"What I mean is, I've already enrolled you in the Marines' Special Training Camp!" Garp said with a broad grin.
He had been wondering for some time whether it would be a waste to leave a talent like Riva without proper guidance.
Garp was a legendary Marine and an exceptional fighter, but when it came to teaching disciples, his methods were rather straightforward.
He knew how to teach people to become stronger through brutal physical training, and he knew how to teach them the difference between right and wrong.
Beyond that, he was hardly what anyone would call a refined instructor.
That was precisely why Garp wanted Riva to enter the Marines' Special Training Camp.
"Young people should receive proper training while they still have the time and energy to endure it."
"But…"
Riva hesitated.
He had heard numerous stories about the Special Training Camp.
The Marines who entered it were not ordinary soldiers.
They were talented personnel selected from different branches, each possessing considerable potential.
Even so, Riva had no idea how strong the instructors were or whether he would be able to endure the training.
"Don't worry."
"I trust Zeff completely."
Garp waved his hand dismissively, apparently no longer interested in hearing Riva's objections.
Riva wanted to become stronger.
That was enough.
Garp believed Riva would find the answer he was looking for at Zeff's training camp.
After all, Zeff was the person Saint Roselith Seraphina had entrusted with helping train the younger generation of Marines.
Garp had witnessed enough of Zeff's methods to know that the old chef possessed an unusually strict understanding of physical conditioning, discipline, endurance, and survival.
"Besides, you won't be going there without someone familiar watching over you."
Garp's grin became more meaningful.
"This year's deputy instructor might even be someone you already know."
"An acquaintance?"
Riva looked at Garp in surprise.
Garp simply laughed.
"You'll find out soon enough."
…
East BlueLoguetownLoguetown was bustling as usual.
As one of the most important towns in the East Blue, it had become an important Marine base for monitoring pirates entering or leaving the sea.
The town was also famous for its connection to the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger.
Because of that history, pirates often passed through the area before attempting to enter the Grand Line.
For the Marines stationed there, Loguetown was therefore a particularly important location.
"Saint Roselith Seraphina!"
"Let's have a fight!"
Smoker's eyes were filled with excitement when he learned that Vice Admiral Saint Roselith Seraphina had arrived in the East Blue to conduct an inspection.
He had long wanted to test himself against her.
After all, Seraphina's reputation had already spread throughout the Marines.
She was a formidable swordswoman and a powerful Marine officer whose accomplishments had earned her considerable recognition.
Smoker wanted to know exactly how large the gap between them was.
Seraphina looked at him and smiled.
"So this is the famous Smoker of the East Blue?"
"The Marine known throughout Loguetown as the White Hunter?"
Smoker frowned slightly.
"Do you really care about those titles, Vice Admiral?"
He knew Seraphina was teasing him.
"That's what everyone calls you here."
Smoker took a drag from one of his cigars.
"The White Hunter."
"Smoker."
"I'm still the same person."
Seraphina smiled faintly.
"You really haven't changed."
The tall, lean Marine standing before her was exactly as stubborn as she remembered.
Smoker straightened his posture.
"Nothing has changed."
"I, Smoker, have always been the same."
He took another drag from his cigar.
Seraphina was about to respond when her Observation Haki suddenly picked up a familiar presence.
Her eyes shifted.
"Hm?"
"Kuina?"
She looked more carefully.
"No."
Her initial impression had been mistaken.
The young woman standing beside Smoker was not Kuina.
However, the resemblance was astonishing.
Their facial features were remarkably similar.
Their hair.
Their eyes.
Even the shape of their faces.
For a moment, Seraphina wondered whether there was some connection between them.
Smoker noticed where she was looking.
"Oh, right."
"This is my adjutant."
"Corporal Tashigi."
"Tashigi, come here."
The young Marine stepped forward immediately.
"Yes, sir!"
She stood straight and saluted.
"Reporting to Vice Admiral Saint Roselith Seraphina!"
"I am Corporal Tashigi!"
Seraphina studied her carefully.
So this was Tashigi.
She had known of the young Marine through reports, but this was the first time she had seen her in person.
The resemblance to Kuina was almost unbelievable.
For a brief moment, Seraphina even wondered whether Tashigi and Kuina could somehow be related.
The thought was quickly dismissed.
There was no evidence to support such a conclusion.
Still, the resemblance was so striking that anyone seeing the two of them together could easily mistake them for sisters.
"Tashigi, was it?"
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
Tashigi's voice was filled with excitement.
Seraphina noticed immediately.
The young Marine was trying very hard to remain composed.
Smoker smiled slightly.
"She has admired you for a long time."
"I see."
Seraphina's expression softened.
It was hardly surprising.
Her accomplishments had already made her a figure that many younger Marines admired.
Especially after her recent confrontation with the Whitebeard Pirates, her reputation had spread even further throughout Marine circles.
Tashigi looked at Seraphina with unmistakable admiration.
"Vice Admiral Saint Roselith…"
"Yes?"
"I…"
Tashigi hesitated.
Seraphina smiled.
"You can speak normally."
Tashigi took a breath.
"Yes!"
Seraphina looked at her thoughtfully.
"Corporal Tashigi."
"Yes!"
"Have you ever considered applying for the Marines' Special Training Camp?"
Tashigi's eyes widened.
"The Special Training Camp?"
Smoker immediately looked at Seraphina.
"Wait."
"Why are you asking her that?"
Seraphina ignored him for the moment.
She was already thinking about Kuina.
If Tashigi entered the training camp, there was a good chance the two girls would eventually meet.
The thought of Kuina suddenly encountering someone who looked almost identical to her was rather amusing.
Even more interesting was the possibility that Tashigi could become one of Kuina's fellow trainees.
Perhaps their similar appearance would be the least interesting thing about their meeting.
Tashigi swallowed.
She had heard about the Special Training Camp from Smoker.
She knew how demanding it was.
She also knew that the camp was not something ordinary Marines could simply enter.
The selection process was extremely difficult.
Only those who demonstrated sufficient potential, discipline, physical ability, and combat aptitude had a chance of being accepted.
Still, graduating from the program could dramatically accelerate a Marine's career.
Many graduates eventually became important officers.
For an ambitious Marine, the opportunity was extremely valuable.
"Marine…"
"Special Training Camp…"
Tashigi murmured.
Her eyes gradually became more determined.
Smoker immediately noticed the change.
"Hey!"
"Tashigi!"
"Don't even think about it!"
He turned toward Seraphina.
"Vice Admiral, you know how intense the training is!"
"I do."
Seraphina smiled.
"That's precisely why I asked."
Smoker frowned.
"Tashigi's current strength isn't enough."
"She has potential, but potential alone won't carry someone through that camp."
Seraphina nodded.
"I agree."
Smoker looked surprised.
"You agree?"
"Yes."
Seraphina looked toward Tashigi.
"But that doesn't mean she shouldn't try."
Smoker opened his mouth.
Seraphina continued before he could speak.
"I'll be serving as one of the deputy instructors this year."
"If Tashigi passes the selection assessment and earns a place in the camp, I'll make sure she receives proper guidance."
Smoker's expression became complicated.
He clearly cared about Tashigi.
As her superior, he did not want to see her thrown into an environment that could overwhelm her.
Seraphina understood that.
"You're worried she won't be able to withstand the training."
Smoker grunted.
"Of course I am."
"That camp isn't a joke."
"I know."
Seraphina walked over to Tashigi.
She placed a hand on the young Marine's shoulder.
"Tashigi."
"Yes, Vice Admiral!"
"If you truly want to become stronger, you should not be afraid of difficult training."
"But don't enter simply because you admire me."
"Enter because you have decided that this is the path you want to walk."
Tashigi's expression became firm.
"I understand!"
Seraphina smiled.
"I'll be waiting for you at this year's Special Training Camp."
"And there's something else."
Tashigi blinked.
"What is it?"
"I have a student who looks remarkably similar to you."
"I'll introduce you to her if you both make it into the camp."
Tashigi's eyes widened.
"Someone who looks like me?"
Seraphina nodded.
"Yes."
Tashigi became even more curious.
"Yes, Vice Admiral Saint Roselith!"
Smoker stared at her.
"Tashigi."
"Yes, Colonel Smoker?"
"You're seriously considering this?"
"Yes!"
Smoker's expression changed.
He had not expected her to accept the challenge so quickly.
"Tashigi, listen carefully."
"The Marines' Special Training Camp is also known by another name."
Tashigi looked at him.
"The Devil's Training Camp."
"That name was popularized by Zeff."
Smoker's expression darkened slightly.
"And I know exactly why."
"I experienced the training myself."
"It was brutal."
"People were pushed beyond what they thought their bodies were capable of enduring."
"Many candidates never made it through the entire program."
Tashigi clenched her fists.
"If they can endure it…"
"Why can't I?"
Smoker sighed.
"You're stubborn."
"I learned that from you, Colonel."
Smoker's eyebrow twitched.
"Don't use me as an example."
He then remembered something.
"Actually…"
He looked at Tashigi again.
"You probably won't even pass the selection."
His tone became more casual.
"The selection process is extremely strict."
"With your current physical condition, you'll probably be eliminated before the actual training even begins."
Tashigi's face immediately turned red.
"Colonel Smoker!"
"I'm strong too!"
Smoker raised an eyebrow.
"Are you?"
"Yes!"
Tashigi pushed her glasses up.
"I'll prove it!"
Seraphina watched the exchange with amusement.
There was something admirable about Tashigi's stubbornness.
She might not possess overwhelming strength yet.
But she possessed the most important quality required for improvement.
The willingness to challenge her own limits.
…
Marineford Training GroundsThe training grounds were already packed with Marines.
Thousands of personnel had gathered from various branches and divisions.
Some had been recommended internally by senior officers.
Others had submitted applications themselves.
The number of candidates had reached several thousand.
The sheer scale of the examination made the atmosphere unusually tense.
The Marines had divided the candidates into multiple assessment zones to prevent the enormous crowd from becoming impossible to manage.
Each zone had its own instructors and supervising officers.
The candidates were separated according to the assigned zones, with roughly several hundred Marines gathered in each area.
The selection process itself had been divided into different stages.
Internal recommendations received priority consideration, but no candidate was guaranteed admission simply because a senior officer had recommended them.
The remaining positions were available to Marines who passed the standard application process.
The principle was simple.
Talent could earn an opportunity.
Only performance could secure it.
"Silence!"
The instructor standing on the platform shouted.
The enormous crowd gradually quieted.
The instructor held a board in his hand and looked across the candidates.
He was responsible for overseeing one of the assessment zones.
"Listen carefully!"
"This is the first physical assessment!"
"Your performance will determine whether you proceed to the next stage!"
Several candidates immediately straightened.
The instructor raised his voice.
"Push-ups!"
"One thousand!"
A murmur passed through the crowd.
Some Marines looked confident.
Others swallowed nervously.
For experienced Marines and physically gifted candidates, one thousand push-ups were difficult but manageable.
For ordinary soldiers, however, the number was terrifying.
The instructor continued.
"Do not rush!"
"Follow the commands!"
"Maintain proper form!"
"Anyone who sacrifices form for speed will be disqualified!"
The candidates immediately responded.
"Yes, sir!"
The assessment began.
One by one, the Marines dropped to the ground.
"Begin!"
The first repetitions were easy for most of the candidates.
Some moved rapidly.
Others maintained a steady rhythm.
The stronger candidates quickly separated themselves from the weaker ones.
Yet the first test was never intended to determine everything.
It was designed to reveal the difference between those who merely wanted the title of elite Marine and those who possessed the discipline necessary to earn it.
A thousand push-ups might sound simple.
But maintaining proper form while completing every repetition was another matter entirely.
For some candidates, the burning sensation in their muscles began almost immediately.
For others, fatigue appeared after several hundred repetitions.
And for those who had entered the examination hoping for an easy path to rapid promotion, reality arrived even faster.
The Special Training Camp was not a shortcut.
It was a place where weaknesses were exposed.
A place where talent without discipline was discarded.
A place where determination would be tested until only those capable of enduring the pressure remained.
And somewhere among the thousands of candidates stood people whose names would eventually become important to the Marines.
The examination had only just begun.
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