Chapter 25: The Growth Process

Three years passed in a flash. Year 1509 of the Sea Circle Calendar, Marineford.

In the morning at the elite training camp, sunlight and sweat intertwined, the air filled with a hot-blooded atmosphere.

"Hah!" A clear shout cut through the air. A 9-year-old Ace leaped into the air, his fists wrapped in black Armament Haki, and slammed them into a training iron post.

"BOOM!" The iron post dented severely, and cracks spread out like a spiderweb.

"Not bad!" Zephyr stood nearby with his arms crossed, a hint of approval in his eyes behind his sunglasses. "Your control is thirty percent stronger than last week."

Ace landed steadily, grinned, and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "Grandpa Zephyr, when are you going to teach me the 'Six Powers'?"

Zephyr snorted. "Build a solid physical foundation first. Don't aim too high."

Not far away, a 6-year-old Luffy was squatting in front of a smaller iron post, his fists wrapped in a barely visible Armament Haki, and he slammed them down with all his might. "Hiyah!"

"Bang!" The iron post didn't move, but he clutched his fists and howled, "Owww!!!"

Ace rubbed his forehead, exasperated. "You idiot, I told you to feel the 'flow of power.' Just using brute force is useless."

Luffy shouted with teary eyes, "But it's so hard!"

Zephyr sighed, looking at the two brothers. "That bastard Garp, all he left me are troublemakers..."

Meanwhile, in the Marine Headquarters conference room, a promotion ceremony was underway. Fleet Admiral Sengoku personally pinned the shining Captain's epaulets onto Bell-mère's uniform, his voice solemn and dignified. "Captain Bell-mère, I hope you will continue to strive for excellence."

"Yes, sir!" Bell-mère's eyes were firm, her salute crisp and clean, her entire being exuding an air of determination.

Below the stage, Roy and Zephyr stood side-by-side, their gazes fixed on the figure on the stage. Garp muttered in a low voice beside them, "In just three short years, from a branch lieutenant to a Headquarters Captain... this girl's growth rate... even I find it incredible."

Roy smiled slightly, his voice calm. "Her experience in the East Blue limited her. Once someone guides her onto the right path, her potential naturally explodes."

In the past three years, Bell-mère had not only mastered Armament hardening but had even awakened Observation Haki, allowing her to perceive the movements and killing intent around her. When she fought alongside Roy, she had single-handedly suppressed a pirate crew with a bounty of over 100 million, her battle record so brilliant it shocked the entire Navy.

Garp said with emotion, "Luckily we didn't let her stay in the East Blue and waste that talent."

Marine Headquarters' garden, the sun was shining, and a light breeze blew.

A group of female Marines was surrounding a pair of sisters, laughing and talking. "Nami, come try on this new hair accessory!" Vice Admiral Gion (Momousagi) held a delicate butterfly bow and gently pinned it into Nami's orange hair.

A 7-year-old Nami happily spun around, her skirt flying. "Is it pretty?"

"So cute!" The female Marines all clutched their hearts, letting out aunt-like gasps of amazement.

A 9-year-old Nojiko sat obediently beside Vice Admiral Tsuru, her small hands quickly helping her organize files and intelligence reports. Vice Admiral Tsuru lovingly ruffled her hair. "Nojiko is so thoughtful."

Suddenly, Nami ran to the window, closed her eyes to feel the sea breeze, her eyelashes trembling slightly, her brow furrowed. "It's going to rain heavily tomorrow!"

Vice Admiral Tsuru was slightly taken aback, her gaze turning sharp. "How do you know?"

Nami opened her eyes, her amber pupils shining with confidence. "I can feel the humidity in the air, the direction of the wind, and the subtle changes in air pressure."

A glint appeared in Vice Admiral Tsuru's eyes, and she smiled. "Is it a talent for meteorological perception?"

Nami smiled shyly. "And... I can draw sea charts!" As she spoke, she carefully took out a small notebook from her skirt pocket. It was densely filled with drawings of the islands of the East Blue, sea routes, undercurrents, and wind direction markers.

Vice Admiral Gion leaned over, taking the notebook in surprise. "This... you drew this?"

Nami nodded. "Yes! I want to draw a sea chart of the whole world in the future!"

Vice Admiral Tsuru and Gion exchanged a look, both seeing shock and surprise in each other's eyes. "This child's talent for navigation and meteorology... she's a natural navigator!"

Vice Admiral Tsuru immediately made a decision. "Nami, from today on, you will report to the intelligence department three days a week to receive professional training in meteorology and navigation."

Vice Admiral Gion added with a smile, "You're also welcome to come play at the female Marines' club during the rest of the time. Everyone is looking forward to seeing you, you little cutie."

Nami's face turned red. "Really?!"

Nojiko patted Nami's shoulder and smiled proudly. "That's great!"

The garden's sunlight fell on the two sisters, as if coating them in a layer of gold.

After the ceremony, a wild laugh suddenly came from the training ground. "Hahaha! You brats, I'm back!"

"Oh no! The old geezer is back!" Ace and Luffy's faces instantly turned pale, and they immediately turned to run.

Garp rushed forward with a single step, his fists flying. "Double Fist of Love!"

"BANG! BANG!" The fists accurately hit Ace and Luffy on the head, and large bumps instantly swelled up. "You see your grandpa and you still want to run?! So rude!"

Ace held his head and squatted down. "That hurts! You violent old man!"

Luffy had teary eyes. "I'm going to tell Grandma Tsuru!"

Garp stood with his hands on his hips, laughing. "Hahaha! Tattling won't work! Come on, practice with me!"

In the distance, Roy and Bell-mère, who were slowly walking over, simultaneously rubbed their foreheads. "Mr. Garp's teaching method is really..."

"Always full of 'love'..."

Night quietly fell, the sea wind picked up, and Marine Headquarters was brightly lit.

In Sengoku's office, Sengoku was looking down at a thick training plan, his brow furrowed, his glasses reflecting the cold light of the lamp. "Roy, this training plan for these children, are you sure it's feasible?"

Roy stood straight, his voice firm. "Ace and Luffy have extremely high potential and will definitely become pillars of the Navy in the future; Nami has a natural talent for meteorological perception and cartography, suitable for the intelligence department; Nojiko is meticulous and steady, suitable for logistics and medical management."

Tsuru took a sip of her tea, her lips curving up slightly. "I support Roy's plan. The children have different personalities and need to be cultivated according to their specific needs."

Zephyr snorted coldly, his arms crossed. "It's better than that bastard Garp letting them run wild all day. At least someone is watching them."

Garp scratched the back of his head and laughed. "Well, I trust Roy."

Sengoku was silent for a long time, finally letting out a long sigh and stamping the document. "I hope you guys don't give me a headache this time..."

"Yes, sir!" Roy stood at attention, his eyes sharp.

Just then, his gaze inadvertently swept past the window. In the night, on the training ground, Luffy and Ace were wrestling, their figures chasing each other, their laughter and sweat intertwined. Roy was slightly taken aback, a thought flashing in his mind. "Right, this seems to be the year Kuina has her accident, doesn't it?" He thought of the swordsmanship girl from the East Blue who was always competing with Zoro, and his heart tightened slightly. "If I can meet Zoro earlier... that guy seems pretty suitable to be a Marine too."

His gaze darkened, and he secretly made a decision. "After I'm done here, I must go to the East Blue and see those two."

The office light illuminated his slightly sharp profile. The night wind blew through the window, carrying the scent of the tide.

-------

Enjoying the story? Support the author and get access to early chapters by joining my Patreon!

Find me at My : pat*eon*com/RuneA

I, Herta's Fiancé, the Universe's Number One Male Fist (100 Chapter)

Zenless Zone Zero: I'm a Succubus in Sixth Street (190 Chapter)

Reborn in Type-Moon, My Sister is Aoko Aozaki (200 Chapter)

MyGO!! A Story Voiced by Me (80 Chapter)

BLEACH: Blade of Purification (70 Chapter)

Konoha: Starting the Game as Yoriichi (235 Chapter)

My Real Job is Spying on Konoha, but I'm Also its Hokage (80 Chapter)

The Pinnacle of the Navy! Starting from Being Captured by Garp (60 Chapter)

Watching Yu-Gi-Oh! short videos is making the veteran players lose...(50 Chapter)

Uma Musume : The Trainer Who Just Wants to Live (30 Chapter)

Zenless Zone Zero The Random Kamen Rider (40 Chapter)

Genshin Impact: It All Began With Me Being Stepped On by Arlecchino (30 Chapter)

If there's a particular novel you're enjoying on Patron, please give it a 'like' so I know to focus on it.