An Opponent That Can't Be Ignored

At the same time, he felt a sense of mutual respect, the kind shared by evenly matched fighters.

He surveyed his surroundings. Apart from a handful of people still standing, everyone on the battlefield had either passed out from their injuries or fallen fast asleep where they lay, exhausted from fighting.

Few people could endure seven days and seven nights of intense combat.

"Let's go together. Those two should be at their limits, too."

Rayleigh called out.

Xia Le nodded, glanced down at his tattered clothes, and tore them off, baring his upper body.

Sunlight shone on his bronze skin and sharply defined eight-pack abs, creating a stunning sight.

When he turned and followed Rayleigh toward the island's interior,

the Demon Back muscles across his back rose and fell like mountain peaks, brimming with terrifying explosive power.

The only flaw was that Xia Le had joined the Marines only recently, so his body was still somewhat lean.

Once they reached the island's interior, the two immediately spotted Roger and Garp lying there, sound asleep.

The bloody marks crisscrossing their bodies showed that their battle had been every bit as intense.

"Well then, kid, until we meet again."

"I look forward to our next fight."

Rayleigh smiled.

"Next time, you won't be a match for me anymore, Rayleigh!"

Xia Le said with a grin.

"Hahahaha!"

"You arrogant brat. You've still got a long way to go!"

Rayleigh shook his head with a smile, slung Roger over his shoulder, and turned to leave.

Xia Le likewise hoisted Garp onto his shoulder.

The battle was over.

The remaining people on both sides tacitly carried their wounded back to their respective ships.

"Something is seriously wrong with Roger's health."

"This might have been Vice Admiral Garp's last truly satisfying battle."

After the last person had been carried aboard, Bogard leaned against the railing and sighed.

"Mm!"

Xia Le paused, then glanced at Garp, who was snoring thunderously, his chest covered in bloody marks but a smile still on his face. He nodded silently.

"You should get some rest, too!"

"Fighting Rayleigh must have worn you out!"

Bogard said.

"It certainly did!"

Xia Le said with a smile.

During the fight, excitement and adrenaline had kept him from feeling much else. Now, however, exhaustion surged over him like seawater, leaving him barely able to keep his eyes open.

A second later, his head tilted to one side, and he fell straight asleep.

Bogard smiled at the sight, then went into the cabin. When he returned, he was carrying thick quilts and blankets, which he spread over everyone.

They slept for three full days and nights.

By the time they woke one after another, the warship had already docked at G-5 Fortress.

Amid the clamor, Xia Le slowly opened his eyes. The first thing he saw was Garp's jubilant face as the man, wrapped in bandages, gulped down meat and booze.

"Hahaha, you little brat, you're finally awake!"

"Once we've resupplied here, we're heading back to headquarters!"

"You earned yourself some serious credit this time."

"And Kuzan and those other two brats, too. All of you did well!"

Garp laughed and stuffed another piece of meat into his mouth.

Xia Le blinked, then joined the others at Kuzan's invitation and began wolfing down food.

"Also, Sengoku just told me that, in recognition of your performance on this mission, headquarters has decided to grant you the rank of rear admiral."

"As for your assignment, we'll discuss that after you graduate from the Marine Academy."

Garp added through a mouthful of food.

"The Marine Academy?"

Xia Le asked in confusion.

"Of course! Did you think strength alone was enough to make you a qualified Marine officer?"

"That's only part of it! You still need to study and acquire enough knowledge!"

Garp said.

Xia Le was speechless.

"One more thing."

Garp paused, swallowed the food in his mouth, then spoke in a grave voice.

"Before returning to headquarters, you need to make a trip to the Sabaody Archipelago."

Xia Le looked at his teacher in confusion.

"We've finished gathering evidence of Kalens's crimes."

"Headquarters wants you to deal with him and the men under his command!"

Garp said.

Xia Le froze for a moment, then his eyes suddenly sharpened.

"Understood!"

PS: Thanks to Tank Zombie for the monthly ticket!!

An opponent impossible to ignore

The warship did not stay at G-5 Fortress for long. Once resupplied, it set sail again for Marine Headquarters at Marineford.

Xia Le learned that the main objective of this trip to the Second Half was to monitor the two great pirate crews' movements in real time and prevent any unexpected developments.

He naturally understood what those unexpected developments meant.

It was nothing more than the possibility of the two pirate crews, Gin's and Roger's, joining forces. Such a development would pose a tremendous threat to stability for both pirates and the world at large.

As for Garp leading them in pursuit of Roger afterward and ultimately fighting a great battle, that had merely been the personal whim and romantic indulgence of Garp, the Hero of the Navy.

The two admirals, Sengoku and Zephyr, had already left. G-5 Fortress was now guarded by a vice admiral Xia Le did not recognize.

Standing beside Garp at the bow, he narrowed his eyes as the sea breeze washed over him.

"Fleet Admiral Kong will personally confer your rear admiral rank at Marine Headquarters, Marineford."

Garp said with a smile.

"Mm!"

Xia Le nodded.

At first, even after Garp had saved him, he had felt some resistance toward the Marines. But as he gradually grew familiar with the people around him and came to understand them, he had slowly accepted his place there.

At the very least, the Marines had a relatively well-developed training system and excellent resources for growth.

Until he became a world-class powerhouse with the strength to truly secure his own freedom, it was a good harbor.

"To think you could fight Dark King Rayleigh to a standstill in just seven days."

"Your body must be hiding quite a secret."

Garp suddenly said with a smile, casually tossing a doughnut into his mouth and crunching down on it.

Xia Le remained silent and did not answer.

"Hahahaha, you little brat."

"I'm not interested in your secrets. I only hope that someday, when you've truly grown strong and can no longer find any opponents in this world..."

Garp paused and gave a soft sigh.

"You'll know in your heart what it is you truly want."

"Yesterday is gone. It's become history. Living in the present is what matters most!"

Xia Le was taken aback by his words, then nodded gently.

Garp truly treated him as his own son. He not only personally taught him how to grow stronger, but also shared lessons about life.

Although the man generally lived roughly and was terribly scatterbrained, he had his thoughtful moments, too.

The journey back to headquarters was largely peaceful, without any trouble.

Xia Le sat on the deck, quietly taking stock of his gains from the recent battle.

Conqueror's Haki, LV99 (MAX).

Tekkai, LV50.

Tempest Kick, LV35.

Shave, LV60.

Geppo, LV20.

Shigan, LV45.

The clear level panel gave him a precise understanding of his current strength. Besides maxing out Conqueror's Haki, he had also trained the Six Powers to a respectable level.

Distributing points across my skills has made my strength grow evenly, too.

Xia Le reflected.

Now, even without the boost from Conqueror's Haki Infusion, he was undoubtedly strong using the Six Powers alone.

After his battle with Rayleigh, his strength had undergone a transformation, gradually bringing him onto the stage occupied by this world's truly powerful fighters.

Meanwhile, aboard the Oro Jackson as it sped across the sea,

"Hahahaha, what a satisfying battle!"

"Only Garp can get my blood boiling like that."

Roger said with a hearty laugh, his entire body wrapped in bandages.

Rayleigh smiled faintly, white bandages covering much of his body as well.

Beside them, Crocus frowned. "Roger, try not to fight battles like that again. Your body won't hold out much longer!"

Seven days and seven nights of battle had undoubtedly taken a tremendous toll on Roger's disease-ridden body.

"Hahahaha!"

"When I run into an opponent like that, I just can't resist."

"As for my body..."

Roger smiled and paused briefly.

"Everyone dies eventually."

Then, without waiting for Crocus to reply, he turned to Rayleigh with another smile and asked with keen interest,

"I heard that Marine kid fought you to a draw? Rayleigh, were you fighting seriously?"