One Piece: Scourge of the Seas

Maude's right hand was wrapped in a coating of Armament Haki, a sight that made Sol's bulging eyes appear on the verge of popping out.

Just a minute earlier, Sol had confidently declared that it was impossible for Maude to master Armament Haki in such a short amount of time.

But then, Maude slapped him in the face with a reality check.

Even someone like Sol, who had weathered countless storms, was rendered speechless by the shock.

It was a complete overturning of the theoretical and experiential knowledge Sol had spent his entire life accumulating.

If it had been Observation Haki, or even Conqueror's Haki, Sol wouldn't have been this stunned.

But this was Armament Haki—a skill that couldn't be mastered overnight and could only be honed through gradual progress.

Yet this kid...

Sol slowly regained his composure. Without warning, he reached out and dispersed the Armament Haki coating Maude's hand.

With his keen eye, Sol could easily tell that Maude's current physical condition wasn't suited for such proficient use of Haki.

It was akin to releasing a gentle stream of water, but Maude had instead smashed open a water tank.

Such reckless behavior would damage his body.

Sol naturally couldn't let Maude continue.

As Sol's hand dispersed the Haki, Maude froze in confusion. A moment later, a wave of exhaustion washed over him.

He hadn't felt this fatigue while channeling the Haki earlier, but now that it had been interrupted, his body reacted as though he'd just run several miles in mere seconds.

"This level of stamina drain is insane…"

Understanding dawned on Maude.

He realized why Sol had intervened. The old man's judgment was spot-on; continuing to recklessly use Haki at such intensity would have left him utterly drained.

Meanwhile, Sol was eyeing Maude with a peculiar gaze.

This kid's physical condition barely reached the threshold for using Armament Haki, yet he could manipulate it with such ease.

It was like watching a newborn who hadn't even learned to stand suddenly start running.

Was that even possible?

Sol knew Maude had an extraordinary physique, but that alone wasn't enough to explain what had just happened.

Sol took a drag from his cigarette, calming himself.

He wasn't the type to obsess over mysteries.

Nearby, Sunny and Bailey finally snapped out of their daze.

From Sol's earlier explanation, they had come to understand just how difficult it was to learn Armament Haki.

And yet, Maude had just demonstrated it as if it were child's play.

The two stared at Maude as though he were some bizarre anomaly.

"Uh…"

Under their intense scrutiny, Maude felt a twinge of unease.

To break the awkward atmosphere, he cautiously looked at Sol and said in a small voice, "It seems… I've mastered Armament Haki?"

Silence filled the room.

Sol's cheek twitched, as if another palm print had landed there.

Sunny took a deep breath, glared at Maude, and said, "I want to punch you."

"..."

Sol didn't pursue the matter further.

This world wasn't short of freaks.

Just because something was unprecedented didn't mean it was impossible.

Some people were born with awakened Observation Haki.

Some displayed Conqueror's Haki as children.

So, it wasn't entirely unimaginable for someone to master Armament Haki at the onset of learning.

What mattered most was the limitless potential Sol saw in Maude.

He was determined to guide all that potential toward the path of a sharpshooter.

Before resuming his lesson, Sol sternly warned Maude not to recklessly use Armament Haki again until his body was better conditioned.

Maude readily agreed.

West Blue, Marine Branch 158.

The evening sun dipped below the horizon, painting the calm sea in shades of orange.

A distinctive Marine battleship cut through the waves, heading toward the port of Branch 158.

On the dock, all the Marines, including Gion, assembled in neat ranks to welcome the ship.

At the forefront of the formation, Captain Robbie watched the approaching vessel with a pensive expression.

"Why is Vice Admiral Garp coming to Branch 158?"

His gaze drifted subtly toward Gion, wondering if it had something to do with her extended stay at the branch.

Soon, the battleship docked.

A wooden gangplank extended from the ship's side to the dock.

Clap!

The synchronized sound of boots snapping together echoed as the Marines saluted the figure descending the gangplank—Vice Admiral Garp.

Trailing behind Garp was a man dressed in casual attire, his face marked with a sleepy expression.

"Eh!?"

The sight of the man behind Garp left the assembled Marines stunned.

It was Admiral Aokiji!

They had been prepared for Garp's visit, but no one had anticipated the arrival of an Admiral.

This was just a small branch in the West Blue. What could have brought two such towering figures here?

Even Robbie was dumbfounded.

Gion, too, was surprised.

When Garp's adjutant Bogard had contacted her, he hadn't mentioned Aokiji's presence.

Did the situation with the Phantom Gun warrant both Garp and Aokiji?

For a moment, Gion's thoughts raced.

She could never have guessed the true reason Aokiji had tagged along.

"Garp, Aokiji," Gion greeted them with familiarity, dispensing with formalities.

"Ha-ha! You've worked hard, Gion!" Garp replied with a hearty laugh.

Aokiji merely nodded in acknowledgment.

Not far away, Robbie restrained his urge to step forward and make his presence known, aware of the vast gulf in status.

Garp didn't linger at the dock.

He delegated the task of resupplying to his adjutant and, led by Gion, made his way to the base.

They would stay the night at the branch while awaiting the completion of resupply.

The journey to Mad Hat Town would take at least three days, and Garp was in no hurry.

As Garp and Aokiji disappeared into the base, the Marines left behind speculated endlessly about their presence.

If it were to hunt down a notorious criminal, there would have been some prior intelligence.

The only notable incident in the West Blue recently had been the attack on the Platinum Guild's merchant ship—an issue already resolved by Captain Robbie.

So what could have prompted the joint arrival of Vice Admiral Garp and Admiral Aokiji?

Mad Hat Town, Pig Farm at Wall Mountain.

Under the cover of night, two figures slipped in unnoticed.

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