Zephyr raised his hand, silencing the commotion among the recruits.
"Silence!"
"Next, I will announce the internship fleets available for selection! Each of you will have one chance to choose for yourselves! Of course, I will also make adjustments based on your individual traits!"
Zephyr picked up the list.
The entire plaza fell so quiet that you could hear a pin drop.
"First ship! The warship of Vice Admiral John Giant!"
Zephyr spoke in a deep voice.
"Vice Admiral John Giant is responsible for coastal patrols. He is a kind man, and his fleet is suitable for learning basic naval warfare and intelligence gathering. Those who want a solid foundation and are afraid of dying can choose him!"
A stir ran through the ranks.
Many recruits who felt their strength was lacking were clearly interested.
"Second ship! The warship of Vice Admiral Momonga!"
"Vice Admiral Momonga is responsible for patrolling the main routes of the Grand Line, and he is also a master swordsman. All recruits who use swordsmanship as their main combat style should give him priority!"
In the line, several recruits carrying swords, including Aiden, drew glances from those around them.
Gion also looked at Aiden with interest, wanting to see what he would choose.
"Third ship! The warship of Vice Admiral Yamakaji!"
"Vice Admiral Yamakaji is stationed near Marineford all year round. His style is steady, and his tactics are mature. He is suitable for those who want to learn fleet command and positional warfare."
"Fourth ship! The warship of Vice Admiral Strawberry!"
"Vice Admiral Strawberry is responsible for patrolling the second half of the Grand Line. He specializes in assault combat and is suitable for those who want to improve their real combat ability as quickly as possible!"
As soon as those words were spoken, Hina's eyes lit up.
"Fifth ship! The warship of Vice Admiral Kuzan!"
"Vice Admiral Kuzan is responsible for cruising near the entrance to the New World. Although he believes in 'Lazy Justice,' do not be fooled by his relaxed appearance. His strength is unfathomable. He is suitable for those... well, those who need to cool their heads a little."
When Zephyr said this, he gave Smoker a meaningful glance.
"Finally!"
Zephyr's tone turned extremely solemn.
"Sixth ship! The warship of Vice Admiral Sakazuki!"
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki is responsible for the heaviest combat missions, clearing pirates in the first half of the Grand Line. He believes in 'Absolute Justice'!"
Zephyr's voice rose, carrying a severity unlike before.
"His ship has the highest casualty rate year after year! There is not a shred of mercy and not a hint of hesitation! Therefore, I only recommend him to those who are not afraid to die and have the resolve to see it through!"
BOOM!!
The moment the list was finished, the entire plaza exploded into heated discussion.
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki! He's actually an option!"
"Is this a joke? Interning on his ship? I don't want to die on the Grand Line on my first day!"
"But... Vice Admiral Sakazuki has the highest combat record!"
"I think I'll still choose Vice Admiral John Giant. At least I'll survive..."
"Silence!" Zephyr roared again.
"Now, starting with the Monster Class, step forward in order and declare your choice!"
"Hina! Step forward!"
Hina stepped out without hesitation and saluted.
"Reporting! I choose Vice Admiral Strawberry's assault fleet!"
Zephyr nodded.
"Reason."
"Reporting! Hina believes assault combat is the fastest way to sharpen real combat and command skills!"
"Very good. Approved!"
Zephyr was very satisfied.
"Next! Smoker!"
Smoker strode forward, his voice hoarse but loud.
"Reporting! I choose..."
He glanced at the list, and a spark of fanaticism flashed in his eyes.
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki's warship!"
He wanted to choose the strongest.
"Rejected."
Zephyr did not even pause before shutting him down.
"Why?!" Smoker instantly grew anxious.
"Your personality is too impulsive, just like Sakazuki's!" Zephyr glared at him.
Then, with a broad stroke of his pen, he shouted, "Smoker! You are assigned to Vice Admiral Kuzan's warship! Go cool your head for three months!"
"I...!"
Smoker's face instantly turned red with frustration, but under Zephyr's stern and unquestionable gaze, he could only roar unwillingly, "...YES!!"
Next, the recruits stepped forward one by one to make their choices.
After hesitating for a long time, Rosinante shuffled forward and chose Vice Admiral John Giant's ship.
His clumsy manner drew laughter from many people, but it also brightened the mood in John Giant's group.
Another person Aiden remembered, the square-faced T-Bone, chose Vice Admiral Momonga's ship without hesitation, clearly showing that he was a dedicated swordsman.
Most of the Monster Class and a few members of the Elite Class chose Momonga, Strawberry, or Yamakaji.
The remaining students all flocked to John Giant's warship.
Soon, the lists under the five Vice Admirals were full.
Only one remained.
Under Sakazuki's name, it was completely empty.
Not a single person dared to choose him.
On the high platform, Sakazuki himself was not present, but the Marine Captain responsible for recording names already looked sour.
Zephyr frowned.
This was within his expectations.
"Finally!"
He looked at the last few people in the Elite Class.
"Aiden! Step forward!"
Swish!
All eyes instantly focused on Aiden.
Over the past six months, Aiden's name had become known to everyone in the recruit camp, but mostly because of his "bad reputation."
Someone had leaked the news that "Miss Gion gives Aiden private training every night."
Because of this, Aiden had become the public enemy of all the recruits, especially the men.
Jealousy, envy, and bitter comments like "Why him?" had become a daily occurrence.
As for who had leaked the news first, Smoker, who usually "kept his mouth shut," claimed he had no idea.
"Who will Aiden choose?"
"It has to be Vice Admiral Momonga! Hasn't he been training his swordsmanship?"
"No, I bet he picks Vice Admiral John Giant. He looks like he hates trouble, so he definitely won't want to go anywhere dangerous."
Gion also watched him with great interest.
She was curious what choice this interesting young man would make.
Under the gaze of the crowd, Aiden calmly stepped out of the ranks.
He stood straight, his eyes sweeping over the six names.
In the end, his gaze landed on the one no one wanted, the name that represented death, iron, and blood.
A cold wave of excitement rose inside him.
Are you kidding me?
Of course I'm choosing the one with the best combat record for my internship.
Sakazuki hates evil more than anyone. If I follow him for three months, who knows how many pirates I'll be able to take down?
With that thought, Aiden stepped forward.
In the dead silence of the plaza, his calm and steady voice rang out clearly.
"Reporting to Chief Instructor Zephyr! I apply to join..."
"Vice Admiral Sakazuki's internship fleet!"
The moment he said it, the plaza fell into a deathly silence for three full seconds.
Then, with a BOOM, an uproar erupted a hundred times louder than when the list had first been announced.
"He's crazy! He's completely lost it!!"
"Did Gion train Aiden into an idiot? He actually dares to choose Sakazuki?!"
"Is he not afraid of dying?!"
"Heavens, the first and only one..."
On the platform, even the Captain in charge of recording names shot him a questioning look.
The playful smile on Gion's face faded slightly, and she raised one eyebrow with interest.
A trace of surprise appeared in her eyes, but even more than that, it was the look of someone thinking, I knew it.
Zephyr had not expected Aiden's choice either.
He stared at him sharply.
"Aiden! Are you certain?! This is not a game!"
Aiden looked up and met Zephyr's gaze.
His eyes were firm, without the slightest hesitation.
"Reporting to the Chief Instructor! I am certain!"
"A Marine's duty is to eliminate evil! I want to go to the front lines and witness the most thorough form of Justice!"
Faced with words filled with righteous conviction, Zephyr found himself unable to argue for a moment.
"..."
Zephyr looked at him in silence for a full ten seconds.
"...Fine."
He finally nodded and marked the list.
"I approve. But Aiden, remember your words. If you die at sea, no one will collect your body!"
"YES!!"