Morning dawned with the air of tension and anticipation as the elite class gathered at the bustling naval port. The warship assigned to their mission stood ready, its pristine hull reflecting the golden rays of sunlight. Despite the usual noise of dockworkers and the creaking of ships, a heavy silence enveloped the group.
Satoru leaned casually against a railing, his indifferent expression betraying no hint of nervousness. Meanwhile, the others exchanged uneasy glances, their gazes occasionally flickering toward the towering naval headquarters in the distance, hoping to catch a glimpse of Zefa.
But Zefa never appeared.
---
"It seems like Instructor Zefa really doesn't plan to accompany us," one trainee murmured, breaking the silence as they stepped onto the warship.
"Of course not," another responded with a resigned sigh. "This is how it always works for the elite class. Graduation assessments are meant to test us in real combat, without our instructor's safety net."
Chris, standing at the helm, scanned the gathered group. "Listen up. The Evil Skull Pirates are expected to arrive at the Chambord Islands tomorrow. That's where we'll intercept them. Get to your stations and prepare for departure!"
The trainees quickly snapped into action, each assuming their assigned roles. While the warship began to glide out of the port, Satoru glanced back toward the towering headquarters. He could feel Zefa's watchful eyes on them from afar, a silent reassurance that they were not entirely alone.
---
Inside the highest chamber of the Navy Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Sengoku stood beside Zefa, watching the warship sail into the horizon.
"Don't you think assigning the Evil Skull Pirates to these rookies is a bit extreme?" Sengoku asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Zefa crossed his arms, his gaze unwavering. "If it were just those kids, I'd agree. But with Satoru among them, it's more than manageable."
Sengoku's brow furrowed. "That boy… has his strength truly reached such levels? Pirates with bounties over 300 million require seasoned vice admirals. Can he handle that?"
Zefa smirked. "You underestimate him. If the enemy doesn't possess Conqueror's Haki or advanced Armament, even a pirate with a billion-berry bounty wouldn't be much of a challenge for him. His growth rate is unparalleled."
The Fleet Admiral's eyes widened at the statement. "A billion…? Are you saying he's already approaching the strength of an admiral?"
"Not yet," Zefa admitted. "But give him another year, and I won't stand a chance against him in a direct fight. His strength grows exponentially with time. Unlike others who hit a plateau, Satoru only gets stronger as his body matures."
Sengoku leaned back, his expression a mixture of disbelief and joy. "If he continues at this pace, the Navy might soon have four admirals. That could finally tilt the balance in our favor against the New World."
---
As the warship cut through the waves, Chris gathered the crew on the deck for a final briefing.
"Our target is the Evil Skull Pirates. Their captain holds a bounty of 320 million, and their co-captain is at 130 million. This won't be an easy fight, but we've trained for this moment. Stick to the plan, and we'll get through this."
Despite Chris's confident tone, unease rippled through the group. Most of them were aware of their lack of real combat experience. Pirates of this caliber were leagues above anything they'd faced before.
"Don't worry too much," a voice interrupted their thoughts. Everyone turned to see Satoru lounging against the mast, a faint smile on his lips. "As long as you don't get in my way, I'll make sure you survive."
Though his words carried a teasing edge, the underlying confidence in his tone reassured the crew.
---
Back at headquarters, Sengoku sighed deeply as he returned to his desk. "Zefa, I hope you're right about this."
Zefa's gaze remained fixed on the horizon. "Don't worry. Satoru isn't just another recruit. He's a force of nature. And if he's on that warship, those kids have nothing to fear."