"I don't know."
Those three words from Barrett fell like a boulder, shattering the stagnant waters of Infinite Hell.
For someone of his caliber, saying "I don't know" was already an answer.
It meant… no confidence.
No confidence in defeating Hawk…
Somewhere in the darkness, someone swallowed hard.
Every pirate imprisoned in Infinite Hell had once struck fear into the seas.
Some possessed strange Devil Fruit powers, others unmatched swordsmanship…
But in terms of raw physical strength and fighting will, Barrett was without equal.
He was like an unyielding beast, never ceasing his training even in twenty years of confinement…
And even he lacked confidence against Hawk.
That Marine Rear Admiral, in just three days, had shattered his twenty years of painstaking practice and unshakable confidence.
The realization sent waves of despair through every pirate present.
"Barrett."
From the deepest shadows, Redfield's voice rang out again.
"Next duel, without relying on the awakened power of the Merge Fruit, you might have a chance…"
Silence.
Barrett sat down slowly, leaning against the cold wall, closing his eyes.
Infinite Hell sank back into darkness and stillness.
Even the whispers had vanished.
Only the sound of heavy, oppressive, and restless breathing remained.
Sabaody Archipelago, G-3 Branch.
The docks were alive with activity.
Marines moved crate after crate, all stamped with the insignia of Alabasta, from a massive merchant ship to the warehouses behind.
The crates contained high-quality steel, rolls of military canvas, medical supplies enough for tens of thousands, and boxes of brand-new weapons glinting coldly in the sun.
At that moment, a dog-headed warship cut through the waves, slowly approaching the pier.
Thud.
A tall, muscular figure leapt from the bow of the ship.
Garp looked around, voice booming. "Zephyr, where are you?"
A major directing the unloading immediately turned, standing at attention.
"Reporting, Vice Admiral Garp!"
"Chief Instructor Zephyr is on the central training grounds, sparring with Deputy Commander Dane!"
"Training grounds, huh… good!"
Garp nodded and then looked across the G-3 Branch.
His eyes widened slightly.
The branch had changed dramatically.
The old fort had been expanded many times over, transformed into a war fortress of black steel. Towering walls bristled with menacing cannon muzzles.
The docks had been expanded to accommodate five fleets the size of Pacifiers simultaneously.
On the distant training grounds, nearly ten thousand soldiers trained relentlessly.
It was a small Marine Ford, a miniature Marine HQ.
Garp exhaled softly.
Sengoku had gone all out this time.
Behind him, his aide Bogart carried an unconscious Luffy down the gangway, face full of helplessness.
No choice. The stubborn grandson had met the equally stubborn grandfather.
On the way to G-3 Branch, Luffy had slowly awakened.
When he learned from his grandfather that he was to be forcibly enrolled in the Marines for the harshest training imaginable, he had jumped up immediately.
"I'm not joining the Marines! I'm going to be the Pirate King!"
Garp's dark fists answered him.
"You brat! How dare you speak the word pirate!"
Bam! Bam! Bam!
Garp's Iron Fist of Love landed mercilessly on Luffy.
Each punch perfectly measured, agonizing but not fatal.
Luffy, just awakened and having eaten nothing, was knocked unconscious again under the barrage of precise blows.
The new recruits, including Koby, followed behind silently, eyes wide with sympathy for the grandson carried on Garp's shoulders.
Vice Admiral Garp really fought his grandson seriously.
No mercy. Fist to flesh, punch after punch.
As Garp prepared to lead the recruits to Zephyr, a voice called out from the sea.
"Well, if it isn't Vice Admiral Garp!"
Everyone turned toward the sound.
Crack.
An ice path stretched from the distant sea to the dock. Admiral Kuzan rode a bicycle atop it, gliding smoothly.
After escorting the merchant ship to G-3, he had not entered the branch immediately, instead patrolling the nearby waters.
Rekindled justice would not allow him another nap.
Sakazuki in the New World, the Egghead Island Borosalino overseeing the "Undersea Gold" project…
Since the success of the prototype's sea trial, Borosalino had not left Dr. Vegapunk for even a second. Not a single fish touched!
He could not fall behind either.
Kuzan parked the bicycle by the dock; the ice path melted.
He glanced at the Luffy carried by Bogart. "Vice Admiral Garp, this is…?"
Garp snorted. "My imaginative grandson insists on being a pirate. I figured I'd hand him over to Zephyr and that Rear Admiral Hawk boy for a proper training."
Kuzan nodded knowingly, taking a long look at Luffy.
If he ever met a Marine being corrected in this way… he'd have to take note.
After all, he was the grandson of Vice Admiral Garp.
By then, all the unloading was complete.
The dock master reported to Kuzan, who waved.
"Time for me to set off again."
Garp nodded. He knew Kuzan's mission.
The giant merchant ship would deliver gold from Sky Island to Alabasta for conversion.
Once unloaded, the ship would be stocked with military supplies and funds, returning to G-3 Branch.
From there, it would depart back to Sky Island.
A continuous cycle.
Garp waved and led everyone into the branch in a grand procession.
Central Training Grounds
Clang!
Two figures crossed paths; the clash of metal rang crisp and clear.
Zephyr stood firm, watching Dane with the sword. His eyes full of approval.
Five other Vice Admirals, including Ghost Spider, observed nearby, nodding occasionally.
Seeing Garp approach, Zephyr paused his instruction.
"Dane, your talent isn't on the level of those two monsters," he said.
"But your temperament is calm, and your fundamentals are solid. Good work!"
"I'll ask Hawk to make sure you get a good Devil Fruit. Otherwise… he'll feel my Black Arm!"
Dane sheathed his sword, saluted solemnly in thanks, and stepped aside.
Garp laughed, clapping Zephyr on the shoulder. "Zephyr, I've brought you a good student!"
He leaned close to Zephyr, lowering his voice. "For my sake…"
"For my sake, go easy on him?"
"No, for my sake… train him like his life depends on it!"