The morning sun rose, and golden waves spread across the endless sea.
Two warships sailed side by side toward Marine Headquarters in Marineford.
In the cabin lounge, before Conrad even opened his eyes, he realized he was chewing on something.
When he swallowed and opened his mouth, another piece of meat was placed inside.
"You've got a pretty tough constitution, kid." The speaker had a coarse voice, the typical raspy tone of someone who smoked too much.
Conrad opened his eyes and started coughing violently. The room was filled with smoke, so thick it nearly blocked his view.
Smoker sat beside his sickbed with his legs crossed, holding a plate of meat. A stack of empty plates sat on the food cart beside him.
Conrad tried to get up and go outside for some fresh air, but the moment he bent forward, a sharp pain shot through his chest like an electric shock. He gritted his teeth and squeezed his eyes shut.
"Ugh... How long was I asleep? Where am I?"
"Not long. Two or three days." Smoker pushed open the window and swept his hand, sending the smoke outside. "On a Marine ship."
Bang!
The cabin door was shoved open.
"Smoker! Hina told you not to smoke while feeding a patient! You're making Hina very angry!"
A beautiful female captain with pink hair parted down the middle strode in on long legs. Even her blue-and-white uniform couldn't conceal her curvaceous figure.
Smoker glanced at Hina. "Put out the cigarette in your mouth before you start talking."
"Hmph!" Hina exhaled, took the slim cigarette from between her red lips, and stubbed it out on the plate.
She sat on the stool beside the bed and smiled kindly. "How are you feeling? Any better? Hina's been taking care of you for the past five days, you know."
"Thanks." Conrad had gotten used to the pain, so he sat up against the bed. "I'll repay you."
Hina beamed and waved both hands. "Oh! No need, no need! You're far too polite!"
"Where's Baby-5?" Conrad glanced around, his gaze growing sharper. "Why isn't she with me?"
Hina looked up, thinking for a moment. "That girl from the Donquixote Family? She should be on Vice Admiral Tsuru's ship next door."
Conrad took a deep breath, pressed a hand to the bandages wrapped around his chest, and suddenly swung his legs out of bed. "I'm going to find her."
But a surge of smoke abruptly swept in, turning into a wall that blocked his way.
Smoker gazed out at the sea and said coldly, "She's a criminal from the Donquixote Family. She may be young, but there's a bounty on her head, and she's killed plenty of people."
Conrad fell silent—not because he agreed with Smoker or had been persuaded, but because he clearly realized he didn't have enough strength to earn a say in the matter right now.
That was why the other man dared to stop him, even trying to talk him around.
"What will happen to Baby-5?"
"I don't know. I don't pay attention to that sort of thing." Smoker withdrew the smoke wall. He'd expected Conrad to make a scene, but the boy was calmer than he'd imagined.
Hina smiled warmly. "Just rest and recover. You can go home once you're healed. By the way, what sea is your home in?"
"I don't have a home. I've always been alone." Dragging his leg, Conrad shuffled toward the cabin door, one slow step at a time.
"I want to see Zephyr! Where is Zephyr?"
Smoker and Hina both froze. "Why do you want to see Instructor Zephyr?"
"Take me to see Zephyr!" Conrad didn't explain. He just repeated the words as he made his way to the deck, where he gripped the railing.
As his voice grew louder and drew the attention of several trainees aboard the ship, Hina quickly clamped a hand over his mouth and pulled him back into her embrace.
Hina stood a full 181 centimeters tall, and Conrad's head was pressed right against her soft, ample chest.
But Conrad had no mind to enjoy it. He was so humiliated and furious that he trembled, gritting his teeth, and even shed a tear of shame.
He was a grown man, yet a woman had him under control! He couldn't even muster the strength to fight back!
As Hina's hands transformed through the Cage-Cage Fruit into iron bars, locking over the lower half of his face and keeping him from moving forward or speaking, Conrad knew he'd lost. He'd lost completely.
He gave up resisting and let his head fall back weakly, resting between those fair-skinned peaks as grief and despair filled his heart.
"Black Cage" Hina. What a fine "Black Cage" Hina!
This was the first hurdle in his journey through the world, a cruel lesson the treacherous world had dealt him. He'd remember it. He'd never forget!
Seeing the tears at the corners of Conrad's eyes, Hina thought she'd squeezed too hard and hurt him. Her hands changed back from iron bars into human hands, and she gently stroked his black hair. "There, there. It doesn't hurt, does it?"
Each stroke made her chest rise and fall, like a merciless slap landing coldly across Conrad's face.
This was the merciless humiliation that the weak and defeated deserved to suffer!
Conrad endured it, his will seemingly rolling around in the mud. This was no different from the humiliation of having one's crotch trampled. There had been Han Xin's humiliation in the past; now there was Conrad's humiliation at her breast!
Just then, a shout came from Tsuru's ship across the way.
"Kid, what do you want with me?"
Zephyr bent his knees and sprang across the sea, landing lightly outside the cabin. His powerful frame filled his purple suit and nearly took up the entire doorway.
"Instructor Zephyr." Hina released Conrad and raised a hand in salute.
Smoker also gave a lazy salute.
Conrad looked up at Zephyr. He didn't want to tilt his head back, but looking someone in the eye while speaking was a sign of respect.
"First of all, thank you for saving me. I'll remember this favor."
"Hahaha! Interesting! But protecting ordinary people from pirates is the Marines' duty."
Zephyr stepped inside. As he entered, he blocked the light behind him. He placed a hand on Conrad's shoulder. "Kid, have you ever thought about becoming a Marine?"
"No." Conrad shook his head.
Zephyr wasn't surprised. Everyone had their own ambitions, and not everyone wanted to uphold justice. "Then you can leave once your injuries heal."
"But I can join." Conrad's eyes burned brightly. "Give Baby-5 back to me, and I'll join the Marines. I'll even... take you as my teacher."
Zephyr sensed something was off. His expression turned strange, and he even glanced back toward the doorway, wondering if he'd entered the wrong way.
He tilted the green bottle of Jerez wine in his hand, took a long swig, and breathed out.
"Kid, you might not understand. I'm an Admiral of the Marines, an instructor to elite officers. Not just anyone can become my student..."
Conrad raised a hand and made a pressing gesture, cutting Zephyr off. "I know. That's why I'm giving you a chance."
Hina and Smoker exchanged glances. They had both passed round after round of tests, then joined the training ship and become Zephyr's students because of their exceptional talents and Devil Fruit abilities.
Although Smoker seemed carefree, he deeply treasured the opportunity to learn under Zephyr.
After all, "Akainu" and "Kizaru," who were currently in the limelight, were expected to rise to the rank of Admiral and were known to the world as the two monsters. Both were Zephyr's students.
Yet Conrad acted as if his joining the Marines and becoming Zephyr's student would be an honor for Zephyr.
That was exactly the impression he gave. All three of them could clearly sense what the boy meant.
And now Conrad said it plainly. "The Marines would be honored to have me join."
"Taking me as your student will be the greatest honor of your life!" Conrad stepped as far forward as he could, his dark eyes fixed on Zephyr. He clenched his fists and spoke with absolute conviction.
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