Training Camp

On the training ground early that morning,

Hundreds of Marine recruits stood in neat ranks, but everyone's eyes kept drifting to the front row, where a black-haired boy was doing one-armed handstand push-ups, sweat glistening in the morning sun.

"Nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-eight... nine thousand nine hundred and ninety-nine... ten thousand!"

Roy flipped over and landed steadily on his feet, sweat flying from his body and gleaming gold in the morning light.

Muffled gasps immediately rose around him.

"Hey, is this guy really in the same intake as us?"

"I heard he sparred with Instructor Zephyr for ten minutes yesterday!"

"Another monster after the three Logia monsters..."

Suddenly, a cloud of white smoke gathered and took shape in front of Roy.

The silver-haired boy had two cigars clenched between his teeth. His gaze was sharp as a blade as he glared down at Roy. "Hey, Teleportation Kid."

Roy looked up and met the newcomer's fierce gaze. This was the Marines' "mad dog," the future "White Hunter," the king of getting beaten up—Smoker!

Smoker tore off his training shirt, revealing a muscular body, and raised an eyebrow. "You dare fight me?"

The entire training ground erupted, and the recruits held their breath.

Hina jogged over, her long pink hair fluttering in the morning breeze. "Smoker! You're acting on your own again—"

"Sure." Roy's answer stunned everyone.

He smiled and rolled his wrist, his gaze firm. "It's a good chance to test the results of my special training."

Zephyr's whistle sounded at just the right moment. "Everyone, stand back! The combat assessment starts now!"

Bang!

Smoker transformed into his elemental form in an instant. Billowing white smoke surged toward Roy like a tsunami, swallowing an entire corner of the training ground.

"If you can't find me, don't even think about talking justice!"

Smoker's voice came from within the white haze, full of confidence and provocation.

Roy closed his eyes and took a deep breath—

His Observation Haki spread outward like ripples.

"On the left!"

Whoosh! Roy flashed like lightning, teleporting to the side of the white smoke. His gaze sharpened, and black Armament Haki instantly covered his fist as he slammed it into a spot in empty air.

Bang!!

The smoke burst apart, and a white figure was blasted into view. Smoker staggered back two steps, a pitch-black fist mark on his shoulder, his face full of disbelief. "How... how did you predict where I was?"

Roy shook out his fist, his gaze resolute. "Logias aren't invincible, Smoker. Haki—that's the key to victory."

His words rang across the training ground like a thunderclap.

The recruits' eyes widened.

"He... he actually hit Smoker?!"

"That's a Logia! He actually forced him out of his smoke form!"

"Observation Haki? And that black fist... is that Armament Haki?!"

Smoker stared hard at Roy, his fists clenched white.

"Haki..."

He muttered to himself, a trace of frustration flashing in his eyes, along with a hint of realization.

At the midday break,

Roy sat in the shade, wrapping a bandage around his red, swollen fist. Sweat dripped onto the ground, and his face looked weary.

A cloud of white smoke gathered and took shape, and Smoker walked over with a cigar in his mouth and a complicated expression.

"Hey, Teleportation Kid."

Roy looked up and smiled faintly. "Want another round?"

Smoker shook his head, took a drag, and slowly exhaled. "That punch just now made me understand."

He took a deep breath, his gaze serious. "Fruit powers really are strong, but if you rely on them too much, sooner or later you'll lose to a true powerhouse."

"I really am lacking in Haki."

Roy smiled, his gaze gentle. "Smoker, you're a born Marine warrior. All you lack is the resolve to face your weakness."

Smoker froze, then slowly clenched his fist and smiled through gritted teeth. "Thanks. From now on, I won't rely on my Logia powers alone."

Just then, the sound of light footsteps approached.

Hina walked over carrying two glasses of chilled juice. The breeze lifted her pink hair as she offered one to Roy with a gentle smile. "You fought brilliantly. Hina admires you."

Roy was wiping away his sweat and paused in surprise. As he took the juice, he happened to notice a ring of calluses around her slender fingertips.

Those weren't marks left by ordinary training, but signs of backlash from frequent use of the Cage-Cage Fruit.

He took a sip of the cold juice and said sincerely, "Actually... Smoker is really strong."

He looked at the silver-haired boy not far away, who had his back to everyone and was doing extra training alone. A trace of regret showed in Roy's eyes.

"He just relies too much on his fruit and neglects the foundations of his body."

Hina followed his gaze, a complicated look in her eyes. But she soon looked back at Roy with a teasing expression and laughed softly. "What about Hina, then? Would you like to point out Hina's 'weakness' too?"

Before she had finished speaking, Roy froze mid-sip and nearly spat out his juice.

"Cough, cough, cough, cough—! I'm not nearly that capable..."

Coughing, he hurriedly backed away, only to hit something as solid as a wall with a bang.

"Hm?"

A chillingly familiar grunt sounded behind his head.

Roy stiffly turned around.

Instructor Zephyr had somehow appeared behind him, arms folded. A "deadly gleam" reflected off his sunglasses as he spoke in a mocking tone. "Well, well—you seem to have plenty of energy, Roy, if you've got time to instruct others."

Roy went pale on the spot. "I-Instructor! Let me explain, this was really just a simple conversation—"

"Oh? A conversation?" Zephyr leisurely removed his sunglasses, then grabbed Roy by the collar and lifted him like a restless monkey.

"Since you're so good at conversation, you can do some extra Armament Haki training this afternoon."

"Two thousand hardening repetitions. If your form isn't correct—start over!"

"Instructor!! Help meee—!"

At five in the morning,

Roy was deep in his all-too-brief sleep when a bucket of ice water suddenly drenched him from head to toe, jolting him upright with cold.

Zephyr's stern face looked especially frightening in the night-light, a faint glow reflecting off his sunglasses. "A real Marine gets up at five! You should be ready to train by six!"

"Yes, sir!" Roy shuddered all over and quickly scrambled out of bed.

At breakfast,

Roy had just picked up his lunchbox and was about to eat in the mess hall when Zephyr came up behind him and slapped his chopsticks away, sending them sailing through the air in a graceful arc.

"Eating is training too!"

Zephyr folded his arms, his gaze blazing. "Use Armament Haki to hold your utensils! If they break, don't even think about having a bite!"

Roy's eyes went wide. "Uh..."

In academic class,

"History is important!"

At the front of the classroom, Zephyr planted one foot on the lectern, holding a thick copy of A History of the Marines. "Don't think fists are the only kind of strength. Knowledge is a weapon in battle too!"

In the classroom, Roy scribbled furiously, his eyelids drooping with sleep.

The corner of Zephyr's mouth twitched. He suddenly grabbed Roy and hung him from the flagpole by the door.

"Awake now?!"

Roy hung in midair, the wind blowing his hair into a mess. "Y-Yes, I'm awake, Instructor!!!"

During extra training at night,

The moon hung high over the training ground late that night, casting Roy's long shadow across the ground.

Zephyr rolled up his sleeves, his muscles bulging like rocks. "Haki is an extension of your will! If you can't take it, say so!"

Roy gritted his teeth and stared hard at Zephyr, throwing punches against his again and again, the sheen of Armament Haki shining in the darkness.

Bang, bang, bang—!

Every punch felt like an iron hammer striking his body. Sweat and blood mingled and dripped to the ground.

A faint light shone through the infirmary window in the distance. The ember on the cigar Smoker had lit flickered, then he quietly stubbed it out.

"...What a madman."

He muttered, a trace of admiration and unwillingness flashing in his eyes.

On the day of the end-of-month assessment, the morning sun shone through the flags on the training ground and fell across the rows of trainees standing in neat formation.

Zephyr walked up to Roy and pinned the medal signifying a passing grade to his bloodstained collar.

"You passed."

Roy raised his head, his gaze firm and stubborn. "Thank you, Instructor Zephyr!"

The whole place fell silent. The recruits stared at him as one, their eyes shining with awe and disbelief.

Suddenly, Smoker strode out of the ranks, a complicated expression on his face.

He took the honor student badge from his chest and slapped it into Roy's palm. "Next time, I'll win."

Roy froze, then gripped the badge tightly and gave him a sincere smile. "I'll be waiting."

Hina walked over from the side with a soft laugh, her gaze gentle and playful. "Hina thinks you're both idiots."

She handed Roy a handkerchief, its white fabric reflecting the morning light. "Wipe your face, honor student."

Roy pressed his lips together and gently accepted the handkerchief.

In the sunset, Zephyr watched from a distance as the trainees crowded around Roy. His gaze was profound, and his eyes behind his sunglasses seemed filled with endless anticipation and memories.

His adjutant walked over and spoke quietly. "Should we report to Admiral Sengoku ahead of time?"

Zephyr smiled faintly and turned to leave, his shadow stretching long in the setting sun.

"Wait a little longer."

"Let the young eagles fly a while longer."

The wind lifted his purple hair, as though carrying endless fighting spirit and warmth.