Zephyr raised his head, his gaze passing over the recruits sweating on the field and settling on the figure striding toward him.
"Teacher, it's been a long time. You still look as hale and hearty as ever."
Lorne stopped and casually handed over the approval document bearing a red stamp.
Zephyr took the document and stuffed it into his pocket without even looking at it, letting out a cold snort.
"You little brat. After all that commotion you caused in the East Blue, I could smell the blood on you before you even came through the gate."
Zephyr stood, his tall frame casting a broad shadow.
"That's pirate blood. The smell is always exciting."
Lorne rolled his neck, his gaze sweeping over the recruits who had stopped moving.
On the Training Ground, the recruits who had been training furiously all stopped what they were doing, their eyes fixed on Lorne.
"That's Rear Admiral Lorne? The monster they call the 'Most Vicious in Headquarters'?"
A recruit carrying an iron block on his back swallowed and asked quietly.
"An eighteen-year-old rear admiral. I heard he smashed Don Krieg's flagship with a single punch in the East Blue. He's not even human."
Another recruit's eyes were filled with awe.
"Look at his ears. Is he from the Mink Tribe?"
"Or some unknown race?"
Murmurs rose from all around. Ryan and Bakel stood at the very front of the ranks and exchanged a glance, each seeing the gravity and defiance in the other's eyes.
Lorne walked toward the center of the Training Ground. With every step, the hard stone paving gave a dull rumble.
"Teacher, these young prospects you've trained look as docile as lambs."
Lorne stood in the center of the field, both hands tucked into his pockets.
"They are the foundations of