The Balco Sea. The weather was clear.
Boom!
A well-aimed cannonball exploded against the water, sending a column of seawater into the sky. Through the falling spray, a medium-sized pirate ship flying a Jolly Roger had its main mast snapped in half. The huge wooden pillar collapsed with a crash, smashing part of the deck. The ship immediately lost control.
Behind it, a massive Marine Headquarters warship slowly approached. Its shadow fell over the pirate ship from behind.
This was a recruit training ship, led by the former Marine Admiral, "Black Arm" Zephyr.
The group they were chasing was not some nameless crew. It was the Mad Axe Pirates, a group that had recently gained a fierce reputation in the Balco Sea. Their captain, Baro, had a bounty of 38 million Berries. He was known for his great strength and cruelty. Many merchant ship guards had been killed by his giant axe.
Originally, when Baro saw the giant ship flying the Marine Headquarters flag from a distance, he immediately ordered his crew to turn and flee. After all, only a fool would pick a fight with a Headquarters warship.
However, this warship was determined. It had chased them through this sea for a full day and night. It had cut off every route of escape.
"Don't panic! Full left rudder! Stay in their blind spot!"
"First squad, prepare to board! Second squad, cover them! Remember what you learned in the training camp. Don't embarrass the Marines!"
On the deck, a group of young recruits carried out their orders nervously but in order. Although their faces still showed the tension of their first real battle, they moved efficiently.
"Kill them!! Fight these Marines to the death!"
Seeing that escape was impossible, the pirates shouted desperately. They waved their cutlasses and flintlocks, trying to make one final stand.
"Hmph, stubborn."
Among the recruits, a girl with wavy blue hair let out a cold snort.
Ain, one of the top students of this elite training camp.
She moved quickly and leaped onto the pirate ship's deck. Facing a large sword swinging at her, she did not retreat. Instead, she stepped forward as a strange pink energy gathered in her palm.
"Reverse!"
The moment the pink energy touched the pirate, it did not burn him. Instead, his body suddenly regressed. In an instant, the fierce man shrank into a young boy who could barely hold his sword. He sat on the ground with a blank look on his face.
"Now's our chance! Go!"
Seeing this, the surrounding recruits' morale rose. They rushed forward together.
On the other side of the battlefield, Binz, dressed like a ninja, performed a strange dance while chanting.
"Mosa Mosa... Grow!"
He scattered several seeds on the deck. They instantly grew into thick vines. The vines wrapped around several pirates who were trying to shoot from the shadows, pinning them down so they couldn't move.
The battle was completely one-sided. These elite recruits, strictly trained by Zephyr, showed overwhelming strength against an ordinary pirate crew that only relied on brute force.
But the situation changed in an instant.
"Damn Marine brats! Die!"
The pirate captain, a one-eyed man with thick muscles, saw that he was losing and went mad with rage. He suddenly knocked aside two recruits surrounding him. Then he raised his heavy axe and swung it down hard toward a recruit whose legs had given out!
"Watch out!!"
His companions nearby cried out in alarm, but it was too late to save him.
The recruit looked at the falling axe. His mind went blank, and he closed his eyes in despair.
At that exact moment.
Thud!
A dull sound echoed.
The expected pain did not come. The recruit opened his eyes, trembling, and then his eyes widened.
A fist covered in Armament Haki had stopped in front of him.
The giant axe shattered against that fist. Along with it, the cruel pirate captain was sent flying backward. He crashed hard into the cabin and did not get back up.
The tall old man with short purple hair slowly pulled back his arm. He didn't look at the fallen pirate. Instead, he turned to look at the recruit on the ground.
His eyes behind his sunglasses were stern, but his presence alone was enough to make people feel safe. "Losing focus on the battlefield will cost you your life."
"I-Instructor Zephyr!"
The recruit, who had just escaped death, had tears in his eyes. He quickly scrambled up and saluted, though his legs wouldn't stop shaking.
"Tie him up."
Zephyr glanced at the pirate captain lying unconscious in the ruins and gave a calm order.
"Yes! —Wait, Instructor, this guy just tried to kill me. Should we just—" The recruit made a throat-slitting gesture. The fear from his near-death experience had not faded yet.
"Stop."
Zephyr's voice suddenly became much harsher. His tone alone was enough to calm the hot-headed recruits. "No matter how evil they are, once they lose the ability to resist, they are prisoners."
"We are Marines who carry Justice, not bloodthirsty executioners. Hand him over to Impel Down to face the judgment of the law. That is what we should do."
"Yes—Yes!" Although the recruit was still unwilling, he did not dare to argue with Zephyr. He obediently took out the handcuffs.
Watching the recruits begin to clean up the battlefield and escort the prisoners, Zephyr sighed softly.
He turned and walked to the bow of the ship. He took off his sunglasses and rubbed his tired brow. He let the sea breeze blow against the heavy Justice coat on his back, making it rustle loudly.
"Instructor, you are still as strict as ever."
A woman's lazy voice came from behind him.
Hina approached with her pink jacket draped over her shoulders and a cigarette in her mouth. During the battle a moment ago, she had been watching the recruits' performance from above.
As a top graduate from the previous class, Hina had not chosen to work at a Marine branch. Instead, she continued training under Zephyr while also serving as a teaching assistant for this class of recruits.
"It is for their own good."
Zephyr looked at the sea in the distance. His gaze grew distant for a moment. "If I am not strict, they might die."
The sea in front of him reminded him of the accident from last summer.
It was this time last year. Following the usual routine, that class of students was dropped off at Gigantia Island for a wilderness survival test, while the instructor ship kept watch on the perimeter.
They thought it was a normal exercise. Who could have known that a group of desperate pirates would break in? They attacked the guard ship, killing every Marine on board.
Zephyr gripped the railing tightly and whispered, "An accident happened last year. I won't allow any mistakes this year."
"With Instructor Zephyr here, there won't be any problems in the first half of the Grand Line."
Hina blew out a puff of smoke. She then took out a sea chart and looked at it. "Instructor, our ship's supplies are almost gone, especially fresh water and meat. I looked at the chart, and the closest place is the G-17 Branch."
Hina tried to sound casual as she looked at Zephyr. "The base commander there happens to be Aiden. I heard he has managed G-17 quite well. It's said they are so rich they don't even need military funds from Headquarters each year. Since we are nearby, should we stop there to resupply?"
"The G-17 Branch..."
Hearing that name, Zephyr's expression relaxed slightly. He smiled faintly. "Speaking of that kid, Aiden..."
"I remember during his time at the training camp, his combat score during the entrance test was exactly 256, right? He never stood out during any of the evaluations."
Zephyr shook his head, his voice carrying a little emotion. "I could tell back then that the kid was hiding his true strength. Even though he clearly had impressive power, he always acted like he had no drive. He just wanted to be a lazy veteran and drift through his days."
"But I didn't call him out. Everyone has their own secrets. As long as he is willing to use that power to maintain Justice, that is enough."
"Now it seems he really didn't waste his strength. He has done so many big things lately, though his methods are a bit extreme."
"So—are we going to the G-17 Branch for supplies and rest?" Hina asked tentatively.
"No, we won't go."
Zephyr's smile faded, and his tone returned to that of the strict Chief Instructor. "We came out for combat training. If we go to a place as wealthy as G-17, would they be going for training or a vacation?"
"There will be plenty of chances to see old classmates in the future."
Zephyr waved his hand and made the decision. "Contact the G-17 Branch. Tell them to send a transport ship with some supplies. We will meet in the waters ahead. Don't delay the schedule."
"Yes, I understand."
Hina was a bit disappointed that they wouldn't be visiting the G-17 Branch, but she saluted and turned toward the communications room.
The sea breeze continued to blow gently. Sunlight scattered across the water. Everything looked calm.
The warship left a white trail on the sea as it continued toward its planned patrol area.
On the deck, the recruits excitedly discussed the battle, still caught up in the thrill of their first victory. Zephyr stood on the upper deck.
Looking at those energetic young faces, Zephyr felt satisfied.
As the Chief Instructor, he always kept a stern face in front of others. He was stubborn and strict, and he would scold his students without mercy for every mistake.
But in reality, whenever he saw these young recruits grow stronger and learn to stand on their own, Zephyr felt more relief than anyone.
"Instructor, the battlefield has been cleaned."
Ain walked over with a list in her hand, her face still bright from their victory. "All the prisoners are locked in the lower hold. The injured recruits have been seen by the doctor and are fine."
"Good."
Zephyr nodded. His gaze returned to the endless sea in the distance. "Tell everyone to rest. Don't get arrogant over one small victory."
"Yes!" Ain stood at attention and saluted. Then she asked curiously, "Instructor, where are we going next?"
Zephyr straightened the Justice coat on his back. His voice was steady and powerful. "Continue the patrol."
"This sea may lack many things, but pirates are never one of them."
At that moment, Hina quickly walked back onto the deck. She held a Transponder Snail, with a strange look on her face.
"Instructor, I contacted the G-17 Branch."
"Oh? What did they say?" Zephyr asked.
"They agreed to send supplies."
Hina paused, sounding both helpless and amused. "Also... that idiot Smoker said he and Aiden will personally sail the ship to deliver them."
"He said they brought G-17's best supplies to give our recruits a better meal."
"They should meet us at the coordinates around noon tomorrow."
"Delivering it personally?"
Zephyr was stunned for a moment. Then he laughed and shook his head. "Those two kids... they probably want to show off how comfortable their lives are now, right?"
"Fine! Let them come! I want to see exactly how much those two have improved!"
To Be Continued
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