Exceptional Promotion, Rising to Marine Rear Admiral!

After all, Roya's Armament Haki had already reached the advanced level, while Garp's punch just now had merely used Armament Hardening.

So Roya was not surprised.

At the same time, relying on the perception of his Observation Haki, Roya found an opening. Seizing that chance, he raised his sword without hesitation and counterattacked Garp.

He had come within a hair's breadth of injuring Garp, but Garp ultimately dodged it. After all, Garp was a top-tier powerhouse who possessed the highest level of both kinds of Haki.

Likewise, Garp was unwilling to be outdone and swung his fist again.

And so.

Roya and Garp traded blows back and forth, the battle utterly exhilarating.

Watching from the side, Koby exclaimed once again, "Brother Roya can actually exchange so many moves with Vice Admiral Garp without falling behind! In just a few months, how terrifying has Brother Roya's strength become?"

Helmeppo, meanwhile, did not dare say a word. His whole body trembled, perhaps because he recalled how, a few months ago, he had arrogantly challenged Roya. Fortunately, Roya had only given him a small lesson back then. Otherwise, he might not even have kept his life.

After several rounds, Roya and Garp both retreated to their original positions and stared into each other's eyes.

"Good lad. I never expected that, in just a few short months, you would train the Six Powers and the two types of Haki to such a level. You've truly given this old man a pleasant surprise."

"In that case, this old man won't hold back anymore!"

After praising him, Garp erupted with an intense aura. It seemed that he was truly about to get serious this time.

Since that was the case, Roya naturally would not be outdone. He prepared to use all his strength, even readying his Conqueror's Haki.

Whoosh!

Like a gust of wind, Garp vanished right before Roya's eyes. His speed was completely different from before, at least ten times faster.

Roya's eyes widened as he immediately activated his Observation Haki to capture Garp's position and method of attack.

But he discovered that it had no effect at all!

The next second, before Roya could react, a powerful fist had already smashed toward his chest.

A dull thud rang out.

Roya was sent flying, only stopping after crashing into a wall.

"So... this is the strength of Marine legend Garp?" Having personally felt Garp's top-tier Armament Haki, Roya could not help but admire him.

Roya quickly came to his senses and hurriedly got back to his feet.

With Advanced Armament Haki protecting him, he had only suffered a minor injury, one that did not affect his combat ability at all.

Roya had originally intended to continue attacking, but Garp stopped and said, "All right, Roya. Your strength has grown tremendously. There's no need to continue. You've truly surprised this old man. To train the two types of Haki to this extent in only a few months..."

Though it appeared that Roya had lost to Garp, he had actually earned Garp's respect.

"I still have to thank you for your guidance, Vice Admiral Garp," Roya said modestly.

The sparring match ended there.

However, there was something Roya was quite curious about.

After experiencing Garp's immensely powerful Armament Haki, the training task he possessed had not been triggered at all.

Could it be...

Because he had already been triggered by Garp once, the same kind of trigger no longer worked?

That was the only explanation Roya could think of.

Before Roya could dwell on it further, Garp walked over.

"Oh, right. You nearly made this old man forget. I came to tell you that Sengoku wants to see you. Come on, I'll take you to see Sengoku," Garp said.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku wanted to see him?

To be honest, Roya was surprised to hear that.

After all, he was only a minor major right now. By all rights, a figure as important as Fleet Admiral Sengoku should not even know about him, and even if he did, he should not be summoning him.

Yet Sengoku wanted to see him now. Garp must have said plenty of good things about him behind the scenes.

Though Garp and Sengoku were always bickering and arguing, they shared the kind of bond only true brothers had. If Garp really wanted to introduce one or two newcomers to Sengoku, would that not take just a single word?

"Understood, Vice Admiral Garp." Although he did not know what Sengoku wanted, Roya certainly would not refuse.

Garp nodded, then led Roya toward the fleet admiral's office. Before leaving, he assigned Koby and Helmeppo an extremely strict training regimen.

Inside the fleet admiral's office at Marine Headquarters.

"You're Roya, right? That fellow Garp has mentioned you plenty of times in front of me. You're truly the first young man who has made Garp take you seriously." As fleet admiral, Sengoku spoke decisively.

Just as Roya had expected, Sengoku had sought him out because of Garp.

But more than four months had passed. Why had Sengoku only summoned him now?

The more Roya thought about it, the more certain he became that things were not so simple.

"Major Roya!"

"Based on your performance and your strength, you are being exceptionally promoted to rear admiral of Marine Headquarters!"

"From this day forward, you are Rear Admiral Roya. In the future, you may report all matters directly to me!"

At that, Sengoku turned to look at Garp and smiled. "If Garp had not continued recommending you so strongly, I would not have exceptionally promoted you."

"I hope your future performance proves worthy of this exceptional promotion!"

Before Roya could respond, Garp, who was eating rice crackers beside them, burst into laughter.

"Roya fought this old man to a standstill!"

"With that kind of strength, he would be qualified even to serve as a vice admiral at Marine Headquarters!"

Sengoku was immediately shocked and somewhat doubtful.

But when he saw Garp's utterly resolute expression, he understood that his old friend was not deceiving him.

"Roya has been enlisted for less than four years, right? His talent is simply unbelievable!" Sengoku could not help exclaiming in delight.

Meanwhile, Roya was still somewhat dazed.

The sudden promotion had caught him off guard.

But he also figured something out—no wonder Garp had so readily agreed to spar with him earlier. It had been to test whether his strength was sufficient for the position of rear admiral at Marine Headquarters. Naturally, the final result had earned Garp's approval.

"Thank you for the praise, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!" Roya was not one to be coy. Since they had promoted him, he accepted it, immediately returning the gesture with a military salute.

"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you did not call me here solely to promote me to rear admiral, did you?" Roya voiced his question.

"Rear Admiral Roya, you truly are as Garp said—a smart man. That's right. There is a mission I need to entrust to you." Sengoku looked at Roya and nodded.

As expected.

There was no way they would promote Roya for no reason. Naturally, they had a mission for him, and that was within his expectations.

"Please give your orders, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!" Roya nodded in acceptance.

"I need you to make a trip to the Grand Line. It concerns two pirates," Sengoku said.

"The Grand Line? Am I going to capture two pirates?"

Roya asked curiously, "Which two pirates are they?"

"I don't know whether you've heard of him—the commander of the Whitebeard Pirates' Second Division, Fire Fist Ace," Sengoku said.

Hearing that name, Roya froze for a moment.

Portgas D. Ace, the son of One Piece Roger, sworn older brother of Straw Hat Luffy, and Whitebeard's adopted son—how could Roya possibly not know him?

But he still pretended not to know, revealing a puzzled expression.

Before Roya could ask for the reason, Sengoku continued, "The other pirate is also a former member of the Whitebeard Pirates—Marshall D. Teach!"