Chapter 352: Zephyr
The Training Camp was located within the Navy School, a dedicated Area set aside for it.
Opening the large gate, one could see hundreds of Elites already lined up in formation on the brand-new Training Ground, waiting.
No one was whispering; everyone stood tall with their chests puffed out.
This formed a stark contrast in overall Aura compared to the Navy Cadets who had come from the Four Seas and other Bases on the Grand Line.
It seemed to be an invisible show of force.
However, the effect was excellent; it truly shocked these new Navy Cadets.
"Oh!
That's quite intimidating, wouldn't you say, Sakazuki?"
Borsalino looked at the neatly arranged formation and playfully glanced at Sakazuki, who was still looking straight ahead even while walking, teasing him.
Sakazuki didn't speak.
He wanted to follow the formation and join them, standing behind these Navy Headquarters.
Normally, that's what should have been done.
However, two Figures passed by from either side of the formation.
One was a young Swordsman with a Longsword at his waist, a slightly melancholic expression, and a smile on his lips.
The other had his arms crossed, coldly glancing at these Navy Headquarters Elites.
The two of them walked directly to the front of the formation, found a spot on the left and right respectively, and stood in line according to the formation's arrangement.
With these two leading the way, the young Marines from other Navy Fortresses also followed behind them, all standing at the front of the formation.
Sakazuki turned around instantly.
As a Genius from the North Blue Marine Governor's Office, his heart was proud.
Following military regulations didn't mean being inflexible.
Besides, he hadn't received any orders yet.
Borsalino smiled as he watched this scene, following behind Sakazuki with his long strides.
As they passed the formation, some Students sneered and glanced at the Navy Headquarters Cadets within the formation.
Their hearts were not Peaceful; many Cadets clenched their fists one by one, secretly gritting their teeth.
They hadn't expected these people from smaller places to dare to do such a thing.
The Navy's internal structure was never Peaceful; there was a chain of discrimination.
Although it wasn't openly displayed, it had always existed.
The first two to step forward were naturally Shirek and Gulichalido.
Gulichalido didn't overthink it; his actions had to align with his personality and persona, so he just did what felt right.
As for Shirek, he saw Gulichalido's actions and cooperated tacitly.
If it had only been Gulichalido alone, perhaps no one would have followed.
But what about two people?
Three people?
After Shirek acted, Harken followed suit.
When joining the Navy, he had never thought about creating a perfect persona for himself.
Rear Admiral Navas, who had led them here, was somewhat surprised but also watched the scene with interest.
"It seems Marine Headquarters is about to get lively."
Thinking this, he quickly walked forward.
From the Teaching Building opposite the Training Ground, a tall man walked down, followed by several Navy Instructors.
Rear Admiral Navas joined the ranks.
The tall Figure at the very front attracted everyone's attention and was also watching them.
The scene that had just unfolded had already fallen into his eyes.
In fact, this was within his expectations and didn't particularly concern him.
Even in the New Recruit Camp at Marine Headquarters, such issues had always existed.
Back then, the young Garp, who came from the East Blue to Marine Headquarters, also caused quite a stir in the New Recruit Camp.
These were a group of troublemakers.
They were also the Future of the Navy.
Teaching them and training them into Navy Officers who could operate independently was his job.
The New Recruit Camp could only improve the Recruits' military literacy; it wasn't enough for them to operate independently.
More Growth was needed in subsequent Actual Combat.
Navy Officers who Grow Up this way would certainly have ample experience, but they would also take many Detours without realizing it.
Zephyr believed this severely limited the Growth of Talent.
Including himself.
For the sake of the Navy, he didn't want these young Marines to be like him.
His job was to lay a solid Foundation for these young Marines, allowing their subsequent Growth to be Smooth Sailing.
Although the number was large, exceeding two thousand.
But a few days ago, Zephyr had personally reviewed the personal files of each of these Marines.
He had a certain initial understanding of them, but this wasn't enough.
He needed a clear understanding of the current Situation of these Marines for Targeted Cultivation.
For this purpose, he had specifically formulated a Potential Test Plan.
Based on a person's Potential, it would be divided into five Levels, from the highest S-Rank down to D-Rank.
Those with A-Rank and S-Rank possessed the Potential to become Admirals.
B-Rank and A-Rank indicated the Potential to become Vice Admirals.
The lowest, D-Rank, suggested the Potential to become a Commodore.
The Level division was not absolute and would definitely fluctuate, so it only indicated a potential range.
While D-Rank was said to indicate the Potential to become a Commodore, in reality, most might only reach Field Officer Ranks.
This plan was actually based on the World Government's selection system for CP Agents.
Based on a certain period of observation, the CP0 subordinate training institution would classify the Potential Level of the Agents in training.
Every A-Rank, and even S-Rank Agent, was an object of Contention for the various World Noble Families of the World Government.
After all, Strength represented Foundation and influence.
There was actually quite a bit of infighting within the World Government.
Everyone stood at attention.
Zephyr's arrival commanded respect; the many young Marines all snapped to perfect military attention, a completely different appearance from before.
Moreover, the Aura belonging to a Strongman swept over them like a Gale, enveloping everyone.
It was as if they had been targeted by a fierce tiger.
"Cough cough!
Everyone!"
"I am your Head Instructor, Zephyr.
You are all the most excellent Talent from various Sea Areas.
Welcome to Marine Headquarters."
"Here, you will receive three years of my instruction, where I will teach you the Strength to protect Justice and Peace."
"I believe that as Navy Elites, you will not disappoint me or yourselves."
"Everything for Justice!"
"Everything for Justice!"
Almost all the Marines were filled with passion, shouting their pledge with high spirits.
Regardless of whether they were truly immersed in the emotion, they followed Zephyr in shouting.
Even Borsalino was no exception.
Their unified shout seemed to resound through the Sky, and countless Marine Soldiers turned their gaze towards the direction of the Training Camp.
These were the Future Hope of the Navy, the new force of Justice.
On the Higher-ups floor of Marineford, a man with a resolute face and a grand Aura watched this scene from afar.
Fleet Admiral "Steel Bone" Kong, already seventy-six years old, looked towards the Sky and the Great Sea, a smile appearing on his face.
"However, let me state this upfront: You will have three months to improve your Strength as much as possible."
"After three months, you will be divided into classes based on your Strength.
Only two hundred people will be able to enter the Elite Class and be personally taught by me.
The rest will be assigned to the other eight classes, taught by them."
Zephyr's eyes indicated the eight Navy Instructors beside him to the many Cadets.
Strength was ultimately the deciding factor.
The three months were for assessing the Cadets' various qualities and Potential.
Judging Potential was a complex undertaking; it couldn't be determined solely through something like Doriki.
In the Navy, Strength ultimately spoke the loudest, and the Training Camp was no different.
These three months were also a period for Cadets with weaker Strength but strong Potential to grow.
A person's Energy was limited; Zephyr couldn't personally teach so many people.
He could only select the two hundred most outstanding individuals, equivalent to one-tenth of the total.
Even two hundred people was quite a lot for Zephyr.
However, the Navy currently lacked Combatant Strength, and Zephyr had to cultivate as much Talent as possible.
Who knew when a war might break out?
The Byrnndi Pirates had not given up.
The Big Mom Pirates, led by Charlotte Linlin's eldest son, Typhon, were also constantly developing and expanding their Territory, already posing a Threat to the Trade Route in the New World Front.
As long as the Big Mom Pirates wanted to continue their Expansion, the Trade Route in the New World Front would definitely be targeted.
The West was too close to the Red Line.
The East was the Territory of the Kronos Kingdom and had been restricted.
Therefore, besides expanding northwards, the Big Mom Pirates could only expand southwards.
(end of chapter)