Showing Off in Public!

Kizaru spread his hands. "They were transferred directly from G-1 Base and G-5 Base. Luckily, I'll be rotating back to headquarters in a few days. When Sakazuki rotates in, recruiting alone will give him plenty of headaches."

Oh?

Was he going back already?

The corners of Naito's mouth almost curved into a smile.

Although Kizaru was nominally the commander of the Marine Science Unit, he was also a Marine Admiral. He couldn't spend as much time stationed with the Science Unit as he had when he was a Vice Admiral.

Good news.

"Let's meet with the officers first," said Zephyr.

"Then we'll review the soldiers."

"As it happens, they're already waiting for you."

With that, the warship sailed into the harbor.

"Those are the warships prepared for you, Teacher Zephyr."

As they disembarked, Kizaru pointed to five enormous ships docked not far away.

"They're huge!"

Binz was dumbstruck.

Each of the five warships was a hundred meters long, a true behemoth.

"Those are the Marines' highest-grade warships. Each can carry a thousand soldiers."

Zephyr nodded in satisfaction as he explained them to his disciple.

Naito looked at the densely packed gunports on the warships. This was the class of ship used for a Buster Call, wasn't it?

Though a Buster Call involved ten ships and ten thousand soldiers.

The group followed Kizaru off the ship and into the enormous base building. They took an elevator up and finally entered a spacious conference room.

"Teacher Zephyr!"

As soon as Naito followed Teacher Zephyr into the conference room, a chorus of greetings for Teacher Zephyr met them.

Naito raised an eyebrow slightly.

There were eight people in the conference room. Judging by their epaulettes, there was one Vice Admiral, two Rear Admirals, and five Commodores.

But without exception, all eight addressed Zephyr respectfully as Teacher Zephyr.

That was what it meant to be the Marines' teacher.

"You're all familiar faces, so make yourselves comfortable."

Zephyr waved a hand, then smiled with interest. "You don't resent me for having you transferred here, do you? Especially you, Simon."

The middle-aged man wore a gray suit and Vice Admiral's epaulettes. He smiled and said, "I was in the first class of students you trained, Teacher Zephyr. Now that you're coming out of retirement, of course I had to come lend a hand."

"Besides..."

He chuckled. "Surely you wouldn't treat me badly, would you, Teacher Zephyr?"

Naito recognized him. He was the deputy commander of G-5 Base, one of the first recruits trained in the boot camp, and a classmate of Akainu and Kizaru.

"Then I won't waste words. Let's get down to business."

Zephyr spoke seriously. "Simon, you'll be the deputy commander of the Marine Guerrilla Unit."

Vice Admiral Simon grinned. "Supporting you sounds like a lot of pressure, Teacher Zephyr, but leave it to me!"

"Good."

Zephyr nodded in satisfaction, then looked at the two Rear Admirals. "Gavin, I'll leave logistics and equipment to you. That's what you do best."

"No problem, Teacher Zephyr."

The somewhat plump Rear Admiral Gavin nodded solemnly as he answered.

"Next, Marcus."

The other Rear Admiral instantly straightened up. He was a tall, muscular tough guy with numerous scars on his face.

Zephyr said, "You're a battle-hardened warrior. You'll be responsible for military matters like combat readiness and training."

"Understood!"

Marcus had a deep voice and few words.

"Next..."

Zephyr looked past the two Rear Admirals to the five Commodores behind them. "I'm planning to divide the five ships into five detachments, with a thousand men in each. Each ship will have a captain in command of everyone aboard. I'll leave those positions to you. Any problems?"

"Of course not!"

They answered almost in unison.

Naito studied one of the five Commodores with interest.

Of the eight officers, she was the only one who had appeared in the original story.

She was a very tall woman with legs practically longer than most people's lives. She had short black hair and wore a black short-sleeved T-shirt, jeans, black knee-high boots, and a collar around her neck that served who knew what purpose. Her eyes were a clear blue, and she was beautiful and full of heroic spirit.

This Commodore Doll was the G-14 Base commander who had appeared in the Egghead arc of the original story, an unfortunate Vice Admiral whom twelve-year-old Bonney had run right over like a speed bump, along with her colleagues.

"As for you three..."

Zephyr turned to look at Naito and the other two. Naito's eyelids were drooping as usual, and he didn't feel the slightest pressure. Binz and Ain, on the other hand, were somewhat nervous, standing as straight as javelins.

"Binz and Ain, you'll start by helping me with miscellaneous duties. As for Naito, you'll be my adjutant."

The most important thing for Naito now was to realize his potential and grow stronger as quickly as possible. There was no need for him to waste time on management.

Leaving everything else aside, once he mastered flowing Armament Haki, he would become the spearhead of the Marine Guerrilla Unit!

"Teacher Zephyr..."

At that moment, Rear Admiral Gavin, who was in charge of logistics, looked at Naito in some puzzlement. "Isn't Major Naito a little too young? Can he really handle such duties?"

An adjutant did more than just help with miscellaneous tasks. More importantly, an adjutant was responsible for protecting the commanding officer.

Although there was no need to protect Teacher Zephyr in the first place, the adjutant should at least not hold him back, right?

Major Naito was simply too young to inspire confidence. If a fight really broke out, it would be good enough if Teacher Zephyr didn't have to protect him.

It wasn't just Gavin. Several of the other senior officers looked equally puzzled.

Could it be that Teacher Zephyr had started practicing nepotism too?

"Don't underestimate this kid."

Seeing their reactions, Zephyr merely smiled. "Of all the classes I've taught, Naito is among the very best."

"What?"

The officers couldn't hide their astonishment.

Among the very best?

They all turned to look at Admiral Kizaru, who was leaning comfortably against the doorway.

Didn't that mean he was on the same level as the current Three Admirals?

"Teacher Zephyr..."

Vice Admiral Simon, Borsalino's old classmate, couldn't help speaking up. "Are you serious? I saw firsthand how strong Sakazuki and Borsalino were back then."

It wasn't simply a question of strength. The gap between them and the other recruits had been like an insurmountable chasm, enough to drive them all to despair.

"If you don't believe me, why not try him and find out?"

Zephyr smiled. "Which of you would like to spar with Naito?"

"Huh?"

The officers hadn't even reacted yet when Naito was the first to lose his composure. "Teacher Zephyr, why should I do something so boring? I don't need anyone's approval."

Who the fuck are they? A bunch of speed bumps acting all important.

Zephyr shot him a sidelong glance.

He intended to entrust the kid with important responsibilities in the future, but Naito was too young and his rank too low. If he didn't show his strength first, who would accept him?

Although Zephyr had the final say in the Marine Guerrilla Unit, he couldn't be too high-handed. The Marines weren't pirates.

"Teacher Zephyr, I'll do it!"

Doll stepped forward, the spirited woman rubbing her fists. "Let me see just how strong this junior disciple you hold in such high regard really is!"

Zephyr gave it some thought and decided she was a good fit.

Simon, Gavin, and Marcus were all well into their forties. They probably wouldn't have the face to challenge Naito.

Doll, who was in her twenties, was the most suitable opponent.

So he nodded. "All right! Doll, I choose you!"

Naito let out a long sigh.

Wait, what about my opinion?

Are we playing Pokémon here?

Chapter 22: Showing Off in Public! (Please keep reading!!)

Not wanting the Marines to see the higher-ups fighting among themselves, they chose the roof of the base building as the site of the duel.

Commodore Doll and Major Naito stood facing each other.

The wind was strong on the roof, making their Justice Coats flap loudly.

Doll lit a cigarette and took a deep drag. She stood tall and imposing, yet had an untamed air about her.

She looked at Naito, who stood a short distance away, and frowned slightly.

Isn't this kid a little too relaxed?

Naito tilted his head back and yawned, his shoulders slumped, looking as though he hadn't woken up yet.

"Come on, Naito!"

His good buddy Binz leaned on his crutch and shouted, "Show her what you can do!"

A Commodore?

Was that impressive?

Teacher Zephyr had said that Naito's strength was definitely at the level of a Vice Admiral.

"Naito!"

Ain raised her voice a little too. "Don't lose!"