Chapter 33: The Crucible
Time flew by in a rhythm of relentless training. In what felt like a blink, two years had passed.
Satoru's growth had been explosive. While his classmates had improved steadily, the gap between them had only widened. If they were to fight again now, the result would be the same as two years prior—a swift, one-sided defeat, perhaps even faster.
Zephyr, observing Satoru's progress, was the most astonished of all. Even without using Infinity, the boy was now a handful for the former Admiral. While Satoru's overall power wasn't yet at Admiral standard, it was formidable. His evolved Black Flash: Shigan—a Finger Gun empowered by his amplified strike—packed a piercing force comparable to a Vice Admiral's attack.
"Today," Zephyr announced, his voice echoing across the now-familiar training ground, "is your graduation day."
A wave of exhilaration swept through the thirty cadets—all except Satoru. For them, graduation meant commission as officers, a starting rank far above the common recruit.
"But before you don those new ranks," Zephyr continued, his tone hardening, "you have one final trial. A real graduation assessment. This is not a simulation. You will face actual pirates. The risk of death is constant. If your entire unit is wiped out... no one will be held accountable but yourselves and your own insufficient strength. Do you understand?"
The celebratory mood vanished, replaced by a grim, focused silence. They'd all heard the stories. The last elite class, during their assessment, had run afoul of a powerful pirate crew with three members boasting bounties over 100 million Berries. Half of that class had been lost. It was only Zephyr's personal, belated intervention that had salvaged the situation.
For this assessment, they would be on their own—a single, independent Marine vessel. If they encountered an overwhelming foe, they could signal for backup. Survival depended on holding out until help arrived.
"You know the rules," Zephyr said. "I won't repeat them. With your current level, you should be fine... provided your luck isn't catastrophically bad."
He had more confidence in this class than any before. Satoru's presence had created a pressure cooker, forcing everyone to elevate their game far beyond his original projections.
"Instructor Zephyr," Chris spoke up, voicing the question on everyone's mind. "Will Satoru... be joining us for this assessment?"
Thirty pairs of eyes locked onto Zephyr, hope blazing within them. Satoru, despite being the youngest, was their undisputed powerhouse. His presence would be a massive safety net.
"Of course," Zephyr confirmed. "His age may not meet the standard graduation requirement, but his strength surpassed most of yours long ago. He only remained to graduate alongside you."
He shot them a look of mock disappointment. "Otherwise, he'd have been commissioned years ago."
In the past, such remarks would have stung. Now, they merely accepted it. They were dealing with a different category of being.
"There's no helping it, Instructor," one cadet said with a resigned shrug. "He's a monster. We're just... normal."
Satoru's pale blue eyes flicked to the speaker, mentally filing away the 'monster' comment for later. He held grudges over the smallest things.
"Hmph! Don't make excuses for your own mediocrity!" Zephyr barked, though there was less heat in it than before. "Weak is weak. No amount of chatter changes that."
They endured the scolding. He was their teacher, and he was still mountains stronger. They could take it.
"You depart tomorrow," Zephyr stated, shifting to business. "Your target: the Evil Skull Pirates. Their captain has a bounty of 320 million Berries. The first mate is worth 130 million."
The information landed like a physical blow. The color drained from several faces. Pirates of this caliber were typically handled by Headquarters Commodores or Vice Admirals. Sending a group of cadets, even elite ones, felt like a death sentence. They had skill, but lacked the tempered edge of true combat veterans.
Then their eyes drifted to Satoru, standing calm at the front of the formation, and understanding dawned. This wasn't just their assessment. This was his final exam.
Pirates worth hundreds of millions... Satoru thought, a spark of genuine anticipation igniting in his chest. I hope they're at least somewhat interesting.
"I know fear is whispering in some of your ears," Zephyr said, his gaze sweeping over them. "But remember: you are my students. Handpicked from hundreds of thousands. Others may falter. You will not."
He launched into a rousing, classic Zephyr-style pep talk, full of duty, honor, and the iron will of the Marines. Satoru listened, fighting back a bored yawn.
"Enough talk. Rest well. You muster at the docks at dawn."
"Yes, Sir!"
The cadets filed out, leaving only Zephyr and Satoru in the emptying hall.
The legendary instructor placed a heavy hand on his apprentice's shoulder. "Bring them all back, Satoru. Every single one."
Satoru looked up at his master, his expression serene but utterly certain.
"Don't worry, Master. Unless we run into one of the true monsters from the New World... there's no one out there who can stop me."
(End of Chapter)
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