Time flowed swiftly. The training camp was already in its final month, and the recruits had clearly divided themselves into three distinct tiers.
The worst were the dead weight, struggling to complete the physical training within half a day. These recruits were primarily officers from the Four Seas, with limited potential, mainly participating for the sake of participation.
The second tier consisted of those who could complete the training but struggled to master the Six Styles. These recruits were the most numerous, and with persistent training, they might still have a chance to master the Six Styles. They were the backbone of the Marines.
The third tier was the talented elite, possessing a sufficient understanding of the Six Styles, and even mastering some of them. They were the fewest in number, and would inevitably become the core fighting force of the Marines in the future.
And for these elites, the training camp had new arrangements.
----
That evening, Roya was freeloading a meal in Doll's dormitory.
"There'll be a new instructor tomorrow?"
"Yes."
Doll sipped her wine, feeling rather melancholy.
Even among the Marine Headquarters Vice Admirals, not all had mastered the Six Styles. In most cases, they had mastered only some of them, such as "Shave" and "Moon Walk," which were almost essential for assisting in combat.
The other styles were also good, but their popularity was much lower. Vice Admirals generally had combat habits that suited them personally and rarely relied on the Six Styles to fight.
Therefore, when it came to teaching the Six Styles and guiding the recruits, she and the other Headquarters Vice Admirals weren't exactly professional. Teaching ordinary recruits was no problem, but for the elite, it was natural to hand them over to a professional instructor.
"Roya, the new instructor is super amazing!"
"It wouldn't be Zephyr, would it?"
"."
"."
The two stared at each other, wide-eyed.
Roya hesitated slightly.
"It's really Zephyr?"
"Yes!"
Doll replied dejectedly. She had wanted to maintain some mystery, but Roya guessed it right away.
The kid was good in every way, but his brain was too sharp. He understood everything with just a hint, which was a bit too sharp.
Doll stared at Roya: "Roya, do you know what this means?"
"Well..."
Roya stroked his chin and guessed, "Does it mean that I've already been accepted into the Headquarters New Recruit Camp, and once I graduate from the New Recruit Camp, I can rise through the ranks rapidly?"
"That's right!"
Doll gritted her teeth in annoyance, her eyes turning fierce.
I should gag him!
"The New Recruit Camp is a three-year program. Not only will you receive personal guidance from Instructor Zephyr, but after you graduate from there, you can directly take a position at Headquarters. With your talent, you can become a Headquarters Vice Admiral in at most ten years!"
"Sounds pretty good."
Roya smiled and shook his head.
"But, I refuse!"
"Refuse?"
Doll was stunned.
Did she hear wrong?
Her tone suddenly rose!
"You refuse? Do you know how many benefits there are to joining the New Recruit Camp? Roya, this is not just about becoming Instructor Zephyr's disciple!"
"I know, but it takes too long."
Of course, Roya was clear about this.
Improving strength was only secondary. Joining the New Recruit Camp also meant joining the Headquarters system, joining Instructor Zephyr's network of connections, and the difficulty of future promotion would drop sharply.
To put it bluntly, it meant becoming a direct confidant of the Marine Headquarters.
But a three-year cycle was really too long!
Three years later, Luffy would set sail, the world situation would undergo astonishing changes, and the Marines would experience a major upheaval.
If he had gotten this opportunity two years ago, he would probably laugh in his dreams, but now, to study step by step for another three years and become a Headquarters Colonel after graduation...
That was ancient history!
What kind of say would a mere Colonel have?
The year after the Summit War was the best time to covet the Admiral position. Once Fujitora and Green Bull rose to power, there would be nothing left for him.
Not only that, but the changing of the guard in the New World and the Revolutionary Army's uprising would all break out in those two or three years.
The World Government would face its greatest crisis.
Without enough status, he could only watch others ride the waves. Once everything settled down, no matter who won or lost, it would have nothing to do with him.
And his dream of becoming a king or a general would be shattered.
But Doll couldn't understand these things.
"Roya, you're still young, there's no need to be so impatient."
"Thank you, Sister Doll, I know what I'm doing."
Roya felt warmth in his heart. He could feel Doll's concern for him. From Doll's perspective, joining the New Recruit Camp really only had benefits and no drawbacks.
It's just that he saw a little further.
"Okay, let's not talk about these things."
Roya put down his Wine Glass and stood up, smiling and extending his hand in invitation, "Instructor Doll, shall we dance?"
"You can dance?"
Doll took Roya's hand in surprise.
"Of course, I'm a dance skills expert!"
Roya pulled the woman into his arms, his right hand wrapped around her waist.
Feeling the softness at his fingertips, Roya silently gave a thumbs up to Fullbody, who taught him his Dance Skills.
When you're out and about, you still have to know some fancy moves.
Spin~~ Jump~~
----
The next morning, at the Training Field in the Center of the Forest.
All the New Recruits ranked in the top hundred had gathered.
Roya's arrival immediately focused everyone's attention.
"That's Black Hair?"
Curiosity, doubt, provocation.
"He's a handsome young Man, so cute."
Peacock sized up Roya from afar, finding him much more handsome than expected. Apart from his slightly fierce expression, his appearance had basically no flaws.
Lu Yun stood next to Peacock and kindly reminded her, "Sister Peacock, be careful of becoming his prey!"
"Is that so? That's exciting!"
Peacock licked her lips, she felt the urge to bring him to heel. If Instructor Zephyr wasn't about to arrive, she would want to verify Black Hair's skills right now.
"He's here!"
A burly Man, about three meters tall, with short purple hair, strode over, followed by two Officers.
The New Recruits immediately straightened their backs, held their breath, and couldn't help but look at Zephyr with admiration and respect in their eyes.
Former Admiral Zephyr!
Roya tensed his Body, his gaze instinctively looking at Zephyr's right arm, the sleeve empty, not yet equipped with that heavy pulverizer.
No one spoke.
Zephyr walked in front of the formation, his sharp eyes scrutinizing each New Recruit, nodding almost imperceptibly.
"Very good."
Unexpectedly, this would be the last group of students he would guide. He had already submitted an application to Sengoku, preparing to form a "Marine Guerrilla Squad" dedicated to Hunting Pirates.
Zephyr came to the front of the formation, and his imposing Presence made the New Recruits sweat nervously, "I am the New Recruits Head Instructor, Zephyr."
"Instructor Zephyr!"
The New Recruits shouted loudly, their excited emotions overflowing. Being a student of Zephyr was the pursuit of countless Marines.
Zephyr smiled, "No need to be nervous. I'm just here to meet you today. Next, it's free activity. Just continue to maintain how you trained before."
In the last month of the Training Camp, he wouldn't interfere with the New Recruits too much. The main purpose was to observe the state of each New Recruit and prepare for the three years of Training afterward.
Everyone's physical Talent and understanding ability were very different, and teaching according to their aptitude was what a teacher should do.
The New Recruits stirred and soon began to take action.
Peacock took the lead in leaving the formation, but instead of looking for Roya, she came to the female Officer behind Zephyr.
Peacock showed a wicked smile, and the Sword in her hand turned into a long whip, "Senior Ain, can you have a match with me?"
"Let's find a place with fewer people."
Ain nodded coldly, turned and walked into the depths of the forest.
On the other side, several New Recruits wearing Bucket Hats and full of quirks approached Roya.
"Hey, you're Black Hair, right!"
"Have a fight with us!"
"Let us see if you are as powerful as the rumors say!"
Roya looked at the G-5 markings on them, and a smile bloomed.
Let's warm up first!
*
**
***
[T/N:
Latest Chapter translated on Patreon - Chapter Access up to Ch 230
Final Total Power Stone Collection : 181 PS
Goal : Reach +50 Total PS = +2 Bonus Chapters next day! 🚀
Here are the novels I'm currently translating:
-> Naruto Paradise: An Evil Uchiha's Rise
-> One Piece: I'm Destined to Be the Son-in-Law King!
-> Young Master, Please Become Hokage!
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]