A few days later, in a particular sea area.
Due to his exhibited talents and the strategic value of his Devil Fruit ability, combined with his outstanding performance during the Golden Lion’s attack, Michion led the others in responding to the assault effectively. As a result, he, Tina, Sora, and others were explicitly assigned to an actual combat training mission under Aokiji’s leadership, heading towards the East Blue.
It was an extremely high honour to have a future Admiral serve as a babysitter for a group of kids. Such luxurious treatment was rare. What surprised Michion the most was that their final destination was Loguetown!
This meant that while Aokiji was tasked with selecting opponents for Michion and the others during their training, the primary purpose was to ensure Roger’s execution proceeded smoothly, as Aokiji was responsible for his escort.
The Navy was fully mobilised for Roger’s escort, with Aokiji leading. This implied that Michion and his group would have the chance to witness a pivotal moment in history. Michion pondered whether his presence had already started to alter the destinies of specific individuals, like Sora and his training camp companions who never appeared in the anime.
These people might have perished in the Golden Lion’s widespread attack, leaving the survivors grieving instead of being rewarded with practical combat training.
Shaking his head, Michion put aside this unanswerable question. There were more pressing matters to attend to now.
Their ship was part of the vanguard fleet leading the way for Roger’s escort. Though unaware of the fleet’s exact route, Michion knew they were heading towards the East Blue.
The heavily guarded escort fleet outmatched the Buster Call in terms of firepower and numbers. As part of the vanguard, Michion’s group was uniquely privileged under Aokiji’s protection for training purposes.
The vanguard fleet primarily consisted of Vice Admirals, maintaining a wide formation for large-scale surveillance. Michion and the other trainees were there for the experience, with Aokiji ensuring their safety. This critical mission for real combat training reflected the Navy’s confidence and trust.
Michion’s foresight in preparing for the Golden Lion’s attack meant his group suffered no casualties. The catastrophic battle had shocked them but hadn’t broken their spirits. Witnessing the destructive power of the Golden Lion against Garp and Sengoku, the trainees’ desire to become stronger grew more intense.
Michion’s development of defensive abilities to withstand the Golden Lion’s attack, even momentarily, drew significant attention from the high command. His actions, albeit against a casual yet powerful strike, allowed Vice Admirals to regroup and prevent more significant casualties.
After the incident, Michion’s group received recognition for their efforts. Their resolve, especially Michion’s leadership, turned a potentially demoralising event into a motivating experience. This increased their training intensity, driven by the desire never to feel powerless again.
The high command acknowledged their potential, leading to this unique training opportunity under Aokiji. The tradition of seasoned officers mentoring recruits was evident, with examples like Garp and Aokiji, Sengoku and Kizaru. If they could keep up, they were on the path to becoming future Admirals.
The dispersed fleet navigated according to the planned route on the Azure Sea. Suddenly, the ship ahead spotted an unknown pirate crew, prompting the surrounding fleet to converge.
Dense crossfire from various angles soon engulfed the pirate ship in flames. Naval artillery was the primary offensive method at sea due to its superior range and power. Naval ships, more manoeuvrable than typical pirate vessels, could easily engage or retreat as needed.
Maintaining mobility was crucial for avoiding severe weather at sea. Engaging pirates with artillery first maximised this advantage, avoiding unnecessary casualties in direct combat. Even strong pirates, especially Devil Fruit users, who were vulnerable at sea, faced a disadvantage if their ship was destroyed.
Destroying a pirate ship left its crew stranded, making them easy targets. Prolonged artillery bombardment wore down even the most vigorous defenders, leading to inevitable defeat through attrition.
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