Surtur

Gather!

At Atlas's thought, the slowly widening cracks in the ground snapped shut, leaving it whole again.

Whoosh!

She moved like a ghost. In the next instant, she appeared behind Redfield. Black-and-red Haki flowed along her blade, radiating an indomitable will.

Black-and-red lightning burst forth, writhing like a nest of frenzied snakes.

"Divine Departure!"

A move even gods had to dodge!

"That move..."

Redfield had turned the moment Atlas vanished.

But the familiar move still left him momentarily dazed.

Paradise.

An ordinary Marine warship drifted across the sea.

It hunted every pirate ship that came into view.

No one would have guessed

that this unremarkable warship carried a Marine legend.

Former Marine Admiral "Black Arm" Zephyr!

Zephyr had not shown himself at sea in a long time.

He had not even joined the Paramount War a year earlier.

Unless they were old pirates who had survived since before the Great Pirate Era, few would likely recognize this former Marine Admiral.

"This trial is basically over. I've seen how each of you performed."

Zephyr stood at the bow, looking over the young faces before him. His stern features slowly softened.

"Of course, this one test won't decide your futures. Even if you didn't do well, don't worry. Strength has never been the only thing Marines rely on to fight pirates!"

"Willpower! Unbreakable willpower is the greatest strength you can draw on when all seems lost!"

Seeing the disappointment in some of the young Marines' eyes, Zephyr offered them warm encouragement.

"This is the last lesson I can teach you. I hope you'll take it to heart."

The salty sea breeze tousled his short purple hair, but he stood straight and steady, as though rooted to the deck, no matter how the ship rocked beneath him.

Suddenly, the lookout called out