered Observation Haki and Armament Haki in human form, he'd be able to 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 Marines.

The world was vast.

At worst, he could find an Active Volcano and lie low for a few hundred years...

"Mr. Kuzan..."

"Hm? You've finally agreed? I'll let Mr. Garp know right away..."

Leon nodded, tacitly agreeing with Kuzan, then continued, "Mr. Kuzan, I'd like to ask you for a favor."

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

"Kuzan... buddy, I'd like you to have a batch of silver bandages custom-made for me."

"Silver bandages? What are those?"

"Bandages made from silver fibers."

Kuzan nodded, only half understanding.

"Sure, but what do you need them for?"

"Don't worry, I was just asking."

His bandages hid his expression, and Leon spoke calmly. "The truth is, I've had a rare illness since I was a child. Only these specially made bandages can ease my condition."