Michael looked at the long, bustling line of trainees and revealed a heartfelt smile.
When it came to building a solid foundation and conducting systematic training, no other organization in the world could compare to the Marines.
Although Rokushiki's combat power couldn't match the flashiness of high-level battles, it was undeniably the most suitable form of physical training to forge a solid foundation in the entire One Piece world.
Mastering Rokushiki didn't necessarily make someone a true powerhouse, but it meant that the path to becoming strong had already been opened. What came next depended on whether one's talent was enough to support going further down that road.
In the original story, although the Marines possessed such techniques, the lack of new blood meant that even with a solid foundation, few could ever push their limits higher.
Pirates, on the other hand, were overflowing with gifted individuals…
But that was understandable—after all, in the original story, the Marines weren't positioned as the righteous force, but as "villains."
Their role was no different from that of other evil pirates.
Villains needed to possess great power, but their potential had to be capped to avoid becoming an unmovable mountain overshadowing the protagonist.
That was also why the author designed the Marines to be broken up into disconnected generations, with a gaping hole between the old guard and the new.
But now…
Ace, Luffy, and Sabo went without saying. Growing up under Garp's roof, their physical strength was visibly extraordinary.
Then there were Michael's five nephews. As products of lineage factor modification, their strength was already destined. And they hadn't even been given the combat suits Judge had created in his early years.
There was also Monet with the Snow-Snow Fruit, Sugar with the Hobby-Hobby Fruit, Ulti with the Dragon-Dragon Fruit, Ancient Zoan, Pachycephalosaurus model, Page One with the Spinosaurus model, Chopper with the Human-Human Fruit, and the sword-wielding girl Tashigi…
They were all among the most outstanding of the youth class.
And then there was Marianne—also known as Miss Goldenweek…
But her physical strength was simply too average. She hadn't even finished a lap before collapsing on the roadside, half dead, and was carried back to Michael by the medics along the track.
"Sorry, Vice Admiral Michael… Am I holding everyone back too much?" Marianne hugged her knees, sitting beside Michael, gazing enviously at the big group in the distance. "They're all… so amazing."
"What are you thinking? You're only six years old, okay?" Michael chuckled. "Stop comparing your physical abilities with that group of monsters—you'll just end up wanting to jump off a cliff."
"But… we're all part of the youth class…"
"You're classmates in the youth class. Comrades-in-arms. There's no competition between you." Michael patted Marianne on the head. "And most importantly, the youth class isn't just meant to train combat experts. Its ultimate goal is to provide the Marines—and even the entire world—with well-rounded talent."
"Well-rounded… talent?"
"That's right. As long as you can contribute to the Marines and to civilians, that makes you excellent talent." Michael crouched down, looking at Marianne. "Since you were admitted to the youth class, it means you excel in some area."
"R-really?"
"Of course." Michael turned and pointed toward the group of youths in the distance. "See over there? There's that orange-haired brat. She grew up among the Marines too. She's terrible in both academics and combat, but she was born with an extraordinary gift for navigation and charting… When she grows up, she'll become one of the best navigators. No matter how dangerous the sea ahead may be, she'll be someone we can rely on completely."
Marianne tiptoed, barely managing to see Nami's face.
"Well then… what about you, Marianne? What kind of skill do you have?"
"I… I can draw."
"Drawing, huh?" Michael nodded, then signaled to Enel. Enel brought over a prepared easel and a set of paints. "Can you… show me?"
"O-okay… but I'll need someone to help."
"Enel, come here." Before Marianne even finished speaking, Michael was already waving him over.
"Come and give it a try."
"Why me again?" Enel frowned, pointing at Hawk Eyes sitting quietly under a tree with his sword.
"Isn't that guy free?"
"You're more suitable. Your mind is… simpler."
That was Michael's reasoning.
Marianne's ability didn't come from a Devil Fruit. It was more like a hypnotist's power… She could use colored paints to manipulate emotions and implant suggestions into the heart.
Colors inherently influence human emotions.
Marianne amplified and strengthened this suggestive power, ultimately turning it into a special type of attack.
And the simpler someone's mind was, the more deeply they were affected.
So of course, compared to Hawk Eyes, Enel was a better test subject.
As for Michael himself… he was so bad his thoughts practically oozed black smoke, with little sparks glinting in those black eyes!
"I'll start now." With the brush and palette in hand, Marianne grew calm. "Just one color will be enough… Black."
As she spoke, Marianne drew a small black fluffy cat on the back of Enel's hand.
It had to be said, in terms of pure technique, six-year-old Marianne already surpassed many adult artists.
"Does this… do anything?" Enel stared curiously at the black cat on his hand. "Also, what kind of creature is this? I've never seen one before."
"Vice Admiral Michael, please say something to him." Marianne nodded at Michael.
Michael, who already knew about Marianne's ability, rolled his eyes as a wicked grin spread across his face.
"Alright… Enel, you're a man."
"What the hell are you talking about!? You say I'm a man and I'm just supposed to accept that!? I'm clearly a woman! I don't care what you think—I'll think what I want!"
Enel instinctively started refuting Michael's words.
But the moment the words left his mouth, he immediately felt something was off…
"What the hell!? Why was my brain just dead set on refuting whatever Michael said? Even if he's stating a fact, I'd still argue against it—hell, I even threw my gender into it!"
In that instant, Enel fell into self-doubt.
"Black of Betrayal. No matter how important the person is—be it comrade or superior—everything they say will be met with betrayal and contradiction."
Michael nodded. It matched what he knew about her ability.
But… there was one more thing to test.
Michael wiped away the black cat from Enel's hand and said:
"Enel, cover your whole body with Armament Haki."
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