The surrounding Marine Soldiers retreated even further the moment Taro agreed, their gazes toward Taro becoming more fervent.
"They're about to fight! Who do you think will win?"
"Lieutenant Taro, of course. Don't they say he has the strength of an Admiral?"
"I don't think so. If he has the strength of an Admiral, why would he come to the Training Camp? The rumors about his strength must be false!"
"No, it's true. I saw it with my own eyes yesterday—he fought Admiral Akainu to a draw!"
"Hiss, that strong! Then wouldn't Vice Admiral John be..."
Vice Admiral John leaped down from the high platform, landing heavily on the ground. Vice Admiral John, a member of the Giant Race, possessed a towering, mountain-like physique, immediately enveloping Taro in his shadow.
He slowly drew a massive greatsword, dozens of times larger than Taro himself, and pointed it directly at Taro.
Taro's pupils contracted. This... damn it!
This guy is that cannon fodder Vice Admiral who was later knocked down by Whitebeard in a single move during the Marineford War, right?
What was his name? I forgot.
Forget it. If I can't remember him, it means he isn't strong.
Taro felt much more relaxed, and his expression eased.
John Jaennd, standing opposite, had also heard the rumors about Taro, and he knew more than the average Marine Soldiers.
The Marine high-ups valued Taro, and combined with Taro's genuinely good strength, Vice Admiral John no longer intended to expel him from the Training Camp. Proposing a match was partly to save Face, and partly because he heard Taro's sword skills were excellent, and a spar might help sharpen his own technique.
But now, seeing Taro's composed demeanor, as if he didn't take Vice Admiral John seriously at all, Vice Admiral John felt a surge of anger and wanted to teach Taro a real lesson through a proper match.
He held his sword horizontally across his chest, preparing to unleash a slash.
Taro thought to himself that although this guy was cannon fodder in the original plot, the Giant Race physique and that greatsword were real. If he were hit by a single strike, his life would definitely be over.
Therefore, Taro decided to strike first. He quickly rushed out, leaped high, and delivered a straight kick with his right foot toward Vice Admiral John.
"Mutton Shot!"
Vice Admiral John was holding his sword horizontally, gathering strength for a full-power strike, when he saw Taro, moving incredibly fast, kicking toward his Face. He had no choice but to block with his sword, protecting his vital head and neck.
"Clang!"
Taro's kick landed squarely on the blade. The immense force caused Vice Admiral John's Giant Race body to stumble backward slightly, but he was not knocked away. Stabilizing himself, Vice Admiral John swung his sword in a horizontal sweep.
Taro, having missed his strike, did not linger. Using the momentum, he slightly exerted force with his right foot, bounced back, and narrowly dodged Vice Admiral John's horizontal sweep.
Both men stood still once again.
Vice Admiral John was extremely shocked internally. He could feel how powerful Taro's previous kick had been; not only had it nearly knocked him back, but the muscles in the arm currently holding the sword were still twitching.
This fellow not only possesses superb sword skills, but his martial arts are equally astonishing!
He propped the greatsword on the ground, gripped the wrist of his sword-holding right hand with his left, and struggled to control his trembling arm. Looking at Taro, he tried to speak in a calm tone: "Very well, I acknowledge your strength. You are permitted to continue participating in this term's training."
Only then did Taro let out a sigh of relief, offering a smile and nodding toward Vice Admiral John. "Thank you!"
The surrounding Marine Soldiers were silent for a moment before slowly starting to stir.
"He doesn't look that strong. Rumors really aren't trustworthy."
"What do you know? Didn't you see Vice Admiral John was almost knocked back?"
"But he wasn't knocked back, was he?"
"That means you don't understand. Look how relaxed Lieutenant Taro is; he definitely wasn't using his full strength."
"That's right, Lieutenant Taro's expression was very relaxed. He clearly wasn't serious."
"Exactly. With so many people watching, Lieutenant Taro had to save some Face for Vice Admiral John."
"Indeed. Lieutenant Taro said he hoped to continue training at the Training Camp. Knocking down the Chief Instructor on the very first day would be too inappropriate."
"That makes sense. I think so too."
"Oh, now that you mention it, that seems to be exactly what happened!"
"Of course!"
"..."
Taro didn't pay attention to what the stirring Marines nearby were discussing. He was focused on the Six Powers, wondering if he should ask about it now, when he heard Vice Admiral John roar loudly:
"Attention, everyone! The Marineford Training Camp Opening Ceremony for this term is concluded. Now, according to your respective queues, report to your corresponding instructors. Dismissed!"
The passionate voice boomed, instantly stunning all the Marine Soldiers present. The Marine Soldiers then quickly gathered into formation and swiftly left the field.
Soon, only Taro and Vice Admiral John were left in the field.
What a great opportunity.
Taro took a few steps forward and bowed to Vice Admiral John. "Mr. Vice Admiral, I have..."
Vice Admiral John interrupted Taro. "My name is John Jaennd, Headquarters Vice Admiral, and I am the Chief Instructor for this term's Training Camp!"
"Uh, hello, Vice Admiral John. I wanted to ask, which instructor should I look for if I want to learn the Six Powers?"
Taro reorganized his words and asked.
Vice Admiral John looked at Taro strangely. "You want to learn the Six Powers?"
Taro nodded blankly. What's wrong? Is there a problem?
"Then why did you come here? Our Training Camp doesn't teach that!"
Taro opened his mouth wide in surprise, letting out a sound of "Huh?"
Why?
If they don't teach this, what do they teach?
Sensing Taro's excessive surprise, Vice Admiral John explained, "If you want to learn the Six Powers, wouldn't it be easier to ask Vice Admiral Garp directly?"
"In fact, there aren't many people in the entire Marine who have fully mastered the Six Powers."
"And Vice Admiral Garp is the most outstanding Six Powers user among them!"
Chotto Matte!
Wait!
Did I misunderstand something?
Taro was a bit stunned. Not many people know the Six Powers? Didn't that Leopard Man named Lucci and his spy subordinates all know it?
And the Six Powers—Marineford's Training Camp doesn't teach it? Shouldn't it be widely popularized?
Taro had always thought the Six Powers was a martial art commonly taught and trained in the Marine, because he remembered Luffy's friend, Koby, had learned it later on too.
Did Garp teach him?
Seeing Taro's shifting expression, Vice Admiral John asked with concern, "Are you alright?"
No, I don't feel alright at all!
Taro rubbed his brow, forcefully suppressing his disappointment, and looked up to ask, "Why hasn't the Six Powers been popularized and taught throughout the Marine?"
"There's no special reason. It's because Marines with insufficient talent might only master one or two moves even after several years of study."
"As for Marines with good talent, they already have abilities they specialize in."
Vice Admiral John replied as if it were obvious.
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