That Sorrow Still Ached Faintly

Koby wiped his face. Wuli's punch still throbbed faintly as he slowly got back to his feet.

"Helmeppo, how can you come to a conclusion so quickly? There's no way we'd lose just like that." Fighting spirit flared in Koby's eyes.

He had only taken one punch. How could he surrender so easily?

No matter how strong the opponent was, he could not surrender or lose his fighting spirit.

"Again!" Koby charged at Wuli once more.

Helmeppo attacked Wuli at the same time.

It was two against one, and both of them had been trained by Garp, the man known as the "Hero."

They took the Iron Fist of Love from a man like that every day. Even the most useless person would become strong.

Koby and Helmeppo's pride was their ability to keep growing stronger. They could not disgrace Garp.

"Floating Feather Divine Wind Style Sword, Third Form: Falcon." The sword qi from Wuli's blade condensed into a line, giving off an extremely dangerous feeling.

Soru!

Koby instantly dodged aside. Helmeppo had already closed in, his blade striking toward Wuli.

"Shigure Soen Ryu: Shibuki Ame!"

Flowing water formed a defensive wall around Wuli. Helmeppo's attack merely splashed a little water against it and could not break through the defense at all.

The battle between them caught the attention of Garp and Sengoku on the high platform, and both men nodded.

"This kid recommended by Hina and Smoker is quite strong. It seems he hasn't even fully unleashed his strength yet. I wonder whether your two subordinates can force him to go all out." Sengoku, dressed casually, with a long braided beard on his chin and a full head of white hair, spoke with interest.

"Koby and Helmeppo both train seriously every day. Whether they can win or not, as long as they can bring out their own strength and recognize their shortcomings, what does it matter if they lose a few times?" Garp said with a smile as he chewed on a rice cracker. He was tall and broad, with a scar over his left eye and a head of short gray-white hair.

"Looks like that lawless grandson of yours will soon have an opponent. Just thinking about it makes me happy." Sengoku felt somewhat vindicated. For so many years, Garp's grandson, Monkey D. Luffy, had run wild everywhere, causing earth-shaking trouble wherever he went and severely damaging the Marines' prestige each time.

Yet among the Marines' new generation, not one could compare to that brat. Every time, Sengoku could only slam the table in fury and point at Garp while cursing him. But that old fellow's skin was incredibly thick. He never changed expression, only laughed heartily and proudly declared that his grandson was amazing. The thought alone was infuriating.

Garp watched the various battles taking place at Marine Headquarters and said in surprise, "I didn't expect the World Military Draft to gather so many people this time. It seems there are still many experts scattered throughout the world. Now you, Sengoku, can relax a little."

Sengoku shook his head and said seriously, "Although the World Military Draft has suddenly filled the shortage in the Marines' mid- and high-level combat power, it is not without drawbacks. None of them have undergone the Marines' systematic training, so they cannot truly be considered qualified Marines. They do not yet share the Marines' traditional ideals. Giving them corresponding positions solely based on strength could easily cause problems, and they will not be easy to manage."

"Hahaha, the greater the ability, the greater the responsibility," Garp said with a hearty laugh.

Sengoku looked at him with disdain and said flatly, "Since you had the ability back then, why did you refuse the appointment as a Marine Admiral?"

"Because I love freedom," Garp said.

Sengoku shook his head, then said in an inscrutable tone, "Since I've already stepped down as Fleet Admiral, naturally I don't need to worry about so much anymore. That's Sakazuki's concern now."

At the mention of Sakazuki's name, the smile on Garp's face abruptly vanished. His expression darkened, and anger flashed in his eyes.

Noticing Garp's reaction, Sengoku also fell silent and sighed inwardly. It seemed Garp still had not completely let go of Sakazuki killing Ace at Marineford.

Although Sengoku understood his old comrade's feelings, he did not believe Sakazuki had done anything wrong by killing Ace during the Paramount War. It had all been for the sake of upholding justice—the justice of the Marines and the justice of the world.

Since Garp valued emotions too deeply to act, they could only act in his place.

As he watched Wuli fighting, anticipation flashed through Sengoku's eyes. Their highest combat power had found someone to fill the gap left by himself and Kuzan, who had already left the Marines. It seemed the new generation would be replenished as well.