Chapter 296: Marine Headquarters

Facing Zefa's blame…

Lu En shrugged helplessly: "Master Zefa, didn't you tell me to do this? I confirmed it multiple times. Yet you still insisted."

"What can I do about it?"

"I had no choice but to follow your orders."

"Can you blame me for this?"

With those words spoken.

Zefa opened his mouth but had no reply.

Indeed!

As Lu En said, all of this was ordered by him.

Even though Zefa felt immense helplessness inside, he could not blame Lu En.

"Enough."

"You brat, report to Training Ground One at two this afternoon."

"That's where my training camp is held."

"Don't be late."

Zefa waved his hand dismissively and left, his heart heavy.

Watching Zefa's retreating figure, Lu En stroked his chin thoughtfully.

His gaze shifted.

He looked toward the three naval dormitories not far away.

"How pitiful…"

Silently feeling sorrow for those sailors, Lu En turned and left.

Meanwhile.

After leaving, Zefa made his way straight to the Admiral's office.

Knock knock knock!

He raised his hand and knocked on the door, producing a crisp, pleasant sound.

"Come in."

Soon, Kong's voice came from inside.

Then,

Creak!

A soft sound.

Zefa pushed open the door and stepped inside the office.

"Zefa? What is it? Didn't you go to verify whether what Captain Kapu said yesterday was true?"

Seeing Zefa, Kong was slightly surprised.

"It's been verified."

Zefa gave a bitter smile: "Captain Kapu was telling the truth! I have to admit—Lu En is truly an incredibly terrifying monster!"

"He has indeed mastered Haki and the Six Powers. As for the Secret Techniques of the Six Powers, I didn't get a chance to test them."

"His proficiency in the Six Powers far exceeds what Captain Kapu claimed. Based on my conservative estimate, this boy's combat power is likely no weaker than that of our Marine Headquarters' Commodore."

"He's a monster who, at only four years old, already possesses Commodore-level combat power!"

With those words spoken.

Kong was deeply moved.

Of course.

He had already anticipated this.

But…

After hearing Zefa's report, his heart could no longer remain calm.

A four-year-old with Commodore-level combat power…

It was truly astonishing!

In the entire history of the Marines, no such case had ever existed.

That boy Lu En is truly a once-in-a-century genius!

That unreliable old rascal Captain Kapu finally did something right!

Born a monster of a grandson!

And got that monster grandson to join the Marines.

"By the way～."

"There's another matter I need to report to you, Admiral."

At this, Zefa cleared his throat, sounding slightly embarrassed.

"What is it?"

Kong exhaled heavily and asked.

"Since I didn't believe at first that a four-year-old brat could master Haki, I had him demonstrate it right there."

"But I never expected…"

"This brat's Haki strength is only slightly weaker than that of Akainu."

"Far beyond the Threshold Realm!"

"So I accidentally…"

Lu En's explosive, earth-shattering Haki instantly killed every sailor inside the three nearby naval dormitory buildings; a conservative preliminary estimate puts the number at no less than twenty thousand.

Zefa lowered his head, reluctant to speak.

"Y-you what?!"

"Can this boy's Haki be compared to Kizaru's?"

"Kizaru spent decades honing his Haki to reach its current strength."

"But Lu En is only four years old!"

"His awakening of Haki occurred less than two months ago."

"In just two months, he not only mastered Haki—but even brought it to a level rivaling Kizaru's? Kizaru is one of our Marine Admirals!"

Koku was stunned.

Zefa's words had shaken him deeply.

After a long silence,

he quickly regained his composure and grasped the core point of Zefa's statement.

Aside from the terrifying power of Lu En's Haki…

there were also no fewer than twenty thousand sailors rendered unconscious by it.

Thinking of this, Koku's eyes widened; he stared blankly at Zefa.

"You mean…"

"The sailors in those three dormitory buildings were all wiped out by Lu En's Haki?"

Koku stood frozen.

What is this?!

Out of nowhere…

How did this get so out of hand?

Twenty thousand Marines knocked unconscious—this is no trivial matter!

It might even…

cause massive upheaval throughout the Marine Headquarters.

"How did you let this happen?"

Koku stared blankly at Zefa, his thoughts in disarray.

"Commander, this is my fault."

"I never imagined…"

"that Lu En's Haki could reach such a level."

"It enveloped a radius of three hundred meters in an instant…"

"That range of Haki radiation is nearly approaching Kizaru's!"

"Who would have thought that a boy of only four could master such astonishing Haki?"

Zefa looked utterly innocent.

"Enough."

"Dealing with this will be troublesome."

"You, of all people, wanted to test Lu En's strength—you should've chosen an open training ground, not made such a basic mistake?"

"You're still an Admiral of the Marine Headquarters!"

Koku was utterly exasperated.

Scolding Zefa?

He dared not reprimand him too harshly.

A few years ago, Zefa lost his entire family for the sake of the Marines.

He is an exceptionally worthy soldier!

To maintain peace across these seas…

he gave his all,

even unto death.

Even his own family were targeted in retaliation by pirates and killed in full.

Faced with a soldier who had devoted his entire life to the Marines, Koku simply could not bring himself to speak harshly.

If he crushed Zefa's spirit…

who would train the Marines?

Who would serve as the head instructor of the training camp?

After much thought,

Koku could only sigh helplessly and say: "I'll send people to inspect the scene immediately. Arrange medical teams to restore these men as quickly as possible."

"Don't ever let such Hu Nao happen again."

"Think before you act."

"And…"

"I must remind you: don't view Lu En with the eyes of ordinary people—he's a monster beyond all normal comprehension."

Hearing this,

Zefa deeply understood: "I understand."

"Alright, you're dismissed."