Whoosh!
Slightly raising her right hand, dozens of ice cones instantly condensed in the air.
Whoosh, whoosh, whoosh!
They shot straight towards the three figures!
"Careful!"
Ain's two fair, long legs kicked the two people away, and she herself instantly dodged the covering attack of the ice cones, her gaze fixed on the direction from which they came.
Domino, who was watching from the side, grabbed the two people who had been kicked away, and quickly dodged the sky-full of ice cones, looking at Esdeath.
"Add me in!"
"All four of you, come at once!"
Esdeath drew her saber, looking at the four figures.
Battle intent surged in the eyes of the four, and they took out their respective weapons, standing up and looking at Esdeath.
Although they knew they couldn't win, training was still necessary; after all, all training was for the sake of becoming stronger!
The four figures simultaneously rushed forward; going one by one would be like the Calabash Brothers saving their grandpa, just giving away heads.
"Moonwalk!"
"Moonwalk!"
Two sounds of the Six Styles' Moonwalk came.
Tashigi and Ain appeared in the air diagonally behind Esdeath, one holding a sword, the other a dagger.
Then, the two in front, one held a whip, and the other was bare-handed.
The four formed a pincer attack, leaving Esdeath no room to dodge; no matter which direction she went, she would be attacked.
"Ice Protection!"
After shouting, a circle of ice appeared around her, enveloping Esdeath, leaving no room for attack.
Clang!
Weapons struck the ice surface.
Cracks appeared on the ice, followed by three more attacks, and the ice shattered directly.
Just as the four were celebrating, Esdeath's voice came from above them.
"You're celebrating too early, aren't you?"
Bang, bang, bang, bang!
Using both fists and feet, she used Moonwalk to knock all four to the ground, then landed herself, safe and sound.
A crushing victory!
"Mmm~ Esdeath-sama~ You're cheating~"
"A loss is a loss, little one. What does this show? You still need to practice."
Esdeath looked at Little Sadia, who was rubbing against her arm and pouting, and uttered a classic line.
They say women who act spoiled have the best lives, but who knew she was also a woman?
She wasn't falling for that.
"Let's go, I'm treating at the tavern. I have something to tell you all."
The four walked behind Esdeath, creating a beautiful sight for a moment.
Many people who were training were attracted by this scene, staring intently at their retreating figures.
However, recalling Esdeath's terrifying strength, they couldn't help but shiver. She was truly much stronger than all of them men.
Before they even reached the tavern, a rough male voice called out.
"Hey, Esdeath, where are you going?"
"None of your business, and call me Boss!"
It was no exaggeration to say that she hadn't even seen the person yet, but she already smelled the strong scent of smoke. She knew exactly which old Smoker it was by the smell.
"Boss it is, what are you going to do?"
She turned around and saw Smoker. His eyes seemed a little worried, probably because he had heard about what she had been through.
He must have come specifically to find her.
Beside him was a pink-haired girl, Tina, also with a cigarette in her mouth. She wondered if Tina had learned bad habits from Smoker.
She had learned to smoke at such a young age.
"Tina is very sad. This is the Boss you recognize? Tina is not convinced."
She spoke with a strange catchphrase, referring to herself in the first person, which sounded quite cute.
"Oh? If you're not convinced, you can fight me, but if you lose, you have to acknowledge me as your Boss."
She looked at Tina with interest. This was one of the few future female Marine officers, and she had strength. She wondered if she had a Devil Fruit now.
"Tina agrees!"
"Good, after I'm done. Together?"
Looking at the nearby tavern, she invited Smoker and Tina. Two more people wouldn't hurt, and drinking with more people would be livelier.
"Okay!"
They were also planning to go for a drink anyway. After all, how could they not have a get-together after graduation? That would be too disappointing.
He could also ask Esdeath what exactly had happened.
Inside the tavern.
"Mmm~ Esdeath-sama~ applying~ graduated."
Little Sadia was extremely unhappy, raising a glass of wine and downing it.
Tashigi was the same, looking at Esdeath with pitiful eyes. She had actually graduated just like that, meaning she didn't want her anymore.
Ain and Domino said nothing.
All four simultaneously made a decision in their hearts: they must apply for early graduation and join Esdeath-sama's ship!
They would continue to train harder tonight!
"Ah, does that mean?"
Smoker glanced at Esdeath.
"Yes, Petty Officer Smoker, call me Commander!"
"Yes, Commander!"
Smoker, fresh out of the military academy, clearly hadn't shed his ingrained habits. He instinctively stood up and saluted Esdeath.
He wasn't a jaded Marine veteran yet.
After saluting, his face turned red, and he lowered his head somewhat embarrassed, chugging a glass of wine down his stomach.
There were six women in front of him, he was so socially awkward!
The previously gloomy atmosphere was instantly dispersed, and the women's laughter filled the small tavern.
"How about it, Tina, want to come work on my ship?" Looking at Tina, currently, Tina was the only one who had graduated. If she didn't invite her, who would she invite?
"Ah, win against Tina first, then Tina will agree."
She was confident she wouldn't lose, and Smoker might not even be her opponent. Who was afraid of whom!
"Um, can I go...?"
Smoker, in the corner, asked with a red face. Going to Esdeath's ship didn't seem like a bad idea.
He had strength, he had potential. Esdeath should be quite happy to have him as a subordinate.
Moreover, he was a Devil Fruit user of the Logia type, so why not?
"Hmph, dreaming! I don't want everyone on my ship smelling secondhand smoke."
Of course, she refused without hesitation. Unless there were unforeseen circumstances, she only wanted women on her ship!
To form a Marine fleet composed solely of women!
"Ah! As if anyone would want to go!"
Smoker became angry and embarrassed, picking up another beer and drinking it. He shouldn't have even asked!
After several rounds of drinks, everyone was a little tipsy.
"Tina wants to challenge you!"
Tina swayed unsteadily to an open space, her whole body rocking. Esdeath's figure seemed to be doubled in her vision.
Even like this, she still looked at Esdeath defiantly.
"Then come on."
She casually drew her rapier, and a cold glint flashed on the blade.
"Black Spear!"
A black iron bar shot out from Tina's hand, directly impaling the ground beside Esdeath.
Esdeath didn't even move an inch.
"Ah! Are you okay, Esdeath? Tina is so sorry. Why didn't you dodge?"
She staggered over to Esdeath... and hugged the bar, crying.
Thump!
A hand chop landed on Tina's neck, and Esdeath calmly said, "I won..."
Although it was a bit of an unfair victory.