The next day.
The sun rose above the horizon, its bright rays making the sea shimmer beautifully.
At Marineford, Marine Academy.
The entire academy was bustling with activity as the elite training camp opened today.
In the academy’s main plaza.
A high platform was covered with a red carpet, all set for the opening ceremony.
In front of the platform, 120 finely crafted black chairs were arranged in five rows for the incoming trainees.
Nearby, a group of new marine recruits gathered, eager to catch a glimpse of the opening ceremony of the elite training camp.
The academy bell rang.
The new recruits sighed in disappointment, knowing they had to return to their classes. Discipline was strict at the academy; breaking the rules meant extra drills later.
Just then, a recruit spotted something at the academy gate and shouted excitedly.
“Look! Over there! The marines for the elite training camp are arriving!”
Everyone turned to see, and the first person they noticed was a young major draped in a marine coat:
Handsome and chiseled features,
Blue eyes as deep as the ocean,
A fair yet stern face with an undeniable sharp presence.
The rising star from the East Blue, Shaorl Curls!
This young swordsman was known for defeating a Zoan Ancient Type Devil Fruit user with a single strike!
The top scorer of this elite training camp’s preliminary exam an eighteen-year-old marine major!
The new recruits erupted into whispers and exclamations.
This effect was due to Curls’ constant prominence since arriving at Marine Headquarters, making his name well known among the recruits.
Some female recruits even felt admiration for him.
An elegant and radiant marine major like Curls was an ideal partner in their eyes.
Curls, accustomed to attention, ignored the stares and whispers.
After all, he had patrolled Loguetown enough to be used to various gazes.
The only difference now was that the onlookers were marine cadets instead of Loguetown civilians.
The new recruits couldn’t stay outside for long. Under their instructors’ stern orders, they hurried back to their classrooms.
The marines who entered the elite training camp took their seats in the arranged rows, waiting for the ceremony to begin.
Curls scanned the area and noticed a few unfamiliar faces. These were likely the ones who had secured their spots in the elite training camp ahead of time.
He also saw Veroh, who had previously fought him. Veroh’s scarred face, slashed from his forehead to his chin, was a result of Curls’ “Iai: Knight’s Requiem.”
This scar made Veroh’s presence even more intimidating.
Veroh remained silent, arms crossed, even when he noticed Curls’ gaze.
On the stage, more academy instructors appeared, but none spoke. The opening was not their responsibility.
Soon, a muscular elderly man with purple hair, wearing a marine coat and sunglasses, ascended the stage.
His right arm was missing, replaced by a large mechanical arm.
Black Arm Zephyr!
The former Marine Admiral!
Now the Chief Instructor of the Academy!
Curls’ eyes narrowed slightly.
These features, along with the elite training camp, made him immediately recognize the purple-haired man.
Following Zephyr was a tall, lean man with curly black hair, wearing a teal sleep mask—a laid-back middle-aged man.
He wore a white suit, with a blue tie at his chest, and had a perpetually sleepy expression.
Seeing this man, Curls felt a thrill, recognizing a familiar figure in the pirate world.
The man possessed the Ice-Ice Fruit, able to freeze anything he touched, and was among the top powers in the pirate world.
More terrifying than monsters!
Marine Admiral, Aokiji “Kuzan”!
An admiral, at last!
Curls’ heart raced with excitement, this was one of the pinnacles of power he aspired to reach.
Below, the marines who passed the initial screening and those from headquarters recognized the two figures, and a buzz of chatter spread.
“It’s Chief Instructor Zephyr and Admiral Aokiji!”
“Black Arm Zephyr! He’s been my idol since I was a kid! And Kuzan, Admirals are really that tall, huh?”
“I heard Admirals are nearly three meters tall. Even if I had the strength, I doubt I’d ever reach that height.”
“I’m so excited! I wonder how the training will be!”
As the murmurs subsided, the atmosphere grew solemn.
Zephyr stood before the microphone, his gaze sweeping over everyone present. His deep, aged voice echoed.
“I am Zephyr, Chief Instructor of the academy and the lead instructor for this elite training camp. Congratulations on passing the exams and making it here.”
“Among you are marines from the headquarters and those recommended from various branches. It makes no difference to me. Once you enter the elite training camp, you are all my cherished students.
This will be the last batch I train, and my goal is singular:
To cultivate the strongest marines!”
The audience fell silent.
Zephyr’s speech was brief but filled the trainees with a sense of fervor.
The last batch!
The strongest marines!
These words alone were enough to ignite a fire in the hearts of these elite marines.
Who wouldn’t want to be the best?
Who wouldn’t want to be the strongest marine?
On stage, Zephyr concluded his speech and turned to Kuzan behind him, “Kuzan, it’s time for you to give these trainees their first lesson.”
Kuzan, in his white suit, stood up slowly, holding his forehead, “Ah, sensei, so soon? I was just about to take a nap. I remember you used to speak for at least half an hour at these openings.”
Zephyr, taking his seat, sighed, “I’m getting old, can’t talk as much anymore.”
Zephyr, now seventy, had endured much suffering. First, his family was killed by pirates, and then an attack left him with only two surviving students.
The fire in his heart had long since dimmed.
He continued on, driven by sheer determination.
Kuzan understood this and said no more, stepping forward to face the trainees.
The atmosphere grew tense.
Even the elite marines, who passed the initial exams, felt immense pressure facing an Admiral.
Kuzan pointed a finger at his head, speaking, “Ah, I’m Kuzan, codename ‘Aokiji,’ a Marine Admiral. As a student of Zephyr, I’ll be giving you your first lesson today.”
The first lesson of the elite training camp was to be taught by Admiral Kuzan himself!
Excitement surged through the trainees.
Kuzan extended his right hand, ice power gathering.
Under the white glow, freezing energy spread, covering the microphone and moving downward.
In an instant, frost spread across the red carpet, rapidly extending towards the trainees.
The speed was astonishing. Before they could react, the frost reached their seats and climbed upwards.
“This, this is…”
Faced with the sudden situation, the elite marines were bewildered.
“Freeze!”
Kuzan’s voice boomed, and in that moment, the frost covered the marines, freezing them solid.
Against an Admiral’s power, none could resist.
Over a hundred elite marines,
Had turned into ice sculptures!
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