To be fair, Luffy was already among the top recruits in this batch of the Marine Headquarters' Elite Training Camp.
But from Zephyr's perspective, he was still far from ready.
Zephyr had seen countless promising Marines rise under his tutelage.
The earliest were monsters like Sakazuki (Akainu), Kuzan (Aokiji), and Borsalino (Kizaru)—all of whom became Admirals.
Then came Luo Ye, the most terrifying prodigy Zephyr had ever encountered—his rise was so meteoric, even the three Admirals seemed lacking in comparison.
More recently, there were Ace and Sabo—brothers who had completed their training and were now recognized as rising stars in the New World, already capturing dangerous pirates under Luo Ye's command.
Compared to them, Luffy was still rough and far from polished.
Zephyr also couldn't ignore Luffy's heritage—he was the grandson of Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp, the "Hero of the Marines."
That name carried weight. A Garp grandson was expected to shatter ceilings, not scrape by with average strength.
Zephyr had made up his mind.
Unless Luffy proved himself worthy—by beating him in a direct fight—he wouldn't be allowed to leave Marineford.
If Luffy couldn't handle that, he didn't belong in the New World.
But Luffy wasn't intimidated.
"Old man, damn it! Just watch how I beat you down!"
Luffy glared at Zephyr, fire in his eyes.
He knew Luo Ye's strength was on another level entirely—maybe unreachable.
But Ace and Sabo? Just a while ago, they were all equals.
It was only because he arrived at the headquarters a bit later that he had fallen behind.
Luffy wasn't going to keep letting that gap grow.
Even Luo Ye had said: Only in real battle does true strength bloom.
"Whoever tries to hold me back—I'll punch them outta my way!"
"Gomu Gomu no Pistol!"
Luffy's rubber arm shot forward, his fist aimed squarely at Zephyr's face.
But the retired Admiral—formerly known as "Black Arm" Zephyr for his mastery of Armament Haki—caught it effortlessly.
He had long known Luffy was a Paramecia-type user of the Gomu Gomu no Mi.
But despite Luffy's training, Zephyr found his control and power lacking.
"Is this the power you think is strong enough for the New World?"
"You're dreaming if you think you can face Yonko-class threats like this. Do the Marines a favor and don't call yourself one of us until you stop embarrassing the uniform."
Luffy wasn't shocked by the block, but those words pissed him off.
"You damn old fossil—I'll beat you into the ground!"
"Gomu Gomu no Gatling!"
Bang! Bang! Bang!
His fists rained down like a rubber hailstorm.
It was Luffy's signature rapid-fire barrage—one that overwhelmed many of his peers in training and made him cocky enough to think he'd outgrown camp.
That was why he was desperate to leave Marineford and head for the New World.
He wanted to test himself against the real monsters—especially Red-Haired Shanks, his idol, and the man who once gave him his straw hat.
He wanted to take down a Yonko with his own strength someday.
Had Zephyr known that was what Luffy was thinking, he probably would've laughed himself hoarse.
But in truth, he might've used it to provoke Luffy even further—Zephyr believed in pressure shaping diamonds.
Despite the storm of punches, Zephyr didn't flinch.
He didn't even need to move his feet.
He intercepted the barrage with a calm ease, grinning the whole time.
"Seriously? This weak? Are you really Garp's grandson?"
"Even Luo Ye had better instincts before he could even use Haki."
Zephyr wasn't mocking to insult—he wanted to push.
He knew Luffy wouldn't collapse under a few harsh words, not with Garp's blood pumping in his veins.
Sure enough, Luffy didn't crumble.
He knew both Garp and Luo Ye were way ahead.
But that only fueled his fire.
"Old Zephyr! I swear I'm gonna beat you this time!"
Luffy stopped long-range attacks and charged in close—this time with a direct kick, head-on.
He only had one rule when facing opponents: charge first, think later.
As for Zephyr, no matter how powerful, he couldn't be tougher than Luo Ye—right?
Zephyr laughed in delight as Luffy dashed forward.
"That's the fire I wanna see. Just like Garp back in the day—rushed into battle like a damn cannonball!"
As fists met, there was a sharp, echoing BANG!
Luffy was launched backward, crashing into the dirt hard.
"This old man's been a Marine longer than your entire life. You think I'll go easy just 'cause you've got guts?"
"If I let a snot-nosed brat beat me, what right do I have to be the Chief Instructor?"
But Luffy wasn't fazed.
He'd been through worse—Garp's infamous Fist of Love, or the countless sparring beatdowns from Luo Ye.
This was nothing new.
He pounded the ground with his fist, sprang to his feet, and shouted.
"Old Zephyr! I told you—I'm going to beat you and leave Marineford! I mean it!"
"Oh? Hahaha! Then come at me again, Straw Hat! Let me see if you're Garp's legacy, or just a loudmouth."
Zephyr still didn't take Luffy's threat seriously.
He had seen too many arrogant kids who cracked under pressure.
But at least this one had spirit.
From the sidelines, Ace folded his arms, smirking.
"So, what do you think? Will Luffy break through and finally leave Marineford?"
"You think he can beat Mr. Zephyr?" Sabo asked, raising a brow.
"I didn't say that," Ace replied, eyes locked on the clash.
Luo Ye, observing silently, curled the corners of his mouth into a faint smirk.
He'd taught Luffy a thing or two about combat.
But watching Luffy now, even he could tell—Luffy still had a long road ahead before he could truly challenge someone like Zephyr.
But the fire in him?
That was unmistakably D.