Kuina stared blankly at the vast expanse of deep blue sea before her.
The sunlight reflected across the surface of the water, creating countless shimmering fragments of light.
"Kuina, why aren't you getting into the water?" Tashigi noticed Kuina's hesitation and looked at her curiously.
"I… I can't swim…" Kuina admitted hesitantly, her face turning red with embarrassment.
She lowered her head as though she had just confessed to some terrible secret.
"…"
"How is that possible?" Tashigi stared at Kuina as though she had just discovered an incredibly rare creature.
Kuina wasn't a Devil Fruit user.
Yet she couldn't properly swim.
For a Marine, whose duties often involved traveling across the sea and fighting pirates on the ocean, that was certainly an embarrassing weakness.
The sea was the foundation of the world they lived in.
Ships crossed it, islands were separated by it, pirates ruled portions of it, and the Marines constantly relied on it to carry out their duties.
Still, being unable to swim was hardly impossible.
Many people simply never received proper swimming instruction, especially those who had spent most of their lives on land.
"I've never actually tried swimming for a long time," Kuina explained awkwardly.
"I can float, but that's about it."
She had known about this weakness for a long time.
Unfortunately, neither her father nor her teacher, Saint Roselith Seraphina, had ever realized that she lacked proper swimming experience.
"Kuina, Tashigi, what's wrong?"
Saint Roselith Seraphina had noticed Kuina's unusual behavior from a distance.
As Kuina's personal disciple, she naturally paid considerably more attention to her than she did to the other trainees.
"Instructor Hakutaku."
"Teacher…"
"Reporting, Instructor Hakutaku, Kuina can't swim!" Tashigi immediately explained the situation.
Saint Roselith Seraphina blinked.
"You can't swim?"
Kuina lowered her head.
"Yes…"
Saint Roselith Seraphina fell silent for a moment.
She suddenly realized that she had overlooked something extremely important as Kuina's teacher.
"I'll teach you."
"Huh?"
Kuina looked up in surprise.
Saint Roselith Seraphina had already made her decision.
If Kuina was going to become a Marine capable of operating throughout the Grand Line, then learning how to survive in the sea was essential.
She couldn't allow her disciple to have such an obvious weakness.
"You go into the shallow water first."
"Tashigi, stay beside Kuina and support her if she loses her balance."
"Yes, Instructor Hakutaku!"
Tashigi immediately moved toward Kuina.
"Teacher, what should I do?"
"First, keep your body as relaxed and horizontal as possible."
"Don't stiffen your legs."
"Keep your toes pointed naturally, but don't force them."
"Then extend your arms forward and learn to coordinate the movement of your arms and legs."
Saint Roselith Seraphina explained each step carefully.
Swimming wasn't actually one of her greatest areas of expertise.
However, she had spent considerable time studying the principles of swimming.
She had always been fascinated by the ocean.
The sea was one of the defining forces of this world, and she had no intention of becoming helpless if she ever fell overboard.
Therefore, she had memorized the basic principles of swimming and water survival long ago.
"Like this?"
Kuina slowly moved her arms and legs.
Her body initially trembled as she tried to maintain her balance.
However, after several attempts, she gradually found a rhythm.
"Yes."
"That's better."
Saint Roselith Seraphina carefully observed Kuina's movements.
Kuina's technique was still rough, but her natural coordination was excellent.
She simply lacked experience.
"Relax your shoulders."
"Don't fight against the water."
"Let the water support your body."
Kuina took a slow breath and followed her teacher's instructions.
Her body gradually became more stable.
The seawater moved around her as she began swimming forward.
She wasn't fast.
Her movements were still awkward.
But she was moving.
"I'm doing it!"
Kuina's eyes widened with surprise.
"I'm actually swimming!"
Tashigi smiled.
"You really are."
Saint Roselith Seraphina nodded approvingly.
"Good."
"Now repeat the movement."
"Don't focus on speed."
"Focus on maintaining your rhythm."
Kuina continued practicing.
Little by little, her movements became smoother.
For safety, Saint Roselith Seraphina kept the exercise within controlled waters and remained close enough to intervene immediately if necessary.
A beginner should never attempt to learn swimming in dangerous open waters without supervision.
After all, the sea of the One Piece world was far more dangerous than an ordinary body of water.
Aside from powerful currents and unpredictable weather, Sea Kings lurked throughout many parts of the ocean.
Even experienced sailors could find themselves in mortal danger if they became careless.
"Like this?"
"Yes."
"Good."
Saint Roselith Seraphina watched Kuina's form carefully.
Then, after considering the movement for a moment, she reached for the sword at her waist.
Her fingers rested against the hilt of her blade.
Kuina immediately noticed.
"Teacher?"
Saint Roselith Seraphina didn't answer immediately.
Instead, she focused on the surrounding water.
She could sense the movement of the current through her Observation Haki.
She didn't need to manipulate the sea itself.
She simply used her awareness to understand how the current was moving around Kuina.
"Tashigi, adjust Kuina's position slightly."
"Guide her with the current rather than forcing her against it."
Tashigi immediately understood.
She gently helped Kuina adjust her position.
Kuina's body suddenly became much more stable.
"Oh!"
"I understand!"
"Exactly," Saint Roselith Seraphina said.
"Swimming isn't about fighting the ocean with brute force."
"It's about learning how to move with the water while maintaining control over your own body."
Kuina nodded seriously.
She continued practicing.
Her improvement was surprisingly rapid.
Kuina had already possessed good physical coordination, balance, and body control.
Once she understood the basic principles, swimming became much easier for her.
"Tashigi, you can let go now."
"Let her try by herself."
"Understood."
Tashigi slowly released Kuina.
For several seconds, Kuina remained still.
Then she began moving.
One stroke.
Then another.
Her arms moved forward while her legs kicked rhythmically behind her.
She gradually moved farther away.
"I'm swimming!"
Kuina's face lit up.
She had never imagined that something she had considered impossible would become so easy after receiving proper instruction.
Saint Roselith Seraphina smiled.
"Don't become overconfident."
"Swimming is only the beginning."
"If you ever fall into the sea during a battle, panic will be your greatest enemy."
Kuina's expression immediately became serious.
"Yes, Teacher!"
…
Six months passed incredibly quickly.
The Marine Special Training Camp had become far more famous than Marine Headquarters initially expected.
Because of the noise generated by the training, the large number of trainees, and the constant disruption around Marineford, the camp's primary training grounds were eventually relocated to a smaller island not far from Marineford.
The island provided considerably more space for physical training while reducing the disturbance to Marine Headquarters itself.
The trainees had also changed dramatically.
Those who had once struggled with the first exercises were now capable of completing tasks that would have seemed impossible only months earlier.
Their bodies had become stronger.
Their endurance had improved.
Their combat awareness had developed.
Even their understanding of Marine discipline had undergone significant changes.
Zeff stood beside the training grounds and carefully examined the latest assessment records.
"Most of them now meet the physical requirements."
"However, a small number are still struggling to keep up with the intensity of the training."
Saint Roselith Seraphina stood beside him and glanced over the records.
"That means their progress has reached a bottleneck."
"Exactly."
Zeff sighed.
"Those who cannot keep up will probably have difficulty completing the remaining stages."
"If they fail to graduate, they'll eventually be assigned to Marine bases throughout the Four Blues."
"That may be disappointing for them, but sending them into dangerous waters before they're ready would be even worse."
Saint Roselith Seraphina nodded.
"Then let's give them every opportunity to improve before making the final decision."
"We should try our best not to give up on them."
Zeff smiled faintly.
"That's easier said than done."
"The Marines don't have unlimited resources."
"Marine Headquarters has to consider where every officer is needed."
"Those who aren't strong enough can't simply be sent into the New World and expected to survive."
Saint Roselith Seraphina remained silent for a moment.
"Understood."
She knew the reality of the sea better than most.
In the New World, weakness could be fatal.
Pirates with extraordinary Devil Fruit abilities, powerful Haki, monstrous physical strength, and vast crews were everywhere.
A Marine who wasn't adequately prepared could disappear without leaving a trace.
"Teacher Zeff, I'm leaving now."
Saint Roselith Seraphina turned toward Zeff.
Her duties at the Special Training Camp were coming to an end.
She would soon return to the wider Marine operations that awaited her.
Zeff nodded.
"I understand."
They would meet again.
Neither of them treated this farewell as permanent.
However, before Saint Roselith Seraphina left, Zeff's expression became slightly more serious.
"Saint Roselith Seraphina."
"Yes?"
"What exactly happened during your confrontation with Vice Admiral Hōshōzan?"
Saint Roselith Seraphina's expression changed slightly.
She knew exactly what he was referring to.
The strange episode during her sparring session.
The sudden surge of aggression.
The mysterious voice.
And the inexplicable feeling that something within her consciousness had briefly awakened.
"It's nothing I can't handle."
She didn't explain further.
There were things she still didn't understand herself.
Until she discovered the truth, revealing the matter to others would only create unnecessary complications.
"Besides, I'll return for the next Desert Island Survival exercise."
Zeff studied her for a moment.
Then he sighed.
"Very well."
"Take care of yourself."
Saint Roselith Seraphina nodded.
"You too, Teacher."
Zeff raised his hand in farewell.
He knew where she was likely headed.
The New World.
That was a place that swallowed the weak without mercy.
The strongest pirates in the world gathered there.
Yonko crews ruled enormous territories.
Powerful Devil Fruit users fought over islands and resources.
And monsters capable of destroying entire fleets walked freely across the sea.
Saint Roselith Seraphina was still young by the standards of the Marines.
Yet she was already preparing to stand among those monsters.
Zeff couldn't help but worry.
However, he also knew his student.
Once Saint Roselith Seraphina decided upon a path, very little could stop her.
…
Two months earlier.
Windmill Village.
Marine Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp had just received a report from one of his contacts.
His expression immediately changed.
"Vice Admiral Garp, it seems your grandson has already set sail."
The speaker was Bogard, Garp's trusted subordinate.
He had just received word that Portgas D. Ace had left Windmill Village and begun his journey across the sea.
"What?"
Garp looked up.
"Which brat?"
Bogard blinked.
"Ace."
"Ace?"
Garp's expression became complicated.
"I knew that brat wouldn't stay put forever."
He had tried to discourage Ace from setting out on his own more than once.
Yet Garp understood better than anyone that forcing someone like Ace to abandon his dream was impossible.
Ace had inherited the blood of Gol D. Roger.
The Pirate King's legacy followed him whether he wanted it to or not.
Garp had his own complicated feelings about that fact.
Still, Ace had chosen his path.
"Let him go."
Garp waved his hand.
"If that's what he wants, then there's no point chaining him to the village."
Bogard remained silent.
Garp's expression softened slightly.
"Besides… Ace is that man's son."
He understood better than anyone what that meant.
…
Windmill Village.
"Be careful, Ace!"
Monkey D. Luffy waved both arms enthusiastically.
His older brother was finally setting out to sea.
Luffy couldn't have been happier.
To him, Ace wasn't simply leaving.
Ace was beginning his adventure.
He was finally chasing the dream he had talked about for so long.
That was enough to make Luffy smile.
"Goodbye, Luffy!"
Ace stood beside his small boat and looked back at his younger brother.
"I have to set sail before you."
"Don't worry!"
"I'll be watching from wherever I end up."
Luffy grinned.
"Ace!"
"You just wait!"
"I'll set sail within three years!"
"And when I do, I'll become stronger than you!"
Ace burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"You're still dreaming big, aren't you?"
"Of course!"
"I'll become a great pirate!"
Ace pulled his orange cowboy hat down slightly.
"I'll be watching."
Then he turned toward the sea.
His expression became serious.
"Take care of yourself, Luffy."
"Good luck, Ace!"
Luffy cupped his hands around his mouth like a makeshift megaphone.
"I'll become famous throughout the world too!"
Ace raised one hand without turning around.
"Yeah!"
"That's the spirit!"
He stepped into his boat.
The waves slowly carried him away from the shore.
Luffy remained standing there, watching his brother's figure grow smaller.
"Ace…"
"My big brother."
Luffy clenched his fists.
"I'll catch up to you!"
The boat continued toward the horizon.
Ace lowered his head slightly beneath the brim of his hat.
Luffy.
My little brother.
I'll be waiting for you at the top of the pirate world.
So you'd better come.
The vast sea stretched endlessly before him.
His adventure had begun.
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