"Tour the place?"
Nezumi hesitated for a moment, then forced himself up from the bed, rubbing his eyes. Together with Smoker, he left the dormitory.
Well, yeah — for years, he'd dreamed of joining the Marine Headquarters' Elite Training Camp, and now that they'd finally earned the right to be here, how could they not look around?
The autumn air was crisp and fresh.
As they walked, they ran into plenty of other new recruits who clearly had the same idea — the pathways were lively with people, every face young, eager, and full of curiosity about the future that awaited them.
"Hey, Smoker, look over there!"
Nezumi suddenly pointed northeast. "Isn't that the entrance to the training grounds? Why's everyone crowding around like that?"
"Looks like a bulletin board."
Smoker frowned slightly and flicked away his cigarette. "Probably just the new-recruit rules or something. Come on, let's go take a look."
His guess wasn't wrong.
The board did have the new recruit guidelines posted — but that wasn't what had drawn such a crowd.
What everyone was staring at was the ranking board beside it.
The sheet of paper was yellowed and curled at the edges — clearly it hadn't been replaced in years.
It listed, in careful detail, every record-holder in the Elite Camp since its founding in Year 1490 of the Sea Circle Calendar.
"Most Absences: Borsalino — 97 days."
That was the very first line.
"Who's that supposed to be?" Nezumi muttered in confusion beside him.
"Commander of G2 Base. Also a Candidate for Admiral — Mr. Kizaru," Smoker replied, the corner of his eye twitching.
This guy must've been walking the razor's edge of getting kicked out.
His gaze moved down the list — and what he saw next made his brow lift higher and higher.
"Highest Strength Record: Natsuya Nao."
"Highest Stamina Record: Natsuya Nao."
"Highest Speed Record: Natsuya Nao."
"Best Combat Technique Record: Natsuya Nao."
"Longest Consecutive Wins in Swordsmanship Arena: Natsuya Nao."
Aside from that first "absence" record, every other top score on the board was held by the same name —
Natsuya Nao.
Line after line of it. The sheer visual impact was staggering.
Around them, the other recruits were whispering and pointing, voices bubbling with awe and excitement.
"It's all him! He's really amazing. As expected of Lord Nao..."
"I heard he's only twenty-five this year, and already a candidate for Admiral."
"He's that young? He's barely older than me! Ugh… if I could ever marry someone like him…"
"Keep dreaming, idiot. Lord Nao's been married for years — his kid's probably old enough to run errands already."
Smoker and Nezumi stood there staring at that name dominating the entire board, their blood surging with admiration.
And as they listened to the chatter about Nao all around them, they couldn't help exchanging a glance — their chests swelling with pride.
Nezumi even shot a sideways look at the starry-eyed female recruits nearby, a smug grin tugging at his lips.
Heh heh… If they knew that I actually met Vice Admiral Nao five years ago — and that he personally saved my life — they'd be green with envy right now.
It took real effort not to brag out loud. He turned back toward the board, ready to read through it all again from the top — when suddenly, a shout came from the back of the crowd.
"Hey! Look over there!"
"I— I can't believe it! Is that… Lord Nao himself?!"
The words rippled through the crowd like a stone splashing into still water — in an instant, the entire training ground entrance erupted into chaos.
"Where?! Where?!"
"Is it really him? Where is he… I see him too!"
"Oh my god, he's so handsome! He looks even better in person than in the newspaper photos— I'm done for, I'm falling for him!!"
...
Smoker also turned his head to look. Sure enough, beyond the wire fence on the northeast side of the training grounds, he could see a tall, familiar figure walking down the tree-lined path toward the administration building.
It really did look like Lord Nao…
Smoker froze for a second, and by the time he came back to his senses, the area around him was completely empty.
The recruits who had been crowded around the bulletin board moments ago had all rushed off toward the path, pushing and shoving in excitement. From a distance, the road was packed shoulder to shoulder — it looked exactly like a mob of fans chasing their idol.
"Come on, Smoker! What are you standing around for?"
Nezumi turned and saw Smoker still rooted to the spot. He grabbed his arm, tugging urgently. "You were talking about this nonstop back in the East Blue — how you wanted to see Lord Nao again one day! Now's your chance! If we don't hurry, we won't even get close!"
"I'm not going."
Smoker shook his head slightly.
"Huh?" Nezumi blinked, thinking he must have misheard. "What did you just say?"
"I said I'm not going."
Smoker lit another cigarette, took a deep drag, and said in a low, steady voice:
"The reason I wanted to see Lord Nao again was to personally thank him for saving my life back then."
"But this… this isn't the right time or place for that."
He watched the swarming mass of recruits ahead and added calmly:
"It's not respectful. And clearly, Lord Nao just happened to be passing by on business. With all those people surrounding him, if we go too, we'll just look like crazed fans getting in the way."
"But…"
Nezumi hesitated. Smoker's reasoning made sense, but it still felt hard to let go. "Lord Nao is such a big deal here at Headquarters. If we miss this chance, who knows when—"
"There'll be another."
Smoker cut him off firmly.
"Lord Nao is the most outstanding graduate in the entire history of the Elite Camp."
His eyes drifted back to the bulletin board, and his tone grew serious.
"I can't compare to him — not yet — but I can at least try to follow in his footsteps. To become, like he once was, the strongest new recruit of my class."
Whoa… Nezumi glanced at him in surprise. Well damn, he thought. I never noticed back in the East Blue — this guy's got real ambition.
"When we graduate as the top recruits," Smoker continued, "we can apply to serve aboard the Thunder Hawk. Once we're on that ship, we can thank Lord Nao properly — face to face. Just imagine it: the kid he once saved, now a full-fledged elite marine. I bet he'd be proud of us."
"You know… that actually sounds amazing…"
Nezumi's eyes began to shine as well.
"So let's give it our all!"
Smoker grinned, clenching the cigarette between his teeth as he raised his hand. "How about we skip sleep tonight, Nezumi? Let's hit the training grounds and start grinding — just like Lord Nao did back in his day!"
"No rest again? You really are something else…"
Despite his complaints, Nezumi couldn't help but laugh.
"Fine, I'll stick with you — let's work hard together!"
Smack!
Their palms met in a sharp, echoing high-five. The crisp sound carried far across the open grounds under the sunlight…
...
Meanwhile—
Elsewhere,
Momonga and Onigumo followed close behind Nao, finally managing to shake off the mob of overzealous recruits. As they stepped into the Elite Camp's main office building, both let out long sighs of relief — they felt as though that crowd had nearly stripped a layer of skin off them.
"Too scary…"
Onigumo was still shaken. "It took us almost half an hour just to squeeze our way out. Next time we come back to the Elite Camp to visit Zephyr-sensei, I'm never walking in with the Vice Admiral again."
"Can't be helped."
Momonga gave a wry smile beside him. "You know how it is — the Vice Admiral's popularity is just too high. The veteran marines outside at least know how to restrain themselves, but these new recruits… they've got no sense of moderation at all."
As he spoke, both of them subconsciously glanced toward the figure walking ahead of them.
Compared to two years ago, the now twenty-five-year-old Nao had changed a lot. A short beard lined his chin, his skin had lost some of its youthful smoothness, and that trace of boyishness he once carried had completely faded. His whole demeanor had transformed.
But his looks — and his charisma — hadn't diminished in the slightest. If anything, he now possessed a new, mature magnetism unique to grown men. Clad in a crisp white suit, with a white "Justice" cloak draped over his shoulders and a Vice Admiral's insignia gleaming at his collar, he radiated an effortless authority that commanded respect even in silence.
It wasn't just the recruits — even Momonga and Onigumo, who had served alongside Nao for years, sometimes found their hearts inexplicably racing if they looked at his face for too long.
"My bad," Nao said helplessly, adjusting his slightly disheveled jacket and shrugging. "I didn't realize today happened to be the new recruits' orientation day. But it's just a minor hiccup — don't worry about it. Let's go. Zephyr-sensei should be waiting for us in his office by now."
"Yes, Vice Admiral."
The two men nodded and followed close behind as Nao led the way into the building, walking straight down the corridor until they reached the door to Zephyr's office.
"You're here?"
When they knocked and entered, Zephyr was standing by the window with a cup of tea in hand, smiling warmly. "So, how was it? Quite the welcome, huh? Almost felt like coming home again, didn't it?"
"So you were just standing there by the window the whole time, watching the show?"
Nao put the gift box he was carrying down on the coffee table, pretending to scold him. "You were having such a good laugh, you didn't even think to come out and help us. Maybe I should just take this gift back then."
"You shouldn't have brought a gift in the first place…"
Zephyr started chuckling again — but then his eyes suddenly widened as he caught sight of the label on the box. "Wait, is that… North Blue's Olver Kingdom's rare Sherry wine?"
"Yep," Nao said, smiling teasingly. "A personal request from King Olver himself — fifty-year royal reserve. You can't buy this stuff anywhere, no matter how much you offer."
The new king of the Olver Kingdom's royal family was, in fact, the very same prince Nao had escorted back to the North Blue years ago—on the same mission where he wiped out the Donquixote family. That prince had since become one of Nao's most devoted admirers.
The Reverie, held once every four years, had just concluded at the Holy Land of Mary Geoise. The young king had gone to great lengths to secure an audience with Nao during the event.
"Forget what I said earlier."
Zephyr immediately hugged the gift box like it was a priceless treasure, tucking it away carefully. The way he did it—like an old man secretly hiding his favorite toy—made all three of them exchange amused looks and laugh quietly.
Indeed, Zephyr-sensei hadn't changed one bit. He never cared for riches or luxury, but when it came to sherry wine, he simply couldn't resist.
"Sit down."
After stashing the bottle away, Zephyr returned to his seat and personally brewed tea for the three of them.
It had been a long time since they'd last met. With his most accomplished students taking time out of their busy schedules to visit him, there was simply too much to talk about. Their conversation was warm, nostalgic, and full of sighs and laughter.
Especially for Onigumo and Momonga.
By their count, it had been years since either of them last visited the Elite Camp. The previous time was around five years ago, when they'd just returned to Headquarters to take up new posts.
Back then, Nao had still been one of the recruits training here—just like the eager young faces outside today. Yet now, in the blink of an eye, he had become their commanding officer. Thinking about it felt oddly surreal.
"Don't go comparing yourselves to him," Zephyr said cheerfully, glancing at Onigumo. "This brat's a monster the Marine's never seen the likes of before. Anyone who tries to compare themselves to him will only end up breaking their own confidence."
Then he chuckled. "But you've done well too. Following Nao around on all those pirate-hunting missions, stacking up achievements left and right—looks like you're due for promotion to Rear Admiral soon?"
(Note: Onigumo is currently a Commodore)
"Yes, Sensei," Onigumo replied respectfully. "Fleet Admiral Kong personally spoke with me the other day. He said the official appointment papers should be issued within the next few days."
"Already caught up to Momonga, huh?"
Nao teased from the side. "Ever since this guy escorted Doflamingo to Impel Down two years ago, he's been like a man possessed—training like crazy, almost as hard as I do. I don't know what got into him."
Onigumo gave a helpless smile. Well, a man's pride was on the line. The last thing he wanted was to face that man named Shiryu again one day—only to be beaten into the ground once more.
Truth be told, he still wasn't satisfied with his current progress. Even now, the thought of fighting Shiryu again filled him with uncertainty.
Still, Vice Admiral Nao's record spoke for itself. Under his command, the Thunder Hawk had racked up countless flawless victories over the past two years—wiping out pirate crews one after another, never leaving a single high-bounty criminal alive.
Onigumo hadn't even had the chance to escort a prisoner since then.
But precisely because of that, the name "White Dragon" Nao had become a nightmare across the entire Grand Line. Countless pirate crews—known for burning, plundering, and killing without mercy—now trembled at the mere mention of it.
Rumor had it that some clever trading companies had even started mounting eagle-shaped figureheads on their ships, mimicking the Thunder Hawk's design.
At the sight of one from afar, terrified pirates would immediately turn tail and flee, practically wetting themselves in panic.
"I heard from Sengoku that you represented Fleet Admiral Kong at the recently concluded Reverie?"
Zephyr turned his gaze to Nao.
"Yes."
Nao nodded, leaning back on the sofa and crossing one leg over the other. "If it weren't for Fleet Admiral Kong insisting, and Mr. Sengoku being too busy with other matters, I wouldn't have bothered going to Mary Geoise at all."
"That sounds just like you," Zephyr said with a knowing smile, sipping his tea. "But that also tells you something — in Fleet Admiral Kong's eyes, you've already become the true leader and core of the Marine's younger generation. Even Sakazuki and the others can't compare to you now."