Before long, Zephyr returned alone to the training grounds.
"Teacher, is it already finished?" Victor asked, puzzled to see Zephyr by himself.
"Not that fast. The staff are handling the measurements—they'll record the data. I'm just waiting for the results. They're the professionals here."
"Oh."
"I came back because there's something I need to discuss with you," Zephyr continued.
"Hm? What's so important?" Victor frowned.
"It's about this year's Elite Camp training plan. I spoke with Sengoku yesterday, and he approved. I've decided that this batch will train at sea—half a year of combined combat drills and real-world experience."
Victor's heart tightened. 'So this is how it starts.'
The massacre of the Elite Camp trainees on Zephyr's ship—he'd always wondered how it happened. Weren't they supposed to be training at headquarters? Unless they were deliberately targeted…
But would Miss Buckingham dare to attack a ship under a former Admiral's command? Unless she was that confident in Whitebeard Jr.'s strength…
'So this is the root of it. This must be the first year they adopted this system. A chance encounter with Whitebeard Jr., Miss Buckingham's underhanded tactics to restrain Zephyr…'
"Teacher, this method is excellent—it'll push the recruits to their limits," Victor replied carefully.
"Exactly! Last year's trainees froze up in actual combat. They've grown too soft in the greenhouse of headquarters!" Zephyr said passionately.
"But there's one problem," Victor couldn't help but point out.
"What?"
"What if we encounter a powerful pirate crew? These recruits aren't strong enough yet."
"You and I will be there. That should be enough."
"For this batch, yes. But what about next year? Not every class will have someone like me. What if mid-battle, the enemy takes the recruits hostage? Would you yield?"
Zephyr fell silent.
"Teacher, every Marine accepts the risk of death. Sometimes… you have to make hard choices. Otherwise, the losses could be even greater."
Victor's words were cold, but necessary. The more Zephyr showed his attachment to his students, the more vulnerable he became. This was a warning.
'If I can locate Whitebeard Jr. in advance and eliminate him, maybe I can change Zephyr's fate. But what if luck isn't on my side?'
Zephyr remained deep in thought, conflicted. Victor didn't press further—this was something Zephyr needed to reconcile himself.
'Well, if we're sailing for half a year, I might as well adapt.'
'Though I just found the perfect spot to train my Haki and physique… Now I can't use the Divine Staff openly. I'll need to find a way to legitimize it soon.'
Victor glanced up at the Red Line.
---
Soon, the recruits returned one by one, immediately resuming their training. The test results wouldn't be compiled until tomorrow.
"Teacher, since you're back, I'll leave the teaching to you. I'd like to go into seclusion for a few days. Just have Rebecca notify me when we're setting sail," Victor said.
"Good. Your own training shouldn't be neglected either. I've held you back these past few days," Zephyr replied.
Victor only needed to keep his nominal position now. His real value was in occasional sparring sessions with Zephyr—live combat lessons.
"A few days won't make a difference," Victor shrugged.
Originally, he'd planned to train undisturbed on the Red Line, only coming down occasionally to fight Zephyr. Six months of focused training would've been a huge boost.
Realistically, he still wasn't at Admiral level. Without his Shinki, he'd be roughly on par with Queen. His Haki had a long way to go. The Shinki granted survivability, but lethality against top-tiers remained lacking.
Now, with the upcoming voyage, he couldn't openly use the Divine Staff. These next few days would be crucial.
---
"Rebecca, I'll be in seclusion on the Red Line. When it's time to depart, just tug the vine I'll leave hanging down," Victor whispered.
"Wait—you train 'on the Red Line'?! That's where you were last time?!" Rebecca gasped. Victor had never mentioned this before.
"Yes. And keep it quiet. The Celestial Dragons live up there."
(Technically, Victor wasn't at the very top—just high enough where thunderclouds masked his presence. Perfectly natural.)
Rebecca glanced around, then nodded silently.
"I'm heading out now. Stock up on food at the cabin."
With that, Victor left the training grounds.
Of course, he wouldn't ascend immediately—too conspicuous in broad daylight. First, he needed to stockpile energy.
And so, the sea kings of the nearby waters suffered once more. Victor feasted, preparing for his short training.
Three days.
That's all he got before being summoned back. But three days was better than nothing—progress was progress.
---
Now, Victor stood at the docks, bidding farewell to Smoker and Hina.
(Somehow, they still hadn't left. Now it was their turn to see 'him' off.)
"Victor… My assignment still hasn't come through. With Kuzan gone, and now you all leaving, it's going to be lonely," Smoker muttered.
"Hina will miss Victor… and Rebecca… and Wendy… and Victor's sea king feasts! 'Slurp—'" Hina's heartfelt farewell took an odd turn.
"Hina! Must you ruin the moment?!" Smoker snapped.
Rebecca and Wendy covered their mouths and laughed, and Victor was speechless. When did you two become foodies?
"Hey, Smoker, don't say that I don't take care of you. Go southwest of the beach house, head into the forest, pass five trees, and dig under the sixth tree. There is good wine buried there that I brewed myself. You can drink the wine there!" Victor said lightly.
"What? You can brew wine? Is there anything you can't do? When did you brew it? How come I don't know about it?" Smoker looked curious.
"I know a lot. Do I have to tell you everything? Do I have to tell you that I know the Tathagata Palm(Buddhist-inspired martial arts technique)?" Victor was speechless.
"I brewed it two months after I came to the headquarters. You two can just drink it yourselves. Don't give it to others!" Victor warned. That was a strong liquor that was very intoxicating.
"Got it, we can just drink it ourselves!" The two responded, their eyes already shining. Victor's products must be top quality!
"What are you waiting for? Why haven't you started the boat yet?"
"I don't know. It seems that Mr. Zephyr hasn't come yet?"
"This warship is really different. The deck is covered with steel plates. This should be specially prepared for us!"
"Of course, an ordinary wooden deck won't do for practicing the Six Forms!"
Victor heard the conversations among other students and realized what they had been preparing for during these few days of waiting. It was quite thoughtful.
"Victor, your elite camp is still the best. You can hunt pirates directly on the sea. Unlike us, we have to stay in the headquarters for training! If I had known, I would have come to the headquarters later. It would have been even better if I were in the same class as you!" Smoker said with envy.
""With me in the same class, you won't be the top performer anymore. You'll be stuck beneath me with no chance to rise! Still willing?" Victor teased.
"What 'top performer'? Anyone who wants it can have it. Compared to you, my title is just a joke!" Smoker grumbled irritably.
His so-called "top performer" status only applied to their current class, while Victor's reputation was on par with the legendary top performers of past years—it wasn't even the same league. Nowadays, everyone compared Victor to those three monstrous Vice Admirals.
"Oh! Instructor Zephyr is finally here! Who's that guy following behind him?"
Just then, Victor overheard someone say this.