One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

At the Navy Recruit Training Grounds, Wright, hastily dressed in full uniform, was shoved to the very front of the lineup by Rosinante and Smoker.

He raised his head, utterly confused, only to see Zephyr striding into the grounds through the main gate. Following closely behind him was Shuzo—but Goomir, their instructor, was nowhere to be seen. It seemed the branch was indeed understaffed, as Goomir had already departed for his new post at the G-2 branch.

"Ten minutes until we start. Not bad, you're reasonably on time." Zephyr glanced at Wright, who had just barely settled into position, and remarked, "It's rare to see you flustered like this these days."

What? Did he deliberately not warn me ahead of time just to see me make a fool of myself? Zephyr-sensei, you've changed! You used to be so kind to me!

Wright's expression darkened, but Zephyr quickly masked his fleeting smirk with a stern demeanor, as if realizing he was breaking character. "Alright, focus up, everyone! Today, Fleet Admiral Kong, Admiral Sengoku, and several Vice Admirals stationed at headquarters will be attending this ceremony and giving speeches."

"The recruit training camp exists to cultivate the Navy's backbone. Today, you'll have the opportunity to choose which Vice Admiral's command you want to join. This is a pivotal moment in shaping your future."

"You've all heard about the reputations of these Vice Admirals during your time at Marineford. Today, they'll personally explain their philosophies on leadership and answer your questions. At the same time, they'll also be evaluating and selecting you. Make the most of this opportunity!"

Zephyr glanced at the time. "Alright, it's about to begin. The rest is up to you!"

"Thank you for your guidance, Chief Instructor!"

Outside the training grounds, Fleet Admiral Kong stood at the entrance, listening to the recruits' unified, resounding chants. A gratified smile spread across his face.

"Sengoku, Zephyr has once again cultivated an excellent batch of talent. The Navy is truly fortunate to have him. As admirals, you two have worked tirelessly to maintain stability both within and beyond the seas these past years. Your efforts have been invaluable."

Behind him, Admiral Sengoku replied solemnly, "Zephyr has always upheld the principles of a Navy Admiral, embodying unwavering justice in all his actions."

"No one has worked harder than you, Fleet Admiral… But let's not keep him waiting. Brother Kong, shall we?"

"Haha, of course!" Kong turned and pushed open the doors, stepping confidently into the training grounds. "Let's see what the future pillars of the Navy have to offer!"

Inside, Zephyr had just taken his place on the stage when the doors swung open. Entering first was a towering, muscular man with spiked hair and a bristling mustache—Fleet Admiral Kong—wearing a Justice cloak over his shoulders. Filing in behind him were:

Admiral Sengoku, sporting his signature afro, braided beard, and tinted glasses;

Vice Admiral Monkey D. Garp, with his trademark wide grin and carefree demeanor;

Vice Admiral Tsuru, a petite yet commanding woman in a lavender suit and Justice cloak;

And the younger generation of Vice Admirals: Sakazuki, Borsalino, Kuzan, Momonga, Doberman, Yamakaji, and Dalmatian.

The high-ranking officers took their seats in the guest area. Chief Instructor Zephyr motioned for Shuzo to distribute the recruits' personal files to the officers. Turning to Kong, he nodded. "Brother Kong, it's all yours."

Kong nodded back, rising to address the recruits.

"Elite recruits of the training camp, today marks a significant milestone as you step out of this camp and take your first step toward becoming the Navy's backbone!"

"In this Great Pirate Era, the challenges ahead will be even greater than those we face now. With more pirates flooding into the Grand Line, the Navy's mission to uphold peace and justice grows ever more daunting. You, as the elite of the next generation, will lay the foundation for true justice through your choices, your perseverance, and your strength!"

"Strive forward, young recruits, in the name of justice!"

"In the name of justice!" The recruits roared in unison, their voices filled with conviction. At least in this moment, the word "justice" shone brilliantly.

"What is my 'justice'?" Wright pondered as he watched Kong step down and Sengoku take the stage.

"Sengoku follows the philosophy of 'Overwhelming Justice,' a stance that ensures the Navy's authority is absolute. As Fleet Admiral, he had to adopt 'Absolute Justice' to maintain the Navy's deterrent power…"

"The future Admirals—their concepts of justice are already set. But their 'justice'… It's all about how the Navy enforces justice, never stepping outside the framework of the Navy itself."

"Heh. In this world, the Navy represents justice… But this fundamental notion is flawed. The Navy is merely a tool of the World Government, a means to enforce their will. More often than not, it serves as an instrument of 'elimination,' erasing anything that threatens the interests of the World Government and the Celestial Dragons. It's not about protecting the people—it's about protecting the status quo."

"Pirates? Protecting civilians? Those are trivial concerns when weighed against the atrocities caused by the 'Heavenly Tribute.' Compared to those, the relationship between the World Government, civilians, pirates, and the Navy is nothing more than a landlord exploiting tenants, with thieves running rampant, and hired enforcers protecting the landlord's interests…"

"The so-called justice they uphold is merely a facade for maintaining the 'landlord's'—the World Government's—power!"

"That's not real justice."

"True justice is protecting the fundamental interests of the people."

"Wright, you—"

"But… to achieve true justice, I need strength, I need allies, I need—"

"Wright!"

"And the Navy, as it stands now, is—"

"WRIGHT! You damn brat!"

"!"

Wright's drifting thoughts were abruptly yanked back by a furious shout. The moment his vision refocused, he was greeted by the sight of a massive, Haki-coated fist inches from his face. Accompanied by the booming voice of Vice Admiral Garp, the punch landed with unerring precision.

"How dare you ignore me, you little punk!"

"Huh?!"

Unsurprisingly, Wright—daydreaming, unguarded, and in the safety of the training grounds—didn't stand a chance of dodging Garp's iron fist. If he had, Garp might as well retire and spend his days babysitting his grandson.

BANG!

"It seems you've forgotten the taste of my 'Fist of Love,' Wright!" Garp stood triumphantly in Wright's previous spot, hands on his hips and laughing uproariously. Meanwhile, Wright lay face-down in the crater Garp had punched him into, his body twitching slightly. The scene was comically grotesque.

"…"

The recruits were left gaping, jaws hanging in disbelief. Zephyr facepalmed, massaging his temples. Shuzo stared at the ground intently, as if entranced by a line of ants. Sengoku's eye twitched as his outstretched hand froze mid-air, seemingly failing to stop Garp. Tsuru's lips curled into a faint smile, her gaze nostalgic. Meanwhile, the younger Vice Admirals looked on with expressions ranging from bemusement to resignation—they'd all been on the receiving end of Garp's antics at some point.

"Hahahaha!" Fleet Admiral Kong roared with laughter. "So this is the top recruit of this year's camp? Just as his profile described—interesting!" 

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