CHAPTER 17

c17 Recruit Report!

"Boy, do you know what you are doing!"

Garp squinted and looked down at Karl from above, his usual easygoing smirk gone replaced by a flicker of curiosity.

But Karl turned a deaf ear to the words his focus wholly absorbed in maintaining control over the rising wind pressure.

A massive air current began swirling in the air pulling the scattered clouds into motion, rapidly coalescing into the early structure of a storm cell!

Upon seeing this, Garp used Geppo (Moonwalk) to step down from the edge of the training platform intending to reassert control over the sparring match.

But two piercing slashes cut through the air intercepting his descent and forcing him back mid-step!

The sudden attack caught Garp slightly off-guard slicing the hem of his standard Navy justice cloak, causing him to furrow his brow in irritation.

He had been holding back neither using full strength nor activating Kenbunshoku Haki (Observation Haki), which explained why he hadn't sensed the trajectory of the weapons.

"Boy, don't think a couple of flying blades can pin me down you're being naive!"

"Vice Admiral Garp, you're mistaken. It's not me holding you down it's you! If you hadn't underestimated me from the start, I'd already have lost!"

Karl chuckled lightly his calm words shocking everyone who stood by watching the mock battle.

In that instant the entire platform shattered into fragments, collapsing beneath the growing storm force.

Garp immediately sensed something was off attempting to drop back to stable footing.

But a moment later he realized his body wasn't responding as expected.

The surrounding air pressure surged dragging him upward with a cyclonic force!

Above them, the clouds had grown thick and dark.low thunder rumbled in warning, echoing like a drumbeat.

"A hurricane.and thunder?!"

"You brat are you manipulating the weather?!"

Even while being swept into the storm, Garp's voice remained loud and clear unyielding in tone.

His physical resilience was second to none once his body was cloaked in Busoshoku Haki (Armament Haki), the wind and lightning couldn't inflict damage.

Yet he was still trapped at the storm's core its rotating pressure holding him in place, unable to break free immediately.

"Vice Admiral Garp don't laugh just yet. I studied the weather patterns here before arriving I planned all this from the beginning!"

From the viewing gallery, Sengoku and the others looked on eyes wide with disbelief at the turn of events.

In their estimation, Karl should've been overwhelmed by Garp's sheer power and ultimately forced to yield.

But Karl had flipped the script entirely.having baited Garp into a trap with foresight and calculated control of the environment.

Even Sakazuki (Akainu), who had been monitoring Karl from afar, raised an eyebrow.

"This kid's a battle maniac but a calculated one one with a brain behind the brawn.

Not bad at all—we haven't had this kind of raw potential in the Navy for years!"

"Hahahahahaha!"

Sengoku's deep laughter rumbled through the hall his pride in the young recruit shining through.

Though Garp would no doubt feel the sting to his pride he had enough thick skin and past embarrassments to take one more hit without flinching.

However, Karl's potential was shown in public which made Sengoku and the others raise their evaluation of him even higher!

Even Vice Admiral Flying Squirrel, who had been overseeing Karl's progression until now.had not anticipated that Karl would manage to corner Vice Admiral Garp!

BOOM!!!

The sound of roaring thunder cracked the skies signaling Garp's full entry into the eye of the thunderstorm whipped up by Karl's air manipulation.

But Karl himself was drenched in sweat his body straining, clearly having pushed his abilities to their limit.

This was already the peak of what he could maintain!

"Enough I declare this bout a draw. Karl, stand down!"

"Yes, sir!"

Hearing the command of Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Karl immediately deactivated his ability causing the enormous spiraling air current to unravel and disperse across the area.

The resulting burst of residual wind force swept outward toppling several low-ranking marines in the vicinity who had failed to brace themselves.

"Hah—what do you think, Fleet Admiral Sengoku? Do I qualify now?"

Karl panted heavily his body trembling slightly from overexertion, yet his eyes locked firmly on Sengoku.

"I'm more than satisfied. After conferring with Vice Admiral Tsuru, we've made a decision. Starting today, you're officially enlisted into the Navy with the rank of Colonel.

However, because this is a special appointment you'll remain at Marineford for a short orientation period before being stationed at the Naval Base on the Sabaody Archipelago."

"No problem at all! I'll go wherever you need me!"

Karl was visibly elated—even if Colonel was considered a mid-level officer rank, to be granted it on his first day was a monumental feat.

Very few marines ever jumped directly to Colonel—most spent years working their way up through Ensign, Lieutenant, and Major ranks.

The nearby marines many of whom had trained for years and held ranks like Lieutenant Commander or Major couldn't help but feel envious.

This was the power of raw strength and talent!

"Hahahaha! You're a good one, brat! You win this time but next time, don't expect me to fall for the same tricks!"

Garp descended using Geppo, landing heavily on the cracked training platform.

At this point, his Justice cloak was gone burned away.and his uniform was tattered and scorched, emitting a faint smell of singed cloth.

He had clearly been struck by lightning more than once.

And yet true to his legend Garp stood there without a single injury.

"Sengoku, I'm heading out. Gonna check up on my grandsons see what kind of trouble they're stirring up now!"

Without even bothering to change his clothes, Garp departed briskly his usual carefree attitude fully intact.

Sengoku simply nodded then turned to the nearest officers and began assigning the cleanup.

The Three Admirals who had been spectating—Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu also began to disperse, each deep in thought.

Flying Squirrel seemed about to say something but Sengoku's stern glance shut him up immediately.

"Karl, come with me. I'll personally assign your dormitory and prepare your transfer orders.

You're to rest here at Marineford for the next seven days. After that, you'll report to your post at Sabaody Naval Base!"

"Yes, sir!"

Karl offered a somewhat casual but enthusiastic salute clearly inexperienced in form but full of energy.

Under the astonished stares of the surrounding marines many of whom were still processing what they had just witnessed—he followed Sengoku out of the training field.

Before long, the events of that day spread like wildfire through the ranks.

At first, the reports were grounded in fact Karl had fought Garp and managed a draw by manipulating the local stormfront.

But soon the rumors began to spiral people began saying Karl had overpowered Garp directly, even forcing him into submission!

The most exaggerated versions claimed Karl had knocked out Garp in seconds and made the Hero of the Marines beg for mercy!

While these stories boosted Karl's popularity, he himself was rather troubled by them.

Alongside the fame came unwanted attention—everywhere he went, marines stared at him.

Some sought friendly conversation but others, arrogant or jealous, challenged him in hopes of making a name for themselves.

If it was just staring or whispering Karl would ignore it with a smile.

But if someone got in his face or challenged him recklessly—he'd shut them down fast, often sending them to the infirmary.

Some were out cold for a week others left with broken bones.

Over time, the nickname "Battle Maniac Karl" spread across Marineford.

His combat record grew fearsome discouraging most would-be challengers.

Days passed one after another.

During his one-week stay, Karl took part in standard marine training, studied naval tactics, and made several friends who shared his ideals and energy.

And today his seven-day preparation period had ended.

Karl was now due to depart with the next patrol vessel headed for his official post.

As the sails unfurled and the ship departed the harbor, Karl stood at the deck railing, a smirk on his face.

"Sabaody Archipelago I'm back again!"

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