The Road Ahead Had Just Gotten a Lot Wider

Zephyr made up his mind on the spot. He grabbed Carl and took him straight to the Fleet Admiral's Office. Carl was completely bewildered, and Kizaru, who'd been watching from the sidelines, was even more confused.

Kizaru: What the heck is going on?

"Teacher Zephyr???"

Zephyr glanced back at Kizaru, his eyes full of disdain. From now on, I have to make sure Carl stays away from that guy.

If that bastard Kizaru led Carl astray, it would be a huge loss for the Marines.

"Carl, show Admiral Kizaru what you can do. He should understand once he sees it!"

"Sigh..."

Life was tough. Carl sighed and could only summon another Holy Light Ball and send it flying toward Kizaru.

Three seconds later, Kizaru's expression changed. His little pouty, chrysanthemum-shaped lips fell open in surprise, forming an O. He pointed at Carl, unable to string together a single coherent sentence!

Anyone who'd made it to the rank of Admiral had to understand just how well Carl's ability suited the Marines. After Carl strengthened him, Kizaru's physical strength had increased by less than two percent—but he was an Admiral!

A rookie who'd only just gained his ability could make Kizaru two percent stronger. Once Carl had grown, wouldn't he be unstoppable?

"Teacher Zephyr! Let's go together!"

"Hmph, at least you've got some sense!"

And so, escorted by an Admiral and the Marines' chief instructor, Carl left the training ground, leaving behind a group of recruits whose jaws had hit the floor.

Shuzo, who'd been in charge of training the recruits, scratched his head, utterly baffled by what had happened.

"What are you looking at? What's it got to do with you? Get back to training, now!"

Five minutes later, in the Fleet Admiral's Office.

"Knock, knock, knock!"

After knocking politely three times, Zephyr barged into the Fleet Admiral's Office with Carl and excitedly called out to Sengoku, "Sengoku, look what I've found!"

Sengoku, who'd just been about to invite them in, glanced ruefully at the door lying on the floor. Then he quickly turned his attention to the boy Zephyr was holding by the hand, jumped to his feet, and asked with keen interest, "Zephyr! Is this... your son?"

Zephyr: ???

"Bullshit! This kid's a recruit from the Marine Training Camp. Anyway, I can't be bothered to explain. Come on, Carl, show Fleet Admiral Sengoku what you can do. He'll understand once he sees it!"

All right, time to show off!

Carl stood up straight without a hint of nervousness and said to Fleet Admiral Sengoku, "Fleet Admiral Sengoku, my ability can heal and strengthen people. It won't hurt you, so there's no need to worry!"

He said that because Kizaru had nearly obliterated him just moments ago. Carl had to be careful and avoid any unnecessary misunderstandings.

A gleam flashed in Sengoku's eyes. He glanced at Zephyr without letting it show, seeming to understand why the old man had rushed over and kicked the door in!

Sengoku's expression immediately softened. He chuckled warmly. "Hahahaha! This is interesting. Go ahead! I'm not that fragile!"

That was all Carl needed to hear!

Carl said no more. He summoned Holy Light in his palm and pushed it toward Fleet Admiral Sengoku. In an instant, the light sank into Sengoku's body and began to take effect.

"This... this power!"

Sengoku slowly closed his eyes, feeling the vitality surging through him. A soft "Ah" escaped his lips.

Then he immediately punched toward the window. A mighty burst of force shattered it, and only then did Sengoku open his eyes. Excited, he walked over to Carl and gripped his shoulders.

"What's your name?"

"Carl. I'm a Lieutenant at Branch 108 of North Blue. I've been in the Marines for ten years!"

"Excellent! Excellent! Wait, how old were you when you joined the Marines?"

Sengoku looked at Carl in confusion. He seemed to be in his teens at most, and if he'd been in the Marines for ten years... Surely the Marines weren't so short on people that they'd let a child enlist?

At that, Zephyr coughed awkwardly. "Well, Sengoku, he's twenty-four. He only looks like this because he was affected by that young girl Ain's ability."

"Oh! So that's what happened!"

He'd read Ain's file too. She was a Return-Return Fruit user, and her ability was just as unreasonable. Still, she was nowhere near as valuable as Carl, who could heal and strengthen people. No matter how strong Ain became, she'd only be a top-tier fighter. Carl was different. Once he came into his own, he might be able to turn top-tier fighters into the very best. That's what made Carl so valuable!

Especially in recent years, as the Marines' talent pool had dwindled. After Smoker and Hina, there hadn't been a single promising new-generation Marine who'd made people sit up and take notice.

Meanwhile, the pirates were producing talent left and right. The most troublesome among them was Red-Haired Shanks, a former member of the Pirate King's crew. He'd given Sengoku no end of headaches.

"Carl, you're still a member of the Marine Training Camp, right?"

"That's right. I only arrived at Marine Headquarters today."

Sengoku nodded silently, then stood up and said to Zephyr, "Zephyr, I'm counting on you to look after Carl. Make sure he grows stronger, and please ensure his safety!"

"Hmph! You don't have to tell me that! Give me a little time and I'll turn him into the leading figure of the new generation of Marines!"

Zephyr was brimming with confidence as he said it. He had every reason to be.

His students held positions throughout the Marines. The Marines' three highest combat forces, the Admirals, had all once been recruits at the Training Camp, not to mention pillars of the Marines like Momonga and Onigumo.

"That's reassuring! Zephyr, take Carl back to the training ground for now!"

Then Sengoku leaned in and quietly said to Zephyr, "Don't spread the word about his ability just yet, or it could cause trouble. Let's wait until the Training Camp ends. I'll decide where to assign him then."

Zephyr grinned and nodded. He'd rushed Carl over to see Sengoku precisely to show him Carl's value, so he wouldn't end up stuck at a Marine branch and unable to make a real contribution to the Marines!

"Carl, come with me!"

After saying goodbye to Fleet Admiral Sengoku and Kizaru, Carl followed Zephyr out of the Fleet Admiral's Office. Only when he returned to the training ground did he finally come to his senses. Does this mean I'm about to make it big?

Before coming to Marine Headquarters, the highest-ranking Marine he'd ever met was his direct superior, Commodore Charles.

And on his very first day at Marine Headquarters, he'd met a former Admiral, a current Admiral, and Sengoku, the big shot in charge of the Marines.

This road just keeps getting wider and wider!

Wait. Carl recalled what Zephyr had said in the Fleet Admiral's Office and sucked in a sharp breath. Based on what Zephyr said, is he going to keep an eye on me and push me to train? How am I supposed to slack off then?

Luckily, Carl had completed the time-limited mission and gained [Frailty]. Slacking off should be a piece of cake now. He refused to believe Zephyr could still make him get out of bed and train when he was bedridden!

"Carl, you're clever and full of potential, but you need to understand that a Devil Fruit is only a tool. Don't become dependent on it. A strong physique is the foundation of strength!"

"So, make absolutely sure you stay away from that bastard Kizaru. Don't let his crooked ideas lead you astray! Got it?"