Weren't You Supposed to Look Out for Your Junior?

"Kid, judging by your age, you're about ten, right? Is the Navy really so desperate for recruits that it'll take anyone, even a little kid like you?"

White hair was rare to begin with, and the boy was named Smoker and had joined the Navy. Wood was almost certain that this short youth standing before him was none other than Smoker, the old smoker who would one day be stationed in Loguetown.

"I'm already twelve! I'm just a late bloomer. Once I'm grown, I'll definitely be a muscle-bound giant even bigger than you!"

With his age and height being questioned, even the seemingly timid young Smoker stubbornly protested.

In fact, even at twelve, he was still below the Navy's minimum age requirement. Recruits as old as Wood, who had been fifteen, were already exceptionally rare.

Unlike the others, Smoker had gone to sign up on his own when the Navy came to Loguetown.

Though still young, Smoker's resolve was remarkably firm. Having seen pirates wreak havoc on the island, he had long since decided to become a Navy officer who upheld justice.

Loguetown was the birthplace of the Pirate King Roger, as well as the place where he was executed. That was why it was also known as the "Town of the Beginning and the End."

The Pirate King's demise had sent countless people rushing out to sea, and this "Town of the Beginning and the End" naturally became a must-visit destination for most pirates.

Smoker, who had also been born there, had seen the Pirate King Roger executed and witnessed the many pirates who had made their way to Loguetown over the years.

Not every pirate was Roger. Not everyone possessed the same composure he had shown when he smiled and welcomed death.

Most pirates dreamed of taking Roger's title of "Pirate King" and finding the legendary One Piece, but in reality, all they did was pillage and murder wherever they went.

That was why Smoker wanted to become a powerful Navy officer and be stationed in this "Town of the Beginning and the End." The world only needed one figure like Roger.

From then on, Smoker would make Loguetown the final stop for every pirate who came there—the end of the line for all rookie pirates!

Hearing Smoker's determination and ambition, the Navy officer heading to Loguetown couldn't help but look moved.

In the end, after receiving Zephyr's approval through a Den Den Mushi, Smoker was granted an exception and accepted despite being younger than the other recruits.

Of course, Zephyr had made it clear: the Marine Academy wouldn't give Smoker special treatment because of his age.

If Smoker's body couldn't handle the grueling training there, he would have to go home and come back to report in two years.

That was how Smoker ended up at the Marine Academy, where he was assigned to Wood's dormitory, Room 404.

"The shooting range is over there, and the supply department where you pick up rations is over there. Recruits like you, who don't have much going for them physically, can easily become targets for bullies here.

"But don't worry too much. You're my junior now, after all. If anyone gives you trouble, just tell them my name."

As they walked to the dining hall, Smoker looked at Wood, who was striding ahead and talking away, and wore an exasperated expression.

He had no idea how he'd somehow ended up as this overly helpful senior's junior.

Still, as a rookie, Smoker had heard that anyone who made it to their second year at the Marine Academy was among the best of the recruits.

The senior in front of him was a little eccentric, but he was probably one of those elite students. He hadn't looked down on Smoker for being short, and he'd even taken the time to explain all those things he needed to know. He seemed like a good guy. Being his junior didn't sound so bad.

If that was what Smoker had thought of Wood a few minutes ago, now he wanted to slap his past self across the face.

"Smoker, don't back down! You may be smaller than them, but you should make use of your agility.

"These guys are all bark and no bite. I'm sure you can handle them!"

Smoker stood there with a bruised and swollen face, facing three towering Navy recruits. Wood, meanwhile, stood behind him, cheering him on without the slightest intention of stepping in.

It was easy to tell from their uniforms that the three men surrounding Smoker were students at the Marine Academy too.

There were plenty of grudges and disputes at the academy, but Smoker had only just arrived. There was no way he'd already managed to make enemies.

In fact, those men hadn't come for Smoker at all. They'd come for Wood, who was hiding behind him!

It had all started a few minutes earlier. After Wood's enthusiastic introduction, lunchtime had rolled around, so he'd brought Smoker to the Marine Academy's communal dining hall.

This helpful senior had barely arrived before claiming he'd forgotten his money and asking Smoker to pay for two of the most extravagant meals. Smoker hadn't suspected a thing and had obediently opened his wallet.

After they'd eaten their fill and left the dining hall, the three men had blocked their way.

They'd made their intentions clear from the start. They were in the same year as Wood and had far better grades than he did, yet they'd been dismissed and sent off to various units as cannon fodder while Wood had been allowed to stay.

Outraged, they'd agreed that even if they got punished, they would confront Wood and demand an explanation—or simply throw a punch and see what he was made of, to find out whether he deserved to be kept around.

When they challenged the group, the naive Smoker had thought he was finally about to see what the so-called "Navy elites" could do.

But the "Navy elite" he'd been pinning his hopes on had shoved him forward when the challengers showed up, then declared with righteous indignation that they'd have to beat his junior before they could challenge him.

Pushed forward, Smoker stared at the three towering musclemen in front of him, completely dumbfounded. Hadn't they agreed that the big brother would look out for his junior?

Why was he being sent to take the hits whenever danger showed up?!

"Smoker, this is a test. If you're afraid of extras like these, how can you be my junior? And how will you ever become a fine Navy officer?"

Hearing Wood's voice behind him, Smoker's face twisted into an expression of utter disbelief. He might be young, but he wasn't an idiot.

If those guys were extras, then what did that make him? Their arms were thicker than his thighs. There was no way he could beat them—not even if he put his life on the line.

And this had nothing to do with him in the first place! Why should Smoker step up just to get beaten up?