"Among the current Three Admirals, Kizaru won't get involved. As for Aokiji, he's your grandfather's disciple, so you'll have to use your own ideals to convince him. The most difficult one to deal with should be Akainu. If you want to become the Fleet Admiral, you must also have the strength to contend with an Admiral."
Hera nodded. "Don't worry, Grandma Tsuru. I've grown quite a bit now. In a few years, once my body is fully developed, I'll send Kaido, Big Mom, and the rest of them flying."
As if remembering something, Grandma Tsuru urged again, "Regarding the Celestial Dragon incident at the Sabaody Archipelago—I don't know if that Celestial Dragon's death had anything to do with you, and I don't want to know. But after this incident, those cowards probably won't be coming out for a few years."
"It's good that you have your own plans. However, remember that the balance of the sea is of utmost importance. The Four Emperors aren't necessarily targets that must be defeated. I won't keep you any longer. Your Instructor Zephyr has also returned; he should be at the training ground at this time. Remember to visit him when you have time; more than half of the Marines are his disciples."
Hera's eyes lit up and she nodded. She happened to be worried about Nami and Perona's physical technique issues. After quickly taking her leave from Grandma Tsuru, she went to the training ground to find Instructor Zephyr.
Vice Admiral Tsuru watched Hera's departing figure. After seeing her close the door, she sighed, "Young people these days... going to Sky Island and Fish-Man Island. Is it because of those two stone tablets?"
"It's fine to let her return to the four seas; let her stay out of the limelight for a while. In two years, I expect fewer people will be paying attention."
Hera didn't think that much. She went to Sky Island purely for the Rumble-Rumble Fruit, and she went to Fish-Man Island just because she had nothing better to do. As for collecting poneglyphs, she would leave that to Luffy.
On Hera's side, as soon as she stepped into the training ground, her Observation Haki flared with warnings. The sudden crisis left her no time to even summon saikū. She coated her fist with Armament Haki and used 'Fist Bone: Impact.' Garp's move collided with the enemy's black arm. After seeing who it was, Hera smiled.
"Instructor Zephyr, your welcome is as warm as ever."
The collision between the two ended instantly. Nearby, Kuina, who had drawn her sword, and Ain, who was prepared to use Tempest Kick, also stopped their attacks.
"Haha, wasn't I just testing whether you've become too dependent on your devil fruit ability and neglected your Haki cultivation?" Zephyr said with a loud laugh.
"The test is over then. How does it feel now?" Hera flexed her slightly aching palm, not forgetting to give herself a Aquarius Bullet.
Zephyr felt the force transmitted from his black arm and was somewhat startled. Hera's strength was now something even he couldn't ignore, but he still said, "It's just so-so. You still need to keep working hard."
Then, Hera pushed Nami and Perona forward and stated her purpose: "Instructor Zephyr, these two are my new companions. They are both devil fruit users. I hope you can teach them some physical techniques."
Zephyr nodded. He liked students like Hera who valued physical techniques. "Alright. Since it's break time anyway, I'll take them under my wing for a bit."
After hearing Zephyr agree, Hera left Nami and Perona behind and prepared to leave.
Zephyr grabbed Hera's wrist, and a bracelet appeared on her arm. The next second, ten times the force of gravity covered Hera's entire body. She was nearly pinned down by this sudden weight.
Zephyr said with a smile, "Since you're here, let's train together. How can you leave your companions behind and go off on your own? Don't you agree, Hera?"
Seeing that Zephyr hadn't given her any choice to refuse, Hera could only mutter, "Is the reason I'm not growing taller because of the gravity pressure?" Yet her feet honestly stepped onto the training ground as she began running laps.
Kuina and Ain also put on gravity bracelets and started running with her.
Hera's footsteps left solid prints on the training ground. Under ten times gravity, every step she took left a pit. Seeing this, Zephyr raised a new requirement.
"If you trample the training ground to pieces, how can others train? Control your body."
Hearing this, Hera channeled her strength into the soles of her feet to support the weight.
Zephyr nodded with satisfaction as he saw Hera's steps become light. A powerhouse must be able to master every part of their body; it won't do if they can't control their own weight.
Under the admiring gazes of other Marines, Hera and her group began Zephyr's specially enhanced training.
Seeing the expressions of the surrounding Marines, Zephyr roared, "What are you looking at? Everyone, move! You're not going to let yourselves be outdone by a few little girls, are you?"
Hearing this, the Marines were like they'd been injected with chicken blood, beginning to train desperately. Zephyr nodded in satisfaction and continued to supervise Hera and the others.
When evening arrived, Zephyr glanced at the sky before announcing dismissal. Leaving behind a reminder to come early tomorrow, he prepared to leave. Hera quickly called out to him.
"Instructor Zephyr, Grandpa Garp said he's going to catch a Sea King. Let's eat together."
Zephyr thought for a moment and nodded. "Very well. Let me taste if there's anything different about prey caught by the hero of the marines."
He then left with Hera.
After the group left, the remaining Marines began to gossip. "Who is she? She's so close to Instructor Zephyr. And I saw her take a punch from him without being pushed back."
Another Marine who had been in the same training camp session as Hera explained to him, "You're ill-informed, aren't you? That's Hera, the top student of our training camp session. She awakened both Armament and Observation Haki while still in the camp. It's said she's also Vice Admiral Garp's granddaughter."
A Marine from the intelligence department suddenly realized, "I know her! The intelligence reports say she defeated the former Shichibukai Moriah after setting out to sea. I didn't expect her to be so young."
Gradually, Hera's fame began to rise among the soldiers at Marineford. Grandma Tsuru was also pushing the public opinion from behind the scenes.
Sengoku looked at Grandma Tsuru with some concern and asked, "Is this really okay? Hera is still young. Is it necessary to start preparing this early?"
Grandma Tsuru nodded. "Her growth rate is very fast. It probably won't be long before she has Admiral-level strength. For the current Navy, high-end combat power is extremely important."
"Besides, you didn't stop me either. Just consider it a backup plan for Aokiji. You can't let Akainu take over after you retire; his justice is too extreme."
Sengoku nodded at those words, recalling Akainu's performance during the Ohara incident when he fired upon the evacuation fleet carrying civilians without hesitation. He sighed, "Akainu is indeed too extreme. He's not a good candidate."
Grandma Tsuru also sighed. "Unfortunately, Kizaru has no interest in the position of Fleet Admiral."
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