I Choose Vice Admiral Sakazuki

Zephyr raised a hand, suppressing the recruits' commotion.

"Quiet!"

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

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

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

Zephyr said in a deep voice, "Vice Admiral John Giant is in charge of coastal patrols. He is mild-mannered and suitable for learning basic 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. Quite a few recruits who considered themselves lacking in strength were clearly tempted.

"Second! Vice Admiral Momonga's warship!"

"Vice Admiral Momonga patrols the main route of the Grand Line and possesses exceptional 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 looks from those around them. Gion also watched Rayne with interest, wanting to see what he would choose.

"Third! Vice Admiral Hō's warship!"

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

"Fourth! Vice Admiral Strawberry's warship!"

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

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

"Fifth! Vice Admiral Kuzan's warship!"

"Vice Admiral Kuzan patrols the entrance to the New World. Although he believes in Lazy Justice, don't be fooled by his laid-back appearance. His strength is unfathomable. He is suited for those who... well, need to calm down."

As Zephyr said this, he gave Smoker a meaningful glance.

"Lastly—"

Zephyr's tone became incomparably solemn.

"Sixth! Vice Admiral Sakazuki's warship!"

"Vice Admiral Sakazuki is responsible for the most combat-heavy suppression missions in the first half of the Grand Line. He believes in Absolute Justice!"

Zephyr's voice rose sharply, carrying an unprecedented severity. "His warship has ranked first in casualties year after year! There is not a shred of mercy, not the slightest hesitation! Therefore, I only recommend those who... aren't afraid of death and have made up their minds to choose him!"

"Boom—!"

With the list announced, the entire square erupted.

"Vice Admiral Sakazuki! My God, he's actually available!"

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

"But... Vice Admiral Sakazuki has the highest number of 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!"

Without the slightest hesitation, Hina stepped out 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 hone practical combat and command ability!"

"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, and a hint of fanaticism flashed through his eyes. "Vice Admiral Sakazuki's warship!"

He wanted to choose the strongest!

"Rejected." Without even thinking, Zephyr directly denied him.

"Why?!" Smoker grew anxious.

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

Then, with a broad stroke of his pen, he wrote, "Smoker! You are assigned to... Vice Admiral Kuzan's warship! Go calm down properly for three months!"

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

Next, the recruits stepped forward one by one to make their choices.

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

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

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

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

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

Very soon, people stood beneath the names of all six vice admirals, except...

Under Sakazuki's name, there was nothing but empty space.

Not a single person dared to choose him.

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

Zephyr frowned. This was also within his expectations.

"Lastly!" He looked at the final few remaining members of the Elite Class. "Rayne! Step forward!"

"Swish—"

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 gave Rayne private training every night."

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

Jealousy, envy, and sour 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 the kind of person who hates trouble. He definitely won't want to go somewhere dangerous."

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

Under everyone's watchful eyes, Rayne calmly walked out from the ranks.

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

In the end, it settled on the one nobody had chosen—the name that represented "death" and "iron-blooded resolve."

A cold excitement surged within him.

What a joke. Of course I should choose the fleet with the best track record for an internship. Akainu hates evil more than anyone. Following him, who knew how many pirates I could deal with in these three months!

Having made up his mind, Rayne stepped forward.

Amid the deathly silence of the entire square, his calm yet ringing voice clearly carried across the plaza:

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

"—Vice Admiral Sakazuki's internship fleet!"

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

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

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

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

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

"My God, the first—and the only one..."

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

The amused smile on Gion's face faded slightly, and she raised an eyebrow with interest.

A trace of surprise flashed through her phoenix eyes, but there was even more... understanding, as though this was exactly what she had expected.

Zephyr had not expected Rayne's choice either. He stared at him intently. "Rayne! Are you sure?! This is not child's play!"

Rayne raised his head to meet Zephyr's gaze. His eyes were firm, without the slightest trace of hesitation.

"Reporting, Chief Instructor! I'm sure!"

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

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

"..." Zephyr silently watched him for a full ten seconds.

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

"Yes!!"