One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

While Wright was handing over the captured Arlong Pirates at Impel Down, the Navy Headquarters' annual "entrance exam"—or rather, the new recruit training camp's field combat exercise—was in full swing.

"Teacher Zephyr!"

A beautiful female cadet, Ain, a Paramecia-type Devil Fruit user with the powers of the Return-Return Fruit, reported to the man draped in a Justice cloak, gazing pensively at the sea.

"Instructor Cancer was urgently called back midway through this exercise. Should we return to the headquarters for a break?"

"If even a commodore like Cancer is being called back, it seems the headquarters truly lacks manpower."

Zephyr turned around and looked at the top-ranking cadet of this year's elite squad.

"Ain, you excel not only in combat but also in military strategy and everyday management. Handling tasks like record-keeping should be trivial for someone of your caliber.

"As for protection, don't forget—I am a former Navy Admiral, after all!"

"Teacher Zephyr..." Ain blushed slightly. "I wouldn't say I'm that exceptional… Compared to Vice Admiral Wright back in his day, I'm still far behind."

Zephyr's expression turned peculiar. "Oh? Ain, are you another one of Wright's admirers?"

"Vice Admiral Wright... It's hard not to admire him," Ain said, her face reddening as she lowered her head. "With the Lightforged Crystals becoming nearly public knowledge now, many Marines who had long suspected their existence are openly saying they owe Vice Admiral Wright their lives."

"That's true…" Zephyr's gaze softened, his mind drifting. "Back when he transferred into the academy, he was just a kid… And now, he's already a Vice Admiral!"

Ain covered her mouth and giggled. "If Teacher Zephyr wants to see what Vice Admiral Wright was like as a kid, maybe I can help~"

"Hahaha… That would certainly be interesting!" Zephyr laughed heartily. "Though Wright himself would probably be quite distressed about it! Hahaha!"

"Teacher Zephyr! We're approaching the designated location!"

The report came from a cadet whose appearance could only be described as… imaginative.

Binz, a Paramecia-type Grow-Grow Fruit user and an apparent ninja enthusiast before joining the Navy, had fully embraced his peculiar looks and powers, aspiring to become a real ninja. Despite his odd appearance, Binz trained rigorously under Zephyr's guidance, earning second place in the elite squad and Zephyr's praise.

Unlike Binz, Ain came from a loving family, though she was orphaned after her parents' untimely death. By chance, she consumed a Devil Fruit while wandering aimlessly and was discovered by local Marines. To escape a life of drifting, she enlisted.

In the Navy, Ain immersed herself in her love for history, geography, and military strategy. Alongside her studies, she honed exceptional dual-sword techniques and proficient marksmanship. With her Devil Fruit abilities, she consistently outperformed her peers, earning the top spot in her training camp and Zephyr's trust.

Knowing Zephyr's past, Ain respected him as a father figure, while harboring disdain for pirates who hated Zephyr yet targeted his family.

"Time flies…" Zephyr muttered, regaining focus. "Inform the entire ship—be on alert and prepare for combat!" He instructed Ain. "Start recording the cadets' performances. I'll guide you during the exercise."

"Understood, Teacher Zephyr!" Ain promptly gathered the recording tools and stood beside Zephyr.

"Teacher Zephyr! Something seems off!" Binz reported, his voice tinged with confusion. "Scouts have reported a battle on the target island!"

"Hmm? What's going on?" Zephyr frowned. For some reason, the report filled him with unease.

"The pirate crew we targeted for this exercise… it appears they're being slaughtered!"

"What? Is it the Marines? Then why hasn't the headquarters notified us? Pirates?"

"We can't confirm… The scouts say it's just one person!"

"One person?!"

Zephyr's expression turned grim as he strode to the bow. "Issue the highest-level alert! No cadet is to engage without orders!"

"Yes, sir!"

On a small, relatively lush island with fresh water—ideal for resupplying ships—the targeted pirate crew had been resting and restocking.

Half a day earlier, a small boat had arrived at the island carrying only two people: an old hag and a massive oaf.

The old hag, calling herself "Miss Buckin," referred to the giant as her "son." With garish red lipstick, a face full of wrinkles, sunglasses, a leopard-print coat, and jewelry covering her body, she looked every bit the nouveau riche. She leaned on a small cane as she barked orders.

The big oaf was an enormous man with an absurdly disproportionate physique—his upper body balloon-like with rolls of fat, supported by unnaturally thin legs. His long blond hair reached his heels, and he sported a peculiar crescent-shaped mustache.

What was most horrifying, however, were the stitches crisscrossing his body, neck, and wrists—evidence of unspeakable trauma.

Despite his childlike intellect, the oaf wielded an enormous naginata with frightening ease. He obeyed Miss Buckin's every word, responding to her scoldings like a scolded toddler.

When the pirate captain spotted the naive-looking oaf, he saw an easy mark. Eyeing the treasures Miss Buckin flaunted, he decided to seize their riches.

But before he could act, Miss Buckin sneered. "My dear son! Kill these worthless pests for your mother!"

"This pirate crew looks quite wealthy. Their treasure is mine now!"

"Okay, Mom!"

What followed was a massacre. The oaf, despite his bumbling demeanor, unleashed raw brutality. With a single swing of his naginata, he obliterated the pirates. The captain, trembling and desperate to plead for mercy, was silenced in one stroke.

On the shore, Zephyr's training vessel prepared to dock.

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