Even the weakest of the bunch, Smoker and Hina, had been capable of commanding a Navy Base straight after graduation. Yet now, the cadet at his feet lay curled on the ground, clutching his wrist guard.
Meanwhile, Binz secretly channeled energy into the plant fruit in his palm, trying to make vines coil around Zefa's ankles.
"Binz, you're using your Devil Fruit Ability to ambush your instructor!"
Without even turning his head, Zephyr swung his long staff backward, striking the vines squarely at their roots. The green plants withered instantly.
Binz stumbled backward in fright, bumping into Ain behind him.
The Return-Return Fruit user nervously rubbed her hands together.
Mu Chen sat up, remembering how Smoker had trained here three years earlier. Zefa had broken three training staffs with blows of the same force.
The cadets in the ranks looked far more inexperienced. Some still held their swords like boys fresh from fishing villages, while others nearly crashed into the lookout tower when attempting their movement techniques.
"Look at the sorry state of you!"
Zefa kicked away the shield on the ground. The clang of metal startled a flock of seabirds.
"At least those brats in Smoker's class knew how to dodge! And you?"
"Ain, I just told you to use your return ability on me, and you managed to trip yourself instead!"
Ain's face flushed bright red.
"S-sorry, sir. I'll shut up!"
Zefa slammed his lone arm onto the training platform, sending wood chips flying.
"Starting today, all of you are coming out to sea with me for field training!"
"A pirate's blade won't show you any mercy."
At those words, Mu Chen straightened up, his expression turning grave.
Mu Chen had not stayed in Marineford out of boredom. He had been waiting for Zefa to take the cadets