Brigadier General Adkin burst into hearty laughter.
"This only proves the Marine Headquarters has high hopes for you! Few in the branch bases ever earn such recognition while still stationed out here. Once you head to the Headquarters Recruit Training Camp, don't you dare let those higher-ups down. And make sure those stuck-up elites from the other branches see the brilliance of G-2's rising star!"
"Recruit Training Camp at Marineford… has the approval already come down?"
Longinus's eyes flickered slightly.
"That's right. You may be a Major now, but you still don't want to miss this chance. Only those who graduate from that cradle of future officers are considered true, direct-line Marines."
Adkin's gaze turned reverent as he continued,
"And remember—besides former Admiral Zéphyr teaching personally, Vice Admiral Garp, Vice Admiral Sakazuki, and other top officers will occasionally instruct. The future pillars of the Marines will gather there. Your vision, horizons, and connections will all expand exponentially."
"I understand. I'll go without question."
Longinus nodded firmly.
"Hahaha! With your talent and drive, even among the monsters gathered there, you'll shine in no time!"
Adkin flipped through a stack of papers.
"For recommendations this year, we were allotted nine slots. Aside from you, the others are T. Penn, Gregory, Able, Abraham, Algernon, Auston, Alva, and Andre. I won't introduce them—you know your own followers better than I do."
Longinus nodded.
Naturally he knew.
These were the core members who had followed him willingly for two years—they were, in every sense, his G-2 faction.
"Your departure is scheduled for one month from now. You'll travel to Marineford aboard a battleship. I'm not too heartless— I'll give all of you half a month to finish your remaining missions and hand over your current duties. After that, the last half month is yours. Travel, relax, see the seas. Once you're stationed at the Headquarters, you might not get the chance to visit the branch again."
"Half a month…" Longinus repeated softly, eyes narrowing.
It was just enough time to take care of certain… matters.
Adkin continued,
"However, before that, I'll need your help one more time. A large-scale war has erupted on Saint Tinge Island. The kings involved have reached certain agreements and want the conflict ended—but for safety reasons they requested a Marine arbitrator to mediate and close the war properly."
"In short, this is a multinational treaty—one of those political messes meant to settle disputes and calm rebellions. You know me: I'm hopeless with these talk-heavy affairs. I'll need you to handle it like before."
Longinus sighed.
"…Are you sure that's appropriate? I'm only a Major."
"Haha! Don't worry. Those kings are crafty—they won't think you're unqualified. And I'll be there to 'lend presence'. You'll be in charge. Treat me like a lucky mascot."
"…Alright. Since you've already thrown me into the fire, I guess I have no choice."
"That's the spirit! The capable work more—the capable work more!"
Adkin thumped Longinus on the shoulder, then paused mid-step as he reached the door.
"Oh, right. Didn't you have a little girlfriend in the Hiskar Kingdom? The treaty signing is being held there. Perfect chance for a visit. No need to thank me—hahaha!"
"Please—Tina is twelve…"
Longinus muttered helplessly.
This felt exactly like the schools in that other world—if a boy and girl talked more than twice, rumors exploded the next day.
Apparently, gossip survived in every universe.
Longinus shook his head and exited the office—
only for a fierce gust to slam toward his back.
His body bent forward far beyond normal limits, defying gravity entirely.
The attack missed, and in the same fluid motion, he snapped upright and shoulder-checked the assailant dozens of meters away.
"For me, an attack is the same no matter where it comes from.
After all this time, Abraham, you still haven't learned?"
"Heheh! I saw you thinking deeply and thought you might let your guard down. But wow… that shoulder strike really hurt! My chest still aches…" came Abraham's pained voice—the same Abraham Adkin had mentioned among the nine.
"You really don't give up. Even Andre's sniper rifle can't touch the boss—what did you expect your cheap sneak attack to do?" Auston scoffed.
Andre sighed,
"To be honest, even if I hit him, it wouldn't matter. Unless he's within thirty meters, my rounds can't break the boss's defense."
Gregory added with a deadpan tone,
"Boss… just tell us the truth.
You're actually some ancient Sea King that ate a Devil Fruit and turned into a human, right?"
Longinus smiled faintly.
"So you all heard the news?"
"Yeah!" Penn answered first.
"Everyone's excited about heading to Headquarters next month!"
"Excited and terrified, you mean," Algernon said, rolling his eyes.
Gregory nodded heavily.
"We may be talented, but in the larger Marine system we're nothing special. Compared to the boss, we're not even on the same planet. And at Headquarters there'll be tons who are stronger than us."
Able stepped forward.
"We don't have the boss's grand ideals, but we still want to grow. We want to walk further down this path. We want to keep chasing the boss!"
"Oh?"
Longinus's lips curved slightly.
"So what is it you're all trying to say?"
The eight looked at each other, then bowed deeply.
"We want Boss to put us through another round of Hell Training!"
"You're really sure?"
Longinus's smile turned… dangerous.
"Last time, half a year ago, most of you quit crying halfway through. Only Penn survived to the end."
"Gulp…"
They all visibly remembered the trauma.
But still, trembling voices answered in unison—
"Please train us again!"
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