At dawn, the sky was dim.
A warship sounded its horn as it left Marineford's Naval Port early in the morning. The seagull flag of Marine Headquarters flew high, billowing in the wind.
On the deck, Garp and Zephyr stood side by side.
Zephyr looked toward the somewhat gloomy sea ahead, then shot Garp a sidelong glance and asked impatiently,
"Can you tell me now?"
"What exactly are you planning by coming to sea with me this time?"
"I've already decided on the destination for this voyage with the recruits."
The sailing report Zephyr had submitted to Sengoku the night before had already been approved. Early that morning, Zephyr personally took command and led the Marine Academy cadets out for training.
Their destination was the Boin Archipelago. Ever since Tsugikuni Yoriichi had achieved impressive results from his "secluded" training on that island, the Marines had gradually begun using it as a testing ground for recruits.
The island was covered in rare delicacies, so the Marines never had to worry about provisions during training. Its natural environment was also harsh, with danger lurking everywhere. Still, as long as the recruits were clever enough, they could survive through Baron of Stomach's feeding cycle.
After all, even Usopp, who had been an ordinary person at the time, had managed to survive there. For these elite cadets of Marine Headquarters, it was hardly an overwhelming challenge.
It was precisely because of the Boin Archipelago's various characteristics that it had become one of the Marines' regular training "courses."
However, when they set sail that morning, Garp had mysteriously boarded the ship and insisted on coming along with Zephyr and the others. Though Zephyr had no idea what his old friend was up to, he had not refused to let Garp aboard.
Only after the warship