The vast assembly hall erupted into an uproar.
Even the Three Admirals wore differing expressions.
Especially when they thought of those words: "My grandson has the makings of an Admiral."
That meant this newcomer would sooner or later become someone who could stand shoulder to shoulder with them.
Whew!
Sengoku let out a long breath, took the Den Den Mushi, and said,
"Garp, tell me honestly. You weren't joking just now? Your grandson really has mastered the Three Types of Haki, and he's a Swordmaster who can unleash a Flying Slash?"
"You should know full well that this is a matter of the utmost importance to Marine Headquarters. There can be absolutely no ambiguity."
As one of the few powerhouses standing at the pinnacle of these seas,
Sengoku knew very well that the Two Types of Haki and the standing of a Swordmaster
could both be built up through years of tempering.
Marine Headquarters likewise had quite a few Swordmasters who possessed the Two Types of Haki.
For Bai Yu to have reached this level at sixteen
was indeed unexpected.
But what truly concerned Sengoku was the innate Conqueror's Haki.
Among the strongest fighters, Conqueror's Haki coating was an essential god-tier skill.
If someone didn't even possess Conqueror's Haki,
then what the hell was the point?
Across Marine Headquarters, the Three Admirals were first-rate in strength, having developed their Devil Fruits to the limit.
However, their lack of Conqueror's Haki remained a glaring weakness.
If Garp really could fish a super rookie with the makings of a conqueror out of the East Blue,
then this one person would probably be worth every member of the Marine recruit camp combined.
"Hahaha, Sengoku, I really wish I could see your face right now. I might be unreliable, but I'd never fool you about something this important."
"Even if you don't trust me, you trust Bogard, don't you?"
"My grandson has the makings of an Admiral!"
"No, he'll definitely become the Marine King, whose valor crowns the three armies!"
Garp burst into hearty laughter. After holding it in for over a decade, he could finally hold his head high. It felt damn good.
"Bogard?"
Sengoku muttered. Garp could run wild all over the seas without getting himself killed.
A large part of that was thanks to his mature, levelheaded right-hand man, Bogard.
If Bogard could vouch for it, then this matter was most likely true.
"A wielder of the Three Types of Haki, a Swordmaster who can unleash a Flying Slash. Garp, you've finally rendered a great service this time."
After taking several deep breaths, Sengoku said,
"Return to Marine Headquarters today, and bring Bai Yu with you."
"Is Bai Yu with you now? Let me have a few words with him. I'd also like to see what this future Marine supernova is like."
As powerhouses of the old era, Sengoku and Garp were close in age.
Both already had one foot over the threshold of seventy.
Their greatest concern had always been finding a suitable successor.
The Three Admirals were certainly very strong.
But who wouldn't want to find someone better?
"You mean Bai Yu?"
"That brat slipped away yesterday and went out to sea alone. He said he wanted to sail to Marine Headquarters by himself. You'll see him soon enough."
Garp spoke with a hearty laugh.
He'd run off?
Sengoku was dumbfounded.
The Marine officers present also stared at one another.
Sengoku quickly snapped out of it, grabbed the Den Den Mushi, and roared furiously, "Damn you, Garp! He's already run off, and you're still spouting this crap?"
"He's a future Marine supernova! You let him go out to sea alone? What if something happens to him?"
"Beep, beep~"
The Den Den Mushi gave a busy signal.
Sengoku's furious face twisted completely.
"Damn you, Garp! If you dare set foot in Marineford, I'll beat you within an inch of your life!"
"Onigumo, head to the East Blue as soon as possible. Also notify Smoker, who's stationed in Loguetown, to provide support. Make absolutely sure nothing happens to Bai Yu."
His hysterical roar echoed through the assembly hall.
No one present dared offer the slightest objection, not even the Three Admirals.
They didn't know whether Bai Yu really was a peerless genius.
But at least they knew that Sengoku, the illustrious Fleet Admiral, had flown into a rage over a brat who had only just stepped onto the stage.
If word of this got out, it would surely shake the entire sea.
"Nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine, ten thousand!"
On an unnamed stretch of the East Blue, a somewhat slender figure kept swinging the wooden sword in his hands. Sweat slid down his sharply sculpted muscles before finally splattering against the deck.
As the final slash fell, Bai Yu let out a long breath.
Ding! Congratulations, host, on completing the daily mission of swinging your sword ten thousand times. Reward: 0.1% main-body template unlock progress. Current unlock progress: 5.1%.
The system's ethereal notification echoed in his mind.
A full day had already passed since Bai Yu set out to sea.
Bai Yu had been brimming with anticipation for the unknown world outside.
Unfortunately, after setting sail, he had still overlooked the most terrifying problem in this world.
Without a navigator, anyone on these seas was a Moss Head.
He was lost at sea!
Right now, Bai Yu had absolutely no idea where he was.
If the ship hadn't been stocked with food, Bai Yu wouldn't have had the leisure to train here.
I got careless.
Bai Yu helplessly set down his wooden sword, raised the flask in his hand, and took a swig of strong liquor.
The daily missions could indeed steadily increase his character template's unlock progress.
However, 0.1% per day was simply too slow.
By the time he reached Marine Headquarters, his unlock progress probably wouldn't even reach 10%.
In yesterday's battle, claiming his first victory against Ace had raised his unlock progress to 5% in one go.
That feeling of rapid growth was truly hard to forget.
It seemed that battle was the royal road to unlocking his main-body template.
As for why he hadn't challenged Garp at the outset, Bai Yu had decided to grow stronger himself before making further plans.
As for the rather shabby shop, Bai Yu had already redeemed its sole item and was wearing it on his wrist.
The modified fifty-jin weighted wrist guard was a product from a certain "Ball" series, compact and easy to carry.
It allowed Bai Yu to train his wrist strength more effectively and increase the power of his slashes.
At the same time, it suppressed his own ordinary Spiritual Pressure.
Keeping himself weakened for extended periods also counted as a way to grow stronger.
Whew~
Bai Yu let out a long breath. Once his panting had eased a little, he raised his head and looked around.
The next moment, his Observation Haki swept outward like a surging tide.
It rapidly spread more than ten nautical miles away.
"There's a pirate ship heading this way. Looks like there's an old acquaintance aboard, too."
"Since I've got nothing to do, I can stretch my muscles while I'm at it. Let's head over and take a look!"