Chapter 128: Luffy's Graduation Exam
Loguetown
The afternoon sun poured over the horizon, bathing the streets and harbor of Loguetown in a golden glow, softening the edges of the "Town of the Beginning and the End."
On the pier, sea birds circled overhead in the gentle breeze. Smoker stood straight, his Justice coat fluttering, cigar smoke curling around his face.
Beside him, Hina had swapped her uniform for a sharp, casual suit. She leaned elegantly against the railing, holding a slim cigarette, blowing smoke with a hint of amusement in her eyes.
She was on leave and had come to visit Smoker, but hearing that Roy's group was returning from the East Blue, she decided to wait at the pier with him.
"FWOOSH—!"
The air vibrated, and with a soft sound, space twisted. Three figures appeared out of thin air in the middle of the pier.
"YO! Smoky! Hina!" Luffy, barely finding his footing, was already waving his arms enthusiastically like a monkey released from its cage.
"Still loud. Still annoying," Smoker grunted, raising an eyebrow. His tone was gruff, but the corner of his mouth twitched upward.
"And you're still the same, always so serious," Hina chuckled. She turned her gaze to the tall, composed man standing next to the boys. "Long time no see~ Roy. Was the trip to the East Blue smooth?"
Roy smiled. "Long time no see~ Hina. On vacation?"
"Everything went as expected. I'll leave the cleanup of the branch to you guys."
"Relax. Smoker's here," Hina flicked ash from her cigarette, her eyes sharp and confident.
Ace walked up and patted Smoker on the shoulder, grinning. "I heard Gin actually turned himself in?"
Smoker's expression grew serious, and he nodded slowly. "Yeah. Two days ago. He walked up to the branch gates alone, knelt down, and surrendered."
"He even brought a thick book of confessions, written stroke by stroke... like he used every ounce of his strength to repent."
"His eyes... they weren't lying." He paused for a moment.
Hina's smile faded. "The report has been sent to HQ. Impel Down sent a ship to pick him up. Direct transport. Initial sentence is five years."
The air grew quiet for a moment.
Ace dropped his joking tone, his voice low. "That guy... he was actually serious."
Roy looked out at the horizon, his voice tinged with emotion. "For a man, the hardest thing isn't fighting. It's bowing your head and admitting you were wrong."
After a moment of silence, they exchanged documents. Roy handed a sealed scroll to Smoker.
"Fleet Admiral's direct orders. The list of remaining problem targets is here. You need to oversee the cleanup operation in the East Blue. Don't let any more fish slip through the net."
Smoker took the scroll and nodded. "Understood."
Handover complete, Luffy had already bounced onto the warship, shouting from the deck, "Smoky! When I graduate, I'm coming back to fight you!"
Ace waved to Hina. "Hina, treat us to drinks next time!"
"You brats..." Smoker's mouth twitched, but he couldn't hide his grin. "Become adults first, you little drunks."
Hina waved back, smiling. "Safe travels. Don't run off again."
"Alright," Roy said, standing at the bow, his gaze burning. "Let's go. Back to Marineford."
"FWOOSH—!!"
Space trembled again, and the entire warship vanished in a ripple, like a sail caught in a gale, leaving only a thin disturbance on the water.
The pier returned to calm. The sea breeze blew gently.
Smoker chewed on his cigar, standing there for a long time. He exhaled a cloud of smoke. "...Those guys are faster than the wind."
Hina stood beside him, brushing a stray hair from her face. She smiled softly. "They are the new wave of this era."
Marine Headquarters - Marineford
Afternoon sunlight glinted off the majestic white buildings, the dome of Marineford shining like metal.
At the port, the flags of Justice snapped in the wind as soldiers efficiently loaded supplies.
"BOOM—!"
A spatial tremor hit suddenly. With a soft sound, a warship tore through reality, appearing right in the center of the harbor!
"It's Vice Admiral Roy's ship!"
"And Captain Ace, and the monster rookie from the training camp—Luffy!"
The port erupted into activity. Soldiers saluted, their eyes filled with awe and admiration.
Ace stood at the railing, stretching lazily, his uniform flapping to reveal his toned muscles. "Haaah—finally back. I'm sleeping till noon tomorrow..."
"I'm starving! I'm starving! I want beef for a hundred people! I'm gonna eat the entire cafeteria!!!" Luffy was rolling on the deck, clutching his stomach and wailing.
"Dream on," Roy said coldly, tapping Luffy on the head. "Go see Instructor Zephyr first. Your graduation exam hasn't been set yet."
"EEEEEEEEEEEEHHH—?!"
Marineford - Training Ground
Under the blazing sun, the smell of gunpowder hadn't faded, mixing with the scent of sweat and metal.
Blades flashed, metal clashed.
CLANG!
Wado Ichimonji cut the air, a silver light descending like a sudden moonbeam.
Kuina moved with agile grace, her sword momentum like a storm. "You've gotten slower, Zoro!"
"You just got faster!"
Kuina, holding Wado Ichimonji, moved like lightning, her blade whistling through the air.
Her attacks were sharp and precise, every strike aiming for Zoro's vitals!
Zoro, Yubashiri in his mouth, Sandai Kitetsu and Shusui in his hands, countered with a storm of Three-Sword Style!
CLANG—! CLANG—! CLANG—!
Sparks flew. Their figures flickered around the training ground at high speed, sword intent roaring like dragons!
"One-Sword Style: Moonflower!"
Kuina stepped in, her blade drawing a silver arc straight for Zoro's throat!
Zoro's pupils shrank. He crossed his swords to block—
"Three-Sword Style: Demon Slash!"
"BOOM—!!"
A shockwave exploded, forcing both of them back several steps. But in the next second, they charged again!
"Three-Sword Style: Dragon Twister!"
"One-Sword Style: Sky Splitter!"
Sword lights crossed, sword energy exploding in the air!
The shockwave blew away iron sand and floor tiles, forcing the watching soldiers to retreat.
Offense and defense switched in an instant. The two figures flew across the training ground like a dragon fighting a tiger!
On the high platform, Zephyr stood like an iron tower, arms crossed, watching the live combat.
Just then, the air rippled.
"FWOOSH—!"
Roy, Ace, and Luffy stepped onto the platform.
Zephyr turned slightly, a smile appearing on his face.
"Hmph. The brats are back."
His gaze swept over them, locking precisely onto Luffy, who was still complaining about being hungry. He roared, "MONKEY D. LUFFY!!!"
"Your pathetic vacation is over!!"
"It is time to face the most grueling exam of your life!!!"
"NOOOOOOOOOO—I HAVEN'T EATEN YET!!!!" Luffy turned pale, his body visibly trembling.
Ace was pounding the floor laughing, his face cramping. "Bwahahahaha... just like me back then. Karma comes around, nobody escapes Zephyr's hell course..."
Clearly remembering his own traumatic experience of being trained half to death by Zephyr.
Roy patted Luffy on the shoulder calmly. "Good luck. I believe in you."
Luffy looked ready to cry. "Big Bro Roy! You know how twisted Instructor Zephyr's exams are!"
Roy crossed his arms, expression calm. "Instructor Zephyr, what is the exam content?"
Zephyr's grin widened slowly. His voice was low and heavy, but it silenced the entire training ground:
"Luffy, Zoro, and Kuina will work together. Within one week, you are to crush the 'Tyrannosaurus' Pirates, currently active in the northern waters of the New World!
"The enemy captain has a bounty of 680 million Beri. He is extremely brutal, having attacked multiple towns and slaughtered ship crews.
"I have decided to make him the target of Luffy's 'Graduation Exam'!!"
On the training ground, Kuina and Zoro stopped fighting, looking up at the platform in surprise.
"New World... Tyrannosaurus Pirates? 680 million bounty?" Zoro licked his lips, fighting spirit rising. "Finally, a decent opponent."
Kuina lifted her chin. "Just in time to stretch my muscles."
Zephyr sneered, turning and waving a large hand. "Move out! Three-man cooperative hunting mission, begin immediately!"
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