- But... it doesn't seem to have much to do with your desperate training, does it? - Someone present couldn't resist and put in their two cents, trying to interrupt the pompous mood that Leonardo had created.
Only his answer clearly deviated from their original question.
"Well, it's just a pretense," someone muttered under their breath.
Leonardo, however, was not embarrassed and continued as if nothing had happened:
"Why do I need to train so hard if I'm going to protect the East Blue in the future?" he said with a confidence that made everyone momentarily silent. "The sea is unpredictable. Who knows what powerful opponents I'll have to face? If I don't have enough strength, how cool will I look if I curl up in a ball at the first moment?"
"And who said East Blue was weak anyway?" he continued, taking them at their word. "I've studied a little about east blue, and you know what? East Blue is a famous forge of heroes. Did you forget that Garp and Roger were born there?"
Everyone thought about it. Someone even muttered quietly:
- Indeed, if you think about it... Garp, the Vice Admiral, and Roger are both from the East Blue. So this region is not that weak.
"But who then claims that the East Blue is the weakest sea?" Leonardo continued, smiling slyly.
"Well... those are just rumors," someone answered uncertainly.
Indeed, all these years, people considered the East Blue to be the weakest of the four seas. After all, the bounties on pirates' heads there were the lowest. But now that Leonardo had brought up giants like Garp and Roger, everyone began to doubt.
Can a weak sea give birth to such mighty warriors?
"You didn't know?" Leonardo continued, as if reading their minds. "It doesn't matter where heroes come from. The East Blue is Garp's homeland, and that's why the Marines have always kept a tight guard over this region. But who knows, maybe next time another talent will emerge here?"
He paused to let his words sink in.
- Besides, we are heading to the New World now. There, if you close your eyes, you can accidentally stumble upon a big pirate. If you are not prepared, you may not return. Do you want your loved ones to receive bad news?
Some of the marines looked down, lost in thought. Leonardo continued:
– Even if you don't have parents, life is short. There are many things you haven't had a chance to try yet. And if you're unlucky and die young, won't you regret it?
He looked at each of them as if he was trying to convey his thought to the depths of their hearts.
- Who are you? Where are you from? Why do you live? Ask yourself these questions when you go to bed. And if each of you writes me your thoughts, I will definitely read them.
Leonardo looked at these Marines, most of whom were simple apprentices, earning a measly thousand and two belli a month. He himself outranked them, but in the half month they had spent together there had been no gulf between them. They got along well, and he wanted to help them realize something important.
It was, in fact, a rather strange occupation for a man who would be heading to the New World in two weeks to catch pirates. But Leonardo seemed to enjoy it.
The marines nodded silently, though their expressions showed more confusion than understanding. To them, the simple working men of the Marine Corps, no one had ever said such things. Even if someone had tried, it was too much for them to process.
Leonardo, seeing their reaction, forced a slight smile.
- Okay, enough philosophy. Just think about it.
On the second floor of the cabin, Sengoku watched this scene. He was pleased. Even though half of what Leonardo said was pure nonsense, his intentions were good.
Sengoku noticed that his old friend's son, although lazy, did not miss training. Every morning at four o'clock he went out on deck to train in the sea breeze. This calmed Sengoku down a little.
"This guy certainly has talent," he muttered under his breath. "He just lacks ambition."
Meanwhile, Leonardo had already returned to his thoughts, preparing for the upcoming trials.
He had also learned something about this boy in the last two weeks. The boy was under the strong influence of Opd Curry. It would be difficult to transform him overnight, especially since he was still a teenager, which was the most rebellious period. If he acted too abruptly, it could backfire, and nothing good would come of it. He had to act gradually, step by step. When they got to the New World, let him go to Borsalino first. If the demands were not too high, it would be good for him to be under his influence.
*Boom!*
- Hah... ha... - a heavy breath was heard.
- Admiral Sengoku, things are bad. Vice Admiral Duncan reported that Roger's Pirates have appeared in the New World, and traces of the Flying Pirates have been found. The two major pirate groups will soon meet!
As Sengoku was thinking about how to arrange for his older brother's son to live in the New World, the door burst open and Mickey ran in, breathing heavily.
- It seems Tsuru's guess is correct. The Golden Lion started recruiting people to find Roger half a year ago...! Full speed ahead! We must enter the New World before the Golden Lion contacts Roger! Have Vice Admiral Duncan closely monitor Roger and the Golden Lion's movements.
- Also inform headquarters that Garp should leave for the New World immediately upon returning.
Sengoku wasn't too surprised when he heard the news. Roger was a tasty morsel. Not only was Garp after him, but Golden Lion was obsessed with him as well. Golden Lion and Roger had clashed many times over the years. Golden Lion had been defeated by Roger a few years ago. It was only natural for Golden Lion to gather his strength and seek revenge this time. In the New World, pirates always fought pirates, so there was nothing unusual about that. However, Sengoku suddenly had an idea. Roger and Golden Lion were on the threshold of their New World, and he wasn't that far away from them. If he could get these two kings under his control, the next Fleet Admiral would be his!