"Of course, this is also because I genuinely have high hopes for you,"
Garp added with a tsundere huff.
"Otherwise, I wouldn't bother with that stiff-neck Zephyr's request."
"Hoo…" Longinus drew a deep breath.
No childish shyness, no hesitation—
only calm determination.
"I understand.
I'll give everything I have under your guidance, Vice Admiral Garp."
"No need to be so tense."
Garp plopped down on a reef with casual grace.
"With your talent and your conviction, learning my Iron Fist isn't the hard part.
The real challenge is—what level you'll take it to."
Longinus stood respectfully at the side, listening quietly.
"A lot of Marines have trained under me.
But most of them can't draw out the true strength of the Iron Fist.
Only one person ever mastered it completely—my son, Dragon."
Pride flashed on Garp's face…
and instantly turned to dissatisfaction.
"BUT!
That brat insisted on changing my Iron Fist!
Fine—he wants to change it, whatever!
But to turn it into that pinching-finger, dainty-looking claw technique?!
I was so mad I beat the crap out of him right there!"
(Longinus' lips twitched.
Dragon created the future "Dragon Claw Fist."
A technique strong enough to crush tyranny…
An act of genius—
wasted on a father who understood NOTHING of subtlety.)
Wait… could Dragon's hatred for oppression…
actually have STARTED because of Garp's oppressive household rule?
Then what about Luffy's obsession with "freedom"…
Is THAT also because of Garp's high-pressure education?
Longinus suddenly felt deep respect.
Truly… the most terrifying man in the world… is Garp.
Garp noticed the strange look and snorted.
"What's that look for—
Ah! You're thinking I rambled too much?
Kids these days, no patience!"
He waved it off and continued:
"The strength of my Iron Fist lies in conviction.
Only someone with an ironclad spirit can unleash its full power.
That's the biggest reason I like you—
you've got a heart that never wavers.
If you can pour that conviction into your fists—
that is a TRUE Iron Fist."
"So in other words," Longinus murmured,
"the essence isn't in technique or mechanics—
but in unwavering belief."
"Exactly!
Just like Zephyr told you—true strength comes from the heart.
And the greatest evidence of that…
is Haki."
"Haki…?"
"Haki is a power every human is born with.
It's not rare at all.
But most people can't use it well because they lack a strong spirit.
No conviction—no depth.
Simple as that."
Garp jabbed a finger at him.
"That's why the training camp is three years.
One year pushing past your limits.
One year dancing with death.
One year forging your foundation.
Only when your belief becomes unshakeable
do they let you touch Haki."
He coughed.
"…Anyway, that's enough rambling."
Garp refocused.
"What I want you to understand is—
just as Armament Haki can manifest as invisible armor,
strong conviction can also manifest as power!"
"For swordsmen it's even easier.
They channel everything into the blade.
That purity lets their beliefs take shape.
But the moment you take away their weapon,
half their strength disappears."
Longinus nodded.
Memories surfaced—
Vista's petal sword aura,
Kin'emon's Foxfire,
Zoro's Ashura,
Sanji's Diable Jambe…
Manifested belief.
Then Garp's "Iron Fist"…
is a manifestation of belief as well.
And Devil Fruits…
could they be "external convictions" imposed on the user?
Which is why weak-willed people get swallowed by them?
He shook his head.
This is too far ahead. Not yet.
"Longinus!"
Garp raised his fist, eyes glowing with dangerous enthusiasm.
"Now—try channeling your conviction into your fist!
Feel the expectations carried in my punch just now!"
Longinus almost pitied Dragon and the unborn Luffy.
So Garp's "training"…
is literally punching you half to death and telling you to 'figure it out'?
He closed his eyes.
He shut out everything else.
"I am Longinus.
I am Allen.
The boy who was once kind…
and hated himself for being ignorant."
Images flickered through his mind—
the burning village,
the screams,
the helplessness,
the vow made in blood and ash.
"From that day on, I learned—
Kindness is not weakness.
Justice is not naïveté.
I will reward the kind.
I will punish the wicked.
I will enforce judgment on all of it."
His heartbeat grew louder.
His spirit surged.
"My will…
IS justice."
The conviction burned like a rising sun.
"So my fist…
should be—
The Fist of Justice!"
Conviction, when absolute, becomes power.
When fanatical—
it becomes overwhelming.
Longinus' fist moved—
moving after Garp,
yet striking first.
In Garp's stunned eyes—
a fist shining with "holy" brilliance
collided with his jaw.'
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