The Marine warship, battered and groaning from the storm's relentless fury, had no option but to divert toward the nearest Marine Branch for emergency repairs and refitting.
Salt-stained sails were lowered.
Splintered railings were secured.
Exhausted recruits finally breathed.
"I didn't expect my first real mission at sea to turn out so disastrously unlucky."
Hina sighed dramatically while strolling through the island marketplace beside Saint Roselith Seraphina.
The town was lively, blissfully ignorant of the chaos the Grand Line had unleashed days earlier.
Vendors shouted.
Children laughed.
Life persisted.
"It wasn't so terrible," Seraphina replied calmly.
"Besides… that pirate crew didn't strike me as particularly cruel."
She recalled their emotional signatures.
Fear.
Desperation.
Determination.
But not malice.
"Even if they escaped," she continued softly,
"I doubt they would bring widespread harm."
In truth, Seraphina felt little regret.
During that encounter, she had acted merely as an observer.
She had not drawn her blade.
Had not exerted herself.
"What do you mean 'not terrible'?!"
Hina protested immediately.
"Hina was fighting for her life while little Seraphina stood there like a noble statue!"
She clutched her chest theatrically.
"You didn't even come help Hina!"
A pause.
Then
"Waaaah Little Seraphina doesn't love Hina anymore!"
Nearby pedestrians glanced nervously.
Seraphina tilted her head with faint amusement.
"Alright, alright," she conceded.
"I heard this island has excellent takoyaki."
"Today's my treat."
"Eat as much as you like."
Instant transformation.
"Really?!"
Hina's sorrow evaporated.
"Hina forgives you completely!"
"Where is it?!"
She grabbed Seraphina's sleeve eagerly.
"…Wrong direction."
Seraphina gently redirected her.
"Hehehe…."
Elsewhere aboard the refitted warship, Former Admiral Zephyr reviewed the recruits' combat evaluations with stern concentration.
Ink strokes were deliberate.
Judgment uncompromising.
Smoker's name received a bold red circle.
"This foolish boy…"
Zephyr muttered.
"…relies too heavily on his Logia ability."
"He neglects physical combat fundamentals."
"He disregards environmental variables."
Zephyr's expression darkened.
"What does this signify?"
Silence answered.
"He requires harsher training."
Hina's report followed.
"Balanced."
"Disciplined."
"Reliable."
A pause.
"…But too balanced."
"Predictable."
"Ordinary."
Zephyr exhaled slowly.
"She also needs refinement."
Then
His gaze rested upon another name.
Saint Roselith Seraphina
Zephyr leaned back.
Shook his head.
"…What more can I teach this child?"
He remembered the slash.
Effortless.
Precise.
Elegant.
Yet devastating.
He could have blocked it
But not without strain.
And she had executed it as though breathing.
Even compared to prodigies of earlier generations…
Even against monsters like Borsalino…
"…A terrifying talent."
Though unspoken,
He marked her evaluation beyond excellence.
Exceeds Expectations
After several days of restoration, the Marines resumed their Grand Line exercises.
This time
Encounters multiplied.
Pirate vessels.
Skirmishes.
Rapid engagements.
And Seraphina no longer remained a passive observer.
Those designated for capture were subdued with decisive precision.
Resistance was neutralized without hesitation.
Her movements were fluid.
Measured.
Overwhelming.
Among her fellow recruits, consensus formed silently:
She was the strongest of the cohort.
Without dispute.
Without rivalry.
Aside from the earlier shipwreck incident, the expedition unfolded with remarkable success.
When the warship finally returned to Marineford, relief spread through every rank.
A brief period of leave was granted.
Seraphina chose to spend hers in Mary Geoise.
"Father, I've returned."
Before nearby guards could even announce her arrival, Seraphina pushed open the gates of House Roselith's estate.
Recognition halted all interference.
Victor Saint Roselith had just concluded his official duties.
Seated alone, he reached for a cherished photograph.
His daughter.
His late wife.
Frozen in memory.
Another sigh escaped him.
"Another day without my precious Seraphina…"
"I miss her dearly… ros, ros…"
A distant echo.
"…Father?"
Victor froze.
"…Did I imagine that?"
Then again
Clearer.
Closer.
"Father! Are you home?"
Victor's eyes widened.
"No…"
"…It truly is my precious daughter!"
He surged upright with surprising agility for a man of considerable stature.
"My daughter!"
"You've grown thinner!"
"Did the Marines neglect you?!"
He circled her anxiously.
"You've tanned!"
"Were you exposed to harsh sun?!"
His voice trembled.
"My poor child…"
"You've suffered!"
"Ros ros ros ros ros ros!"
Seraphina barely managed to respond.
"No, Father, nothing like that."
"They've treated me very well."
"The Marines are honorable."
"Disciplined."
"Kind."
"It almost feels like home."
Victor's agitation gradually softened.
Relief replacing fear.
As Seraphina recounted her experiences, pride swelled within him.
"My precious daughter has truly matured…"
The holiday passed swiftly.
Duty called once more.
Seraphina and Bruce returned to Marineford.
"Commander Seraphina. Lieutenant Commander Bruce."
A Marine Captain approached respectfully.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku requests your presence."
Seraphina paused briefly.
"…Understood."
"Please lead the way."
Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, authority filled the room like invisible gravity.
Sengoku the Buddha
Zoan-type Devil Fruit:
Human-Human Fruit, Model: Daibutsu
A strategist.
A commander.
A legend.
Through Observation Haki, Seraphina perceived his composed presence.
Measured breathing.
Disciplined mind.
Formidable will.
"Saint Roselith Seraphina," Sengoku began.
"Based on Zephyr's recommendation…"
"…You are ready."
Seraphina inclined her head slightly.
"You will graduate from the Special Training Camp."
A brief silence followed.
"I will comply with Headquarters' decision."
Sengoku nodded approvingly.
"Effective immediately "
"You are promoted to the rank of Commander."
"Bruce is promoted to Lieutenant Commander."
"Your assignment:"
"Marine Branch 18."
"You will assume command as Chief Officer and Adjutant."
Seraphina accepted the appointment letter calmly.
Saluted crisply.
Departed without hesitation.
After the door closed, Sengoku leaned back heavily.
"…What an overwhelming presence for someone so young."
Tsuru's strategic reasoning echoed in his thoughts.
East Blue
The weakest sea.
Controlled risks.
Garp's occasional presence.
And political insulation from Headquarters.
Most importantly
Zephyr's admission.
"He has nothing left to teach her."
Sengoku exhaled slowly.
"…A gamble."
"…But a correct one."
✦ [SYSTEM] ✦
Milestone Achieved: Special Training Camp Graduation
Rank Advancement: Confirmed
New Assignment: Marine Branch 18
Reward Probability: Calculating…
The tides of destiny shifted once more.