The matter of the internship at sea had already been decided. Normally, the Naval Academy's cadets were sent to the Grand Line or even the New World for their practical training.
During these internships, their commanding officers were typically Vice Admirals or Rear Admirals from Marine Headquarters. On rare occasions, even the former Admiral Zephyr himself would personally lead such expeditions.
But this year's class had two special exceptions — Kokuō Yoriichi and Kyros.
Both had only recently enlisted in the Marines, holding the lowest rank of Third-Class Seaman.
However, their talent was undeniable. In just three months, Kyros had already mastered one of the Navy's Six Powers — Soru — and, combined with the swordsmanship he'd honed in the gladiator arena, he could now fight Captain Smoker to a standstill.
Yoriichi's strength, on the other hand, was downright terrifying. So young, and yet capable of standing against — perhaps even defeating — certain Vice Admirals head-on.
Low rank, great power, vast potential — but little experience at sea.
Because of that, Marine Headquarters had opted for a more cautious training approach for these two.
It was now September — the skies high and clear.
Inside the office of Fleet Admiral "Buddha" Sengoku, a few old acquaintances had gathered.
With a soft creak, the door opened.
In strode Garp, clad in a black suit and the white "Justice" cloak draped over his shoulders.
Without so much as a greeting to the man behind the desk, Garp moved as if he were entering his own home. He dropped himself heavily onto the sofa, poured himself a cup of tea, then somehow produced a packet of rice crackers from his coat. With a casual rip of the wrapper, he began eating on the spot.
The crisp crunch-crunch echoed through the office, and the veins on Sengoku's forehead twitched as he tried to continue reviewing his paperwork.
Finally setting his pen down, Sengoku looked up at the grinning man across the room and sighed. He was just about to ignore Garp and resume working when the old hero spoke through a mouthful of crackers:
"Hey, Sengoku — the branch guy here yet?!"
Sengoku's pen froze for a moment. He immediately understood why Garp had dropped by today. Glancing at the clock on the wall, he replied,
"Soon."
Garp leaned back, looking satisfied. "Good, I'll just wait here then."
No sooner had he said that than both men sensed someone approaching. They looked toward the door — and a moment later, a tall, purple-haired Marine knocked perfunctorily before stepping inside.
Seeing who it was, Garp's face split into a broad grin.
"Yo, Zephyr! You came too? Hahaha! Want some rice crackers?"
Zephyr's eyes swept the room, noting only Garp and Sengoku. His brows drew slightly together. Ignoring Garp entirely, he turned toward Sengoku.
"The officer from the branch hasn't arrived yet?"
Sengoku shook his head. "He should be here any minute."
Zephyr nodded, then quietly took a seat beside Garp. He poured himself a cup of tea and leaned back, sipping in silence.
Sengoku glanced sideways at the two retired legends on his sofa, then simply resumed his paperwork.
For a while, the only sound in the office was Garp's relentless crunching.
At last, a knock came at the door, followed by the voice of Sengoku's adjutant:
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Colonel Cain of the 133rd Branch, West Blue, is here and awaiting entry!"
All three men looked up at once.
Sengoku set down his pen and said in a calm, steady voice,
"Let him in."
Moments later, a man draped in a "Justice" cloak stepped through the doorway.
He appeared to be in his early forties — a towering, broad-shouldered figure nearly three meters tall, his tailored white suit stretched tight over a frame of dense muscle.
He had a square, commanding face, a high-bridged nose, and thick brows above sharp, determined eyes.
Even as he entered, his stern expression carried a quiet weight of authority — not anger, but the natural gravity of a man accustomed to command.
Years of duty had etched faint lines into his face, lending him a deep, steadfast dignity.
As he strode into the office, all three — Sengoku, Zephyr, and Garp — turned their gazes toward him, observing in silence.
Somehow, each of them found themselves instinctively liking what they saw.
A calm, strong man — steady and serious.
Zephyr nodded slightly in approval.
Garp's grin widened even further.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, sir!"
"I am Colonel Cain of the 133rd Branch, West Blue!"
"Reporting as ordered!"
The man didn't spare so much as a glance at Garp or Zephyr on the sofa. His eyes remained fixed ahead as he strode to Sengoku's desk, halted crisply, and snapped into a perfect salute.
His posture was straight as a blade; his demeanor, solemn.
Sengoku studied him for a moment in silence. Then he raised a hand and smiled faintly.
"At ease."
The matter of the cadets' field training had already been settled. Normally, the Marine Academy's trainees would be dispatched to the Grand Line or even the New World for their internship voyages.
During these trips, their commanding officers were usually Vice Admirals or Rear Admirals from Marine Headquarters—on rare occasions, even the former Admiral Zephyr himself would personally lead an expedition.
However, this class of Marine cadets had produced two exceptional cases: Yoriichi Tsugukuni and Cyrus.
Both had only just joined the Marines, holding the lowest enlisted rank of Seaman Third Class. Yet both possessed extraordinary talent.
Cyrus had mastered Soru, one of the Marines' Six Powers, within three months of entering the academy. Combined with the swordsmanship he had honed in the gladiatorial arenas, he could now fight evenly against the instructor Mouseman.
As for Yoriichi Tsugukuni—his power was even more terrifying. Despite his youth, he was strong enough to face some Vice Admirals head-on… and perhaps even win.
Low rank, immense power, limitless potential—but with little real experience at sea. Thus, Marine Headquarters chose a cautious training approach for the two.
It was now September, the skies high and the air clear.
Inside the office of Fleet Admiral Sengoku the Buddha, a few old friends had gathered.
The door suddenly creaked open. In stepped Vice Admiral Garp, clad in a black suit and the cloak of justice. Without so much as greeting Sengoku, he strode in like it was his own home, plopped down on the sofa, poured himself a cup of tea, and pulled out a packet of rice crackers from who-knows-where. He tore it open and began munching loudly.
The crisp "crunch, crunch" echoed through the office, and a black line of irritation appeared on Sengoku's forehead.
Setting his pen aside, Sengoku looked up at the carefree Garp and sighed helplessly. He was just about to ignore him and return to his paperwork when Garp, still chewing, asked, muffled:
"Hey, Sengoku—has the branch officer arrived yet?"
Sengoku paused, immediately realizing why Garp had come. Glancing at the clock, he replied:
"Soon."
Garp grinned, leaned back on the sofa, and said casually:
"Good. I'll just wait here then."
No sooner had he finished speaking than both men sensed someone approaching. A moment later, the door opened, and a purple-haired middle-aged Marine entered after a polite knock.
Seeing the newcomer, Garp broke into a broad grin.
"Yo, Zephyr! You're here too? Hahahaha! Want some rice crackers?"
Zephyr scanned the room, spotted only Sengoku and Garp, and frowned slightly. Ignoring Garp, he asked Sengoku,
"Has the officer from the branch arrived yet?"
Sengoku shook his head.
"Not yet—but he should be here any moment."
Zephyr nodded, poured himself some tea, and sat beside Garp to wait in silence.
Sengoku shot them both a glance, sighed inwardly, and returned to his documents. Once again, the only sound in the room was Garp's relentless crunching.
After a while, there came a knock at the door, followed by the voice of Sengoku's aide:
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Colonel Kane from the West Blue's 133rd Branch has arrived and awaits your summons."
All three men lifted their heads at once.
"Send him in," Sengoku said.
A moment later, a tall Marine in a crisp white uniform entered.
He looked around forty, with a powerful, commanding presence. His tailored suit strained against his muscles, his Justice cloak draped neatly over broad shoulders. His face was square and stern, with a strong nose and thick brows that framed sharp, steady eyes.
He exuded authority without needing to speak.
As he stepped in, Sengoku, Zephyr, and Garp instinctively straightened slightly, each of them noting the calm strength that radiated from him.
Zephyr nodded in approval. Garp grinned.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
"I am Colonel Kane of the 133rd Branch of the West Blue—reporting as ordered!"
Ignoring the two men on the sofa, Kane stepped forward and snapped a crisp salute. His movements were firm and disciplined.
Sengoku studied him for a moment, then raised a hand lightly.
"At ease."
He smiled.
"Heh, Colonel Kane, I've heard of you. The West Blue has seen quite a rise in piracy these past few years—many infamous New World pirates hail from there."
"Yet, under your command, the 133rd Branch's jurisdiction has remained peaceful. The people live safely and prosperously. That's your accomplishment."
"We called you here today mainly for one matter."
"After discussion among Marine Headquarters, we've decided to promote you."
Sengoku stood, walked around the desk, and patted Kane on the arm with a smile.
"It's simply my duty, sir. I appreciate the trust of Headquarters."
Kane's tone remained measured and serious, his posture unchanging. He did not show excitement, and that calm professionalism drew a small nod from Sengoku.
"Colonel Kane, your capabilities are well recognized. However, promotion from Colonel to Commodore requires a six-month transition period. After that, you'll be transferred to Headquarters as a full Commodore."
"Once you return, wrap up your duties and recommend someone capable to take your place. We'll give your suggestion serious consideration before deciding whether to assign a new officer or promote from within your branch."
Sengoku retrieved a document from his drawer and handed it to him.
It was an official promotion notice. Kane skimmed it briefly, then closed it carefully and saluted once more.
Returning to his seat, Sengoku gestured to the two men on the sofa.
"These two gentlemen—Vice Admiral Garp, and former Admiral Zephyr, now our Chief Instructor. They'll be observing your report today."
"You may begin your performance review."
"Yes, sir!"
Kane began his report, his tone steady and formal.
Marine performance reports weren't overly bureaucratic. For a promotion at Kane's level, Sengoku could have handled it alone. Garp and Zephyr hadn't come just for the paperwork—they had another purpose.
After Kane finished and left the room, the three old comrades spoke freely again.
"Well, Zephyr, Garp—what do you think?" Sengoku asked.
"He's impressive, isn't he? I chose him carefully. I'm assigning Yoriichi Tsugukuni and Cyrus to his 133rd Branch for field training."
"The branch is strong under his command, and though it's located in the West Blue, the region is relatively peaceful."
"It's the perfect environment for learning navigation and gaining basic field experience. And if they venture beyond his jurisdiction, the West Blue still offers plenty of real combat against pirates. With Kane's men nearby, safety won't be an issue."
Zephyr nodded approvingly. Garp, on the other hand, just picked his nose and said casually,
"Honestly, if it were up to me, I'd just take those two brats out to sea myself. They'd toughen up fast."
"But if you both think this way's better, I won't argue."
Then he stood, dusted off his pants, and walked out without another word.
Sengoku could only shake his head helplessly.
Zephyr rose too.
"You've gone to a lot of trouble, Sengoku."
"What are you talking about?" Sengoku smiled. "We're old comrades—and besides, it's my job."
Compared to Garp, Zephyr was almost too polite.
The next day, the warship of the 133rd Branch prepared to depart. Before they set sail, Sengoku quietly handed Kane two new recruits.
He didn't say much—only that they were fresh from enlistment and assigned to his branch. Kane didn't think twice.
Once Yoriichi Tsugukuni and Cyrus boarded, he gave the two Seamen brief instructions, then raised anchor and set out to sea.
As the warship slowly left the harbor, Zephyr stood silently on the pier, watching the ship grow smaller against the horizon—his gaze distant and unreadable.
(End of Chapter)
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