ONE PIECE: THE GREAT VOYAGE

The next moment, the black dots on the horizon disappeared.

Calm was restored on the sea.

After a night of rest, Caesar woke up feeling much better.

"Caesar, you're finally awake!"

Brad leaned forward excitedly. "It's all right."

Caesar covered his stomach, shook his head, and said, "It's okay, I'm just hungry."

His whole body ached.

Thinking of yesterday's battle, he frowned.

Did he lose in the end?

Caesar pursed his lips tightly, his gaze deep in thought.

Although he lost, it wasn't without gains.

He looked down at his fist, now covered in a dense layer of Armament Haki.

After this battle, his Armament Haki felt noticeably stronger.

[22] Full Training—First Encounter with the Navy!

After the battle with Douglas Bullet, known as "Wald the World Destroyer," Caesar developed a deeper thirst for combat.

From time to time, he would seek out Whitebeard for guidance in Haki training and hand-to-hand combat.

He frequently challenged the strongest fighters aboard—the likes of Edward Newgate (Whitebeard), Shiki the Golden Lion, and Charlotte Linlin (Big Mom).

Whitebeard wielded his naginata, Murakumogiri, and with a swing, his Tremor-Tremor Fruit ability caused the very air to crack.

Crack! The hull of the ship trembled.

Crew members of the Rocks Pirates clung to the railing.

"Here we go again! That guy, Caesar, never stops picking fights!"

"It's fine if he just spars, but why does he always go after the strongest on the ship?"

"If this keeps up, the ship's gonna fall apart!"

With a resounding clang, Caesar's longsword clashed against Whitebeard's naginata.

The sky darkened as black lightning crackled in the air—

Boom! Boom! Boom!

Many of the weaker crew members rolled their eyes and fainted from the Conqueror's Haki clash.

Charlotte Linlin, however, remained unaffected, happily munching on a pastry.

"Well, well, well! This brat Caesar is improving fast!"

Shiki, observing the duel, was equally surprised.

Caesar's progress had become strikingly clear, especially since his battle with Bullet. His Armament Haki had refined considerably.

Even more notably, faint traces of Conqueror's Haki infusion were beginning to appear in his sword swings—an advanced technique only a handful could wield.

The two warriors separated momentarily, red and black lightning dispersing around them.

The ship continued to shake from the battle's aftermath, waves churning in response.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

Despite their brief pause, the two fighters lunged at each other once again.

Caesar's movements grew faster, his figure blurring from sheer speed.

Yet, despite Whitebeard's massive frame, his agility remained terrifying.

Eventually, the two discarded their weapons, engaging in a pure hand-to-hand clash.

Hum!

A white shockwave enveloped Whitebeard's fist.

Caesar's heart pounded—he immediately recognized this ability from the anime.

"Internal destruction! This Haki can kill in a single blow!"

He dodged back instinctively.

Whitebeard laughed. "What? Scared?"

Before Caesar could react, Whitebeard vanished—

And in the next instant, a fist crashed into the back of Caesar's head.

Boom!

Caesar's face twisted, but his body reflexively responded—his blackened Armament Haki surging to reinforce his skull.

A violent shockwave erupted.

Pain and numbness flooded Caesar's senses, but to his relief, he had survived.

"If I had taken that hit directly… I might've died."

After his battle with Whitebeard, he could feel his Conqueror's Haki control improving.

His Armament Haki had also grown tougher.

Two days later, he challenged Shiki again.

To avoid damaging the ship, both were more cautious in their movements—mindful not to accidentally split the vessel in half.

Outside of sparring, Caesar trained relentlessly.

During his fight with Bullet, his endurance had given out first.

If he had lasted just a little longer…

"Maybe the outcome would've been different."

Caesar's voice echoed from the training room.

He was doing handstand push-ups, a massive barbell balanced on his feet—easily weighing several tons.

Sweat dripped onto the floor.

His face was flushed, his single supporting arm trembling, but he refused to give up.

Only when it was time for a meal did he finally stop.

After showering and changing, he made his way to the dining hall.

"We're finally heading back to our paradise. It's been ages!"

"Yeah, Hive Island feels like home!"

"Home? Ha! You just miss the women there, don't you?"

"...Shut up!"

Hearing their conversation, Caesar's eyes flickered with interest.

"So, we're returning to the Rocks Pirates' headquarters? Hive Island…"

For the next few days, the voyage remained peaceful.

Today was no different—clear skies and gentle waves.

Then—

From the watchtower, a lookout suddenly screamed in panic.

"Naval ships! The Navy is here!"

Caesar blinked in surprise.

Looking out, he spotted three massive warships approaching.

The seagull insignia of the Marines was unmistakable, emblazoned on sails above their dark green hulls.

Rocks stood up abruptly.

"They actually dared to chase us here?"

Whitebeard and the others tensed.

To them, the Navy was a familiar enemy.

Noticing Caesar's confusion, Whitebeard, who had taken a liking to the boy, explained,

"That's the Marine fleet that keeps hunting us."

Caesar leaned against the railing, curiously watching the warships draw closer.

[23] Vice Admiral Garp's Invitation!

As the Marine ships neared, their commanding officers came into view.

Caesar's pupils contracted sharply.

Four figures stood prominently on the deck of the lead ship.

Each wore a Justice-emblazoned Marine coat.

On the left stood a tall woman in a blue suit. Her long dark-blue hair framed a stern, intelligent face.

"Vice Admiral Tsuru!"

Next to her stood a man with an unmistakable afro, his expression serious.

"That's the young Sengoku!"

Beside him was a broad-chested man with slicked-back black hair, a prominent beard, and a formidable aura.

"Garp…!"

Even in middle age, the legendary "Fist of Love" exuded an overwhelming presence.

And finally, standing tall with sunglasses and short purple hair—his eyes filled with disgust—

"That must be Zephyr… 'Black Arm' Zephyr!"

Rocks stepped forward and scoffed.

"So, you finally caught up, huh?"

"Garp. Sengoku. Tsuru. Zephyr."

Despite facing four of the Navy's strongest vice admirals, Rocks' arrogance only intensified.

"Do you think you can stop me?"

Garp and Sengoku exchanged glances.

"This time, Rocks, you're not getting away!"

As Garp clenched his fists, the air around him seemed to distort from sheer pressure.

"We stake our names as Vice Admirals on this fight!"

Rocks only sneered. "Big words. But can you really take down the Rocks Pirates?"

Then—Garp's eyes flickered toward Caesar.

"A new face?"

He studied the young fighter curiously.

Even at a glance, he could tell—Caesar had potential.

He looked back at Rocks and smirked.

"Hey, kid. You interested in joining the Navy?"