When Damon helped Garp with official business, he saw a list of personnel, because Garp had the authority to promote his subordinates.
Vergo, who belongs to the Donquixote Family, joined Navy Headquarters four years ago and was promoted to Rear Admiral last year due to his accumulated merits.
Damon sighed, rubbing his forehead, and roughly understood the cause and effect.
Surprisingly, Foxy the Silver Fox, who seemed like an insignificant minor character, actually played such an important role.
Damon did not tell Garp and Chief Instructor Zephyr about Vergo. Suspecting a naval Rear Admiral for no reason, without any evidence, could lead to Vergo turning the tables and taking Damon to a military court.
Military tribunals are led by the World Government, with CP9 responsible for arresting criminals, and they show no leniency—even to the Navy.
Damon didn't want to provoke the madmen of the CP organization; he just wanted to develop his strength discreetly.
The five training ships sped forward, and nearby pirates, upon seeing the naval flag, did not dare approach and scattered like birds.
Damon calmly gazed at the rippling blue waves, where the outline of a pirate ship gradually emerged on the horizon.
When the pirate ship saw the five training ships, instead of fleeing, it headed straight toward them.
A black banner with a white skull fluttered on the mainmast. The skull bore the distinct features of Foxy the Silver Fox: fox ears, a red pointed nose, and squinty eyes.
Seeing the pirate ship charging straight at them, seemingly unafraid of destruction, Chief Instructor Zephyr frowned slightly and calmly directed the five training ships to disperse and avoid a direct collision.
The Silver Fox Pirates' ship was larger than the training ship. As it passed by the ship under Damon's feet, a pirate threw a hooked rope onto the railing and swung across like a primate, flipping mid-air before landing on deck. He rolled to absorb the impact, then drew a gun in one hand and a sword in the other and charged at nearby trainees.
Some pirates extended wooden ladders with hidden iron hooks. Once secured, they formed temporary bridges. On the narrow planks, pirates charged forward with blades clenched in their teeth.
Pirates of the Grand Line are ruthless desperadoes who have long abandoned fear of death.
Despite the naval cadets being stronger individually, several cried out the moment they engaged in close combat. Injuries quickly followed—some even losing limbs.
Unlike the cadets, pirates wore worn-out clothing and had rugged, muscular bodies. Their fighting style was chaotic but lethal, targeting vital points.
Eyes, throat, heart—every strike aimed to kill.
The female trainees suffered even more, enduring vulgar stares, insults, and attempts at harassment while fighting.
Damon was the youngest among them, and soon three pirates targeted him.
"Ah…"
Seeing their expressions, Damon immediately understood their intentions.
He slowly drew his sword, his eyes sharpening.
"Awake… time to hunt!"
⸻
"Jie jie jie jie!"
"What did I just see? A little kid became a navy soldier?"
A pirate laughed, licking a dagger, his eyes full of disdain.
He and two others surrounded Damon, choosing the weakest target.
As expected, the boy stood still.
However, When their weapons struck—
"Clang!"
It sounded like metal hitting steel.
"He's awake…"
Damon's bangs covered his eyes as he gripped his sword.
He stomped—
A burst of flame exploded beneath his feet.
His body shot forward like an arrow.
The blade flashed.
Flames clung to the three pirates.
Damon landed behind them.
"Hunting time!"
Thud.
Three bodies fell.
Blood evaporated into steam under the heat.
"Ding!"
"Congratulations, host…"
The system voice echoed faintly.
The battlefield roared.
Swords clashed.
Gunfire rang.
This was real combat.
Not a game.
Smoker moved like smoke across the battlefield.
Tina fought with agility and precision.
Dadi Masdason shot with deadly accuracy.
Jonathan commanded and stabilized the formation.
Drake charged head-on, cutting down enemies.
But—
Damon stood above them all, Like a king of flames.Each step— another pirate fell.
Burned.
Silenced.
No screams.
Only ashes.
Soon—
no pirate dared approach him.
A vacuum formed around him.
During a brief pause, Damon checked his reward.
[Dragon's Roar]: Reduces damage taken during combat, up to one-third.
With Iron Body—
his defense became terrifying.
Almost monstrous.
Soon—
the tide turned.
The cadets pushed forward.
The officers of the pirate crew could no longer sit still.
Before they acted—
Damon moved first.
He crossed the narrow bridge and landed on the pirate ship.
He scanned the deck.
Foxy. Hamburger. Pochi. Ito. Cabernet. Biculus. Gina. Saunie. Donovan.
All present.
And then, his eyes shifted.
Three burly men.
The leader—
huge, with a braided beard.
"Teabe Pirates Captain, Boss Teabe. Bounty: 170 million Berries."
The man laughed.
"All navy… must die!"
He swung a massive spiked club.
The wind screamed.
Foxy smirked and pointed.
"Slow Beam!"
A pink beam struck Damon.
His thoughts slowed.
But—
his body had already reacted.
"Iron!"
"BOOM!"