"Don't change the subject!"
Sengoku's forehead bulged with veins as he glared at Garp.
"This time you're not getting away with it!"
The Hero of the Marines had been deliberately avoiding the issue from the very beginning.
This time, Sengoku refused to let him escape.
Garp had gone far beyond his usual antics.
To avoid several assignments, he had ignored Marine Headquarters' communications, failed to report in, and quietly returned to the East Blue on his own.
If every Vice Admiral behaved the way Garp did…
Disappearing whenever they pleased…
Ignoring orders…
And wandering around the seas without notice…
Then what exactly was the Fleet Admiral supposed to do?
Garp merely scratched the back of his head before laughing loudly.
"Hahaha!"
"So…"
"When can old men like us finally retire and enjoy a peaceful life?"
He shamelessly pretended not to understand Sengoku's anger.
Sengoku's eye twitched.
"You old fool…"
Before another argument could begin
"Enough."
Vice Admiral Tsuru calmly interrupted them.
"That is enough, both of you."
She sighed helplessly.
The two old comrades immediately fell silent.
"You're both senior officers of Marine Headquarters."
"And yet you're arguing like children."
She glanced toward Saint Roselith Seraphina.
"There's a young Marine officer standing right here."
"Have you no concern whatsoever for your dignity?"
Sengoku coughed awkwardly.
Garp simply looked away and whistled.
Neither dared continue arguing.
Tsuru finally turned toward Seraphina.
"Vice Admiral Seraphina."
"The proposal you submitted has received unanimous support."
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku approves it."
"The Admirals have no objections."
"I also believe your plan has tremendous potential."
"As for Instructor Zephyr…"
"We're already considering transferring him to Alabasta once everything is ready."
Her expression gradually became serious.
"However…"
"No plan is perfect."
"What concerns us most is implementation."
"How much progress has already been made?"
"Are there any unforeseen problems?"
"Is everything proceeding according to schedule?"
Because Tsuru had spent the past several months carrying out missions throughout the New World…
She had only recently reviewed the academy proposal in detail.
Now that Seraphina had returned to Marine Headquarters…
She wanted a complete report directly from the project's leader.
Seraphina answered without hesitation.
"Everything is progressing smoothly."
"The Marine Academy in Alabasta is already more than halfway completed."
"We've recruited some of the finest architects and engineers available."
"The World Government has formally approved every stage of construction."
"So far…"
"No significant obstacles have appeared."
She paused briefly before adding another important detail.
"The World Government has also appointed me as the Academy's first Headmaster."
Tsuru quietly nodded.
"I understand…"
However…
A trace of concern still lingered in her eyes.
Seraphina immediately understood what worried her.
"Vice Admiral Tsuru."
"I know your concern."
"You're worried that I lack teaching experience."
"And that my inexperience might negatively affect the next generation of Marines."
She smiled calmly.
"To be honest…"
"I've reached the same conclusion myself."
"While teaching Kuina…"
"I realized that being strong and being a good instructor are two entirely different things."
"My own teaching methods still have many shortcomings."
"For that reason…"
"I've formally requested permission to serve as an assistant instructor during the next Marine Special Training Camp."
"I wish to observe Instructor Zephyr's methods directly."
"I intend to learn how to properly educate future Marines before assuming my responsibilities as Headmaster."
Tsuru's expression immediately softened.
That answer greatly exceeded her expectations.
Sengoku nodded with satisfaction.
"In that case…"
"Your request is approved."
He made the decision immediately.
"I've already discussed the matter with Zephyr."
"He seems genuinely interested in joining the Alabasta Marine Academy."
"With someone like him guiding the instructors…"
"I have no concerns about your future as Headmaster."
Seraphina respectfully lowered her head.
"Thank you for your trust."
After completing her official report…
Seraphina departed from Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office.
Following directions from several Marines stationed nearby…
She eventually arrived at the instructors' residence belonging to the Marine Special Training Camp.
There…
She met her former instructor.
Former Admiral Zephyr.
After carefully explaining Kuina's circumstances…
Zephyr personally evaluated the young swordswoman.
Her swordsmanship.
Her physical ability.
Her discipline.
Her determination.
Once the assessment concluded…
Zephyr nodded with satisfaction.
"She passes."
"She'll join the Special Training Camp."
Seraphina smiled.
"Thank you, Instructor Zephyr."
"I'm entrusting Kuina to your care."
Zephyr burst into laughter.
"Hahaha!"
"Don't worry!"
"After all…"
"I'm the man who trained someone as outstanding as you!"
He proudly thumped his own chest.
Naturally…
The old instructor was joking.
Whenever speaking publicly…
Zephyr always insisted that Seraphina's strength had been earned through her own talent, determination, and relentless effort.
Now…
He simply wished to reassure his former student.
Seraphina turned toward Kuina.
Her expression became unusually serious.
"Kuina."
"If you truly wish to become the World's Strongest Swordswoman…"
"You must continue training without pause."
"While I'm away…"
"You are absolutely forbidden from becoming lazy."
Kuina immediately stood at attention.
"Yes, Teacher!"
"I promise!"
"I'll become the World's Strongest Swordswoman!"
"No matter how difficult the path becomes…"
"I'll continue moving forward!"
Even if the opponent she eventually had to surpass…
Was her own beloved teacher.
She would never abandon that dream.
Zephyr laughed heartily.
"Hahaha!"
"What incredible ambition!"
He firmly patted Kuina's shoulder.
"She may be small…"
"But her determination rivals any Marine I've ever trained."
Seraphina smiled faintly.
"Instructor Zephyr…"
"I'll leave now."
Zephyr waved casually.
"Go."
"Leave the rest to me."
Kuina hurriedly waved both hands.
"Teacher!"
"Please wait for me!"
"One day…"
"I'll become strong enough to stand beside you!"
Seraphina nodded.
"I'll be waiting."
After bidding farewell to Kuina…
Seraphina boarded her warship once again.
According to her schedule…
Her next destination would be the East Blue.
She intended to personally inspect the progress of the East Blue Marine Academy constructed under Fran's supervision.
She also wished to review the development of the regional transportation network connecting Marine facilities throughout the East Blue.
Although Garp had already praised Fran's work…
Seraphina preferred confirming everything herself.
Just then
"Vice Admiral!"
"Vice Admiral Seraphina!"
Several Marines suddenly gathered around a freshly delivered newspaper.
One sailor excitedly waved toward her.
"Please look at this!"
Seraphina stepped closer.
"What happened?"
The Marine swallowed nervously before reading the headline aloud.
"Red-Haired Shanks!"
"Has officially been recognized as one of the Four Emperors of the Sea!"
"The New World's Fourth Emperor has been born!"
The deck instantly became lively.
Many of the Marines had witnessed Seraphina's duel against Shanks firsthand.
At the time…
Shanks already possessed a bounty exceeding one billion berries.
Although Seraphina had ultimately been defeated…
No Marine aboard believed it had been a disgrace.
She had challenged one of the world's greatest pirates while still only holding the rank of Captain.
To them…
Her defeat had been honorable.
Seraphina's eyes narrowed slightly.
"So soon…"
She already knew Shanks would eventually become one of the Four Emperors.
She simply hadn't expected it to happen this quickly.
The moment she heard his name…
The black blade Winter Solstice resting quietly at her waist suddenly emitted an almost imperceptible tremor.
Her hand instinctively moved toward its hilt.
A strange feeling spread throughout her body.
Then…
A faint voice echoed inside her consciousness.
Find him…
Find him…
Find him…
Then…
Defeat him.
Her pupils contracted.
The humiliating defeat she had suffered at Shanks' hands resurfaced vividly within her memories.
It had only been a little over a year.
Yet…
She had never forgotten it.
Not for a single day.
That defeat remained the greatest humiliation she had ever experienced as a swordswoman.
Her desire to challenge him again had never disappeared.
The mysterious voice whispered once more.
Go.
Defeat him.
While he still stands among the Four Emperors.
Overcome him…
And prove your blade.
Seraphina abruptly stopped walking.
Her expression became serious.
"No…"
"This isn't my imagination."
She slowly closed her eyes.
There was unmistakably another presence within her mind.
"Who are you?"
She asked inwardly.
For a brief moment…
Silence.
Then…
The mysterious voice answered.
Defeat Shanks.
When that day comes…
You will naturally learn who I am.
The presence quietly faded away.
The voice disappeared as suddenly as it had appeared.
Only silence remained.
Seraphina slowly opened her eyes.
Her hand unconsciously tightened around the hilt of Winter Solstice.
A strange sense of urgency settled deep within her heart.
✦ [SYSTEM] ✦
Hidden Condition Detected
Requirement: Defeat "Red-Haired" Shanks, one of the Four Emperors.
Current Progress: 0%
Status: Locked
Additional Information: Unknown.
Further details will be revealed after the condition has been fulfilled.
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