The Four Finally Meet

"Son!!!"

Some of the trainees in formation cried out in surprise, while even more instinctively sucked in a sharp breath.

Sakazuki and the black-haired young man beside Vidal were stunned as well, while Borsalino's reaction was even more exaggerated.

"Sugoi ne~~ (That's amazing), your son's already that old?" His pursed lips and crooked face made him look like a scoundrel to the bone.

"So he's Bullet."

Zephyr, however, was not particularly surprised. He had already gone over the files of every confirmed trainee several times.

The information on Bullet had naturally been sent to him as well, exactly as it was.

Two days ago, he had even suggested to Fleet Admiral Kong that Bullet be included in the special training camp. Although Bullet was still very young, Zephyr felt that a genius deserved special treatment.

But that old fellow Sengoku had opposed it, arguing that although Bullet was a genius, the environment he had grown up in had been far too brutal.

He needed to adjust his mindset at the academy and, by making friends, develop a proper view of Marine justice and form bonds!

In the end, Zephyr had been persuaded. Sengoku had made a good point: strength alone was not enough for a Marine.

"Then take him to the academy to register," Zephyr instructed Rear Admiral Dewitt.

"Yes, sir!" Rear Admiral Dewitt replied loudly, then hurried off with Bullet toward the interior of Marineford.

Even after they left, Vidal remained the center of everyone's attention. After all, this was just too incredible. He had brought his son to school?

Faced with their stares, Vidal merely smiled. So what if he had a son? He was proud of it!

Did they have one?

Let them be jealous!

"Ahem, quiet!" Zephyr coughed twice, silencing all the noise, and swept his gaze over the fifty trainees lined up before him.

"Starting tomorrow, your studies will officially begin, but you also have tasks to complete today."

At that moment, whether they were tigers or dragons, all fifty of them could only keep quiet and listen.

"Your first task: before tomorrow, each of you must memorize the names of the other trainees. If anyone is found not to know a fellow trainee, there will be a severe penalty! Points will be deducted!"

"Second, before tomorrow, you must familiarize yourselves with the main areas of Marineford. From now on, being late because you got lost will never be accepted as an excuse."

With that, Admiral Zephyr turned and left, but not before taking a long look at the four people standing at the front of the formation.

"Phew—"

Once he had gone far enough, Vidal clearly heard a collective sigh of relief behind him. At the same time, he looked at the people beside him.

To his left was the future Admiral Kizaru, Borsalino. To his right was the future Admiral Akainu, Sakazuki, and farther right was the future founder and leader of the Revolutionary Army, Monkey D. Dragon!

Although he had long known this day would come, actually standing alongside these people still made him a little excited.

But that much excitement was not enough to break the perfect smile on his face!

"Hey, young man~ How old are you?" Just as Vidal was about to speak first, Borsalino turned to him with a cheeky grin.

Sakazuki, Dragon, and the others were also interested. After all, this was a classmate with a son!

"I'm twenty-one this year. What about you? And what's your name?" Vidal replied gently.

"Twenty-one? Doesn't that mean you had a child when you were seven?!" Borsalino was quite good at math and immediately worked out the answer to that bit of arithmetic.

But his expression was one of complete astonishment, and even the little round sunglasses on his nose slipped down. Even Sakazuki, who was rather introverted and not very talkative, looked a little taken aback.

Vidal shook his head and laughed. It seemed that if he didn't explain, these people would take him for a sex-crazed pervert.

Although that persona would be very helpful to his future plans, he believed the higher-ups should already know about Bullet.

Still, he could make a note of the lecherous angle for later!

"Actually, Bullet is an orphan I adopted. He's not the only one, either. There's a younger boy at home who's only seven this year."

"I see!"

Once he explained, everyone understood. At the same time, Dragon and the others looked at him much more warmly.

These days, people willing to adopt orphans were generally good-natured. They were all Marines pursuing justice, so they naturally had a favorable impression of someone like that.

"My name's Borsalino. I'm from North Blue." After introducing himself, Borsalino raised a finger and said, "That's Sakazuki. He's from North Blue too, just like me."

Then he spread his hands with a cheeky smile. "As for the rest, I don't know them."

"Um, my name's Blaze. I'm a seaman first class from North Blue too," said Blaze, who had curly reddish-brown hair, as he awkwardly rubbed his nose.

"Oh~ right! There's him too!" Borsalino looked at him in surprise and nodded repeatedly. His reaction made Blaze want to cough up blood.

Vidal had just shaken hands with Sakazuki. Although Sakazuki had been a little doubtful, he had still obliged and held out his hand.

He might as well do it for the sake of their both being three meters tall!

Vidal did not look down on Blaze just because he had no reputation in the future. He likewise reached out and shook his hand, smiling as he said, "Hello, Blaze. I hope we'll get along."

He then gestured with his palm toward Comil and Benson behind him and introduced them, letting everyone shake hands with one another.

Influenced by his gentle yet enthusiastic manner, everyone began shaking hands and introducing themselves, and the atmosphere quickly grew friendly.

Vidal, meanwhile, turned his gaze to Dragon. He took two steps forward, held out his right hand, and smiled.

"You're Vice Admiral Garp's son. What's your name? We'll be dealing with each other for a long time over the next few decades."

"You know me?"

Dragon held out his hand and looked at Vidal curiously. As a Marine Vice Admiral's family member, his information should not have been easily leaked, after all.

"I've seen a photo of Vice Admiral Garp, and then my father mentioned that his son would be at this special training camp. Add in your appearance and bearing, and it wasn't hard to guess it was you."

Vidal's explanation was airtight. He had even deliberately asked for Dragon's name, proving that he really did not know the details and that Vice Admiral Cornell had not leaked them on his own.

"You're very clever!"

Dragon finally gave Vidal his full attention, then said earnestly, "My name is Monkey D. Dragon. I hope we'll get along."

But as soon as he grasped Vidal's hand, he felt a force coming from it. He instinctively exerted force in return, and for a moment the two stood there silently looking at each other.

Sakazuki and the others naturally noticed this, and the atmosphere gradually grew quiet.

Fortunately, after three or four breaths, the two tacitly relaxed their grips and let go. Vidal apologized.

"Sorry. I heard that Vice Admiral Garp is unmatched in physical combat, so I guessed you must have learned quite a lot from him."

"And since I'm proud of my own abilities in that area, I couldn't resist testing you. How about I treat you to some fruit when we get the chance?"

What kind of treat is fruit? Dragon couldn't help thinking, though outwardly he smiled and said, "You do have quite a grip. I'm sure we'll have a chance to spar in the future."

"I'm looking forward to it!" Vidal met his gaze with shining eyes, looking gentle yet full of passion.

Sakazuki and Borsalino exchanged a glance. Why did it suddenly feel as though they had become supporting characters?

"Let's talk while we walk. I'm fairly familiar with this place, so I should be able to find our dormitory area," Dragon suggested.

"That's great. Sorry for the trouble."

"Mm, let's go."

Third update! Ryokugyu, Akainu, Kizaru, and Dragon have finally met and gotten to know each other. In the future, they'll come to understand and love each other—ahem, that last part isn't right. Send some recommendations my way!!

Also, are you interested in joining the group? If you are, say so and I can send you the group number. Though I seem to remember posting it once before. The group's a little quiet, so think about it.