Marine Headquarters, Sengoku's Office.
Sengoku put down the report in his hand, adjusted his glasses, his tone laced with shock. "Twelve years old, single-handedly suppressed a pirate riot in the Oykot Kingdom, killed the 'Blood Blade' Rek, with a bounty of 12 million Berries, and saved dozens of civilians..."
Vice Admiral Tsuru took a sip of her tea, a faint smile on her lips. "It seems Zephyr has raised another incredible little monster."
Borsalino (Kizaru) sat with his legs crossed, slowly swirling his coffee cup, his eyes half-closed. "Ooh, kowai ne~ This little kid is growing up really fast."
Kuzan (Aokiji) let out a big yawn, his eyes lazy. "Arara... he is the kid who can withstand Old Man Garp's special training, after all."
Sakazuki (Akainu) had a cold expression, but a hint of approval flashed in his eyes. "His strength is decent, but he still needs more real combat experience."
Sengoku closed the report, his brow slightly furrowed, his tone cautious. "Roy has been in Zephyr's training camp for two years now, right?"
"At this growth rate, should we consider transferring him to a branch for training ahead of schedule?"
The moment he finished speaking—
"BANG!"
The office door was thrown open, and a powerful presence rushed in.
Zephyr strode in, his voice as loud as thunder. "I disagree!"
Kizaru, Aokiji, and Akainu immediately stood up and saluted in unison. "Instructor Zephyr!"
Zephyr waved his hand and strode up to Sengoku, grinning widely. "Sengoku, this kid is my precious treasure!"
"One more year! I'm going to personally give him some remedial combat lessons!"
Vice Admiral Tsuru shook her head with a light laugh. "It seems you're very pleased with this child."
Zephyr nodded without hesitation, his brow full of pride. "Of course! That kid Roy's potential is even greater than Kuzan and the others were back in the day!"
Kuzan scratched his neck and smiled helplessly. "Arara... being used as a comparison, are we?"
Borsalino narrowed his eyes lazily. "Ooh~ Instructor Zephyr thinks so highly of him. It's truly enviable~"
Sakazuki snorted. "Hmph, no matter how great his potential, he still needs to be tempered through bloody battles."
Zephyr waved his hand, full of heroic spirit. "Don't worry! Next, I'm going to personally take him to the battlefield! Real combat? He'll get plenty!"
Sengoku looked at Zephyr's rarely excited face, sighed, but couldn't help but smile. "Alright, one more year then. But..." He gave Zephyr a meaningful look. "Don't spoil him."
Zephyr laughed heartily, his voice like a bell. "Don't worry! My training is hell-level!"
The three Admiral candidates shivered simultaneously, as if recalling some unbearable nightmare.
Marine Headquarters Port.
The dog-headed warship slowly sailed into the port. A crowd was gradually forming on the pier.
Roy stood at the bow, squinting at the shore where a familiar figure was waiting.
Garp strode over and patted his shoulder. "Kid, that old geezer Zephyr came to pick you up personally. That's a lot of face."
Roy smiled slightly, his tone calm. "The instructor has always been very strict."
Garp winked, his smile meaningful. "Strict? Hahaha! The stricter he is, the more he values you!"
Roy nodded lightly. As the warship slowly docked, Zephyr's loud voice rang out. "Roy! Well done!"
Roy instantly teleported and landed steadily on the pier, saluting. "Instructor Zephyr!"
Zephyr laughed heartily and ruffled his black hair (almost pushing him into the ground). "Let's go! Back to more training!"
Roy's hair was a mess. "Yes, sir!"
Garp stood behind them, hands on his hips, laughing. "Hey! Zephyr! Don't break my disciple with your training!"
Without turning back, Zephyr raised his hand and gave Garp the middle finger. "Get lost! He's my disciple now!"
Garp burst out laughing like a madman, rice cracker crumbs flying everywhere. "Hahaha!"
Roy looked at the two legendary Marine powerhouses bickering and smiled helplessly, his eyes full of respect.
Just as he stepped through the training camp gate, two familiar figures quickly surrounded him.
"Well, if it isn't the great hero," Hina said with her arms crossed, a teasing smile on her lips.
Smoker had a cigar in his mouth, white smoke puffing from his nostrils, his eyes sharp. "I hear you took down an entire pirate crew by yourself?"
Roy shrugged. "Just got lucky. The opponents weren't that strong."
Smoker snorted. "Cut the crap! We didn't get to practice against that many pirates in the last combat assessment!"
Hina chuckled. "Smoker is just jealous you got to see real action and earn merits before him."
A vein popped on Smoker's forehead. "Shut up!"
Roy watched them bicker and couldn't help but smile. "How has your training been lately?"
Smoker blew out a smoke ring, his eyes burning with fighting spirit. "Want to find out? Let's fight!"
Hina rubbed her forehead. "Here we go again..."
Roy raised an eyebrow. "Now?"
Smoker was already walking towards the training ground. "Duh! Let me see how much you've improved after one trip out!"
Roy looked helplessly at Hina, who shrugged. "I suggest you go easy on him. His self-esteem has been a bit fragile lately."
Roy: "..."
On the training ground, Smoker and Roy faced each other, surrounded by a crowd of curious cadets.
"Hey, hey, Smoker is challenging Roy again?"
"Didn't he get beaten badly enough last time?"
"Shh! Be quiet, Senior Smoker will hear you!"
An angry tic appeared on Smoker's forehead as he roared, "You bastards!"
Roy couldn't help but laugh. "Your popularity is as bad as ever."
Smoker glared at him. "Cut the crap!"
"White Spark!"
Smoker instantly turned into his element, his entire body becoming a high-speed rotating cloud of white smoke, shooting towards Roy like a cannonball.
Roy's eyes narrowed, and his figure vanished instantly—
"Swish!"
He reappeared behind Smoker.
"Finger Pistol: Flash!"
"BANG!"
His Armament-coated finger stabbed towards Smoker's back, but Smoker was prepared. The smoke suddenly contracted, allowing him to narrowly avoid the attack.
"Hmph! You think I'd fall for the same trick twice?" Smoker sneered, the smoke quickly solidifying as he threw a punch at Roy's face.
Roy didn't dodge. He raised his hand to block—
"CLANG!!"
A sound like metal colliding exploded, and a shockwave swept across the entire training ground.
The cadets were forced back several steps, dumbfounded. "Wh-what level of clash is this?!"
Hina stood at the edge of the field, a hint of surprise in her eyes. "Smoker... has gotten stronger!"
Zephyr had appeared beside her at some point, his arms crossed, a slight smile on his lips. "Not bad. It seems being provoked by Roy has made this kid less arrogant."
In the center of the field, Smoker's attacks grew fiercer. His white smoke and Armament Haki were perfectly combined, each strike carrying a sharp, air-tearing sound.
"White Blow: Heavy Cannon!"
"BOOM—!!"
Roy was forced back several steps by the punch, his expression finally turning serious. "Not bad, Smoker."
Smoker grinned, biting his cigar tighter. "It's not over yet!"
He slammed his hands together, and the white smoke surged wildly—
"White Out: Cage!"
Instantly, countless smoke chains rose from the ground, closing in on Roy like a giant net.
Roy's eyes sharpened. With his Observation Haki at full power, he flickered continuously, weaving through the gaps in the smoke.
"Swish! Swish! Swish!"
Each flash precisely avoided the chains, but Smoker's smoke seemed endless, his attacks growing denser.
"Got you!" Smoker suddenly roared, and all the chains contracted instantly.
Roy's figure was completely enveloped by the smoke.
The cadets gasped. "Roy's been caught?!"
Hina frowned. "This isn't good..."
But Zephyr just smiled. "Don't worry. Just watch."
"Six Powers Secret Technique: Instant Prison Kill!"
"BOOM—!!"
The smoke cage suddenly exploded from within. Roy's figure flashed like a phantom three times, each flash accompanied by a heavy punch.
"BANG! BANG! BANG!"
Smoker had no time to react. He was hit consecutively in the chest, abdomen, and chin, and was sent flying backward, crashing heavily to the ground.
"Cough!" He spat out a puff of smoke, his vision blurring for a moment, but he quickly gritted his teeth and climbed back up. "It's not... over!"
"Still want to continue?" Smoker stood up unsteadily, white smoke uncontrollably pouring from every pore of his body, making him look like a human smoke bomb wrapped in thick smoke.
"O-Of course!" his muffled voice came from within the smoke. "I... haven't lost yet!"
Hina finally couldn't help but laugh. "Smoker, you look like a leaky smoke bomb right now."
Zephyr also let out a rare, hearty laugh. "Not bad! At least the smoke volume is up to standard!"
Smoker: "...You guys!"
Roy walked over and patted the cloud of smoke. "Alright, you've improved a lot. We'll fight again next time."
Smoker's unwilling mumbles came from within the smoke, but it eventually dissipated, revealing his bruised but stubborn face.
"Next time... I'll definitely win!"
-------
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