Zephyr's Trial

It was midday, and the cadets were all at the mess hall for lunch, while the spectators had also gathered there.

The Naval Academy hadn't become quiet with the end of the morning's exams; in fact, it was even livelier.

Everyone was talking about the morning's exams.

Compared to the clamor in the mess hall, the teaching building was much quieter. In Zephyr's office on the top floor, a Marine officer arrived.

Knock, knock, knock!

"Instructor Zephyr."

"Majo? Come in."

Zephyr put down the documents in his hand and called out towards the door.

A Marine officer with the rank of Second Lieutenant pushed the door open and entered. Majo was the main examiner for the Training Camp's practical combat assessment that afternoon.

"How is the practical combat arranged for this afternoon?" Zephyr asked directly.

Since it was primarily practical combat, the exam content would be a battle between Marines and pirates, incorporating elements such as hostages, terrain, and even naval warfare.

Cadets could choose team combat or individual combat.

They would determine their venue and practical combat mode by drawing lots.

To allow the cadets to perform better in the practical combat, the participating students would be adjusted based on their strength.

However, it wasn't absolute balance, just that the combat power on both sides wouldn't be too disparate.

"All venues are ready. Most cadets chose team combat, with only seven groups opting for individual combat."

In team battles, one could just follow along, but individual combat was a test of true skill.

Generally, only two individuals of comparable strength would choose individual combat out of sheer stubbornness, like a turtle facing a green-eyed snake.

"I heard Onigumo and Morito were arranged in the same group?" Zephyr asked.

"Yes."

The agreement between Onigumo and Morito for a one-on-one duel during the assessment had already spread throughout the Training Camp.

Since both had agreed to and requested this practical combat duel, the examiners couldn't refuse.

"The venue? Has it been decided?"

"The venue and the attacking/defending sides need to be decided by the two of them drawing lots this afternoon," Second Lieutenant Majo replied.

Upon hearing this, Zephyr immediately made the arrangements.

"The venue will be the forest in the back mountains. Onigumo will play the Marine side, and Morito will play the pirate side. The practical combat content will be rescuing hostages."

He had intentionally made this arrangement.

This arrangement was not in accordance with the rules, as factors like terrain and the attacking/defending sides could influence the final outcome of the practical combat.

For example, if Onigumo was a Devil Fruit user and Morito was not, and their drawn venue was a small boat at sea, Morito would naturally have a geographical advantage.

Therefore, the venue and attacking/defending sides needed to be decided by drawing lots; luck was also a part of success or failure.

"Instructor Zephyr, this might be..."

Second Lieutenant Majo hesitated. The Naval Academy should be fair, just, and open; how could they privately arrange practical combat that affected the assessment?

Out of respect for Zephyr, Second Lieutenant Majo did not voice his thoughts.

Zephyr knew what the other was thinking and had already anticipated it, so he directly shifted the blame to Garp.

"Garp requested this. He wants to see Morito's true strength."

"Vice Admiral Garp requested it?" Second Lieutenant Majo was slightly taken aback. He glanced at Garp, who had a snot bubble forming on his nose.

Then, he said solemnly, "I understand."

As Second Lieutenant Majo retreated, pop! the snot bubble from the dozing Garp burst. He slowly woke up with a dazed expression.

Garp reached for a biscuit on the table and put it in his mouth.

"Is it time to eat?"

Zephyr: "..."

The Naval Academy, a beach by the sea.

The waves lapped against the sand, and a peaceful, leisurely atmosphere filled the air.

There was still some time before the afternoon practical combat, and Morito had been forcibly dragged to this secluded spot by Gion.

"For the practical combat this afternoon, are you really going to fight Onigumo?"

Before today, Gion had already given up on the idea of Morito becoming a Marine.

She would rather Morito be expelled from the Naval Academy, live a peaceful life as an ordinary person in Marineford.

Than have Morito die at the hands of pirates.

Marineford is Marine Headquarters, the safest place on the sea.

With the strongest Marine Admirals stationed there, no pirate would dare appear, and even the surrounding waters were extremely safe, with no pirate ships ever sighted.

But upon hearing that Morito had taken first place in both the written and physical tests for the qualifying exam.

Gion knew her wish probably wouldn't come true.

"I know you boys are competitive, but I hope that before you try to be a hero, you'll consider the people around you, those who care about you."

Gion's eyes flickered slightly, wanting to reach out and ruffle Morito's hair.

But she found that Morito was no longer the little tyke who used to be shorter than her legs.

Be a hero?

Morito was a little surprised.

He didn't know where Gion got the idea that he liked to play the hero. Good-natured people who don't step on the protagonist's halo end up with three-foot-tall grass on their graves.

Being competitive or eager to win had nothing to do with him.

Challenging Onigumo to a fight wasn't a spur-of-the-moment decision.

After the dissolution of the Rocks Pirates, the sea, though seemingly calm, was actually brewing a greater storm.

Golden Lion, Whitebeard, Big Mom, Kaido, Silver Axe, John, Ochoku.

These guys were no easy opponents.

Compared to the Great Pirate Era that began after the execution of Pirate King Roger, the Shichibukai, the Four Emperors, and the Marines maintained the surface-level peace of the sea for decades.

This current period, a power vacuum between the dissolution of the Rocks Pirates and the emergence of the next Pirate King, was actually the most chaotic and dangerous era.

A general's success is built on the bones of countless soldiers; the birth of a king requires the accumulation of innumerable fallen.

Being born in a chaotic world is unfortunate.

But it is also fortunate!

Morito had spent nine years nurturing his Byakugan. Whether it succeeded or not, he had no intention of continuing like this.

He decided to participate in this year's Training Camp qualifying exam.

He needed to become stronger, and to become stronger, he needed the focused training of the Naval Academy.

To get the Naval Academy to pour significant resources into his training, he had to demonstrate sufficient talent and value worth cultivating.

No one would be willing to train a good-for-nothing.

It's like buying stocks; who would buy knowing it's a guaranteed loss?

He had to show the potential of a strong individual!

"I know what I'm doing."

Morito's expression was calm as he spoke, yet it conveyed a sense of seriousness.

A hint of 'As expected' flashed in Gion's eyes.

"Alright, I respect your decision."

Gion sighed, a look of helpless maternal resignation crossing her face.

The child had grown up and had his own ideas.

What could she do?

"Now, I'm going to tell you some information about Onigumo. Onigumo is an Insect-Insect Fruit, Python-Spider Model, and he's skilled in swordsmanship."

Mid-sentence, Morito suddenly interrupted.

His expression was very serious.

"You also think I'm doomed to lose?"