Rainbase Docks, Alabasta Kingdom
"Bruce!!"
"I'm here, Vice Admiral!"
"Contact the engineers."
"We can begin surveying the site immediately."
"Yes, ma'am!"
The location of the Marine Academy had officially been decided.
Rainbase.
Saint Roselith Seraphina stepped out from the ship's cabin and quietly surveyed the lively docks before her.
Merchants moved cargo without pause.
Workers hurried between warehouses.
Ships continuously arrived and departed beneath the blazing desert sun.
Royal Guards of the Alabasta Kingdom patrolled the streets with unwavering discipline.
Although many citizens were covered in sand and dust after long days of labor beneath the harsh desert climate, none of them wore expressions of despair.
Their eyes still carried hope.
Perhaps this was the result of King Nefertari Cobra's benevolent rule.
Or perhaps it was simply the resilient spirit that defined the people of Alabasta.
Seraphina slowly reached forward, closing her hand into a gentle fist.
She felt as though she were grasping this hard-earned peace itself.
Everything was proceeding exactly as she had envisioned.
One careful step after another.
She would personally witness every stage.
She would witness the beginning…
And one day…
She would witness the future she sought to create.
Alabasta would become the cradle of justice.
It would become the foundation upon which all of her future reforms would stand.
Seraphina intended to remain in Alabasta for several more months.
The Marine Academy could not simply be approved on paper.
She intended to supervise every stage of its construction personally while simultaneously ensuring that no ambitious individuals interfered with the project before its completion.
At the same time, she informed Fran that construction of the second Marine Academy in the East Blue had officially begun.
Time flowed steadily.
Life continued as usual.
Construction progressed without interruption.
Some time later…
When Crocodile learned that the Marines intended to establish a Marine Academy within Alabasta, his face darkened considerably.
"…"
"So they're planning to stay permanently."
His original plans suddenly appeared far less secure.
Robin lightly covered her mouth before laughing.
"Crocodile."
"It seems your dream of quietly obtaining Pluton just became much more difficult."
Crocodile shot her an irritated glare.
"Stop laughing."
"She specifically said she wanted both of us."
"Both."
"If one of us leaves, she'll simply come after us."
"So don't think you're escaping either."
Originally…
Upon hearing the news, Crocodile had genuinely considered abandoning Alabasta altogether.
Forget Pluton.
He could simply seek opportunities elsewhere.
However…
After carefully weighing the consequences, he quickly dismissed the idea.
He had personally witnessed Saint Roselith Seraphina's frightening investigative abilities.
If she truly intended to pursue someone…
Running would accomplish absolutely nothing.
Furthermore…
Alabasta remained the perfect battlefield for the user of the Suna Suna no Mi.
Its endless deserts greatly enhanced both his mobility and combat capabilities.
Remaining here still offered him his greatest advantage.
Besides…
Operating directly beneath the Marines' noses was not something Crocodile feared.
He preferred manipulating events from the shadows.
As long as nobody discovered Pluton…
Everything remained under his control.
If the opportunity ever arose…
Destroying the Marine Academy with overwhelming force would certainly be an entertaining sight.
At least…
That was what he continued telling himself.
Time passed.
Six months later.
Whiskey Peak.
The first welcoming town encountered after entering the first half of the Grand Line through Reverse Mountain.
Once…
This place had been famous as a gathering point for bounty hunters.
Now…
Everything had changed.
Since Saint Roselith Seraphina ordered the establishment of a permanent Marine fortress here, pirate activity throughout the surrounding waters had dramatically declined.
Many bounty hunters found themselves with increasingly fewer targets.
Some adapted.
Others chose entirely different professions.
This transformation had been intentional from the very beginning.
In Seraphina's vision…
Whiskey Peak would never become merely another military installation.
Instead…
It would become a fortress where soldiers and civilians coexisted.
Every vessel descending Reverse Mountain carried different passengers.
Some were pirates.
Others were merchants.
Many were explorers, scholars, adventurers, or ordinary travelers pursuing dreams upon the Grand Line.
Transforming Whiskey Peak into both a defensive fortress and a commercial harbor would allow the Marines to earn genuine trust from ordinary citizens.
That trust was every bit as valuable as military strength.
Furthermore…
The town occupied the very entrance to Paradise.
The truly powerful pirates rarely lingered here for long.
Because of that, the surrounding civilian population posed relatively little danger.
It also made Whiskey Peak the perfect location for practical training exercises conducted by Marine Academy cadets.
In Seraphina's ideal future…
Every graduate would possess more than combat ability.
They would understand the people they protected.
Justice existed to safeguard civilians.
A Marine who forgot that truth had already lost the meaning of justice.
"Kuina."
"Yes, Teacher…!"
"If you're exhausted…"
"You may lower it."
"There's no shame in resting."
Kuina immediately shook her head.
"Teacher…"
"Please don't tempt me."
"I won't give up."
A faint smile appeared upon Seraphina's face.
"I see."
"Then continue."
"You're doing well."
Kuina stood beneath the afternoon sun while gripping a sheathed sword with both hands.
Attached to the tip of the blade was an enormous steel weight suspended by several thick ropes.
Nearly one thousand pounds.
She had maintained the stance for almost the entire afternoon.
Sweat soaked every strand of her short hair.
Her training uniform clung tightly to her body.
Both arms trembled violently.
Yet…
She refused to lower the sword.
Nearby…
Seraphina remained seated peacefully beneath a large canopy.
Her breathing was calm.
Her mind remained focused.
While supervising Kuina's training, she continuously reviewed countless sword techniques within her mind.
Her extraordinary talent as a born swordswoman allowed her to meditate, analyze swordsmanship, refine battle experience, and observe her student simultaneously.
Even while sitting perfectly still…
Her understanding of the blade continued advancing.
After several moments of silence…
She finally spoke again.
"Kuina."
"In a few days…"
"I'll be returning to Marine Headquarters to submit my official report."
"I also intend to send you to the Marine Special Training Camp."
Kuina's eyes widened.
"Teacher…"
"Are you… abandoning me?"
Despite supporting the immense weight, she still managed to ask the question.
Seraphina gently shook her head.
"No."
"You will always remain my student."
"But if you wish to become an outstanding Marine…"
"You must master the Rokushiki."
Her expression became serious.
Unfortunately…
Her own talent created an unexpected problem.
Everything she learned came almost instinctively.
As a result…
Her explanations often skipped countless fundamental steps.
Kuina simply could not follow them.
Seraphina had even asked Bruce to teach Rokushiki instead.
The results had been no better.
After observing Kuina's progress for months…
She finally reached an important conclusion.
Neither she nor Bruce lacked strength.
Neither lacked patience.
What they lacked…
Was experience as instructors.
Teaching talent and combat talent were entirely different abilities.
Kuina required a structured educational environment.
Fortunately…
Marine Headquarters possessed precisely that.
Former Admiral Zephyr had spent decades cultivating countless outstanding Marines.
There was no one more qualified to guide young recruits.
That was exactly why Seraphina intended to send Kuina there.
Of course…
Kuina would not receive special treatment.
She would earn her place through her own strength.
Only then could she truly grow.
"Teacher…"
"Are the trainees there very strong?"
Kuina asked curiously.
"Would I even be able to defeat them?"
Seraphina smiled confidently.
"Kuina."
"You must believe in yourself."
"In your generation…"
"There are very few young Marines capable of matching your swordsmanship."
"Perhaps Smoker…"
"Or Hina…"
"They might give you a difficult fight."
"But no one should underestimate you."
After all…
Kuina had not even reached fifteen years of age.
Yet her natural talent with the sword was already astonishing.
If she continued growing at this pace…
Her future would be limitless.
A transport ship slowly entered the harbor.
Large quantities of construction stone were stacked neatly across its deck.
Above it…
The flag of the Nefertari Family, the Royal Family of Alabasta, fluttered proudly in the desert wind.
It was a supply vessel dispatched directly by the royal palace to support construction of the Marine Academy.
The instant the ship docked…
A cheerful voice echoed across the harbor.
"Kuina-oneechan!!"
"Seraphina-oneechan!!"
A young girl leaped energetically from the ship before running toward them.
It was Princess Nefertari Vivi.
Today she wore practical blue travel clothes suited for outdoor activity.
A pair of protective goggles rested upon her forehead.
Fastened securely around her waist was the small dagger Kuina had once gifted to her.
Her bright smile immediately brought warmth to the harbor as she happily rushed toward both of them.
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