"Teacher, how can we allow something like this to happen?"
Ain knew exactly what a Beast Arena duel meant: Slaves slaughtering one another for the amusement of the Dragon People.
She ground her teeth in fury. She could not understand why the Marines, who prided themselves on justice, tolerated such appalling acts.
Zephyr shook his head. "Sengoku, Garp, and I all oppose it. Even Fleet Admiral Kong is unhappy. But some things are beyond our power to stop. I can guess what the Dragon People want: to flaunt their supreme authority before the Marines."
By inviting them to watch Slaves fight in the Beast Arena, the Dragon People meant to remind Marine Headquarters who ruled the world.
"Teacher Zephyr, can we come along?"
As Ain stewed in anger, Smoker and Hina overheard the conversation and ran over.
Smoker was sixteen, sturdy and as tall as many adult Marines. His white hair gave him a weathered look. He carried a Jitte fitted with Seastone, wore a neat white uniform, and had tall leather boots on his feet.
Young as he was, he held his head at a cocky angle and had the swagger of a street tough. Even while speaking to Zephyr, he kept two cigars clenched between his teeth.
Hina was pretty and petite, about two years younger than Smoker, with a slender waist and long legs. She carried herself with brisk confidence. Though still in her teens, she had already taken up smoking too.
The two of them caused no end of trouble for the instructors at Marine Headquarters. One was cool and elegant, the other cold and defiant, and both smoked far too much for their age. Just standing there, they looked down on everyone around them, full of youthful arrogance.
Still, Hina was steadier than Smoker and