Curly Brows and Long Nose's Resolve

As General Roy's Warship steadily Teleportation and docked at the Harbor, the previously panicked residents of Loguetown all poked their heads out.

Upon learning that the visitor was "Vice Admiral Roy" himself, the crowd on the street quickly calmed down.

"Who is it, sir?"

"Really? Then everything's alright!"

"My nephew works at Marine Headquarters, and he told me that Vice Admiral Roy is a legendary figure in the New World!"

"Even the Shichibukai would have to think twice before making a move!"

The wind softened, and the crowd's astonishment turned to awe. A strange sense of security enveloped the entire town, as if no matter how turbulent the world was, everything would remain stable as long as he was there.

Loguetown Naval Branch Office

Smoker sat behind his desk, his face contorted with rage, Cigars puffing out Smoke, the air thick with a pungent, acrid smell.

His brows were furrowed so deeply they looked like twisted rope, and his fingers tapped incessantly on the table.

"What on earth are you thinking...?" he said coldly.

"To Teleportation such a huge Warship into the sky... do you think Loguetown is Marineford Harbor?!"

"Oh dear, don't be so stingy!"

Roy patted Smoker on the shoulder casually, "It hasn't been that long, gotta give you a little surprise~"

"You're kidding me!!"

Smoker slammed his fist on the table. "Do you even know how much trouble has been happening in the East Blue lately?! It's a complete mess right now!"

"Villages destroyed, shipping routes closed... the entire East Blue has practically become Paradise for Beast!"

This time, Roy finally stopped laughing.

He suppressed his smile, his eyes instantly turning sharp and piercing. "I know."

"On the way here, I reviewed the complete intelligence."

"Recently, several unidentified Rampaging Behemoth have appeared in various parts of the East Blue, attacking villages and disrupting shipping routes."

"Moreover—" his tone turned somber, "It has an imbalance of power, a manic temperament, and a fighting instinct, but its biological structure does not conform to any marine food chain logic."

Smoker paused, raising an eyebrow. "You even know that?"

Roy's gaze fell on the sunlight spreading out the window. "Don't worry, I have a pretty good idea where the source is."

"Besides taking people with me, I also had this trip to the East Blue to resolve this matter."

On one side of the office, Tashigi stood in front of Kuina with shining eyes, as excited as a little fan meeting her idol.

"Ku... Kuina- senpai!" she clenched her fists, her Glasses reflecting the light, "I... I've always admired your swordsmanship!"

"Could you... possibly spar with me for a bit?!"

Kuina smiled gently, her eyes clear yet sharp. "Sure."

But I won't show any mercy.

"Just what I wanted!" Tashigi's Glasses gleamed, and her voice was even more excited than before, displaying a high level of fighting spirit.

Meanwhile--

On the other side, the atmosphere was thick with tension.

Hey! You Moss Head! What are you looking at?!

"Huh?! Curly eyebrows! Are you trying to pick a fight?!"

"Then what did you mean just now?! That look you gave me!!" Sanji his arms, a cigarette dangling from his lips, his face full of provocation.

Zoro rolled his eyes and retorted without any politeness, "What do you mean? I instinctively want to draw my sword whenever I see an idiot, understand?"

"Who are you calling an idiot?! Are you looking for a beating?!" Sanji's curled eyebrows instantly shot up.

"I'm talking to you, you curly-haired cook."

"What did you say?! You want to fight?!"

"Come on--!"

From the moment they entered the room, Sanji and Zoro seemed to be inherently incompatible, and now they were already at each other's throats, their auras intertwined.

The two were like a powder keg ready to explode at the slightest provocation.

Strangely, although the two were arguing fiercely, they didn't seem to harbor any real animosity.

"... Did you two have a fight in your past life?"

Usopp, hiding behind the sofa and clutching his "tactical toolbox" tightly, stared blankly at the two of them. "They've only known each other for a short time, and they're already arguing like old enemies..."

Roy, sitting on the sofa, glanced at them, his gaze lingering on the two boys' faces for a moment, a half-smile playing on his lips.

"You two," he beckoned to Usopp and Sanji, "now that you're in Loguetown— "

Does this mean you've all thought it through?

The air went still for a moment, and Usopp and Sanji exchanged a glance.

At that moment, although there was still a hint of youthful confusion in their eyes, there was also a light of "enlightenment" shining through them.

"Yes!" they both nodded at the same time.

Sanji a half step forward, stubbed out the cigarette between his fingers, his eyes as clear and resolute as the rising sea.

I've made up my mind.

He tilted his head slightly, the sea breeze ruffling his golden hair. "The news from a while back—you defeated one of the Four Emperors in the New World! That kind of influence has long surpassed mere military might."

Sanji's knuckles unconsciously rubbed against his suit sleeve, Sanji voice deepening. "You once said that the Navy's intelligence network can cover any sea area."

The seagulls' cries suddenly seemed to fade into the distance, his gaze fixed on the distant horizon, "Including... the legendary All Blue."

A relieved smile curved his lips. Sanji lowered his eyelids and smiled softly. "Perhaps, compared to aimless sailing, the Navy is the direction I should truly be heading."

"And..."

He glanced at the green-haired swordsman standing in the corner, his tone slightly awkward and stubborn, "I don't know why, but ever since I saw that guy, I've wanted to turn back even less."

"I always had a feeling... if I wanted to compete with him, I'd have to stay on this path."

Roy's eyes flickered slightly, but he didn't speak; he just watched him quietly.

At that moment, Usopp gritted his teeth and stepped forward, clutching his tattered-looking "tactical toolbox" tightly in his small hands, his nose held high. "I've made up my mind too! I'm joining the Navy!"

"I used to dream of becoming a brave and fearless sea warrior, and I always felt that Pirate was the only way to go on an adventure."

But later--

He took a breath, a rare seriousness appearing in his eyes. "After your explanation, I finally understand."

Becoming a 'free Pirate's who causes trouble everywhere, burning, killing, and looting, will not make me stronger; it will only teach me to run away!

"I want to surpass my father..."

"I want to stand openly and honestly on the Battlefield of the sea, even if one day I have to face him head-on—"

"I will defeat him fair and square!!"

"And..." Usopp suddenly blushed and added in a low voice, "And Kaya too..."

She once said that if I could become a guardian of Justice, she would be proud of me.

He glanced furtively at the crowd, then immediately straightened his back and puffed out his chest, putting on a fearless act.

Sunlight streamed through the window into the office, illuminating the two boys standing side by side. Though their backs were still slender, they stood straight as swords.

Smoker, Cigar dangling from his lips, slowly exhaled a ring of smoke, his gaze sweeping over them as if he saw a glimpse of his younger, spirited self.

"Hmph, brats... don't get scared." Although his tone was cold as he said this, a slight smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.

Roy, sitting on the sofa, softened his gaze and revealed a brotherly smile.

"Very good."

He stood up, his Coat of Justice rippling gently behind him, as if the wind itself were listening attentively.

"Then let's start from today--"

"Your training has officially begun."