Saint Roselith Seraphina sought out Hina personally and informed her of the decision regarding her early graduation.
Naturally, Instructor Zephyr would deliver the formal announcement to the rest of the Special Training Camp in due time.
"Hina is… very sad thinking that she won't see little Seraphina during the remaining special training."
Unexpectedly, Hina who had only just reunited with Seraphina, only to be handed a script of parting looked genuinely crestfallen.
"Don't worry, Hina. Once your special training ends, submit a request for assignment to the East Blue."
Saint Roselith Seraphina embraced Hina, gently stroking her back in a quiet, reassuring rhythm.
Her voice, calm and steady, carried none of the hesitation of someone uncertain about the future.
"You'll find me there."
"Then little Seraphina must also do her best in the East Blue."
Hina's tone was soft, yet resolute.
"Mm."
Just as the atmosphere settled into reluctant acceptance, Smoker appeared, having clearly caught wind of the news.
"What?! Seraphina, you're graduating early?"
His eyes widened in disbelief before immediately narrowing with competitive fire.
"Well, well… looks like the number one spot in the Special Training Camp is finally mine!"
"Ahahaha!"
Though Smoker masked it behind loud bravado, there was an unmistakable trace of disappointment buried beneath his laughter.
The overwhelming presence that had constantly loomed over him both as rival and benchmark was leaving.
Still, his pride refused to let sorrow take center stage.
"Big Chimney, you'd better train hard after I'm gone."
Seraphina covered her mouth, a teasing glint flickering in her eyes.
"I hope the next time we spar, you'll manage to last a little longer."
"Cut the nonsense!"
"Chimney, shut up for Hina!"
Hina's fist connected cleanly with Smoker's face.
The impact echoed sharply across the corridor.
After bidding farewell to Hina and the others, Saint Roselith Seraphina boarded a Marine warship bound for the East Blue.
The vessel's commanding officer was Vice Admiral Nezumi, who had been returning to Marine Headquarters to submit his operational report. With his duties completed, he was now en route back to Marine Branch 16.
"Saint Seraphina, you must be the newly appointed Commander."
Vice Admiral Nezumi bowed slightly, his tone dripping with polished courtesy.
"I have heard much of your reputation. It is truly an honor."
Nezumi's demeanor was impeccable.
Too impeccable.
He was, after all, a man known for survival within the labyrinthine politics of the Marines.
For someone so young to attain the rank of Commander
particularly one bearing the name Roselith, her future influence was beyond question.
Aligning himself early was simply prudent.
Yet Seraphina regarded him with mild detachment.
Her Observation Haki, now sharpened by relentless discipline, registered a dissonance beneath the man's smile an undercurrent she neither liked nor trusted.
There was a heaviness to him.
Not strength.
But corruption.
Still, one did not strike at shadows without cause.
Seraphina offered only a restrained nod.
The warship soon prepared to traverse the Calm Belt.
Unlike ordinary vessels, Marine warships were equipped with hull linings reinforced by Seastone, allowing them to pass through the windless, currentless waters without provoking the Sea Kings that ruled the region.
The Calm Belt was a domain of unnatural stillness.
No wind.
No tides.
Only silence and colossal predators lurking beneath the surface.
Without wind or current, conventional ships would remain stranded indefinitely.
But Marine engineering, paired with disciplined navigation, rendered such barriers negotiable.
The crossing proceeded without incident.
Branch 18, Seraphina's designated post, lay along Nezumi's route.
Upon delivering her safely, the Vice Admiral prepared to depart.
"Commander Seraphina, should you ever find time, Branch 16 would be honored to receive you."
His grin lingered.
Seraphina did not reciprocate.
Once Nezumi's ship vanished beyond the horizon, Seraphina exhaled softly.
"Finally off that ship."
Her gaze drifted toward the distant sea.
"I felt… uncomfortable around Vice Admiral Nezumi."
A pause.
"…I almost wanted to cut him."
She flexed her fingers once, then relaxed them.
"Good thing I didn't."
Saint Roselith Seraphina had never been inclined toward administrative burdens.
Thus, upon arrival, the overwhelming majority of managerial responsibilities were entrusted to her adjutant, Bruce.
Bruce, efficient and composed, accepted the role without complaint.
Whether by training or temperament, he possessed a talent for structure that Seraphina neither possessed nor desired.
The Marines of Branch 18 welcomed their new Commander with visible enthusiasm.
Her reputation as a graduate of the Special Training Camp preceded her.
Her appearance only amplified the effect.
Yet admiration did not erase habit.
Those inclined toward laziness remained lazy.
After all, the East Blue was widely regarded as the weakest of the Four Seas.
Danger was scarce.
Complacency flourished.
Branch 18's official records listed a force exceeding five hundred Marines.
In reality, fewer than half that number could be accounted for.
Reconnaissance outposts scattered across nearby islands had long since fallen into neglect, abandoned under the convenient excuse of "low threat levels."
Meanwhile, the stationed Marines indulged themselves within the city surrounding the branch.
Discipline had eroded.
Standards had collapsed.
There were even whispers of phantom payrolls.
Bruce compiled his findings meticulously and presented them to Seraphina.
She read in silence.
Then raised a hand.
"Recall them."
Orders were issued.
All active personnel of Branch 18 were summoned back to base.
It was at this precise moment that Major Keith, a long-serving officer of the branch, requested an audience.
The instant Keith laid eyes on Seraphina, his expression tightened almost imperceptibly.
An underage girl.
A Commander.
His Commander.
Why?
Why had Headquarters chosen her?
That rank should have been his.
That authority should have been his.
Bitterness churned beneath his salute.
"Commander Seraphina… when will this year's military pay be distributed?"
His tone carried rehearsed humility.
"My family is struggling to make ends meet."
Seraphina's gaze lingered on him for a fraction longer than politeness required.
She did not answer.
Bruce stepped forward.
"Once all personnel have assembled, payment will be issued uniformly."
His voice was even, firm.
"No deductions. No discrepancies."
Keith hesitated.
"…If the Marines stationed outside are recalled, what of civilian safety?"
Concern colored his words.
Artificially.
"If something happens, who will bear responsibility?"
Bruce's patience thinned.
"That is not your concern, Major."
"You are to execute the recall."
Keith lowered his head, concealing the flicker of satisfaction in his eyes.
These prodigies…
So powerful.
So naïve.
Still clinging to the illusion of justice.
Very well.
He would educate them.
Within days, circumstances might change.
Commanders could be… replaced.
However
Seraphina's Observation Haki captured the distortion in his emotions.
Malice.
Calculation.
Rot.
Her brow furrowed faintly.
Why were the Marines here so thoroughly compromised?
Had decay truly spread this far?
"Then this subordinate will proceed with the summons."
Keith turned and departed.
"Bruce," Seraphina said quietly once he was gone.
"Keep a close watch on him."
Bruce nodded.
"It seems corruption is not confined to isolated corners."
Seraphina stepped toward the window overlooking the harbor.
The sea stretched endlessly.
Beautiful.
Indifferent.
"Since gaining the ability to perceive this world clearly…"
Her voice softened.
"I've begun to understand."
"This world is steeped in darkness."
A brief silence followed.
"If I had not been born into the Roselith family…"
Her reflection wavered against the glass.
"I might have been crushed by that darkness."
Her eyes hardened.
"But who would have imagined…"
"That the title of Celestial Dragon itself…"
"…could be the deepest darkness of all?"
Saint Roselith Seraphina closed her eyes briefly.
Then opened them, resolve blazing brighter than doubt.
"I will become stronger."
"Without limit."
"And one day…"
"I will carve a justice powerful enough to end this darkness."