News of Smoker being taken away by the Marines' Criminal Investigation Division for questioning quickly spread among the cadets of his class.
Although the others at the Marine Academy had no idea why the most outstanding student of their class had been taken away for questioning, the young Marine cadets who had sat together chatting on the training grounds that afternoon had guessed the reason. For a time, everyone feared for themselves.
"You're saying that brat Smoker was taken away for spreading that 'rumor'?"
In the office of Zephyr, the Marine Academy's chief instructor, Hina and several Marine cadets stood respectfully before his desk.
After learning that Smoker had been arrested, they had come to find Zephyr. On one hand, they were all on fairly good terms with Smoker and wanted to ask about his whereabouts and his possible punishment.
On the other hand, these young people wanted Zephyr's help. They also did not want this matter to affect their careers.
At Marine Headquarters, even the nephews and nieces of senior officers had to spend time at the Marine Academy after gaining experience at the grassroots level.
Only young officers who graduated from the Marine Academy would have better prospects for advancement in the future. The Marine Academy was not merely a place to study "advanced management techniques" and "higher-level combat skills." It was also a place to broaden one's horizons and expand one's network.
Compared with the ordinary rank-and-file Marines from the Four Blues, those who graduated from the Marine Academy had advantages that those in the know understood.
At the Marine Academy, the most prestigious and influential person was undoubtedly Zephyr.
Although he only managed this small corner of the Marine Academy, no one doubted Zephyr's influence within the Marines.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku and the hero Garp were