Zephyr raised his hand, pressing down the recruits' rising excitement.
"Quiet!"
"Next, I'll announce the fleets available for your internship! Each of you has one chance to choose for yourselves! Of course, I'll also be making adjustments based on your individual traits!"
He picked up a list. The entire plaza fell silent.
"First ship! Vice Admiral John Jeando's warship!"
Zephyr's voice rumbled. "Vice Admiral Jeando is responsible for coastal patrol. He's mild-tempered and suited for learning the basics of naval combat and intel gathering. Those who want a solid foundation and are afraid of dying, pick him!"
A stir ran through the ranks. Many recruits who knew they weren't that strong were visibly tempted.
"Second ship! Vice Admiral Momonga's warship!"
"Vice Admiral Momonga patrols the main routes of the Grand Line, and his swordsmanship is exceptional. Recruits whose main combat style is the sword should prioritize him!"
In the formation, several sword-bearing recruits—Rain among them—felt eyes turn their way. Gion glanced at Rain with interest as well, curious what he would pick.
"Third ship! Vice Admiral Doberman's warship!"
"Vice Admiral Doberman is stationed long-term around Marineford. His style is steady and his tactics seasoned. Good for those who want to study fleet command and defensive warfare."
"Fourth ship! Vice Admiral Strawberry's warship!"
"Vice Admiral Strawberry is responsible for patrols in the second half of the Grand Line. He specializes in assault warfare—perfect for those who want to rapidly sharpen their combat ability!"
Hina's eyes lit up the moment she heard that.
"Fifth ship! Vice Admiral Kuzan's warship!"
"Vice Admiral Kuzan patrols the entrance to the New World. He believes in 'Burning Justice'—don't be fooled by his lazy appearance. His strength is unfathomable, and he's passionate about crushing pirates."
"Finally—"
Zephyr's tone grew extremely heavy.
"Sixth ship! Vice Admiral Sakazuki's warship!"
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki is in charge of the most intense combat zone—the Grand Line's primary extermination routes. He believes in Absolute Justice!"
Zephyr's voice jumped an octave, harsher than ever.
"Casualties on his ship are the highest year-round! There is no mercy. No hesitation. I only recommend him to those… who are not afraid of death and fully prepared for what that means!"
Boom—!
As soon as the list was done, the plaza exploded.
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki! No way, he's on the list?!"
"Insane! Intern under him? I'm not trying to die on my first day on the Grand Line!"
"Yeah, but Sakazuki's record is the best…"
"I'm picking Jeando. At least I'll survive…"
"Quiet!" Zephyr roared again. "We'll begin with the Monster Class. Step out in order and report your choice!"
"Hina! Step forward!"
Hina stepped out without a moment's hesitation and saluted. "Reporting! I choose Vice Admiral Strawberry's assault fleet!"
Zephyr nodded. "Reason."
"Reporting! Hina believes assault warfare is the fastest way to hone real combat and command ability!"
"Good. Approved."
He was clearly pleased. "Next! Smoker!"
Smoker strode out, voice hoarse but loud. "Reporting! I choose—"
He glanced at the list, a flash of fervor in his eyes. "Vice Admiral Sakazuki's warship!"
He was going for the strongest.
"Denied." Zephyr rejected it without even thinking.
"Why?!" Smoker blurted out.
"Your temper's too hot—you're just like Sakazuki," Zephyr snapped.
He scribbled a note. "Smoker! You're assigned to… Vice Admiral Kuzan's warship. Go cool your head for three months!"
"I—!" Smoker's face turned dark purple, but faced with Zephyr's absolute authority, all he could do was shout, teeth grinding, "…Yes, sir!!"
Recruits filed up one after another.
After a long struggle, Rosinante finally shuffled out and picked Vice Admiral Jeando's ship.
His timid demeanor drew snickers—but it also livened up Jeando's group quite a bit.
Another face Rain recognized—T. Bone, with his distinctive square jaw—didn't hesitate before picking Vice Admiral Momonga's ship. A swordsman through and through.
Most Monster Class and a handful of Elite Class chose Momonga, Strawberry, or Doberman.
The rest flocked to Jeando's warship.
Soon, all but one name had people beneath it.
Under Sakazuki's name, the space was completely empty.
No one dared choose him.
Sakazuki himself wasn't present on the platform, but the colonel recording assignments already looked sour.
Zephyr frowned. It was exactly what he'd expected.
"Last," he said, looking toward the handful of remaining Elite Class recruits. "Rain! Step out!"
Swish—
Every gaze shifted to Rain.
Over these eight months, Rain's name had spread through the camp—mostly as infamy.
Somehow, word had gotten out that "Rear Admiral Gion gives Rain private training every night."
Overnight, he had become public enemy number one among the recruits—especially the men.
Jealousy, envy, and endless "why him?!" commentary had become a daily background noise.
As for who first leaked the news, tight-lipped Smoker swore he had no idea.
"Who's Rain gonna pick?"
"Gotta be Vice Admiral Momonga—he's been practicing sword every day."
"No, I bet he picks Jeando. He looks like someone who hates trouble, no way he'd go somewhere dangerous."
Gion watched him with obvious interest too. She was genuinely curious what choice this fascinating boy would make.
Under everyone's stare, Rain calmly stepped out of the formation.
He stood straight, scanning the six names.
His gaze stopped on the one no one had touched—the one synonymous with "death" and "iron-fisted justice."
A cold excitement stirred in his chest.
Come on. If you're doing an internship, you pick the highest performer.
Sakazuki hates pirates more than anyone. Three months under him… how many pirates could I clean up?
With that thought, Rain took a step forward.
In total silence, his clear, steady voice carried across the entire plaza.
"Reporting, Chief Instructor Zephyr! I request assignment to—"
"—Vice Admiral Sakazuki's internship fleet!"
For three full seconds, the world went dead quiet.
Then the plaza erupted, louder than when the list had first been read.
"He's insane! He's completely insane!!"
"Did Gion fry his brain in training? How dare he choose Sakazuki?!"
"Is he not afraid of dying or what?!"
"God… the first one… and the only one…"
On the platform, even the colonel taking notes glanced up to double-check.
The playful smile on Gion's face faded slightly. She raised a brow, intrigued.
Surprise flickered in her eyes—but mostly, it was the look of someone thinking: just as I thought.
Even Zephyr hadn't expected that choice. He glared hard at Rain.
"Rain! Are you sure?! This is no joke!"
Rain lifted his head and met his gaze, eyes steady, without a trace of hesitation.
"Reporting, Chief Instructor! I'm sure!"
"A Marine's duty is to wipe out evil. I want to go to the front line and see the most absolute form of justice!"
Righteous as the words were, even Zephyr couldn't refute them immediately.
"…" He stared at Rain in silence for ten long seconds.
"…Fine." He finally nodded and signed off. "Approved. But remember what you just said, Rain. If you die out there, no one's bringing your body back."
"Yes, sir!!"