Zephyr's Invitation! The Monsters' Covetous Eyes

A few more people went up and came back down, leaving only one last recruit.

On the stage, Zephyr licked his lips slightly and looked at his beloved disciple standing in the front row.

"Recruit Naito! You performed exceptionally and displayed exemplary conduct during training, setting an example for others. You also played a crucial role in the pirate attack on the return voyage from the graduation assessment. You are hereby awarded the rank of major!"

"Gasp!"

Binz, who had been so pleased with himself moments ago, couldn't help sucking in a breath.

A major, right off the bat?

At that rank, he could be a base commander in the Four Blues! Some base commanders there didn't even outrank Naito.

Still, since it was Naito, it made sense.

Ain couldn't help turning her head slightly to glance at Naito's back out of the corner of her eye.

Although she had expected it, discovering that the gap really was this wide was still disheartening. Naito, how am I ever supposed to catch up to you?

Most of the recruits were surprised, but none of them thought it was wrong.

After all, it was Naito.

Amid the recruits' impressed looks, Naito strode onto the stage.

As usual, Zephyr put the epaulettes and cap on him, then draped the Justice Coat over his shoulders.

"They were originally going to make you a captain, but I pushed for a little more."

Without changing his expression, Zephyr said quietly, "Even though we let them get away yesterday, you still did an excellent job."

Naito lowered his voice as well. "Only a major? I can't say I feel very appreciated by the higher-ups."

The corner of Zephyr's mouth twitched.

This brat...

He saluted Naito. "I hope you never forget your original purpose and fight for justice!"

"Major Naito!"

"Yes, sir!"

Naito returned the salute.

A major?

Barely acceptable.

Chapter 19: Zephyr's Invitation! The Monsters' Covetous Eyes

The promotions were over, but the ceremony had not yet ended.

Zephyr led the newly commissioned officers in an oath beneath the Marine flag.

They swore to fight for the World Government, for the Marines, and for justice.

Next came the final step of the ceremony.

Instructor Zephyr would announce where the officers were being assigned.

As was customary, the best recruits would remain at headquarters, while the other officers would be sent elsewhere.

Only the very few who had performed too poorly would be assigned to the Four Blues. Most recruits were assigned to Grand Line branches directly under headquarters, the G-series bases.

Branches in the Four Blues were the safest, but promotion was difficult.

Marineford, the headquarters, offered many opportunities, but also plenty of competition.

The Grand Line bases had no shortage of chances to earn military merit, but they were dangerous, especially the bases in the New World.

It could be said that these assignments would largely determine the course of the newly commissioned officers' lives for many years to come.

Without exception, everyone was a little nervous.

In that anxious atmosphere, Zephyr began the announcements.

"Rock, Durin, Dina... G-8 Base."

"Toro, Frank... Loguetown, East Blue."

"Floto, Beaver... G-5 Base."

As the recruits learned their assignments one by one, a whole range of human reactions played out across the training ground.

Those assigned where they wanted to go naturally smiled, while those sent somewhere they didn't want to go slumped noticeably.

Of course, the most awkward positions belonged to those assigned to the Four Blues. Once they left headquarters, getting back to the Grand Line would not be easy.

Zephyr turned to the last page of the document in his hands, then raised his head and swallowed to moisten his throat before speaking slowly. "Those are all the assignments. Everyone except those staying at headquarters can pack their bags after the ceremony. The warships taking you to your posts are already in position at the harbor."

That was what he said.

But the recruits froze.

Because three people had yet to be assigned.

Binz blinked in confusion. Even though he was standing in formation, he couldn't contain his bewilderment. "Wait, Instructor Zephyr, what about us? We haven't been assigned yet!"

Ain, standing nearby, said nothing, but her face was full of confusion too.

Besides the two of them, the other person was, of course-

Naito's drooping eyelids lifted slightly.

What's going on?

Didn't he say he'd get me assigned to G-5 Base?

Fine, my name wasn't on the G-5 Base list, but now I'm not getting an assignment at all?

Oh no, am I being singled out?

"Quiet, Binz!"

Zephyr frowned slightly and scolded him. "Where's your discipline?"

"Yes, sir! Instructor Zephyr!"

Binz instantly stood at attention.

Only then did Zephyr's expression relax somewhat. His gaze passed over Ain and Binz in turn before settling on Naito's face. He raised his voice.

"I hereby declare the promotion ceremony over. Everyone, go back and pack."

He paused. "Naito, Ain, Binz, you three come with me."

Naito raised an eyebrow. So he has other plans for us?

The bewildered Ain and Binz followed Zephyr alongside the languid Naito, all the way to Zephyr's office.

"I'll get straight to the point."

Zephyr said gravely, "I'll be forming a special operations unit called the Marine Guerrilla Unit. It'll be responsible for hunting down pirates in the New World."

"What?"

Binz was instantly aghast. "Instructor Zephyr, you're not going to be the chief instructor anymore?"

"Those fugitives are still at large. I have to bring them to justice myself!"

Zephyr's expression and tone were both grave.

Wow, so after all those twists and turns, are we back where we started?

The corner of Naito's mouth twitched.

"You three are the best recruits of this class."

Zephyr's gaze rested on the face of his beloved disciple, Naito. "I hope you'll join the Guerrilla Unit and fight alongside me."

He even said "fight alongside me." You really are sincere, Instructor Zephyr.

Naito marveled inwardly.

Is this what it means to treat the worthy with respect?

No, wait, I'm a major.

"I'm in!"

Binz was beside himself with excitement after hearing Zephyr's words, and nearly flung away the crutch in his hand. "Instructor Zephyr! I'll follow you to the death!"

He wasn't the only one. Even the usually composed Ain couldn't help taking a small step forward, her voice rising. "Instructor Zephyr, I'll join too!"

There was naturally no question of Zephyr's standing in his students' hearts. If Iron Fist Garp was a revered Marine hero, then Black Arm Zephyr was the Marine instructor who trained heroes.

Then all three turned their gazes on Naito.

"Hey, Naito, what are you hesitating for?"

Binz had already begun urging him on. "Don't you want to go to the New World? Following Instructor Zephyr has to be better than going to some other branch base, right?"

Naito shot Binz a sidelong glance. "Binz, are you telling me what to do?"

Ain immediately rolled her eyes.

There he goes again.

Then, under Zephyr's slightly expectant gaze, Naito gave a little yawn and smiled lazily. "Instructor Zephyr, if the terms are too poor, I'm not doing it."

"You brat, now you're negotiating terms with me!"

Zephyr chuckled. "You don't need to worry about that. The Guerrilla Unit is an independent organization that answers only to Sengoku. In other words..."

He paused, then said meaningfully, "Under normal circumstances, I have the final say on everything in the Guerrilla Unit."

"Instructor Zephyr, I look forward to working with you."

Naito's weary face became a little more serious in an instant, and he spoke with the utmost gravity.

Now that he thought about it, joining the Marine Guerrilla Unit really was much better than being assigned to some base in the New World.

Would Instructor Zephyr really treat him like an ordinary major?

An independent organization meant it wasn't restricted by headquarters. Even if Zephyr couldn't promote him at will, wasn't deciding what duties he took on in the Guerrilla Unit just a matter of Zephyr giving the word?

Ah, having connections is comfortable.

Besides, the Guerrilla Unit was specifically responsible for pursuing Luna and the others. Wasn't that even better?

"Good!"

Zephyr nodded in satisfaction. "In that case, go back and pack. We're leaving for the New World immediately. The Guerrilla Unit will assemble at G-1 Base."

"Those people have probably almost reached the New World. If we don't hurry, they'll be hard to pursue once they escape into its depths!"

Naito wore a somewhat odd expression.

The reasoning was sound, but if he remembered correctly, hadn't they only returned from the New World the day before yesterday?

Sheesh, the past two days really have been a little too eventful.