Half a Year Later

In the blink of an eye, six months had passed.

Late at night, at the private training ground on the back mountain of Marineford.

Moonlight poured down like liquid silver, illuminating two figures colliding at high speed in the open clearing.

Clang! Clang! Clang!

The crisp ring of metal striking metal came faster than ever before.

The edge of Kompira in Gion's hand always seemed to be aimed at Rayne's openings.

Clang—!!

After another heavy blow, Rayne "barely" caught Gion's blade with the back of his sword. The impact sent him staggering back seven or eight steps before he barely managed to steady himself, the arm holding his weapon trembling slightly.

Damn it... Rayne cursed inwardly. Is this woman part cat? Toying with me every day... Has she noticed something?

"Stop."

Gion slowly sheathed her sword and stood still. She was still dressed in those lazy, casual clothes, but now, a barely noticeable irritation lurked in her phoenix eyes, which always seemed misty.

Over the past six months, she had tried countless methods, yet she had never again managed to force out the reaction Rayne had shown that night.

The man before her was like a sponge... No, he was like a clump of slippery mud!

Whenever she pressed forward an inch, he would retreat an inch in "utter disarray."

He always hovered on the verge of "collapse," making it impossible to see through him.

"Your Six Powers have reached the upper levels of the Elite Class," Gion began summarizing tonight's training, her calm tone concealing the turmoil in her heart. "And under my 'guidance,' your Swordsmanship has barely developed a style of its own."

To hell with that style... she snorted inwardly.

She paused, a trace of barely perceptible amusement in her tone. "At this point, there isn't much left that I can teach you. What you lack now is real combat experience."

"Yes! I'll work twice as hard!" Rayne replied "loudly," as if he had been greatly inspired.

Keeping up this act is exhausting...

Rayne yawned calmly to himself.

Over these past six months, the pressure on Rayne had been anything but small as he cooperated with her role as his "teacher."

Still, I get to eat good food openly myself, so it's worth it.

Rayne's gaze swept over Gion's curves, made even more alluring beneath the moonlight.

And having such a beautiful teacher spar with me every day isn't much of a loss, either.

"Alright, today's guidance is over." Gion stretched languidly, her astonishing curves faintly visible beneath her silk robe. "Tomorrow night... I want something more elaborate to eat."

"Yes! I guarantee it'll be delicious!"

Late at night, Dormitory 307.

Smoker had long since sprawled on his bed, snoring loudly enough to shake the heavens.

Rayne sat cross-legged on his bed, meditating with his eyes closed.

He had kept an extremely low profile over the past six months.

Other than playing the role of a hardworking ordinary person before Gion, he had also performed only moderately in every public test at the recruit camp.

For example, during last month's combat assessment—a simulated hostage rescue exercise.

Although Rayne's performance had been unremarkable, he had still received Zephyr's approval.

Zephyr's evaluation of him was: "Solid fundamentals, standard tactics, but lacking initiative and offensive drive."

That was exactly the result Rayne wanted.

He was now like the perfect backdrop, neither standing out nor falling behind.

His Crime Index had barely increased during these peaceful months, which made him somewhat anxious.

Over the past six months, besides Smoker and Hina, he had also gotten along quite well with someone else: "Big Golden Retriever" Rosinante.

Though they were not in the same dormitory, Rosinante and Rayne had plenty of interactions as fellow Elite Class trainees. His kindness and frequent clumsy behavior made Rayne think he was a rather interesting guy.

"...Snore—RUMBLE!!"

Smoker's snoring suddenly rose an octave.

Rayne's meditation was interrupted. He opened his eyes, his brows drawing together slightly.

He casually tore off a small scrap of paper from the table beside him and kneaded it into a tiny paper ball between his fingers.

"Buzz—"

A nearly invisible trace of black Armament Haki instantly covered the little paper ball.

Without even looking, Rayne flicked his finger.

Whoosh!

The paper ball cut through the air with a faint whistle, accurately striking Smoker's open mouth on the opposite bed.

"Urk—?!"

Smoker's snoring stopped abruptly. His whole body jerked as though someone had grabbed him by the throat, then he rolled over and muttered several dissatisfied words in his sleep. The world... was finally quiet.

Only then did Rayne lie down in satisfaction and close his eyes.

The next morning.

At Marineford's largest training ground, every recruit had assembled.

The atmosphere was grim and solemn.

Zephyr stood atop the raised platform, with a group of officers behind him.

"Eight months!"

Zephyr's powerful voice rang across the entire square.

"Eight months ago, you were a bunch of trash! Worthless fools! Brats!"

"But today," his gaze swept across every face, "standing here, you at least... look a little like Marines!"

"Over these past months, you have all undergone systematic training!"

Zephyr surveyed the ranks, a trace of barely noticeable gratification in his voice. "Some of you couldn't even master Soru before, but can now skillfully use the Six Powers! Some of you have even touched the threshold of Haki and gained the qualifications to stand firm upon the seas!"

"But more importantly!" Zephyr suddenly clenched his fist, his voice rising. "I have seen the change in your eyes! The confusion and weakness you had at the start have become the determination and fearlessness you possess now! This is the Navy's most precious asset!"

"You are no longer brats. You are true Marine soldiers!"

Standing at the rear, Gion watched that calm figure among the ranks, the corner of her lips lifting into a proud curve.

"But!" Zephyr abruptly changed his tone. "The real test begins now!"

"Your training at the recruit camp ends here! Your final test—"

Zephyr abruptly pointed at the rows of imposing warships docked at the harbor:

"Will be a three-month shipboard internship!!"

"You will truly set foot upon the sea! You will face those vicious pirates head-on! You will witness true 'justice' and 'evil'!"

"This is your first lesson as true Marines!!"

The blood of every recruit in the square instantly began to boil.

Rayne stood among the ranks with his head slightly lowered, hiding the cold yet excited curve at the corner of his lips from everyone.

Pirates...

I'm coming.