At the Harbor, Curls and Kaen silently watched the departing ship.
Success and failure stood in stark contrast.
As Curls watched the two dejected figures leave, a sense of confusion crept into his previously calm heart.
Tashigi and Mode were returning to Loguetown, but what path should he take next?
“Captain, I received the top S-grade rating and caught the attention of Marine Headquarters, but now I’m feeling confused.”
“What path should I take?”
Faced with Curls’ sudden question, Kaen fell silent. As a Revolutionary Army spy, he should avoid close contact with Curls, given the many eyes on him and the increased risk of exposure.
His previous distant attitude towards Curls and the reminder to Tashigi and Mode were to maintain this distance and avoid suspicion.
Curls, unaware of Kaen’s true identity, didn’t consider this aspect.
Now, this Marine, whom Kaen once had high hopes for, is asking him for guidance. Should he maintain distance or offer his perspective?
After a moment of thought, Kaen turned to face Curls, deciding to give his opinion.
Even if it increased his risk of exposure, Curls needed his answer now.
“Curls, your talent is the best I’ve ever seen. Your hard work is evident to anyone who’s watched you. The S-grade rating wasn’t given to you; you earned it.”
“Your aptitude in swordsmanship is exceptional. You mastered basic swordsmanship within a month and reached precision swordsmanship by the second month. Now, after a year, you’ve stepped into the realm of cutting steel.”
“In swordsmanship talent, you are unparalleled. I can’t even see the limits of your future growth.”
Curls listened silently to Kaen’s words.
Kaen turned back to the direction the ship had gone, speaking again, “I once told you my swordsmanship comes from the Isshin Dojo, a small place in Shimotsuki Village.”
“There, I have a junior named Zoro.”
“He has a similar swordsmanship talent, but unlike you, he takes a steady, gradual approach. Though his brilliance isn’t obvious now, he’ll rapidly advance once he finds his opportunity.”
“You both have the potential to reach the pinnacle of swordsmanship; it’s just a matter of timing.”
“So, when you ask how to proceed, my answer is simple: The path is at your feet.”
“Walk the path you believe is right.”
A gentle breeze from the sea stirred their Justice capes and hair.
…
Marine Headquarters, Upper Building.
In one of the meeting rooms, Zephyr sat at the head of the table, awaiting the arrival of the other Marine instructors.
Down the hallway, several formidable Marine instructors, draped in their Justice coats, were making their way to the meeting room in an orderly fashion.
Among them, one female officer stood out.
She was strikingly beautiful, with charming eyes and an elegant updo, accented by a beauty mark near her lips that added a touch of cool allure to her sensual appearance.
Her curvaceous figure was tightly encased in a pink short dress, contrasting with her lower half, which was simply clad in black shorts. Her long, slender, pale legs were exposed, drawing attention.
Notably, she had a black spider tattoo on her left leg.
Despite the incongruity of the tattoo with her Marine identity, it added a layer of mystery to her.
A red-sheathed, white-handled sword at her waist marked her as a swordswoman.
“Gion, I like you!”
Just then, a figure burst out from a side corridor, dropping to one knee and offering a bouquet of flowers with a fervent expression.
It was a middle-aged man dressed in a brown shirt and pants, wearing a brown cowboy hat, with a yellow belt at his waist.
His broad face and slightly aged appearance, with eyes narrowed into slits, made him look like an average citizen.
But a closer look would reveal the Justice coat draped over this man, which bore the insignia of a Vice Admiral.
Facing this public confession, Gion’s face remained impassive.
She responded coldly.
“Rejected!”
The nearby instructors, who had paused to watch, shook their heads.
They had expected this outcome, as this was the sixty-second time Gion had rejected Vice Admiral Tokikake.
But despite Gion’s rejections, Tokikake never gave up.
Inside the meeting room, Zephyr’s voice boomed.
“What are you doing out there? Get in here and start the meeting!”
Prompted by Zephyr’s call, the instructors quickly moved into the room, taking their seats.
The beautiful Gion and the unremarkable Tokikake also entered the room, sitting just below Zephyr.
Their high seating positions were due not only to their Vice Admiral ranks but also their status as Admiral candidates.
Gion’s code name was “Momousagi” (Pink Rabbit)!
Tokikake’s code name was “Chaton” (Brown Pig)!
The position of an Admiral, symbolizing the highest combat strength of the headquarters, was denoted by color and animal codes.
The number of Admirals remained constant at three, but to maintain this balance, the headquarters always had candidates in reserve.
These candidates would step in should an Admiral retire or leave for other reasons.
Gion and Tokikake being candidates indicated their considerable strength.
This year’s elite training camp boasted an impressive teaching force.
It was led by Zephyr, who retained the admiral rank and trained many excellent Marines, and supported by admiral candidates Gion and Tokikake.
Additionally, numerous Marine instructors would participate.
With such a teaching force, the trainees’ strength would undoubtedly see a significant boost.
Zephyr looked around, speaking with authority.
“Today’s meeting is about the upcoming elite training camp courses. The basic curriculum is set as follows:
I will oversee the overall practical combat;
Gion, you will teach swordsmanship;
Tokikake, you will teach marksmanship;
Hand-to-hand combat and the Six Powers will be…”
After half an hour, the course arrangements for the elite training camp were finalized. The instructors left one after another, preparing for the camp’s opening the next day.
At the head of the table, Zephyr adjusted his mechanical right arm slightly and asked Tokikake, who was about to leave.
“Has Kuzan returned?”
Kuzan was the real name of Admiral Aokiji, one of the current three Admirals.
The current Admirals had all been Zephyr’s students.
Tokikake, with his eyes still half-closed, replied, “Admiral Kuzan requested leave previously, but he has returned and is probably resting in his office now.”
Zephyr instructed.
“Go inform him that he needs to appear at tomorrow’s opening ceremony.”
“Yes, sir.”
Tokikake had hoped to continue pursuing Gion but now had a task from Zephyr.
Exiting the meeting room, Gion felt relieved that Tokikake wasn’t following her.
She had gone from initial annoyance to indifference towards Tokikake’s relentless pursuits.
His plain and somewhat sleazy appearance reminded her of the scummy pirates she had seduced and caught using her allure.
She had no interest in Tokikake, hence her icy rejections, even after sixty-two proposals.
Gion preferred men who were handsome and uniquely charming.
…
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