At The Peak of One Piece

Victor shifted his focus to mastering the Devil Fruit—a new variable in his strength. Balance was key; becoming an 'all-around combatant' was the goal. 

He trained deep within the forest now, far from prying eyes. Observation Haki remained active—a necessity. Exposure risked scrutiny. His power was solid, not invincible. Only Emperor-tier fighters could afford recklessness. 

A month later, his power stabilized. Eightfold speed amplification. Terrifying potential. 

With such velocity augmenting his swordsmanship? Victor felt confident against any non-haki armored foe. 'Well... except Kaido or Big Mom.' 

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While training, Victor's Observation Haki suddenly flared. Two monstrous auras had reached the island. His expression hardened. 

'Pirates? This strong... Can I win?' Battlelust surged. 

"Rebecca! To the docks—powerful arrivals." 

"Understood!" She trusted him implicitly. 

Victor leapt with Geppo, then halted mid-air. 'A warship.' His pulse spiked. 

'Finally... you old geezer. Won't let you off easy.' 

Earlier than planned. 

The vessel's prow—a bone-clenched dog's head. Familiar. Garp. 

Victor landed, abandoning Geppo. 'Can't reveal Marine techniques yet.' Questions would follow. '"Who taught you? Spy?"' His missing year was a vulnerability. 

'Are Garp and his companion scanning with Haki? Garp might overlook it... others won't.' Victor sprinted conventionally toward shore. 

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Laughter boomed before he reached the docks—unrestrained, infectious. 

"HAHAHA! Tsuru! Gonna meet my grandson soon! That brat Dragon—told me a month ago I've got a grandson! HAHA!" Garp crunched rice crackers, dog hat absent. 

"Old fool. Like you're the only grandpa here? I came for 'my' grandchildren. Swallow before speaking—you're spraying crumbs!" Tsuru wiped her face, exasperated. "If my ship weren't docked for repairs, I'd never hitch a ride with you to the East Blue." 

"So it's Garp and Tsuru... No wonder their presence is so overwhelming." Victor mused silently. "According to the timeline, Luffy should have been born this May—just a few months old now. As for Vice Admiral Tsuru having a grandchildren on this island? Never heard of that. Could it be they're hiding here to avoid pirate retaliation? That would make sense." 

As he pondered, Victor arrived at the docks, where a large crowd had gathered—likely drawn by the massive battleship, far grander than standard Marine vessels. Garp and Tsuru, both legendary figures, naturally attracted attention. 

The two Marines noticed Victor approaching. 

"Hahaha! This kid's got some speed! And that aura—Tsuru, is this your grandson by any chance?" Garp boomed, grinning as he crunched on rice crackers. 

Tsuru studied Victor with mild surprise. "No, I'm here to visit my granddaughter." 

Victor pushed through the crowd and greeted them with a smile. "Vice Admiral Garp, the 'Hero of the Marines,' and Vice Admiral Tsuru—no wonder the island's buzzing. Welcome to Lyep Island. I'm Victor." 

"Hahaha! Kid, I'm just passing through to see my grandson. Save the welcomes for her!" Garp jabbed a thumb at Tsuru, still munching. 

Tsuru ignored Garp's antics. "Young man, I'm looking for two people—Maria and Rebecca. Do you know them?" 

Victor froze. 'What are the odds? Tsuru knows Grandma and Rebecca?' 

Before he could respond, his Observation Haki picked up Rebecca approaching the docks. "Rebecca! Over here!" he called out. 

Tsuru's eyes snapped toward the voice—and when she spotted Rebecca's wine-red hair, her expression softened. 

Rebecca, oblivious to the situation, wandered over, drawn by the commotion. 

"Vice Admiral Tsuru, this is Rebecca. I assume she's the one you're looking for." Victor nudged Rebecca forward. "Rebecca, these are two of the Marines' greatest legends—Vice Admiral Garp, the man who captured the Golden Lion, and Vice Admiral Tsuru." 

Neither Garp nor Tsuru seemed to have noticed Victor's earlier use of Geppo—confirming his suspicion that most people in this world didn't keep Observation Haki active at all times. 

Tsuru gazed at Rebecca with quiet emotion, while Garp burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Don't give me all the credit—Sengoku helped! But yeah, I could've handled it alone. That guy just loves meddling!" 

"Garp, shut it. You'd have wrecked half of Marineford if left unchecked," Tsuru scolded. 

Garp scratched his head sheepishly. 

"Rebecca, come with me. There's something I need to tell you." Tsuru gently took Rebecca's hand. 

Rebecca glanced at Victor, who gave a reassuring nod. 

As the two walked away, Garp turned to leave—until Victor spoke up. 

"Vice Admiral Garp, may I have a spar?" 

Garp blinked. Normally, he'd leap at the chance to recruit a promising youngster, but today, his mind was set on seeing Luffy. Still, the challenge intrigued him. 

He turned, eyeing Victor's determined expression. 

'"Kid's either fearless or clueless."' 

Meanwhile, Tsuru led Rebecca to a quieter spot. 

"You look just like your mother," Tsuru murmured. "She served under me. I held you as a baby—thirteen years ago now. Your mother... she was kind, brave, and talented. She could've become a high-ranking officer." 

Her voice wavered. "I treated her like a daughter. But I failed her. I shouldn't have told her about your father's death before the battle. She was distracted... and a pirate took advantage. I was too late to save her." 

"All these years, I couldn't face you or your grandmother. But now... I want you to join the Marines. Fulfill her legacy. Will you come with me?" 

Tears welled in Rebecca's eyes. 

"I already promised Victor I'd join. Five years ago. He told me to get stronger first—so I can protect myself." 

"Grandma passed away last month... so I have no ties left. I'll go with you. But... can you take Victor too? He's strong—he's been training me all this time." 

Tsuru's breath hitched. "She's gone? I... never got to apologize." 

"Grandma never blamed anyone," Rebecca said softly. "Victor says tragedies like this happen because the world itself is broken." 

Tsuru exhaled. "Take me to her grave later. I'd like to pay my respects..."