"Oh, how scary... Has another person with superpowers been born?" Hearing the voice from behind, Karl felt a chill run down his spine. He quickly turned around and saw a tall, slender man with black curly hair and sunglasses.
The man was dressed in a yellow and white striped suit, a purple tie, a dark green shirt, white leather shoes, and slightly pursed thin lips. He held his chin with one hand and appeared thoughtful.
"You look like him! Uncle PPAP! No, it's Admiral Kizaru!"
When did he manage to approach, and Karl didn't even notice him?
"Kizaru, Admiral Kizaru!" Karl stood up and awkwardly saluted Kizaru. He looked a bit excited, which was fitting behavior for an ordinary Marine when meeting an Admiral.
Kizaru glanced at Karl through his sunglasses and pondered: has Zephyr's training camp become so unreliable in recruiting people? Sending minors on missions?
"Borsalino! What are you doing here?"
Zephyr and Kizaru did not get along. When Kizaru was a student, he was Zefa's least favorite pupil. He was lazy, arrogant, and, most importantly, biased in his studies.
However, all of that was in the past, and Zephyr no longer wanted to remember it. Yet, he couldn't help but notice how Kizaru's presence seemed to elevate the pressure.
Especially when he saw Kizaru talking to his new recruits, Zephyr grew even more anxious, fearing that Karl might fall under Kizaru's influence and take the wrong path.
Wait, it seems he's not a man with superpowers...
Kizaru raised an eyebrow, waved at Zephyr, and said with a smirk:
"How scary... Zephyr-sensei, don't worry so much! Take care of your old bones."
With a deep voice and a grim expression, Zephyr replied:
"I don't need your concern, but you, an Admiral, how did you find the time to loiter here?"
"Zephyr-sensei, I heard your training camp reopened, so I decided to drop by and see if you've got any talented students! Well, this one's not bad, hey kid, what ability do you have?"
Saying this, Kizaru sat on a bench, crossed his legs, and leaned back, ignoring Zephyr's intense glare.
"Hmm... So you're mistaken, this kid isn't a Devil Fruit user; your eyesight isn't that good!"
"Oh? Really? Then what is this?" Kizaru's figure flashed; he raised the unfinished Cherubim fruit that Karl had thrown on the ground, then returned to his seat, showing Zephyr the fruit he held in his hand.
It took less than a second, showcasing Kizaru's incredible speed.
Newcomer Karl only managed to see a flash of golden light, and then the unfinished Cherubim fruit he had just been eating was in Kizaru's hand before he could comprehend what happened.
Looking at the fruit in Kizaru's hand, with its familiar pattern, Zephyr's eyes narrowed. He turned to Karl and asked seriously:
"Is this what you just ate?"
Karl swallowed hard and nodded:
"Uh, yeah, but it's so disgusting, I only took one bite."
Zefa frowned and snatched the Cherubim fruit from Kizaru. He had seen illustrations of Devil Fruits before, yet searched his memories and still couldn't determine what ability this particular Devil Fruit possessed.
"Fool..." Zephyr crushed the Cherubim fruit in his hand, turning it to dust, and shouted angrily at Karl: "You eat Devil Fruits for nothing? You know eating this fruit curses you by the sea, and you'll forever be a landlubber!"
Kizaru: I am offended!
"Hmm!" Zephyr turned and glanced at Kizaru, took a deep breath, calmed himself, and then addressed Karl again: "Show us your ability!"
Kizaru also turned his head with interest, wanting to know what ability Karl had.
These two were real bosses, and Karl couldn't resist them. If he had known, he would have sat quietly and gone back to the dormitory to eat.
But who could have expected Kizaru, the sixth elder, to suddenly appear?
Under Zephyr's watchful gaze, Karl extended his right hand, and a glowing golden orb appeared in his palm, which under Karl's control, quickly flowed into Zefa's body.
Zefa's eyes widened. His whole life, he had suffered from asthma, but never had his lungs and throat felt so good. The golden light was like the sun dispelling the darkness...
"Cough-cough-cough..." Soon, Zefa began to cough violently, as if about to cough up his lungs, his face turning red.
Kizaru frowned. Although he didn't know what was happening with Zephyr, it was certainly related to Karl.
The next second, Kizaru pointed a finger at Karl, and a blinding golden light burst from his fingertips. He slowly said:
"What did you do to Zephyr-sensei?"
"Stop!" Zephyr stretched out his hand to stop Kizaru and then, with a noisy expulsion, spat out a lump of black phlegm. With a smile on his face, he grabbed Karl's shoulder and asked in surprise: "Does your ability have a healing effect?"
"Wait... my body..." Karl didn't finish speaking when Zephyr raised his hands in disbelief, his eyes full of shock. The golden light had just slightly increased his strength.
It was as if he became a year younger. Even though the boost was small since he had just become a Devil Fruit user!
"Where did you find this Devil Fruit?"
Of course, Karl couldn't say it was sent by the system. After a moment's thought, he answered:
"Wasn't I just at the medical post? When I returned, I bought some fresh fruits to eat, and then... that's all."
Karl lied, but not entirely.
He really did buy fruits when he was returning from the medical post, simply to enjoy the taste of watermelon again while others were engaged in military training. The watermelon rinds and fruit remnants on the ground could testify to this.
Zefa quickly understood what had happened. While Karl was eating the fruits he had bought, one of them suddenly turned out to be a Devil Fruit, which Karl accidentally ate, and Kizaru discovered it.
"Heaven has blessed the Marines!!!" Zefa exclaimed joyfully, tears streaming down his face. This elderly man, who had dedicated almost his entire life to the Marines, knew how important the healing and enhancement ability is for the Fleet!
Karl had just obtained the fruit's ability, and it had already noticeably affected him. As he grows, his role within the Marines will be invaluable!
Firstly, Karl's ability can be used remotely, meaning he can easily enhance his comrades. After training, he might be able to enhance several Marines members simultaneously, significantly raising the Marines overall combat power by several levels.
Secondly, Karl's ability has a healing effect, and it is very strong. On the battlefield, where a hail of swords and arrows flies, the Marine's loss rate will significantly decrease with Karl, and they will be able to respond, unleashing even more combat power!
Finally, and most importantly, Karl is a ten-year veteran. His loyalty to the Marines is unquestionable, his foundation is solid, and the chance of success is very high. He will undoubtedly become a leader of the new generation of the Marines in time!
Thinking about this, Zephyr looked at Karl with burning enthusiasm in his eyes. How lucky the Marines is to have you with us!
"Karl, you come with me right now to Sengoku's office! Let's go immediately!"