Chapter 64: Months of Growth

The bright morning sun bathed the training fields of Marineford, but Vulcan was already drenched in sweat. His breathing was steady, his fists clenched, and his body covered in a thin layer of Armament Haki. Every punch he threw against the boulder in front of him sent cracks splintering through the stone.

It had been six months of non-stop training, and the progress was undeniable.

"Good," Garp's voice called out from behind him, chewing lazily on his favorite crackers as he observed Vulcan's practice. "But you're still too slow! Gahahaha!"

Vulcan grunted, his arm muscles burning from the repeated strikes. He ignored Garp's jabs, knowing that each mockery was hiding a bit of truth. "Still got plenty of time," Vulcan muttered, channeling more Haki into his fists as he slammed them into the rock.

The boulder cracked under the force, finally shattering into pieces. Vulcan stepped back, panting but satisfied with the result. He wiped the sweat from his brow and flexed his fingers. Six months ago, coating his fists in Armament Haki had been a struggle. Now, he could do it without thinking.

"Not bad, brat," Garp said, walking over to inspect the remains of the boulder. "But that's just one technique. You can't just rely on Haki to solve all your problems. You're gonna need every weapon in your arsenal if you're gonna survive out there."

"I know," Vulcan replied, already preparing himself for the next drill.

Time had flown by, but Vulcan hadn't wasted a single moment. Under Garp's relentless guidance, he had pushed his body and mind to their limits. He could now use Soru, Tekkai, and even Rankyaku with fluidity, incorporating them into his combat style. But the hardest technique had been Geppo.

Vulcan had struggled with Geppo for months. Learning to leap and maneuver in mid-air had been awkward and frustrating, but he finally managed to gain control over it. Now, he could launch himself high into the air, hopping across the sky as if it were second nature.

His Observation Haki had also grown. While not perfect, Vulcan could sense the presence of enemies nearby and predict their moves in combat. There were still moments where chaos threw him off, but he was getting better at managing it.

Then there was Armament Haki. Vulcan had worked tirelessly to master the basics, coating his fists, legs, and even his entire body in Haki. The more he trained, the more fluid the process became. He could now add Haki to his attacks without losing speed or precision.

But it wasn't just about the techniques. Garp had also drilled something else into his head: the mindset of a warrior. The New World wasn't going to be forgiving. Garp's tough love made sure Vulcan was always ready to face the unknown.

During these months, both Smoker and Hina were reassigned. Smoker had been sent to Loguetown, the final island on the East Blue before entering the Grand Line. Vulcan had heard stories of Smoker's control over the area—he kept pirates in check with an iron fist. Vulcan admired Smoker's unyielding sense of justice, even if they didn't always see eye to eye on everything.

Hina, on the other hand, had been promoted to Rear Admiral and reassigned to her new post with vice-admiral Tsuru. before she left she sparred with Vulcan a bit her strict demeanor had made her an effective trainer, and Vulcan had learned a lot from her no-nonsense approach. 

Their departures had left a mark on Vulcan, motivating him to push himself even harder. If they were out there making a name for themselves, he couldn't afford to fall behind.

Despite his progress, one thing still weighed on Vulcan's mind: the devil fruit he had found all those months ago. He had learned about its power—the ability to enhance vitality and recover from injuries faster—but he hadn't eaten it yet.

Garp's words echoed in his mind: "It's just a tool, brat. Don't let it define you."

Vulcan had kept the fruit close, studying it, learning its potential. But something still held him back. He didn't want to rely on it until he was sure he could stand on his own. His own strength had to come first.

But with each passing day, the temptation grew stronger.

After hours of practice, Vulcan finally dropped to the ground, exhausted. His muscles ached, and his head buzzed with the energy of using Haki for so long. Garp stood nearby, watching with an approving nod.

"Not bad, kid," Garp said, finishing off the last of his crackers. "You're getting there. Maybe one day, you'll be able to hit me for real." He laughed his usual hearty laugh, but there was a hint of pride in his voice.

Vulcan smirked, too tired to argue. "Yeah, maybe."

Garp clapped him on the back, nearly sending him tumbling forward. "Alright, take a break. You've earned it. But don't get too comfortable. You still have a lot to learn."

As Vulcan got up and headed toward the barracks to clean up, a Marine messenger ran up to him, saluting.

"Ensign Vulcan! You've been summoned to Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office!"

Vulcan raised an eyebrow, surprised. He hadn't expected to be called to the Fleet Admiral's office anytime soon. Whatever this was, it had to be important.

"Now?" Vulcan asked, glancing back at Garp, who was already grinning.

"Yep. Better get moving, brat," Garp said with a wide smile. "Sengoku doesn't like waiting."

Vulcan sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. He didn't know what this meeting was about, but if Sengoku was involved, it had to be serious.

"Alright," Vulcan muttered. "Let's see what this is about."

The walk to Sengoku's office felt longer than usual. Vulcan's mind raced with possibilities. Was this his next mission? A new assignment? Or was something bigger happening?

As he approached the massive doors to the Fleet Admiral's office, Vulcan took a deep breath and knocked.

"Enter," came Sengoku's calm but authoritative voice from inside.

Vulcan pushed open the doors, stepping into the large room. Sengoku was seated behind his desk, reviewing papers, while Marine officers stood at attention nearby.

"Ensign Vulcan," Sengoku said, not looking up from his papers just yet. "I hear you've been making impressive progress with your training."

Vulcan swallowed, feeling the weight of Sengoku's words. Whatever was about to happen next, it was going to be important.