Smoker's Frustration

[Smoker], Smoker, male, 22 years old, Marine Vice Captain, a Smoke-Smoke Fruit user.

His teacher was none other than the legendary former Admiral [Black Arm] Zephyr.

As a rare Logia Devil Fruit user, Smoker was undoubtedly one of the top talents among the younger generation of Marines.

With a serious personality and diligent training, aside from being a heavy smoker, he was almost a perfect rookie Marine.

Therefore, when Marine Headquarters ordered Garp to assemble a unit of elite recruits for Rokushiki training, Smoker was naturally recommended by Zephyr to join.

To be personally trained by that "Marine Hero," Smoker's feelings were undoubtedly a mix of excitement and anticipation.

At least, that's how it was until recently.

The training had been going on for over ten days.

After landing on this deserted island, he had fallen into a state of existential doubt.

He had personally witnessed a Great Criminal with a bounty of over 100 Million Beli casually wandering around the island, and undergoing Garp's special training with them.

As for the purpose, it seemed the Great Criminal had made it quite clear from the start—

To cultivate Haki.

This latent powerful strength within a person was the mark of a true powerhouse.

Even the elites among this batch of rookie Marines were nowhere near the level where they could cultivate Haki.

And now, the Marine Hero was going to teach Haki to a wanted criminal with a bounty of over 100 Million Beli?

The most crucial point was that this wanted criminal looked to be around the same age as him!

So young, yet already qualified to cultivate Haki?

Smoker couldn't comprehend it at all, so he could only sit cross-legged on the ground, smoking cigar after cigar.

It was dusk, the time when the Marine soldiers rested and ate.

A nearby Marine coughed a few times, choked by the cigar smoke, and waved his hands repeatedly.

"Hey, hey, Smoker, why do I feel like your smoking habit has gotten even worse?"

Smoker frowned, too lazy to reply.

Another Marine nearby teased, "Of course, because he's a Smoke Person!"

"Hmph!"

Smoker ignored them and got up, picking up the Jitte beside him.

The so-called "Jitte" was a special weapon specifically designed to counter swords.

Smoker, utilizing his Smoke-Smoke Fruit ability in conjunction with the Jitte, had developed his own unique combat style.

"Smoker, where are you going?" a nearby Marine asked.

"To the forest," Smoker replied.

"Whoa, no way."

That Marine scratched his head. "I remember you wrestled with those fierce beasts in the forest all day. You're still going now, aren't you tired?"

"Vice Admiral Garp wants us to push our bodies to the limit; only then can we break through it," Smoker said, staring at the Jitte in his hand with a serious expression. "My training isn't enough."

Thinking of that wanted criminal with a bounty of over 100 Million Beli, Smoker felt a surge of annoyance.

He had to surpass him!

Just as Smoker was about to set off to return to the forest for more training, the surrounding Marines suddenly let out exclamations.

"It's starting!"

"Oh oh, here they come!"

"They're really early today!"

Accompanying the Marines' discussions, Smoker felt even more annoyed.

"What do you idiots think the Marines are, cheering for a wanted criminal!"

"Don't be so serious, old friend Smoker."

A nearby Marine put an arm around Smoker's shoulder and laughed heartily. "You don't like that wanted criminal, but this is also a rare opportunity to see Vice Admiral Garp in action!"

Smoker thought about it and realized it was indeed true. He could only suppress his annoyance and look into the distance.

There, a figure stood.

Wearing a Marine uniform and with an incredibly sturdy physique, it was undoubtedly the Marine Hero—Garp!

And beside Garp, there was a large circle, about ten meters in diameter, drawn with his toes.

More than ten days ago, Garp had made a promise to Linley:

"Kid, watch this circle carefully."

"Use all your strength. When you push me out of this circle, that will be the moment your Haki awakens!"

Since then, Linley's challenge to Garp officially began.

The first few challenges, of course, ended in Linley's crushing defeat. Garp hadn't even moved a single step, let alone been knocked out of the ring.

In the beginning, the Marines on the island were quite wary of Linley, after all, he was a great criminal with a bounty of 100 million Beli.

However, as time went by, the Marines' attitude towards Linley gradually shifted from vigilance to pure shock.

It was unavoidable to be shocked!

During these ten-plus days, Linley would charge into the forest in the morning to hunt fierce beasts, make the hunted beasts into delicious food at noon, and then eat heartily.

After eating and drinking his fill, Linley would charge back into the forest to train.

The training would continue until dusk, and that's when the main event of the day would officially begin:

Linley would challenge Garp.

And this was the key to the Marines' change in attitude towards Linley!

This was because Linley and Garp had very similar fighting styles, both favoring pure, head-on brawls.

Every clash, every collision, would produce dull thuds like a drumbeat, and the surrounding air would tremble.

The grassland where they were located should have been the safe zone on the island, but during the time the two were fighting, the forest teeming with fierce beasts seemed to be safer.

It was like two monsters fighting each other!

The Marines on the island had never witnessed such a simple, brutal, and even "barbaric" battle!

Although they were all certain that Vice Admiral Garp hadn't used his true abilities yet, Linley's progress was still visible to the naked eye.

Without using the "Showstopper":

Three days after training began, Linley made Garp take half a step back.

Seven days later, he took a full step back.

Eleven days later, he took two consecutive steps back!

And now—

The fifteenth day arrived!

Under the twilight.

Garp stood within the circle he had drawn, with his arms crossed, quietly waiting for Linley's arrival.

Meanwhile, the Marines were all holding their freshly brewed hot soup, resting and discussing the possible outcome of the day's battle.

"Can that Linley really make Vice Admiral Garp leave that circle?"

"How is that possible? That's Vice Admiral Garp, the Marine Hero!"

"But... who among you is confident enough to defeat that guy named Linley?"

Upon hearing this, the Marines hesitated for a long time before finally shaking their heads.

The strength Linley had displayed far surpassed their own.

"His strength might already be on par with the Vice Admirals of Headquarters," one Marine suddenly said.

"Idiot!" Smoker interrupted the Marine. "He's a wanted criminal! Your duty is to capture him, not praise him!"

Another Marine tried to smooth things over, "Brother Smoker, admitting others' strength is how we improve!"

"Hmph!"

Smoker clenched his Jitte, a sense of urgency welling up within him.

Not enough, I'm still not strong enough!

On the other side, Garp, who was waiting, was resting with his eyes closed.

Suddenly, a strange noise came from the direction of the forest.

Swish swish swish!

It sounded like something being dragged across the ground.

Garp opened his eyes and grinned, "Here already, you brat!"

Then, trees began to fall one by one from the forest, and a giant mouth with sharp teeth appeared before everyone's eyes.

The Marines, who were eating, immediately prepared for battle upon seeing the owner of the giant mouth.

It was one of the kings of this forest, a giant crocodile weighing tens of tons!

Its speed and strength had reached terrifying levels, and its tough hide was so hard that even cannons couldn't penetrate it!

Many Marines had been defeated by that crocodile during these past ten days, nearly losing their lives.

Smoker also frowned.

Even though he had eaten a Logia Devil Fruit, he had no way to deal with that thick-skinned crocodile.

That giant crocodile is out? Don't the fierce beasts on this island usually stay away from the grassland area?

But then, the Marines noticed something strange.

They saw the crocodile with its tongue hanging out, eyes rolled back, clearly deader than dead!

And beneath the crocodile, a figure was dragging it forward, walking slowly.

The person was bare-chested, their muscular body covered in scars of all sizes.

Linley Barek had emerged from the forest!

With a heave of his arms, Linley tossed the giant crocodile onto an open space nearby.

Boom!

The Marines felt the ground beneath their feet tremble a few times.

"Marines, let's have a barbecue tonight."

Linley twisted his neck, then bounced lightly, before fixing his gaze on Garp.

Garp couldn't help but laugh, "Brat, aren't you going to rest a bit?"

Linley, however, shook his head, a grin of extreme excitement on his face.

"How could I possibly hold back!"

Linley Barek, yes, Monkey D. Garp—

The fifteenth challenge begins!

They say one chapter is two thousand characters, but in reality, it's a bit more, twenty-five hundred.

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