Trial Mission

Roy slowly walked into the Training Ground, instantly attracting everyone's attention.

Sunlight fell on his shoulders, and his sharply defined face wore a hint of unruly smile.

The next second--

"Roy!!" A figure suddenly pounced!

Just like when they were kids, Luffy leaped up and clung to Roy, a pure smile spreading across his face, "I missed you so much!!"

Roy chuckled, reached out and caught him steadily, his hand landing on the messy black hair, gently ruffling it:

"Long time no see ~ You've grown so tall in just one year? And you even dare to challenge Teacher Zephyr in public?"

Luffy chuckled sheepishly, scratching the back of his head. "Hehe, I'm a hundred times stronger than before!"

Ace, hands in his pockets, stood to the side grinning. "Roy, this kid's really cocky now, he almost blew the whole Training Ground upside down!"

Zoro crossed his arms and snorted, "It's still far from perfect... but it's at least somewhat presentable."

Kuina stood beside him, smiled gently, and shook her head, saying, "Zoro, you were staring the most intently just now, and now you're trying to act cool."

"Hmph..." Zoro's face flushed slightly, and he decisively turned his head away.

Nami walked forward, hands on her hips, her pretty face showing helplessness. "Roy, this guy has turned Marine Headquarters upside down as soon as he got back. He's almost eaten everything in the cafeteria!"

Nojiko stood beside her, his tone full of satisfaction. "However, it's clear... he's really improved a lot during this time."

Not far away, Sanji and Usopp stared blankly at the scene before them.

Sanji, a cigarette dangling from his lips, couldn't help but mutter, "That aura... it's like he's the leader of all the monster boys in the Navy..."

Usopp nodded frantically, his expression complex. "No, the boss of bosses! The kind of boss who, just by standing there, no one dares to mess with him!!"

Just as the two were whispering to each other, a familiar and hearty laugh rang out from behind:

"Haha! You two newbies, don't you know?"

The two turned around in unison, and saw Zephyr walking towards them, carrying his cloak, his eyes filled with pride and swagger.

"These little monsters were practically raised by Roy himself!"

"What?!!"

Sanji and Usopp nearly dropped their jaws to the ground, their eyes practically popping out of their sockets.

Roy smiled and gently put Luffy down from his body.

Law slowly stepped forward from behind, waved his hand, and the iconic "ROOM" instantly spread out in the center of the Training Ground, with a light blue halo covering Luffy's entire body.

"Buzz--"

Within that spatial fluctuation, Luffy's bruises and wounds healed rapidly, and his damaged skin texture returned to its original state at a speed visible to the naked eye.

Luffy paused for a moment, then tried twisting his arm, and a bright smile immediately bloomed on his face:

"Wow! It doesn't hurt at all anymore! Thank you, Luo!!"

Luo's expression remained indifferent as always, his tone calm and casual. "It's nothing."

Nami suddenly glanced to the side and noticed a fluffy little head peeking out from behind Roy.

It was a small reindeer, only half the height of a person, with a blue nose that glistened in the sunlight. It wore a small hat, looked nervous, and had its tail curled up in a ball.

Nami's eyes lit up instantly, and she let out a delighted scream as if she had discovered a treasure, "Wow!! What an adorable little reindeer!!"

She trotted over, squatted down, and scooped Chopper up in her arms, burying her face almost in his soft fur. "Roy! Is this the pet you brought back? It's so soft and smells so good!"

Chopper was suddenly hugged and froze, his ears flapping frantically, his face turning bright red, his little hooves frozen in mid-air, as motionless as a block of wood.

"Waaaaah!!"

Nojiko walked over upon hearing the sound, her eyes sparkling. "Wow... they're so cute! This is the first time I've ever seen reindeer at Marine Headquarters!"

Kuina couldn't resist moving closer, reaching out to gently poke Chopper's blue nose with her finger, a rare smile appearing on her face:

"It feels so good... like a snowball."

"Waaaaah--!"

Chopper panicked completely, his eyes brimming with tears, his little hooves flailing wildly, his voice shrill and tearful. "Let go of me!! I'm not a pet!!"

"...?!!"

The scene fell silent instantly, and everyone froze.

"Was that... the little reindeer that spoke just now?!"

"What?! A talking reindeer?!"

Luffy and Ace rushed over upon hearing the noise, their eyes shining as they surrounded Chopper.

"Wow! This is amazing!" Luffy exclaimed, almost pressing his face against it in curiosity. "Is it a reindeer monster?!"

Ace stroked his chin, scrutinizing Chopper intently. "Wait... could he be Zoan user?!"

Surrounded by the crowd, Chopper panicked like a little chick, his pitiful eyes looking at Law, his hooves trembling as he pointed at himself, his voice shaking:

"Luo... save me... save me..."

Luo stood to the side, sighed, and slowly walked over, saying softly, "Let's put him down first."

Nami then carefully placed Chopper on the ground.

Chopper immediately curled up like a ball of fluff, trembling as he hid behind Law, only revealing half an ear and the tip of his blue nose.

Seeing this, Roy couldn't help but burst into laughter, bending down to pat Chopper's little head. "Haha, don't scare him."

He turned to the crowd. "Come on, let me formally introduce myself."

"And this is Chopper."

"From today onwards, he will be our navy's medic."

"A military doctor?!"

Everyone gasped simultaneously, stunned into silence like statues.

"What?! A baby reindeer... and a medic?!"

Nami, Nojiko, and Kuina exchanged glances, a glint of light flashing in their eyes simultaneously, as if they had suddenly developed a strong interest in the blue-nosed reindeer.

Luffy crouched even lower, meeting Chopper's gaze, his eyes shining like stars. "Little Chopper, can you really heal?!"

Ace patted Luffy on the shoulder and whispered, "This little guy doesn't seem so simple."

Stared at by so many people, Chopper's face turned as red as a ripe apple. Shrinking behind Law, his eyes welled with tears, he nodded vigorously, "I... I'm a super amazing doctor!!"

The Training Ground erupted in chaos at that moment, filled with exclamations, laughter, and murmurs.

Roy looked around, his gaze slowly sweeping over the young yet fearless faces.

Luffy, Ace, Zoro, Kuina, Nami, Nojiko, Sanji, Usopp...

In their eyes, there was a thirst for power and an endless yearning for the future.

A gust of wind swept across the Training Ground, kicking up a wisp of dust. Roy's lips curled into a slight smile, "Now that everyone's here..."

He paused, his gaze sweeping over each person. "It's time to assign you a real trial mission."

"A trial mission?!"

Almost simultaneously, everyone exclaimed in surprise, and the atmosphere in the air suddenly heated up, igniting a fighting spirit in everyone's hearts!

Ace raised his hand first, flames dancing between his fingers, a familiar battle-ready smile appearing on his face, "It's finally here..."

Zoro curled his lips into a smile, slowly placing his hand on the hilt of his sword, his eyes sharp as a blade. "Just what I wanted."

Kuina gently brushed a strand of hair behind her ear, a smile curving her lips, "Looks like I won't be bored for a while."

Nami crossed her arms and sighed softly, "Sigh... I have a feeling I'm going to have to clean up another mess..."

Nojiko simply gazed at Ace tenderly and whispered, "Be careful, don't be too reckless."

Usopp's legs trembled slightly, but he straightened his back. "I... I'll be fine too! After all, I'm a brave warrior of the sea... right?"

Sanji flicked away his cigarette butt and exhaled a puff of smoke. "As long as it makes me stronger... I'll fight to the bitter end."

Finally, Luffy's eyes shone brightly, as if sparks were dancing within them. He clenched his fist, raised it high, and his voice echoed loudly throughout the Training Ground:

"Roy!!"

"I must become the strongest navy officer!!"

Under the sunlight, everyone's shadows were stretched long, but their momentum soared to new heights at that moment.