The items in the system shop refreshed just as they had the week before—still bouncing unpredictably between useful and utterly absurd.
A master-level Gambling Skill? Seriously? He was a Marine, not a professional gambler. Spending 60,000 points on that would be sheer madness.
As for Western Economics, that was outright ridiculous. Nao Natsuya dismissed those two items without a second thought and focused instead on the more practical options.
After a brief moment of hesitation, he decided to redeem the "Forced Volume Control Device" and stored it in his inventory.
Forced Volume Control Device: Allows free control of the volume of a sound source within a 10-meter radius, effective for up to 30 seconds.
Item type: Consumable. Usages remaining: 5/5
According to the system, using it would bring up a virtual remote control interface, where he could adjust any sound source between 0 and 100 volume levels, just like using a TV remote.
Honestly, he wasn't sure how it could be useful. But for just 100 points, it felt almost free—hardly a waste, and perhaps one day it might come in handy.
The other items... well, Senzu Beans were tempting if they worked like their namesakes from Dragon Ball, but the steep cost of 60,000 points was daunting.
In the end, Nao decided that for the coming week, he would focus his efforts on earning enough points to redeem "Ryuma's Swordsmanship Notes (Fragment)" and the "Intermediate Soru Skill Scroll".
The sword notes of Ryuma, the legendary swordsman known as the "Dragon Slayer," were priceless— even a fragment would be a treasure for any swordsman striving to improve.
As for Soru, with his mastery of Kami-e as a reference, Nao could estimate its potential. If he could fully master it, his Rokushiki skills would surpass every other recruit in the elite camp.
Both were practical tools for growth, and the cost was reasonable.
The real issue was that he had only about 1,300 points left. Without a new side quest to earn more, how was he supposed to gather enough points?
Nao spent that night mulling it over, tossing and turning in bed until past 1 AM before finally giving up and letting sleep claim him.
The lack of proper rest and sleep quality took its toll on his recovery.
The next morning, during his extra training, Nao could still feel the lingering fatigue. It wasn't until he had a full breakfast at the mess hall that his energy finally rebounded.
After clearing their trays, he and Rosinante, along with Shiryu, hurried to the northeast docks.
There, a fully prepared standard Marine warship awaited them—their vessel for this, their first live combat deployment.
It had been months since Nao last left the elite camp behind the Marineford fortress. Seeing the vast square of Marineford once again—the towering warships with their billowing banners and the imposing cannon batteries—filled him with awe.
Zephyr was waiting at the docks, personally greeting each arriving recruit as they boarded the ship.
But even after the final recruit had boarded, and the entire elite camp's new trainees were accounted for, Zephyr made no move to follow them. Instead, he turned and waved cheerfully toward the deck of the warship.
"Huh? What's that supposed to mean?" Rosinante asked, surprised. "Zephyr-sensei isn't coming with us? Then who's overseeing the combat assessment?"
"I don't know," Nao replied, equally puzzled. He clearly remembered that in previous years, Zephyr himself had always accompanied the recruits on live combat missions, both as a morale booster and as a safeguard.
Why was it different for their cohort?
They weren't the only ones with questions. Across the vast deck, over 200 new elite recruits murmured in confusion, exchanging anxious glances.
Moments later, the warship cast off and set sail. Zephyr remained on the dock, waving until he became a small black dot in the distance.
At last, the answer to their question arrived.
Step, step…
Heavy footsteps echoed from above.
Everyone on deck instinctively looked up, and soon two figures emerged from the second-level cabins, stepping out beneath the mast.
The first was a man clad in a black coat and a dark purple headscarf embroidered with the Marine symbol of justice scales. His messy black hair framed a cold, expressionless face.
The second was a tall woman in a crisp white justice cape.
She was elegant, with calm, clear eyes, her uniform in soft pinks to match her light cherry-colored lipstick. One hand rested lightly on the hilt of an unusually slender sword at her hip.
"Is that…?"
As soon as the recruits recognized them, a murmur of surprise swept the deck.
"Vice Admiral Kuzan!"
"And Rear Admiral Gion!"
"What…? They're the ones in charge of this mission?"
Hearing the exclamations below, Kuzan's cool expression finally cracked. Sighing, he rubbed his temples, clearly exasperated.
"Ahhh… I'm already regretting saying yes to Zephyr-sensei last week," he muttered. He shot a glance at Gion and said, "You should handle the announcements. I really hate speeches."
"No way, Kuzan."
Gion smiled, but her tone left no room for argument. "I'm just here as a passenger. This mission has nothing to do with me."
Of course it doesn't, Kuzan thought, rolling his shoulders.
Resigned, he turned back to the deck and addressed the recruits.
"Judging by the reaction, it seems many of you recognize me. Still, since this is technically our first meeting, let me introduce myself properly."
"I'm Kuzan. I joined the elite camp back in 1492 as part of the third cohort. You could say I'm your… what, senpai? Alumni? Something like that. Anyway, I somehow muddled through and am currently a Vice Admiral at headquarters."
Down below, Nao couldn't help twitching at Kuzan's casual tone.
"He was a once-in-a-generation genius in the elite camp, and now he's already a Vice Admiral in his twenties. He calls that 'muddling through'?"
For a moment, Nao wondered if he used his scanner on Kuzan, it might display a skill called "Master of Humblebrags."
"Anyway, the reason I'm here is because Zephyr-sensei asked me to oversee your live combat assessment. I'll stay with you until everyone safely returns to Marineford."
His gaze swept over the crowd, pausing briefly when it landed on Nao's familiar face, before moving on.
"As for the mission," Kuzan continued, "I can finally reveal it now. Your target is in the West Blue. The assignment is to reclaim an island currently under pirate control."
"The pirates are from the Capone Pirates, led by Capone Bege, once a mafia boss known for arms dealing and human trafficking. He's a major player in the West Blue underworld."
"His bounty? Hmm… If I recall, Marine HQ updated it two months ago. It should be around 58 million Berries now."