Kaito stood still, blade in hand, his aura intensifying with each passing moment. He swung his sword, and the sheer speed and power of the motion seemed to rend the air itself, producing a deafening roar that echoed through the hills.
In that instant, a brilliant arc of sword energy erupted from his blade. The devastating slash hurtled forward, cutting through the dense forest like a hurricane's fury.
"Boom!!!"
The ground shook as the sword energy carved a deep, jagged path into the earth, toppling trees and hurling debris skyward. By the time it dissipated, Kaito stood before a scene of utter devastation: a trench that stretched far into the distance, the land torn apart by the raw force of his swing.
Kaito looked at the destruction with a mix of satisfaction and determination. "The quality of the sword truly does matter," he murmured. "A finer blade amplifies my strength in ways an ordinary one never could."
He glanced at his new weapon, a high-grade katana. In his hands, even an already formidable blade became something far more lethal. He resolved to one day wield an even greater blade—one that could elevate his skill to unimaginable heights.
---
Meanwhile, on a nearby ridge in the sprawling back mountain, a group of Marines crouched in hiding. Their presence had gone unnoticed, but the commotion caused by Kaito's training had not escaped them.
Colonel Garp, stationed closest to the noise, raised an eyebrow as a scout approached. "Who's making all that racket?" he asked, his voice as casual as if he were inquiring about the weather.
The scout saluted. "Sir! It appears to be a pirate named Kaito. He's a known member of the Rocks Pirates and currently has a bounty of 100 million beli."
The mention of the Rocks Pirates sparked murmurs among the nearby Marines. Although Garp's team had been tasked with gathering intelligence, this was the first time they'd directly identified a Rocks crew member.
One of Garp's subordinates hesitated before speaking. "Colonel Garp, shouldn't we report this to Colonel Sengoku? If we've found a Rocks member this close to our position, we need a coordinated response."
But the scout quickly clarified, "Sir, Kaito appears to be training. From what we've observed, he's been testing his swordsmanship, not looking for us."
Still, the unease among the Marines grew. "Even so," one of them insisted, "it would be wise to inform Colonel Sengoku. If we're discovered, our entire operation could be compromised."
Garp waved off their concerns with his usual easygoing grin. "Relax. He's just one pirate. If we catch him, we can learn all kinds of things about the Rocks Pirates—maybe even their future plans. No need to bother Sengoku."
"But sir…" The Marine shifted uncomfortably. "What if Sengoku finds out we acted without his approval?"
"Then he'll yell at me," Garp said, unfazed. "I can take it. I've been yelled at plenty of times before." He leaned forward, a glint of excitement in his eyes. "This is an opportunity. If we grab this guy and bring him in, we'll get more than enough intel to justify our actions. Don't worry so much."
The Marines exchanged glances. Garp's reputation for recklessness was well-known, but so was his effectiveness. While Sengoku's orders emphasized caution, Garp's instincts often led to results.
Garp stood, cracking his knuckles. "Let's move. If we want to get anything out of him, we'll need to move fast." His confidence was contagious, and soon the Marines' hesitation faded.
"Yes, sir!"
With that, Garp and his team prepared to intercept the unwitting Kaito, whose sword training continued in the distance. The Marines' mission had shifted: they would no longer simply observe. They were now determined to bring back a prize—one that could tip the balance in their fight against the Rocks Pirates.
Kaito tightened his grip on his blade and surveyed the carnage he had created. Around him lay a landscape in ruins: toppled trees, jagged fissures in the earth, and churned soil as far as the eye could see. The aftermath of his training bore testament to the strides he had made in recent days.
Reflecting on his progress, Kaito nodded in approval. "Under Rocks' guidance, my swordsmanship has already become far sharper than it was when I first came aboard." His tone carried a rare note of satisfaction. Although he had joined the Rocks Pirates mere days ago, the intense nightly training sessions overseen by Rocks himself had borne fruit.
Rocks had begun by elevating Kaito's Armament and Observation Haki to mid-level mastery, and then turned his attention to swordsmanship. Despite not using a sword against Silver Axe, Rocks' skills as a swordsman were nothing short of extraordinary—undoubtedly rivaling the greatest in the world. Kaito had absorbed his teachings like a sponge, refining his already considerable talent. The gap between his skill level before and after boarding the ship was unmistakable.
Now, as Kaito examined the aftermath of his training, he felt no doubt that he had made the right decision in joining the Rocks Pirates. While his original goal had been to seek out Devil Fruits and further his Sage Body abilities, the unexpected leap in his swordsmanship more than compensated for the time spent so far.
Before he could begin testing the Rasengan technique he had recently acquired, the sound of approaching footsteps caught his attention.
"Tap. Tap. Tap."
He turned to see a group of Marines emerging from the shadows, marching toward him with purpose. At the front stood a young, broad-shouldered figure with a steely gaze and an air of confidence. Kaito's eyebrows rose slightly at the sight.
Leading the charge was none other than Garp, though this was not the seasoned Marine hero Kaito remembered from the original story. This was a younger Garp—still brimming with raw talent, but not yet at his peak. The determination in his eyes, however, was unmistakable.
As the group neared, the Marines surrounding Garp froze in their tracks, stunned by the scene before them. The devastation Kaito had caused stretched out for hundreds of meters in every direction.
"Did he do all this?" one Marine whispered, his voice trembling.
"This is insane. He leveled this area with just his swordsmanship?"
"He must be incredibly strong…"
A few nervous glances were exchanged, but then another Marine spoke up. "We've got Colonel Garp. It doesn't matter how strong this guy is—he doesn't stand a chance against him."
"Yeah! Colonel Garp will handle him!" another chimed in, their confidence in their leader shining through.
Garp stepped forward, his arms crossed as he took in the destruction. He showed no sign of fear or hesitation, only a slight grin tugging at the corner of his mouth. "If I'm not mistaken, you're Kaito—a member of the Rocks Pirates."
Kaito frowned, gripping his blade tighter. "Who's asking?"
Garp's grin widened. "Monkey D. Garp. Remember that name, because you're about to face the strongest opponent you've ever met." His tone was confident, almost playful, but his words carried the weight of his conviction.
The name struck a chord. Kaito's frown shifted into a faint smile as recognition dawned. Garp's youthful appearance had thrown him off at first, but now it was clear. He was looking at the Marine who would one day earn the title of "Hero of the Marines."
"Well, isn't that convenient," Kaito said, his grip loosening slightly. He glanced at his blade, then back at Garp. "I was just about to test out some new techniques, and you've given me the perfect opportunity."
Garp's Marines looked to one another, confused by Kaito's calm demeanor. One spoke up, his voice filled with bravado. "Colonel Garp's strength is leagues beyond yours. If you surrender now, you might save yourself some pain."
"That's right! Come quietly, pirate!" another shouted.
Kaito remained silent, his eyes locked on Garp. Around him, the Marines waited, but none dared to make the first move. The tension in the air was palpable, the atmosphere charged with anticipation.
Garp, however, seemed completely at ease. He raised his hand slightly, silencing his men, and then took a step closer to Kaito. "You've caused quite the scene here. Let's see if you can back it up."