"Has the Special Training Camp already begun?"
Ain had finally returned to Marineford from the New World, and the moment she saw the bustling activity around the headquarters, she immediately understood that the Special Training Camp had officially commenced.
"Captain Ain! Instructor Zephyr sent me to escort you over!"
A Marine instructor approached Ain with a respectful salute.
He was also one of Zephyr's former students and had graduated from the Marine training program around the same time as Ain, although he had not been assigned to frontline instruction and instead served primarily as an assistant instructor.
"Understood."
The instructor led Ain through the training grounds and toward the instructors' quarters.
Inside, Zephyr and Saint Roselith Seraphina were discussing the training program that would be implemented during the coming months.
More accurately, Zephyr was explaining his established training methods while Saint Roselith Seraphina listened carefully and occasionally offered her own suggestions.
"Ain, you're back."
Zephyr noticed Ain approaching from the corner of his eye and immediately turned toward her.
"Teacher, I came back because there's something I want to discuss with you."
Ain spoke directly, as was her usual manner.
Her gaze then shifted toward the unfamiliar white-haired woman standing beside Zephyr.
She had never met Saint Roselith Seraphina before.
"Oh, right."
"Saint Roselith Seraphina isn't an outsider."
"She's your junior."
"She entered the Marines one year after you."
Zephyr quickly introduced them.
Ain blinked in surprise before looking at the Vice Admiral insignia displayed on Saint Roselith Seraphina's uniform.
"So she is a Vice Admiral…"
A complicated expression appeared on Ain's face.
Zephyr had just told her that this young woman was her junior, yet that same junior had already risen to the rank of Vice Admiral.
The difference in their positions was somewhat difficult for Ain to process.
"Hello, Senior Ain."
"My name is Saint Roselith Seraphina."
"My Marine codename is Hakutaku."
Saint Roselith Seraphina introduced herself with a polite smile.
"…Hakutaku?"
Ain's expression changed immediately.
"I've heard that name before."
"Vice Admiral Hakutaku is the Marine officer who became famous throughout the New World after confronting Whitebeard!"
Ain had spent years stationed in the New World, so there was no way she would not recognize that name.
Although she had never personally met Saint Roselith Seraphina, the reports concerning Hakutaku's battle with Edward Newgate, better known as Whitebeard, had spread throughout the Marine ranks.
"Senior Ain, you flatter me."
Saint Roselith Seraphina smiled modestly.
She had already grown accustomed to the surprise people displayed whenever they discovered the identity behind the codename Hakutaku.
"In that case, I won't waste any more time."
"Teacher, I want to establish a Marine guerrilla unit in the New World to hunt down pirate crews operating beyond the Government's direct control."
"I would like you to lead the unit."
Ain finally revealed the reason for her return to Marineford.
Zephyr's expression became complicated.
"Ain…"
"This old man already has other responsibilities."
"To be honest, your proposal is tempting, but the Marine training program in Alabasta is also something I've been preparing for."
Zephyr had clearly been moved by Ain's proposal, but he could not simply abandon the responsibilities he had already accepted.
The future Marine training facilities in Alabasta were intended to strengthen the next generation of officers, and Zephyr regarded that mission as extremely important.
Seeing Zephyr hesitate, Ain remained silent.
Saint Roselith Seraphina, however, immediately understood the situation.
"Senior Ain, Teacher Zephyr already has his own plans."
"But if you don't mind, I could participate in your operation."
Saint Roselith Seraphina's words immediately caught Ain's attention.
"What?"
"Of course!"
Ain's eyes brightened.
"If Vice Admiral Hakutaku joins the operation, then we can greatly reduce the pressure on the unit."
"I'm not trying to take command away from you."
Saint Roselith Seraphina quickly clarified.
"That isn't what I meant."
"Vice Admiral Hakutaku, I sincerely hope you will participate."
"The New World is becoming increasingly dangerous, and having someone of your strength involved would greatly increase our ability to suppress pirate activity."
Ain spoke earnestly.
She was not merely flattering Saint Roselith Seraphina.
The New World was a completely different battlefield from the four Blues, and even Marine Headquarters had to carefully consider how it deployed its strongest forces.
"I understand."
Saint Roselith Seraphina nodded.
"If you require my assistance, contact me."
"Once I finish my responsibilities at the Special Training Camp, I intend to return to the New World anyway."
Ain's expression brightened.
"In that case, would you be willing to organize the initial pirate-hunting operations?"
Saint Roselith Seraphina thought for a moment.
She had originally intended to return to the New World after completing her duties at Marineford, so Ain's proposal was not entirely unexpected.
"Of course."
"I can organize the initial operation."
"However, Senior Ain, there is no need to be so formal with me."
"You can simply call me Seraphina."
Ain nodded.
"Then, Seraphina, you can choose the name of the unit."
Saint Roselith Seraphina blinked.
"The name?"
"Yes."
"If you're going to coordinate the operation, you might as well choose its name."
Ain's words carried another intention.
She wanted Saint Roselith Seraphina to become personally invested in the operation.
If she gave the unit a name herself, it would be more difficult for her to simply abandon the project later.
Saint Roselith Seraphina immediately noticed the little trick.
She could not help but smile helplessly.
Was Ain really worried that she would change her mind?
Saint Roselith Seraphina thought for several seconds.
Then, a name suddenly came to mind.
"How about Night Raid?"
"Night Raid…"
Ain repeated the name quietly.
She did not understand the significance behind it, but the name sounded sharp enough.
"Alright."
"Night Raid it is."
Saint Roselith Seraphina nodded.
"Then the initial structure of the unit will be decided after I return to the New World."
"Understood."
Ain then turned toward Zephyr.
"Teacher, what exactly are your plans for the Marine training program?"
Since she was no longer attempting to recruit Zephyr into the New World operation, she wanted to understand what her former instructor intended to accomplish.
Saint Roselith Seraphina answered before Zephyr could.
"Since you're Teacher Zephyr's student and my senior, I'll tell you directly."
"The Alabasta Naval Academy is scheduled to begin preparations soon."
"Teacher Zephyr will be involved in its administration and training program."
"The purpose of the academy is to cultivate capable Marine officers and improve the overall combat effectiveness of the Navy."
Ain's expression became thoughtful.
"So that's what Teacher has been planning."
She looked toward Zephyr.
She had expected him to continue personally training Marines, but she had not realized that his plans extended toward establishing a larger training institution.
"I understand."
Zephyr smiled.
"That's right."
"The Marines can't rely solely on the veterans already stationed at Headquarters."
"If we want to maintain order across the seas, we need to train the next generation properly."
Ain nodded.
She finally understood why Zephyr had declined her request.
His decision was not because he was unwilling to help her.
He simply had another battlefield to fight on.
"Alright, Ain."
"You came back at exactly the right time."
"Seraphina and I have been discussing something rather ambitious for this year's Special Training Camp."
Zephyr's expression became serious.
Ain looked at him curiously.
"Something ambitious?"
Zephyr lifted his massive mechanical arm.
"We're going to completely change one portion of the training program."
Saint Roselith Seraphina nodded.
"The previous training methods are useful, but they don't adequately test how Marines respond when they lose access to the comforts of civilization."
"That is why we've prepared a survival exercise."
Zephyr handed Ain the preliminary training document.
"Desert Island Survival."
Ain accepted the document and began reading.
Her eyes moved rapidly across the pages.
The exercise involved transporting the trainees to an isolated island and forcing them to survive under controlled conditions while completing a series of military objectives.
They would need to manage their supplies, cooperate with their fellow trainees, navigate unfamiliar terrain, protect weaker members, and respond to unexpected dangers.
The objective was not simply to determine who possessed the greatest physical strength.
It was designed to reveal who could remain calm, disciplined, and capable of making decisions when placed under extreme pressure.
Ain finished reading the proposal.
"I have no objections."
"It should be effective."
Zephyr nodded.
"Then we'll proceed with it."
Ain returned the document.
"Since my business here is finished, I'll return to the New World."
"I need to organize personnel and begin preparing the Night Raid unit."
Saint Roselith Seraphina nodded.
"Be careful."
"The New World is becoming increasingly unstable."
Ain smiled.
"I know."
"That's exactly why I need to go back."
She straightened her Marine coat and gave Zephyr and Saint Roselith Seraphina a formal Marine salute.
"Teacher."
"Vice Admiral Seraphina."
"I'll see you again soon."
With that, Ain turned and walked away.
She had no intention of interfering with the Special Training Camp.
She was not one of its instructors, and there was no reason for her to involve herself in its internal affairs.
As Ain disappeared down the corridor, Saint Roselith Seraphina watched her leave with a thoughtful expression.
The New World was already entering a period of increasing instability.
Sooner or later, the Marines would have to confront that chaos directly.
And when that day came, she intended to be ready.
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