Navy School.
Tsuru finally managed to pull Gion away from the training grounds.
As they reached the entrance, Gion paused and glanced back.
Her eyes drifted toward Lloyd, who was speaking quietly to Ginny.
Whatever he said made the girl giggle nervously, cheeks flushed, her tone soft and affectionate.
Gion turned away with an unreadable expression.
On the walk back, Tsuru noticed her silence.
She kept her head lowered, her steps slower than usual.
Tsuru frowned and asked in a gentle tone.
"Gion, are you still thinking about the battle? Do not dwell on it too much. Return home, train properly, and eventually you will be able to…"
She stopped mid-sentence.
She knew exactly what she had intended to say, but after witnessing Lloyd's frightening display earlier, even she couldn't bring herself to voice that promise.
Lloyd's power was overwhelming.
It did not simply exceed expectations, it destroyed them.
Even Sengoku or Garp, when they were his age, might not have fared better than Gion had today.
And that realization made Tsuru reconsider everything she had believed about genius.
Her words died in her throat.
Gion wasn't foolish.
She understood Tsuru's hesitation instantly.
Instead of looking upset, she suddenly burst into laughter.
"Tsuru Nee-san, why did you stop? Even you don't believe what you were about to say, right?"
Since her younger sister had exposed her thoughts so easily, Tsuru exhaled and spoke honestly.
"Yes. Lloyd's talent is too astonishing. If nothing unexpected happens, the rank of Admiral is only a matter of time for him."
Gion shook her head slowly, her eyes thoughtful.
"A future Admiral… You say that as though it is his limit, Tsuru Nee-san. I think your evaluation might actually be too conservative."
Tsuru looked at her with mild surprise.
"You believe he could become Fleet Admiral? That position requires far more than strength. And judging from Lloyd's personality, he is not suited for it."
The Navy at present was strongly influenced by the Dove faction, and Tsuru was one of its symbolic figures.
She had heard from Zephyr about Lloyd's ruthlessness during missions.
His cold efficiency, evident cruelty toward pirates, and manipulative streak placed him closer to the Hawk faction than anything else.
To Tsuru, someone like that could not embody the moral weight required of a Fleet Admiral.
She forced a small laugh, feeling she was getting carried away.
After all, Lloyd was still technically a cadet who hadn't even received a formal rank.
Discussing Fleet Admiral was far too premature.
Gion didn't push the topic.
Instead, she stopped walking.
Tsuru halted as well and stared at her in confusion as Gion declared seriously.
"Tsuru Nee-san, does the Navy School still accept students? I want to enroll."
"Uh… yes, they do. But the first academic year is nearly finished. If you join now, you'll enter the second batch."
Gion's face fell.
She pouted dramatically, then looped her arm around Tsuru's, leaning in and pleading.
"Tsuru Nee-san, you know Zephyr Sensei well. Getting me in as a transfer student shouldn't be that hard, right? Please help your beloved little sister just this once."
Tsuru sighed deeply.
Gion was always impossible to refuse.
Still, she tried.
"You disliked the Headquarters before. You said what Garp and I taught was nothing compared to Zephyr's. Why the sudden interest in the Navy School?"
"Oh, I simply want more opportunities to interact with Lloyd.
With a genius like him around, I'll grow stronger much faster."
Tsuru narrowed her eyes.
"Because of Lloyd? Gion, you had better not be having other thoughts about him.
Have you forgotten about Ginny?
If you intend to stir trouble, I absolutely will not agree.
If you want someone, consider Chaton instead.
His looks are average, but in all other aspects he's exceptional."
"Tsuru Nee-san, what are you even suggesting?
I was practically beaten into the ground by Lloyd.
How could I have other feelings for him?
I really just want to improve.
And please, stop mentioning Chaton.
He keeps pestering me every day and I'm exhausted."
Tsuru stared at her for a long moment.
Gion held her gaze openly, without any sign of guilt or pretense.
Eventually, Tsuru relented with a heavy sigh.
"Fine. I'll speak with Zephyr.
But you must promise that once you enter, you won't cause trouble for me."
Gion immediately lit up.
She hugged Tsuru tightly and planted a kiss on her cheek, leaving a bright red lipstick mark.
"Tsuru Nee-san is the best.
Don't worry.
I'll train seriously and make you proud."
Tsuru wiped her cheek and rolled her eyes.
"You.
Can you act more reserved?
Ginny is around your age too, and she behaves so sweetly.
Why can't you?"
Gion smirked.
"She's just acting.
Men prefer more mature women."
"You? Mature?
You're going to make me laugh."
Tsuru ignored her younger sister's offended gasp and walked ahead on her own.
Gion watched her leave, her long lashes lowering mischievously.
Her eyes curved like a sly fox's.
She reached into her pocket, pulled out a soft pink hair tie, and gathered her loose hair into a ponytail.
"Tsuru Nee-san, just wait.
Strength isn't the only way a woman can win against a man…"
A few days later.
Lloyd woke up later than usual.
He left the dormitory with Kizaru, who always arrived exactly at the last possible second.
They reached the training ground just as assembly time began.
Lloyd stepped into his usual position.
The cadets around him kept their distance instinctively.
Kizaru tilted his head, voice lazy.
"Lloyd, it's already this late and the old man still hasn't come.
You don't think he's getting so old he started sleeping in, do you?"
Lloyd's eyes didn't shift.
His voice was calm and low.
"No.
Older people tend to sleep less.
Zephyr Sensei was delayed by something."
"Tch.
Delayed by what?
If you ask me, old people should retire early.
I heard the retirement benefits for Admirals are amazing."
"So you never considered coasting your way to Admiral?"
"Of course I have.
As a man of justice, my dream has always been the seat of Admiral."
Akainu, standing rigid in standard military posture, shot him a cold sideways glance.
The contempt on his face said everything.
When the bell rang, Zephyr finally appeared.
Every cadet turned to look, and all of them froze.
A beautiful woman followed him.
Gion.
The same person who had nearly caused an uproar at the Navy School not long ago.
Whispers rippled through the ranks as Zephyr led her to the front.
He cleared his throat and addressed the formation.
"Cadets, today we have a new member joining your class.
You should already be familiar with her.
I'll let her introduce herself."