Michael looked at the bustling crowd and smiled sincerely.
When it came to laying foundations and systematic training, no other organization in the world could match the Marine.
While the Rokushiki techniques might not hold up in high-tier battles, they were undoubtedly the best foundational martial arts training in the entire Onepiece World.
Mastering Rokushiki didn't guarantee becoming a true powerhouse, but it certainly paved the way to strength—what remained was whether one's talent could carry them further down that path.
In the original work, the Marines possessed such techniques, but there was a severe lack of successors, resulting in a situation where even with a solid foundation, no one could push the limits further.
On the pirate side, however, talented individuals emerged endlessly...
But this was understandable, as in the original work, the Marines were not positioned as a force of justice but rather as "villains."
They shared the same role as other evil pirates.
Villains needed to possess formidable strength, yet their growth potential had to be curbed to prevent them from becoming an insurmountable obstacle for the protagonists.
This was why the author designed the Marines to have a broken chain of succession, with no promising newcomers.
But now...
Ace, Luffy, and Sabo—the three brothers—were in a league of their own.
It was no surprise, given they were raised in Garp's household, boasting visibly exceptional physical prowess.
Then there were Michael's five little nephews, products of Lineage Factor modification.
Their strength was predetermined and they hadn't even been given the battle suits Judge had created in his early years.
There was also Monet with the Snow-Snow Fruit, Sugar with the Hobby-Hobby Fruit, Ulti with the Ancient Zoan-type Dragon-Dragon Fruit (Pachycephalosaurus model), Page One with the Spinosaurus model, Chopper with the Human-Human Fruit, and the swordswoman Tashigi...
These individuals stood out as the most remarkable in the youth training program.
And then there was Marianne, also known as Miss Goldenweek...
But her physical abilities were far too ordinary.
She collapsed halfway through the first lap and was carried back to Michael by medics, barely conscious.
"I'm sorry, Vice Admiral Michael... Am I dragging everyone down?" Marianne hugged her knees, sitting beside Michael, gazing enviously at the distant group.
"They're all... so amazing."
"What are you thinking? You're only six years old!" Michael chuckled.
"Don't compare yourself to those freaks in terms of physical ability—it'll only make you want to give up."
"But... we're all in the same youth program..."
"You're classmates and comrades in the youth program. There's no competition between you." Michael patted Marianne's head.
"Most importantly, the youth program isn't just about training combat experts. Its ultimate goal is to nurture well-rounded talents for the Marines—and even the entire world."
"Well-rounded... talents?"
"That's right. As long as you can contribute to the Marines and civilians, you're an outstanding talent." Michael crouched down to meet Marianne's eyes.
"Since you're here, it means you excel in some way."
"R-Really?"
"Of course." Michael turned and pointed at the group in the distance.
"See that little orange-haired brat over there? She grew up among the Marines but was neither skilled in academics nor combat. Yet she has an extraordinary talent for maps and navigation... When she grows up, she'll become one of the finest navigators—someone you can trust in the most treacherous seas, a reliable companion."
Marianne stood on her tiptoes, barely making out Nami's face.
"So... what about you, Marianne? What's your talent?"
"I... can paint."
"Painting?" Michael nodded, then gestured to Enel nearby.
Enel promptly brought over the prepared easel and various paints.
"Can you... show me?"
"Y-yes... but I'll need someone to assist me."
"Enel, come here." Before Marian could finish, Michael was already beckoning Enel over.
"Come experience this."
"Wait, why me again?" Enel frowned, pointing at Hawkeye who was silently meditating under a tree with his sword.
"Isn't that guy free?"
"You're more suitable. After all, your mind is... simpler."
That's what Michael said.
Marianne's ability didn't come from a Devil Fruit but was akin to a hypnotist's power...
She could manipulate emotions and suggest thoughts using colored paints.
Colors inherently influence human emotions.
Marianne amplified and intensified this suggestive power, ultimately transforming it into a unique form of attack.
The simpler and more straightforward a person's mind, the deeper the influence would be.
By that measure, Enel was naturally a better test subject than Hawkeye.
As for Michael himself... he was so wicked that black smoke practically billowed from him, with sparks flashing in his dark eyes!
"Then I'll begin."
Once she had the brush and palette, Marianne calmed down completely.
"One color should suffice... black."
With that, Marianne painted a... black, spiky-haired cat on the back of Enel's hand.
It had to be said—just judging by her skill, the six-year-old Marianne already surpassed many adult artists.
"So, what effect does this have?" Enel curiously examined the black cat on his hand.
"But what kind of creature is this? I've never seen it before."
"Vice Admiral Michael, please say something to him." Marianne nodded at Michael.
Knowing Marianne's ability, Michael's eyes gleamed mischievously as a smirk crept onto his face.
"Alright... Enel, you're a man."
"What nonsense are you spouting!? Just because you say I'm a man, I am? I'm clearly a woman! I don't care what you think—I care what I think!"
Enel instinctively began refuting Michael's words.
But the moment he finished speaking, he immediately realized something was off...
"What the—!? Why did my mind just fixate on contradicting Michael? Even if what he said was true, I'd oppose it just to oppose him? I even threw my own gender into the mix?"
In an instant, Enel fell into deep self-doubt.
"Black—the color of betrayal. No matter how important the words of a comrade or superior, it compels defiance and opposition."
Michael nodded—just as he had expected.
But... there was one more thing to test.
Michael wiped away the black cat tattoo and said.
"Enel, use Armament Haki to cover your entire body."
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