"But…" Ace's tone shifted, and he smiled, saying, "We're about to become colleagues.
I'm going to be a Warlord of the Sea, and by then, I'll be a legitimate ally recognized by the World Government."
These words caused a stir among the Marine recruits present, with whispers rising and falling.
Vice Admiral Momonga's expression grew even more complex; he was silent for a moment, then finally just shook his head: "I hope you don't waste this talent… Ace."
Ace: "Don't worry, Vice Admiral, I'm really looking forward to cooperating with the Marines."
Inside Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office at Marine Headquarters,
Sengoku unenthusiastically looked at the mountain of documents piled before him; his mind was entirely focused on the match between Momonga and Ace, wondering who would emerge victorious.
Suddenly, there was an urgent knock on the office door.
"Come in," Sengoku said without lifting his head.
A messenger pushed the door open in a hurry, even forgetting to salute: "Re-report, Fleet Admiral! At the training ground… Vice Admiral Momonga, he…"
Sengoku finally looked up, his sharp gaze piercing through his spectacles towards the messenger: "What happened to Momonga? Speak clearly."
"Vice Admiral Momonga was defeated in his match against Fire Fist Ace! And… and the opponent used the Marine Six Powers entirely!"
"What?!" Sengoku abruptly stood up, his mind instantly going blank!
The documents on his desk were scattered by his sudden movement, but he paid no attention to them at the moment.
The messenger swallowed, then continued to report: "According to eyewitnesses, Ace not only completely mastered the Six Powers, but… but he even applied each form more proficiently than Vice Admiral Momonga."
Sengoku slowly took off his spectacles and wiped the lenses with a handkerchief, a gesture that concealed his inner shock; after putting his spectacles back on, his expression had returned to calm, but the astonishment in his eyes could not be entirely hidden.
"You may leave first," Sengoku waved his hand; once the messenger had departed, he turned and looked towards the training ground outside the window, muttering to himself: "To be able to defeat a Marine Vice Admiral using the Marine Six Powers… this Ace…"
"Such a genius…" Sengoku's gaze gradually deepened, "If he could join the Marines…"
He remembered Garp's unusually positive attitude recently; that old man seemed particularly concerned about Ace, perhaps… this was an opportunity?
Sengoku walked back to his desk and pressed the Den Den Mushi: "Notify Vice Admiral Garp, tell him… no, I'll go to the training ground myself."
After hanging up the call, Sengoku adjusted his Fleet Admiral's cloak, his eyes flashing with complex emotions.
There was both worry about Marine combat techniques being mastered by an outsider, and a hint of undeniable anticipation—if this genius truly was willing to join the Marines…
"Although Garp and Ace have an extraordinary relationship…" Sengoku murmured to himself, but the corners of his mouth unconsciously curved into a subtle smile, "However, if we can win him over… the Marines will gain another major fighting force!"
He wants to turn over a new leaf, doesn't he? Give him this chance, after all, being a Warlord is nothing compared to joining the Marines!
He strode towards the door, determined to personally meet this young man who had shaken the entire training ground.
In the corridor,
Sengoku continuously sorted through Ace's intelligence files in his mind; sunlight streamed through the tall arched windows, casting mottled light and shadow on his white cloak embroidered with the character for "Justice."
"Windmill Village… Garp's hometown…" Sengoku murmured to himself, his fingertips gently stroking the short beard on his chin.
Intelligence showed that Ace and Luffy grew up together, and as Garp's biological grandson, Luffy's background was naturally impeccable.
Thinking of this, Sengoku's tightly furrowed brows relaxed slightly; at least from his background, this young man was not an unapproachable "dangerous element."
As he rounded the last corner, Sengoku's thoughts were interrupted by sounds from the training ground.
Through the open iron gate, he saw an unexpected scene: the two who had just been fiercely fighting were now sitting opposite each other like old friends.
Ace was gesturing and explaining something, while Momonga listened intently, nodding in sudden realization from time to time, his focused expression almost like an eager new recruit.
"So the force for 'Shave' needs to be more towards the front of the palm…" Momonga muttered to himself, his eyes gleaming with excitement, "No wonder I always felt the movement wasn't smooth enough…"
Ace grinned, casually picked up a twig, and began drawing diagrams on the ground: "And breathing rhythm is also very important, see—"
"Ahem!" Sengoku lightly coughed, and their conversation abruptly ceased.
"Fleet Admiral!" Momonga hastily stood up and saluted, his actions slightly stiff due to his recent injuries; Ace slowly stood up, looking at the Marines' supreme commander with interest.
Sengoku's sharp gaze swept back and forth between the two, finally settling on Ace; Ace's composed demeanor was indeed exactly like Garp's.
"Sengoku, what do you think of my grandson?" Garp came over and directly stated Ace's identity.
"Hmph!"
Sengoku snorted, then looked at the two, his gaze falling on the pile of training diagrams drawn with twigs on the ground: "It seems I interrupted a very valuable exchange?"
Momonga quickly explained: "Reporting, Fleet Admiral, Ace has new insights into the Marine Six Powers' method of force application…"
Sengoku raised an eyebrow slightly—a dignified Marine Vice Admiral, asking a pirate for guidance on Marine secret combat techniques?
This scene should have been utterly absurd, but seeing the lingering excitement in Momonga's eyes, he felt it seemed only natural.
"Interesting," Sengoku slowly stepped forward, his military boots making soft sounds on the sand, "Ace, I heard you can learn the Marine Six Powers just by watching?"
Ace rubbed his nose, a cunning smile on his face: "Well… maybe I just have good luck?"
Sengoku's spectacles glinted; he suddenly changed the subject: "Do you really want to become a Warlord of the Sea?"
Ace stood with his hands in his pockets, looking directly at Sengoku, his tone firm: "I'm serious, Fleet Admiral Sengoku. Becoming a Warlord is very important to me—I don't want to be an enemy of the Marines, and I hope to sail the seas legally."
Sengoku stood with his hands behind his back, his sharp gaze scrutinizing the young man before him through his spectacles.
The sea breeze swept across the training ground, rustling his white cloak embroidered with the character for "Justice." After a moment of contemplation, he slowly nodded: "Alright, since you have this sincerity, I will recommend you to the World Government to become a new Warlord."
Ace's eyes lit up, and he was about to speak, but then he heard Sengoku change the subject: "However, becoming a Warlord directly isn't convincing; you still need a proof of allegiance."
....
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