Admiral Jonathan of the Marine Headquarters stands out among most military leaders who forcefully rise through the ranks. He is a strategist with high intelligence and emotional intelligence.
The Marines can be divided into three factions: the extreme "Hawk Faction," the moderate "Dove Faction," and the Neutral Faction, which merely completes tasks assigned by superiors without strong opinions.
Although Jonathan's personality should belong to the "Dove Faction," he has been a close friend of Admiral Sakazuki, the representative of the "Hawk Faction," for many years, showcasing his intelligence and emotional intelligence.
Recently, Jonathan, who is well-liked at the Marine Headquarters, used sweet talk to successfully woo the beautiful chef Jessica from Vice Admiral Tsuru's ship. Thus, Jonathan became a popular figure, no longer a bachelor but someone everyone envies and despises.
The equally likable "Marine Hero" Vice Admiral Garp was the last person to stir such resentment. At just sixteen, Garp had already gone home to babysit his grandchildren. Garp and Zephyr were representatives of the same era in the Marines.
Admiral Jonathan, who successfully embraced beauty, gained a wave of resentment at the Marine Headquarters. Meanwhile, many people, including Vice Admiral Garp, took the opportunity to seek his advice on dating tips, including Akainu.
"You could ask her: 'There are two elephants in the circus, one named I Love You and the other called I Don't Love You. Two years later, the one I don't love died. What is left?'"
"If she answers 'elephant,' seize the chance to compliment her; it's not awkward."
"If she hesitates and doesn't answer, tell her the answer is elephant, showcasing your humor."
"If she answers 'I love you,' then congratulations. You don't need me to teach you the next steps."
Admiral Jonathan looks calm, appearing like a dating expert.
But Akainu is unsure: "Is it really that effective?"
"Anyway, that's how I won over Jessica. Whether this works on Vice Admiral Tsuru, I don't know. I can only give you advice."
Pursuing a girl isn't that simple. Before asking this question, Jonathan had laid the groundwork countless times, making this final question a natural progression for him and Jessica.
But can he say this?
Everyone at the Marine Headquarters knows that Akainu likes Vice Admiral Tsuru, who shows no interest in him.
Rather than advising Akainu to give up, they encourage him to try. If it works, that would be great.
So, when Akainu finally mustered the courage to ask the question, Tsuru's response left him confused.
With a slight smile, Tsuru leaned closer to Akainu's ear and whispered, "The answer is, of course... the corpse of the elephant I don't love!"
The cold wind made Akainu shiver.
After a while, he realized she was referring to the elephant named "I Don't Love You."
"Er... Tsuru, what did she say? I didn't hear clearly!"
Hearing Akainu's complaint, Hailan was also stunned. Even he didn't expect such an unusual response.
But the answer was utterly off-topic.
"Wait... That's not the answer. How did you ask?"
"In the circus, there are two elephants, one named I Love You and the other called I Don't Love You. Two years later, the one I don't love died. What is left?"
"... But you didn't say that yesterday?"
Akainu was surprised: "What did I say yesterday?"
Hailan was amused: "Yesterday, you said, 'In the circus, there are two elephants, one named I Love You and the other called I Don't Love You. Two years later, the one I don't love died. What is the name of what's left?'"
"... What's left is called what? My mouth slipped!"
Slap, slap, slap, slap...
Poor Akainu slapped his mouth hard, feeling that his mouth inexplicably ruined his happiness in the second half of his life.
"Hailan!"
"Yes!"
After the failed attempt, Akainu, like a guilty kitten, fled from Tsuru's sight.
Tsuru followed, catching the two in their private conversation.
With a stern expression: "You little rascal, not only are you young, but you also have many tricks. Did you teach Akainu that boring riddle game?"
"Vice Admiral Tsuru, you can't wrong a good person. It wasn't me; it was Uncle Jonathan who told Akainu."
Akainu was honest: "Yes, don't blame Hailan. It was Jonathan..."
"... Hey? Wait, why are you calling Tsuru 'Vice Admiral' but me 'Uncle'? I'm not that old!"
Friends stick together, but they sell out their friends when things go south.
Hailan didn't hesitate to declare his stance. Besides, it wasn't his fault.
"Hi, Tina. Working with Vice Admiral Tsuru on a mission must be easy, right?"
Hailan greeted the beautiful Marine soldier, Tina, behind Tsuru, then decisively distanced himself from the awkward two.
Tina, 15, belongs to the 14th Elite Training Camp at the Marine Headquarters, personally trained by Zephyr, Hailan, and Smoker.
The Marine Headquarters has many naval schools, and many young people join each year. The minimum age for Marine School is 14, followed by internships at 17 and formal enlistment at 18.
Among countless naval cadets, 30 outstanding cadets are selected each year to join the elite training camp taught personally by the former Marine Admiral, "Black Arm" Zephyr.
If someone lands 31st place, they continue regular studies, awaiting the following year's ranking exam.
If one remains in 31st place from 14 to 17, it means they have only that much ability and will be ordinary soldiers.
But there are exceptions.
Many people join the Marines after turning 17. If they have significant potential, the elite training camp expands its recruitment.
Admirals Sakazuki and Borsalino joined the first elite training camp at 23 and 26, respectively. Vice Admiral Kuzan joined the third batch at 19.
Typically, Zephyr only trains cadets for one year, meaning the year is spent under Zephyr's mentorship. However, genuinely outstanding cadets are spotted by Admirals, Vice Admirals, or Rear Admirals and are given opportunities to join combat training early, although cadets can refuse and stay with Zephyr.
Vice Admiral Tsuru selected Tina, a fellow female cadet, while the lazy Vice Admiral Kuzan somehow chose the hothead Smoker.
Hailan is an exception. Due to his unique identity, the entire Marine Headquarters is like his home; he can go as he pleases without following any regulations.
This time, it wasn't Akainu who chose him, but he decided Akainu.