I Choose Vice Admiral Sakazuki

Zephyr raised a hand, silencing the commotion among the recruits.

"Quiet!"

"Next, I will announce the internship fleets available for selection! Each of you will have one chance to choose for yourselves! Of course, I will also make adjustments based on your individual traits!"

Zephyr picked up the list, and the entire square fell silent enough to hear a pin drop.

"First ship! Vice Admiral John Giant's warship!"

Zephyr said in a deep voice, "Vice Admiral John Giant is responsible for coastal patrols. He is mild-mannered and suitable for learning the basics of naval combat and intelligence gathering. Those who want to build a solid foundation but are afraid of dying can choose him!"

A stir ran through the ranks, and quite a few recruits who considered themselves lacking in strength were clearly tempted.

"Second ship! Vice Admiral Momonga's warship!"

"Vice Admiral Momonga patrols the Grand Line's main routes and possesses superb Swordsmanship. All recruits who rely primarily on Swordsmanship can give him priority consideration!"

Among the ranks, several recruits carrying swords at their waists, including Rayne, drew noticeably more glances from those around them. Gion also watched Rayne with great interest, wanting to see what he would choose.

"Third ship! Vice Admiral Hō's warship!"

"Vice Admiral Hō has been stationed around Marineford year-round. His style is steady, and his tactics are seasoned. He is suitable for those who wish to learn fleet command and positional warfare."

"Fourth ship! Vice Admiral Strawberry's warship!"

"Vice Admiral Strawberry patrols the latter half of the Grand Line. He excels at assault combat and is suitable for those who want to rapidly improve their practical combat abilities!"

The moment those words were spoken, Hina's eyes lit up.

"Fifth ship! Vice Admiral Kuzan's warship!"

"Vice Admiral Kuzan patrols the entrance to the New World. Although he believes in Lazy Justice, don't let his slovenly appearance fool you. His strength is unfathomable. He is suitable for those... well, those who need to cool their heads."

As Zephyr said this, he cast a meaningful glance at Smoker.

"Finally—"

Zephyr's tone became incomparably solemn.

"Sixth ship! Vice Admiral Sakazuki's warship!"

"Vice Admiral Sakazuki is responsible for the cleanup operations in the first half of the Grand Line, where the most battles take place. What he believes in is Absolute Justice!"

Zephyr's voice rose sharply, carrying unprecedented severity. "His warship has held the highest casualty rate year after year! There is not a trace of mercy, nor the slightest hesitation! Therefore, I only recommend that those... who are unafraid of death and have prepared themselves mentally choose him!"

"Boom—!"

Once the list had been announced, the entire square erupted.

"Vice Admiral Sakazuki! My god, he's actually an option!"

"Are they insane? Interning on his ship? I don't want to die in the Grand Line on my first day!"

"But... Vice Admiral Sakazuki has the greatest military achievements!"

"I'd rather choose Vice Admiral John Giant. At least I'll survive..."

"Quiet!" Zephyr roared again. "Now, starting with the Monster Class, step forward in order and state your choices!"

"Hina! Step forward!"

Hina stepped out without hesitation and saluted. "Reporting! I choose Vice Admiral Strawberry's assault fleet!"

Zephyr nodded. "Your reason."

"Reporting! Hina believes assault warfare is the fastest way to temper practical combat and command abilities!"

"Very good. Approved!"

Zephyr was very satisfied. "Next! Smoker!"

Smoker strode out, his voice hoarse yet loud. "Reporting! I choose—"

He glanced at the list, a flash of fervor crossing his eyes. "Vice Admiral Sakazuki's warship!"

He wanted to choose the strongest!

"Rejected." Zephyr vetoed it without a second thought.

"Why?!" Smoker grew anxious.

"Your personality is too impulsive, just like Sakazuki's!" Zephyr glared at him.

Then, with a swift stroke of his pen, he said, "Smoker! You are assigned to... Vice Admiral Kuzan's warship! Go cool your head for three months!"

"I—!" Smoker's face instantly turned liver-colored, but beneath Zephyr's stern, unquestionable gaze, he could only roar unwillingly, "...Yes!!"

After that, the recruits stepped forward one after another to make their choices.

After hesitating for a long time, Rosinante slowly shuffled out of the ranks and chose Vice Admiral John Giant's warship.

His appearance drew plenty of laughter, but it also livened up the atmosphere within John Giant's group.

As for T Bone, another person Rayne somewhat remembered, with a particularly distinctive square face, he chose Vice Admiral Momonga's warship without hesitation. He was clearly a resolute swordsman.

Most of the Monster Class and a small number of Elite Class members chose Momonga, Strawberry, and Hō.

The remaining students all flocked to John Giant's warship.

Before long, people stood beneath the names of all six vice admirals, except...

Beneath Sakazuki's name, there was nothing at all.

Not a single person dared choose him.

On the platform, Sakazuki himself was not present, but the navy colonel responsible for recording the choices was already looking rather grim.

Zephyr frowned. This was within his expectations as well.

"Finally!" He looked toward the last few remaining members of the Elite Class. "Rayne! Step forward!"

"Whoosh—"

All eyes instantly focused on Rayne.

Over the past half year, Rayne's name had become known throughout the entire recruit camp—but mostly for his "notoriety."

No one knew who had leaked the news that "Brigadier General Gion personally gives Rayne special training every night."

With that, Rayne had directly become the "public enemy" of all recruits, especially the male ones.

Jealousy, envy, and bitter remarks of "Why him?" played out every day.

As for who had first spread the news, Smoker, who had always been "tight-lipped," said he did not know either.

"Who will Rayne choose?"

"Definitely Vice Admiral Momonga! Hasn't he been practicing Swordsmanship all this time?"

"No, I think he'll choose Vice Admiral John Giant. He looks like he hates trouble, so he definitely won't want to go somewhere dangerous."

Gion watched him with great interest as well. She was also curious what choice this interesting young man of hers would make.

Under the gaze of the entire crowd, Rayne calmly stepped out of the ranks.

He stood straight, his gaze sweeping over the six names.

In the end, it settled on the name no one had chosen, the name that represented "death" and "iron-blooded resolve."

A cold thrill surged within him.

What a joke. Of course an internship should go to the best-performing one.

Akainu hated evil more than anyone. Following him, who knew how many pirates he could deal with over these three months!

Having made up his mind, Rayne stepped forward.

In the deathly silence of the entire square, his calm yet resonant voice clearly carried across the grounds:

"Reporting to Chief Instructor Zephyr! I request to join—"

"—Vice Admiral Sakazuki's internship fleet!"

The instant he said that, the entire square fell silent for three seconds.

Then, with a "boom," an uproar a hundred times more intense than when the list had been announced exploded across the square!

"He's crazy! He's gone insane!!"

"Was Rayne trained stupid by Brigadier General Gion? He actually dared choose Sakazuki?!"

"Isn't he afraid of losing his life?!"

"My god, the first, and the only one..."

On the platform, even the colonel responsible for recording the choices cast him a furtive look of confirmation.

The playful smile on Gion's face faded slightly, and she raised an interested brow.

A trace of surprise flashed through her phoenix eyes, but even more than that... was the understanding of just as expected.

Zephyr had not expected Rayne's choice either. He stared fixedly at him. "Rayne! Are you sure?! This is no child's play!"

Rayne raised his head and met Zephyr's gaze. His eyes were firm, without the slightest trace of wavering.

"Reporting, Chief Instructor! I am sure!"

"The Navy's duty is to eliminate evil! I want to go to the front lines and witness the most thorough justice!"

Those righteous words left Zephyr unable to refute him for a moment.

"..." Zephyr looked at him in silence for a full ten seconds.

"...Fine." In the end, he nodded and made a swift stroke of his pen. "I approve. But Rayne, remember your words. If you die at sea, no one will collect your corpse!"

"Yes!!"