Chapter 29

The next morning.

— Bu-bu-bu~

— Karl, the phone's ringing, go answer it. It's probably for you.

Karl opened his sleepy eyes and saw the hated "Chrysanthemum" Den Den Mushi. Without a second thought, he realized it must be Kizaru.

— Hello, Admiral Kizaru. Yes, understood. I'll just take another day to rest at the Marine Headquarters. All right, I'll hang up now.

Karl hung up the phone, yawned, and hugged Monica, who was in a strappy pajama set.

— What happened? Are you being sent on a mission so quickly?

Out of boredom, Karl played with Monica's curls and sighed:

— Yeah! I'll take another day to rest today. I'll leave only tomorrow. Another day to spend with you.

Monica sweetly smiled and kissed Karl on the cheek. Then she felt something awakening.

— You were at it all night yesterday! Where do you get so much energy from?

Karl looked innocently. Who told you to be a knight? Besides, with the double blessing of "Silent as a Virgin, and Nimble as a Rabbit," he's no slacker, alright!

Training Grounds.

Zephyr smiled, looking at the empty grounds. Every student has their own destiny, so as a Master, he's genuinely happy for them.

— Hey, Zephyr , you're still as mighty as ever! I heard you killed a pirate with a bounty of 300 million beri a couple of days ago.

Zephyr couldn't help but smirk at this unreliable voice:

— Are you done with your vacation?

Garp, walking toward him, laughed and picked his nose:

— Ages ago, but lately I've been chasing that Red-Haired scoundrel.

They bumped fists, found a spot, sat down, and crossed their legs.

— I heard you have another good student?

Zephyr slightly smirked. He didn't want to boast, but Garp made him...

— Ha-ha-ha, how do you know?

Garp smirked

— I saw him when I was looking for Senbei in Sengoku's office. It was that guy named Karl, right?

— Yes, he's the most talented of the new generation of marines I've met in the past ten years. Over time, he will become a great man.

Hearing this, Garp looked at Zephyr with surprise:

— Such high praise, is this guy also a "natural type"?

Zephyr laughed, guessing that Garp hadn't been paying close attention, because if he had, he wouldn't have asked such a question.

— No, he's a "Devil fruit user".

Garp scratched his head. "Devil fruit user", like his troublesome grandson.

Garp got angry, remembering Luffy. Damn, what kind of magical drink did that red-haired scoundrel give Luffy? He was determined to become a pirate. He refused to change his mind, even if he were beaten to death.

— Not an ordinary "Devil fruit user"?

— Yes, the Devil Fruit he ate is called the "Fruit of the Holy Light", which can emit a holy light and has the effect of healing and strengthening the body. The key point is, it can also work on other people.

Garp was astonished:

— What! There's such a power in the world?

Garp had spent his entire life as a Marine, witnessing countless individuals with special abilities, but he had never heard of this Devil Fruit. It sounded particularly fitting for the marines.

— Yes! In past years during training, there were always a few students who fell at the hands of pirates, but with Karl, not a single student perished during this exercise.

— And with Karl's healing and strengthening effects, two pirate groups were destroyed. Even a trainee who was injured over 20 times was saved by Karl.

— Now you must understand how strong he is!

Garp took a deep breath and quickly asked:

— So where is this guy now? If possible, let me take him under my wing!

— Hm~ — Zephyr scoffed disdainfully: — Too late! You can't imagine how popular Karl is!

— Who is he with now? With Akainu?

Zef shook his head:

— No, Akainu invited him, but he refused. If nothing happens, he is supposed to report to Kizaru.

— Kizaru?! Are you sure?

Garp nearly dropped his jaw in shock. Initially, he thought it would be either Akainu or Aokiji, but who would have thought it was Kizaru, that unpredictable guy.

— Ah~ It's hard to describe...

Then Zephyr explained to Garp how Kizaru discovered Karl's abilities and some subsequent events, enjoying Garp's surprised expression.

Over an uncertain period, Garp grew more interested in Karl and simply said:

— Zephyr , why don't you call Karl over so I can meet him! A good opportunity to experience the "Holy Light"!

— I'll try...

In Crescent Bay, Karl, who was strolling down the street with Monica, took out a Den Den Mushi and placed it in front of him.

— Master Zephyr ?

— Yes, it's me. Are you still at Marine Headquarters? If so, come to the training ground. Someone wants to see you.

Karl was puzzled, thinking he had nothing better to do, so he decided to go!

— Alright, Mr. Zephyr, I'll be there soon.

After the conversation, Karl took Monica's hand:

— Let's go together!

Monica quickly waved her hand:

— No need!

— What are you afraid of? Mr. Zephyr doesn't eat people. Let's go!

At the training ground.

Garp's keen eyes noticed a handsome and cheerful young man approaching them, arm-in-arm with a blonde, and quickly asked:

— Zephyr, is that Karl?

— That's him.

— Mr. Zephyr , oh, Vice Admiral Garp!

Karl saw that it was indeed him. On his way here, he vaguely guessed that the person wanting to see him was most likely the Marine Hero Garp, since he mainly interacted with high-ranking marine officers, but Garp was the only one he had heard of but not met.

Honestly, he was always curious about what kind of man this Marine Hero Garp was. After all, he had heard the most about his feats.

Today he finally saw him in person. He was just as he remembered: tall and sturdy. Even with gray hair, he couldn't hide his strong aura. He was worthy of being a representative of the older generation and supreme strength.

— Ha-ha-ha, I'm Garp. Zephyr was just telling me about your abilities!

— Uhh, hehe, Master Zephyr , you are too kind. I'm just an ordinary marine.

Garp and Zephyr smiled at each other. Garp stood up and slapped Karl on the shoulder

— Kid, I won't waste any words. Come on, let me feel the "Holy Light," alright?

— No problem.

Karl immediately concentrated the "Holy Light" orb and handed it to Garp. Garp closed his eyes and focused intently.

After a while, Garp slowly opened his eyes and looked at Karl with a complex expression. He felt a slight thrill in his heart. It was no wonder that Zephyr was so attached to Karl. This ability is exactly what the marines needs.

— Karl, work hard! Don't let your abilities go to waste.