Luffy's graduation assessment
Loguetown
Sunlight streamed down from the horizon, casting a golden glow across the streets and Harbor of Loguetown, outlining the gentle contours of this old Harbor city.
At the dock, a gentle sea breeze caressed the shore, seagulls circled overhead, and Smoker stood ramrod straight, his Coat of Justice billowing in the wind, Cigar smoke curling upwards from his lips.
Beside her, Hina had changed out of her uniform and was now wearing a smart casual suit, leaning against the Harbor railing.
With an elegant posture, a slender cigarette between her fingers, she exhaled a puff of smoke as her red lips parted slightly, unable to conceal the teasing look in her eyes towards someone.
She had come to visit Smoker during her vacation to catch up and relax, but she happened to hear that Roy and the others were returning from the East Blue, so she stayed with him at the dock.
"Whoosh--!"
The air vibrated slightly, accompanied by a soft sound, and space instantly distorted, as three figures appeared out of thin air in the center of the dock.
"Yo! Smoking Bro! And Hina Sister!" Luffy had barely steadied himself when he immediately started waving his arms with fiery enthusiasm, just like a little monkey released from its cage.
"Still so noisy, you annoying thing." Smoker raised an eyebrow, his tone cold and hard, but the corners of his mouth turned up almost imperceptibly.
"You're the same as always, always so serious."
Hina chuckled softly, then turned her gaze to the man standing ramrod straight, exuding an air of composure. "Long time no see, Roy, how was the trip to the East Blue?"
Roy smiled slightly, "Long time no see ~ Hina, you have time all of a sudden?"
"Everything is going as planned. I'm leaving the final touches on the branch work to you."
"Don't worry, Smoker's here." Hina casually flicked the incense ash, but her eyes revealed sharpness and confidence.
Ace stepped forward, patted Smoker on the shoulder, and asked jokingly, "I heard that Gin really did turn himself in?"
Smoker's expression hardened, and he slowly nodded. "Yes, two days ago. He walked alone to the branch office entrance, knelt down, and turned himself in."
"He also brought a thick confession, the words written stroke by stroke... as if he had used all his strength to repent."
"His eyes... didn't seem fake." After saying this, he paused for two seconds.
Hina's smile faded as well, "The documents have been submitted to headquarters, Impel Down has sent people by ship to escort him directly to prison. The initial trial will last five years."
For a moment, the surroundings seemed to quiet down.
Ace retracted his teasing tone and whispered, "This guy... he's actually serious."
Roy gazed at the distant horizon, a hint of melancholy in his voice. "The hardest thing for a person isn't fighting, but bowing their head and admitting their mistakes."
After a moment of silence, everyone began processing the handover documents, and Roy took out an encrypted scroll and handed it to Smoker.
"This is a secret order personally approved by the Fleet Admiral. You are to distribute the remaining lists of problematic individuals to them. The East Blue cleanup operation requires your close monitoring; don't let the 'jumping fish' have a chance to escape again."
Smoker took the scroll and nodded. "Understood."
After the handover was complete, Luffy had already jumped onto the Warship, stood on the deck, and shouted towards the dock, "Smoky Bro! I'll come back to fight you after I graduate!"
Ace smiled and waved to Hina: "Hina, treat us to drinks next time we meet!"
"You bunch of brats..." Smoker's lips twitched, but his tone carried an undisguised amusement. "Let them grow up first, you're all alcoholics in the making."
Hina smiled and waved to them, "Have a safe trip, and don't wander off again."
"Alright." Roy stood at the bow of the Warship, his eyes sharp. "Let's go, it's time to head back to Marineford."
"Whoosh--!"
The space trembled again, and the entire Warship disappeared in a ripple, like a sail blown away by the wind, leaving only a thin ripple on the edge of the dock.
The dock returned to calm, with a gentle sea breeze blowing.
Smoker, Cigar in mouth, stood motionless for a long time, slowly exhaling a puff of smoke. "... These guys are faster than the wind."
Hina stood beside him, smoothing her wind-blown hair, and chuckled softly, turning her head slightly, "They are the new wave of this era."
Marineford Marine Headquarters
The afternoon sun shone on the magnificent white buildings, and the metallic sheen of the Marine Headquarters dome gleamed.
At the Harbor, the sea breeze fluttered the navy's flag of Justice as soldiers orderly loaded and unloaded military supplies.
"Boom--!"
A spatial tremor suddenly descended, accompanied by a soft spatial sound, and a Warship appeared abruptly in the center of the Harbor as if breaking through reality!
"It's Vice Admiral Roy's Warship!"
"And there's Captain Ace and the monster rookie from the Training Camp — Luffy!"
The Harbor erupted in cheers as numerous soldiers lined up to salute, their eyes filled with reverence and admiration.
Ace stood on the edge of the ship, lazily stretching, his military uniform billowing in the wind, revealing his well-defined muscles.
"Phew--Finally back! Hopefully I can sleep soundly until dawn tonight..."
"I'm starving! I'm starving! I want to eat enough beef for a hundred people! I'll eat the Marine Headquarters cafeteria!!" Luffy howled, clutching his stomach.
"Dream on." Roy gave him a cold glance and lightly tapped his head with his finger. "Go see Professor Zephyr first; your Graduation Examination hasn't been decided yet."
"Eh--?!"
Marineford Navy Training Ground
Under the blazing sun, the Training Ground was still filled with the lingering smell of sweat and metal.
Inside the arena, Light Swords clashed and the sounds of metal clashing filled the air.
"Clang!"
The Wado Ichimonji sliced through the air, a silver light descending like a sudden gust of wind under the moon.
Kuina moved with agility, her sword strikes as swift as a storm. "You've slowed down, Zoro!"
"That's because you've gotten faster!"
Kuina wielded the Wado Ichimonji, her movements as swift as lightning, the sword slicing through the air with a sharp whistling sound.
Her attacks were fierce and precise, each sword aimed directly at Zoro's vital points!
Zoro gripped the Yubashiri tightly, wielding the Sandai Kitetsu and Shusui in both hands, Three-Sword Style attack like a raging storm!
"Clang! Clang! Clang!"
Sparks flew as the two figures flashed across the Training Ground, their swordplay as powerful as dragons!
"One Sword Style: Moonlight!"
Kuina suddenly took a step forward, her blade drawing a silver-white arc, aimed straight at Zoro's throat!
Zoro's pupils contracted, and he parried with three crossed swords.
"Three-Sword Style: Oni Giri!"
"Boom--!"
The shockwave exploded, and the two of them took several steps back at the same time, but the next second they charged at each other again!
"Three-Sword Style: Ascending Dragon Flame Formation!"
"One Sword Style: Sky Splitter!"
The blades clashed, and the sword energy exploded in the air like bursts!
Impact shockwave ripped away iron sand and paving stones, forcing the soldiers watching to retreat.
One attacking, one defending, then switching roles, the two figures darted across the Training Ground like dragons battling tigers!
On the high platform of the Training Ground, Zephyr stood calmly like an iron tower, arms crossed, watching the two men's actual combat match.
Just then, the air suddenly fluctuated.
"Whoosh--!"
Roy, Ace, Luffy slowly stepped onto the platform.
Zephyr tilted his head slightly, a smile playing on his lips.
"Hmph, the brats are back."
His gaze swept across the room, precisely locking onto Luffy, who was groaning about being hungry, and he suddenly shouted, "Monkey D. Luffy!!"
Your pitiful vacation is over!
"It's time to face the most brutal test of your life!!"
"Aaaaaah--I haven't eaten yet!!" Luffy's face turned deathly pale, and his body trembled visibly.
Ace laughed so hard he almost pounded the ground, his mouth twitching. "Haha... exactly the same as me back then! What Rinnegan, no one can escape Zephyr's hellish treatment..."
He was clearly recalling the painful experience of being nearly killed by Zephyr.
Roy calmly patted Luffy on the shoulder. "Good luck, I believe in you."
Luffy was on the verge of tears. "Roy! You know perfectly well how insane Zephyr's tests are!"
Roy, however, crossed his arms and asked calmly, "Professor Zephyr, what are the assessment criteria?"
Zephyr's lips slowly curled into a smile, his voice deep and resonant, yet it silenced the entire arena.
"Luffy, Zoro, Kuina teamed up to defeat the 'Tyrannosaurus Rex' Pirate crew, which had been active in the Northern Seas of the New World, within a week!"
The enemy leader, who had a bounty of 680 million Beli, was extremely brutal and had repeatedly attacked villages and towns, slaughtered ships, and looted cargo.
I've decided to make this Luffy's 'Graduation Examination' goal!!
On the Training Ground, Kuina and Zoro stopped fighting and looked up at the high platform in surprise.
"The Tyrannosaurus Pirates of the New World? A bounty of 680 million Beli?" Zoro licked his lips, his fighting spirit rising. "Finally, a worthy opponent."
Kuina raised her chin slightly. "Perfect for stretching my muscles."
Zephyr sneered, turned around and waved his hand. "Let's go! A three-person coordinated hunt, execute immediately!"