The clouds drifted across the sky, and time passed like sand slipping through fingers. It had already been six days since returning to Marineford. From a high vantage point, numerous figures were sweating and training hard. Although most cadets had already mastered Soru, the training had not decreased but continued to intensify.
With the increased training load, Foxy and his friends continued to push themselves, training hard during the day and practicing independently at night. Even with the foundation of Soru, three days was not enough to master Moonwalk, but there had been progress. Foxy could now stay suspended in the air for four to five seconds.
But today, at dusk, Zephyr appeared.
All the cadets were assembled on the training ground, and Zephyr was as stern as ever.
“Now you have two choices: continue training in the academy or go out with other navy officers to execute justice and build military merits,” Zephyr said bluntly.
Standing in the ranks, Foxy furrowed his brows.
“If you choose to go out and execute justice, the dangers involved need not be explained by me. Think it over carefully and give me your answers tomorrow morning. You’re free to move now,” Zephyr said before disappearing as mysteriously as he had arrived, leaving the cadets looking at each other.
Gathered in small groups, Foxy and his friends discussed their thoughts. Drake couldn’t contain himself, “What are you guys thinking?”
“You want to go out?” Foxy asked, noticing Drake’s eagerness.
“Yeah, staying in the academy is too boring,” Drake said, clenching his fists.
“Although we can get stronger by staying in the academy, there’s no military merit. I want to learn the other Rokushiki techniques,” Shuzo added. He also intended to go out, gain experience, and earn some military merits in exchange for Rokushiki.
“I’m the same,” Shueen, Berry Good, and Gasparde echoed similar sentiments. At their age, they were like young bulls, unafraid of tigers. Staying cooped up in the academy was not an option for them.
Foxy felt the same way. Although going out to sea would be dangerous, it would also allow him to increase.
“Everyone be careful out there and don’t die,” Drake said, his words dripping with irony.
Rolling their eyes, the group didn’t bother to respond. They then continued to develop their Devil Fruit abilities and practice Moonwalk.
The following day, most of the cadets chose to go to sea. Only a few younger cadets, like Hina, were forcibly kept in the academy by Zephyr.
That night, they went to the commercial street to feast, with Drake footing the bill as usual.
On the third day, Foxy arrived at the coast early in the morning, ready to sail with a captain. Besides his status as a navy cadet, Foxy had now been promoted to corporal, equivalent to a sergeant.
This promotion acknowledged the influence of the Navy Academy. Although still a small officer, nobody dared underestimate them. Everyone in Marineford knew that the academy’s cadets would be the backbone of the navy in the future.
Foxy had said his goodbyes to Tsuru yesterday, although he hadn’t seen Gion, who was likely out on a mission.
The sea sparkled under the sun, waves crashing against the shore. Many warships were docked, imposing with their lined cannons.
Foxy arrived at Dock 98, where a small warship was loading supplies, preparing to set sail.
“Excuse me, is this Captain Gotadi’s ship?” Foxy asked a marine, holding a document.
The sergeant, the marine, looked at Foxy and, instead of displaying arrogance, showed a friendly demeanor and even a bit of flattery.
“Are you Corporal Foxy?” the sergeant asked after glancing at the document.
“Yes,” Foxy confirmed.
“Give me the document. Captain Gotadi is expecting you,” the sergeant said, taking the document and motioning for Foxy to follow him to the captain’s office.
On the way, Foxy wondered why it was so easy. He had expected some difficulty but found none. It seemed TV shows had misled him.
Outside the office, the sergeant knocked on the door.
“Reporting, Cadet Corporal Foxy has arrived.”
“Come in,” a deep voice responded. Foxy entered, following the sergeant, and saw a burly man with a thick beard talking on the phone, his tone respectful.
“Yes, Vice Admiral Tsuru… Yes, yes…” Gotadi said. Foxy recognized the voice on the other end as Tsuru’s.
Hanging up the transponder snail, Gotadi wiped imaginary sweat from his brow, a scene that looked particularly funny.
Surprised, Gotadi looked at the sergeant and Foxy, “Is there something you need?”
Standing next to the sergeant, Foxy could sense his exasperation.
“Captain Gotadi, Cadet Corporal Foxy has arrived,” the sergeant reported.
“Oh, you’re Corporal Foxy?” Gotadi scratched his head, looking somewhat foolish.
“Yes, sir,” Foxy stood straight, not underestimating the captain. Despite his demeanor, Gotadi was still a captain and likely strong in combat.
“Don’t be nervous. I came from the academy too. I just didn’t expect to be leading cadets on missions one day,” Gotadi laughed heartily, his large teeth prominent.
“Get familiar with the ship. We’ll be setting off soon,” Gotadi said, waving them off.
“Yes, sir,” Foxy and the sergeant saluted and left the office. As they walked, Foxy thought about how the captain had been talking to Tsuru and understood the preferential treatment he was getting.
Gotadi was likely instructed to care for him, making his prospects clear. The sergeant guided Foxy around the ship, introducing him to various parts and personnel.
Foxy was given a private room, a privilege not extended to other corporals busy with various tasks. Foxy sat on his bed, satisfied with his room’s modest but sufficient space.
“I wonder where Gasparde and the others ended up,” Foxy thought. Each cadet had been assigned to different officers, possibly majors, captains, or even rear admirals.
Yesterday, Foxy shared his thoughts on developing their Devil Fruit abilities with Gasparde, Shueen, and the others as a token of friendship. After all, his presence had already influenced significant changes in them.
Satisfied, Foxy lay back on his bed, ready for the challenges and adventures ahead.
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