Looking at the sea of flames before them, one cadet muttered, "How long had they been fighting just now?"
"Half a minute—only half a minute!" Smoker took a deep breath. And that was with both of them holding back. If they truly cut loose, wouldn't they punch straight through Marineford itself?
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki is one thing, but Rear Admiral Longinus isn't even older than me!" one cadet wailed helplessly. "The gap between people really is bigger than the gap between people and pigs!"
"Don't talk nonsense. Be careful, or Senior Kaki will make you have nightmares for a whole month!"
"Can't afford to provoke him. Can't afford to provoke him."
"Big Brother Longinus, Hina is so happy! I finally get to see you again!" The girl rushed forward and wrapped her arms around Longinus's right arm.
At that moment, Longinus seemed to hear countless hearts shattering.
Longinus smiled. "Little Hina has become a Marine too?"
"Hina isn't little anymore!" Hina puffed out her cheeks and shook Longinus's arm in dissatisfaction, making him understand the true meaning of the word "magnificent" even more vividly.
"Mhm, mhm, my mistake." Longinus readily admitted it. "Have you gotten used to the training camp?"
"It's all right. The instructors are just very strict, and Hina nearly couldn't keep up with the pace. Thankfully, Senior Gion has always looked after Hina." Hina spoke earnestly.
"Gion?" Longinus was somewhat surprised, nearly suspecting that the "looked after" Hina mentioned meant the exact opposite.
"Two years apart, and you haven't forgotten me already, have you?" A cool voice, like moonlight, came from behind him, as melodious and lingering as a song.
Longinus turned around to see Gion approaching on her long, smooth, fair legs. Her eyes shimmered as she leaned her lovely face close to his with a