Marine Officer Training Camp.
After a brief rest and a chance to familiarize themselves with the surroundings, these promising Marine elites from branches all across the seas had gathered here.
They were about to undergo training in higher-level combat techniques, taught by some of the strongest figures in the organization.
After all, if one truly wished to become a Rear Admiral or even a Vice Admiral, someone who could clash head-on with the terrifyingly powerful pirates of the New World, then without mastering Haki, swordsmanship, and advanced combat skills, going into battle was nothing more than walking to one's death.
Doll was among the gathered trainees. Unlike the low-ranking Marine officers around her who were visibly excited, she stood calmly with her arms crossed, seemingly lost in thought.
Nearby, several Marine field officers chattered noisily, their expressions brimming with happiness over having qualified for the officer training camp.
"We're so lucky!!! To have someone like former Admiral Zephyr as our instructor, opening this camp to help us officers grow stronger so quickly!!!"
"Yeah!!! I heard many high-ranking leaders will also be attending, teaching us how to train our Haki and other advanced powers!"
"If we could personally get guidance from Admiral Zephyr, I bet reaching the rank of Vice Admiral wouldn't take long at all…"
"True enough. After all, Vice Admiral Garp and Admiral Sengoku are always so busy — there's no way they have time to train rookies like us."
However, not everyone was focused solely on learning from the older generation of powerhouses. Some had their sights set on the rising stars of the Marines instead.
"Actually, the three 'Monster Vice Admirals' are insanely strong too! I heard that once they gain enough battlefield experience, they could be promoted straight to Marine Admirals — the very highest combat force in Marine Headquarters!!!"
The lively discussions continued, with the crowd excitedly debating which of the Marine top brass was the most powerful and influential.
And then, suddenly…
Someone in the crowd shouted:
"The instructors are here!!!"
The effect was immediate. It was like a noisy classroom falling silent the moment someone yelled,
"The teacher's here!"
In an instant, the previously rowdy training field became silent enough to hear a pin drop.
A middle-aged man with short purple hair approached, exuding an aura of authority. His burly frame bore numerous scars, each one silently recounting a lifetime spent in countless fierce battles.
This was the former Marine Admiral, now the Instructor of the Marine Training Camp —
Black Arm Zephyr!
A man who could stand toe-to-toe with the most fearsome pirates of the seas, relying solely on his mastery of Armament Haki and physical combat techniques!
Stepping onto the training field, Zephyr's expression was stern, his sharp gaze sweeping across the assembled trainees.
It wasn't disappointment that showed in his eyes, but rather a quiet helplessness. He walked steadily to the front, stood tall, and spoke in a low, commanding tone:
"First of all, welcome to Marine Headquarters, Marineford. This is where you will undergo officer-level combat training…"
He spoke at length, explaining various rules and expectations before finally reaching the part everyone had been waiting for — introducing the instructors.
When he mentioned Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan, everything was as expected. No surprises there.
But when he reached the last name, Zephyr paused. His tone shifted subtly, and his expression became unreadable.
"…The last instructor," Zephyr said slowly, "is a special guest provided through the 'friendly assistance' of the World Government—"
Everyone leaned forward, eyes filled with curiosity. Who could possibly warrant such an introduction, appearing last on the list?
Only Doll, standing quietly among them, gazed ahead with bright, expectant eyes. She already knew who was about to appear.
"Saint Orin!"
Zephyr clenched his jaw, restraining the hatred for pirates that burned in his chest. He silently reminded himself to stay calm.
The moment the name was spoken, a ripple of shock ran through the entire training camp.
It wasn't just the trainees — even Sakazuki and Kuzan froze, stunned into silence before whipping their heads toward Zephyr with looks of disbelief.
This had to be a joke!!!
An instructor for Marine officers… and they brought in a pirate as a "guest lecturer"???
Aside from Doll, Borsalino, and a few others, everyone else looked utterly dumbfounded.
Especially the field officers who came from the four seas, the Grand Line, and even the New World — upon hearing that name, many of them nearly collapsed on the spot.
The recruits fresh from Marineford didn't fully grasp the weight of the name. But these veterans from across the seas? They knew exactly what it meant.
Within nearly every territory they had served, there existed some influence of Orin's — military forces, pirate crews, or expansive industries under his control.
Orin's name was legendary.
Sure, they'd heard rumors that the "Black Emperor" had recently attended the Shichibukai summit and was temporarily staying in Marineford…
But who could have imagined that such a figure would actually show up here — at the Marine Officer Training Camp?!
As Zephyr's voice faded, a tall silhouette slowly entered the training grounds — the only person not wearing the "Justice" cloak of the Marines.
The moment Doll saw him, her eyes lit up with excitement.
In her mind, she recalled a single line he had once spoken to her:
"Want to learn Haki? I'll teach you."
Calm and composed, the towering man stepped forward. A seagull perched on his arm, and his gentle expression gave him an oddly approachable air.
Aside from two individuals whose gazes carried hostility — faint traces of elemental energy swirling around them — most others stared at him with sheer curiosity.
This was the legendary Black Emperor?
He didn't look nearly as terrifying as the stories made him out to be…
Somewhere in the crowd, a man wearing sunglasses, his lips still dusted with bits of mochi from breakfast, felt his expression shift ever so slightly.
Orin-sama…
Why… why are you here?
...
Training began shortly after. Although most of the students didn't quite understand why Orin was here, very few openly rejected his presence.
Most of these young Marine seeds belonged to a new generation — they hadn't lived through the dark decade when the Marines were under Orin's shadow. To them, he was once a pirate, yes, but now officially recognized as a Celestial Dragon.
In other words… a semi-ally.
Instead of fearing his reputation, many of these ambitious officers were far more intrigued by his rumored strength.
And so, when Orin stepped up to begin his lesson, every trainee's gaze locked on him with intense focus. This was the man said to have surpassed even the Yonko, the man so powerful that even the Marine Fleet Admiral was said to tread carefully around him.
Orin extended one arm, and the seagull that had perched there earlier took flight, gliding smoothly into the crowd of trainees.
"Listen up, Marine fledglings," Orin said, his tone calm but commanding. "I'm the one who'll be teaching you Haki — call me Instructor Orin."
With his hands clasped behind his back, Orin felt an odd sense of amusement at his new role as a teacher.
It reminded him of the days when First Mate Rayleigh had guided his own training.
"So, about Haki… truthfully, it's very easy to master."
Orin stretched out his hand.
Shing—
A dark, crimson-tinged aura spread over his arm as Armament Haki surged to life, exuding a power so immense that several trainees forgot to breathe, their eyes widening in awe.
"Then… Instructor Orin, how exactly can we learn it?" someone finally blurted out from the crowd, unable to contain their eagerness.
Orin smiled faintly, as if recalling a distant memory — one where he'd once been knocked unconscious during his own training.
"It's simple," he said.
"Just… get beaten."