New Friends

As the chief instructor of the New Marine Recruit Camp, Admiral Zefa was responsible for all camp affairs, including training plans, instruction, and combat experience. Every new recruit had to meet with Admiral Zefa and receive his lecture upon entering the camp.

"According to the records, you may be the strongest recruit in this class. But as an ability user, a large part of your combat power comes from your ability."

Admiral Zefa spoke slowly. "I do not oppose the use of abilities, but if you want to become a top-tier powerhouse, relying too heavily on Fruit abilities is unwise. You should understand this as well. You chose to use your Fruit ability to supplement your swordsmanship. That is indeed a path with broader prospects."

"Like martial arts, swordsmanship is based on the user's own strength. Even without a Fruit ability, one can become a top-tier powerhouse by specializing in swordsmanship and martial arts!"

"The sea and Sea Stone can restrain ability users, but martial arts and swordsmanship cannot be restrained. True top-tier powerhouses, even powerful ability users, will inevitably cultivate stronger martial arts or swordsmanship."

Gesturing for Wright to follow, Admiral Zefa stepped forward two paces. "Attention, everyone! Sparring is suspended. All trainees, assemble for a lecture!"

Instructors Shuzo and Gumir stood on either side of Admiral Zefa. The trainees swiftly formed up, and Admiral Zefa said, "Trainee Wright, fall in at the back!"

"Yes!" Wright quickly moved to the last row and took a spot at the very edge. Standing beside him was... Donquixote Rosinante!

No one dared make any small moves in front of the three instructors, and Wright was no exception. He had no time to greet Rosinante. Once he was in position, he looked straight ahead at the three instructors.

Seeing that the trainees had not caused a stir over the sudden addition of an unfamiliar face, Admiral Zefa nodded in satisfaction and began his lecture. "After a week of training, you have all gained a general understanding of the Training Camp's assignments, as well as the approximate strength of your fellow trainees."

"You were all selected as elites from Marine Headquarters and the various branches. Perhaps you are not the strongest, but you are the most promising and the most moldable."

"Among you are martial artists, swordsmen, and ability users. You may all wonder how the same training can help each of you improve at the same pace."

Admiral Zefa paused. Sure enough, many trainees showed expressions of agreement, and he continued, "Martial arts, swordsmanship, and Fruit abilities—any one of them, when brought to its peak, can create a top-tier powerhouse. But martial arts and swordsmanship have no obvious weaknesses, while Fruit abilities do—they are restrained by the sea and Sea Stone!"

"Thus, there are many top-tier powerhouses who achieved their strength through martial arts or swordsmanship alone. But top-tier ability users inevitably also train in martial arts or swordsmanship. Many even use their Fruit abilities to support their martial arts or swordsmanship."

"Every Fruit ability is unique, and how it is developed depends on the user. But no matter what Fruit ability it is, the foundation for using it is stamina. Only powerful stamina can bring out a Fruit's might and develop its abilities to a higher level!"

"Martial arts, swordsmanship, and even universal techniques for movement, evasion, and defense all rest on a foundation of powerful stamina. Therefore, one of the prerequisites for becoming a top-tier powerhouse is possessing great stamina."

"Therefore, the next phase of the Training Camp's training will focus on stamina. Instructor Shuzo will be responsible for teaching you martial arts, while Instructor Gumir will teach swordsmanship."

"One week from now, the Training Camp's 'Elite Test' will be held. The ten strongest among you will be selected for intensive training!"

Admiral Zefa looked at the Training Camp trainees, whose breathing had quickened upon hearing "Elite Test," and snorted. "Elite trainees' training comes with a Death Quota. Cowards who fear death can never become top-tier powerhouses! Prepare yourselves well over the next week. New training programs will begin this afternoon. Dismissed!"

At the New Marine Recruit Camp's dedicated cafeteria, Wright was eating with his newly acquainted friends.

During the morning lecture, Wright had fallen in beside Rosinante. Naturally, they greeted each other after it ended. Admiral Sengoku had apparently not informed his adopted son about Wright, the newcomer, but the friendly Rosinante was easy enough to get along with.

Wright noticed that Rosinante had not given his surname, and immediately understood. Hadn't Wright himself abandoned his surname too? They were kindred spirits... But just as he was introducing his ability to Rosinante, a white-haired young man who looked like a delinquent, with a cigar clenched between his teeth, cut in.

How could he smoke a cigar in the Training Camp?! How had he even brought it in?!

"New guy, you're an ability user too? Then there are only three ability users among this class of Training Camp trainees."

"Hehe..." Rosinante introduced the young man to Wright. "Wright, this is Smoker, a Logia Smoke-Smoke Fruit user. I'm a Paramecia Silence-Silence Fruit user. Together with your Holy Light Fruit, we really are the only three ability users in this class."

Wright said in "surprise," "Oh? What a coincidence! Come on, come on, I'm treating today. Let's go have a good meal. We can help each other develop our abilities in the future!"

And so, the three new friends headed to the cafeteria.

Smoker said, "You call this treating us? Training Camp trainees eat for free in the dedicated cafeteria!"

Rosinante said, "Hahaha, Wright just arrived at Headquarters, so he probably didn't know. It's fine—we have to eat anyway!"

Wright said, "Holy shit! The Training Camp's benefits are this good? No problem, no problem. Later, I'll ask Bogart for some Sea King meat. That stuff is tasty and nutritious. Come to my room tonight—I'll cook for you myself!"

"Lieutenant Colonel Bogart? Right, Wright, you came to Headquarters on Vice Admiral Garp's warship. But what does that have to do with Sea Kings?" Rosinante naturally knew Garp's low-profile adjutant.

"It's a long story..." Wright said angrily. "Old Man Garp set me up. That old bastard actually fired cannons into the sea while crossing the Calm Belt! The sight of it... sheesh..."

"..."

Rosinante and Smoker's jaws nearly dropped as they stared blankly and listened to Wright denounce Garp's "crimes."

"If I hadn't had some skill in swordsmanship, I wouldn't have made it out of the Calm Belt! There were so many Sea Kings that a whole shipful of people couldn't finish them all. There were leftovers too, so it shouldn't be a problem if I ask for some later."

"That intense?!" Smoker's face stiffened. Thinking about his own ability... he would probably be lucky just to escape from those Sea Kings' mouths. Although the Smoke-Smoke Fruit was a Logia, it was not suited for direct attacks.

Rosinante could only smile bitterly. His Fruit ability was somewhat useful in fighting people, but against Sea Kings... at most, he could hide so they would not notice him, right?

"Don't be discouraged—" Wright was eating happily when he noticed his two friends' awkward expressions. He could not help but laugh. "Everyone specializes in different areas. Your Fruit abilities may be a little unusual, but if used well, they're no worse than those so-called powerful Fruits."

"Thanks..." Rosinante glanced at Smoker, who also revealed a determined expression. "Then please teach us more from now on, Wright!"