That’s right.
Roy was naturally well aware of it by now.
The strongest military force under the World Government was, of course, the Navy.
But the Navy was by no means the World Government’s only military branch.
Beyond the Navy, the World Government possessed several sizable elite forces—and the renowned Commander-in-Chief of the World Government, “Steel Bone” Kong, served as the supreme commander of all these forces.
Among them was the Inter-Kingdom Guard, responsible for garrisoning the territories of the World Government’s affiliated nations and wiping out mountain bandits and the Revolutionary Army.
There was also the Sky-Guard, tasked with stationing at the “West Sky Summit” to ensure safe passage along the Sky Island routes.
And the Patrol Corps, specifically assigned to patrol the Red Line and ensure the security of Mary Geoise.
Of course, the overall strength of these forces paled in comparison to the Navy, and they enjoyed little renown across the world.
Even so, they were not lacking in powerful individuals.
As for the organizations directly under the World Government, it went without saying—that naturally referred to the secret intelligence agency Cipher Pol, commonly known as CP.
And according to Smoker, these factions would all send representatives to participate in this upcoming Tri-Service Tournament.
That was why Roy was genuinely surprised right now—he hadn’t expected that hijacking the Heavenly Tribute with his clone would lead to an outcome like this.
“Puff…
Yeah.” Smoker exhaled a stream of smoke and nodded.
“That’s why the scale of this tournament is far beyond anything in the past, and word has it the rules are very unusual too.” His voice carried a faint trace of excitement and eager anticipation.
“The rewards for this tournament are equally astonishing.
While it can’t compare to the World Military Draft that directly selects Admirals, rumor has it that the winner can be granted an extraordinary promotion to Admiral Candidate!” “Those in the top five can be directly promoted to Vice Admiral or Commodore!” Admiral Candidate—just as the name implied.
Although their military rank remained HQ Vice Admiral, they held a special status, enjoying code names unique to Admirals and commanding significantly greater authority.
Furthermore, when an Admiral retired, as long as no World Military Draft was held to select new Admirals directly, the Admiral Candidates would step up to fill the vacancy.
And as long as one was a man, they would naturally long for fame and power to some degree.
Even Smoker was no exception—he believed his own strength was by no means weak and that he possessed what it took to make a name for himself in the Tri-Service Tournament.
Speaking up to this point, he cast a look at Roy.
“…Hey, you’re not planning to get yourself promoted to Commodore or Vice Admiral and then make me your adjutant, are you?” Roy immediately saw through his sinister intent.
“Puff…
I’m not saying I insist on doing that,” Smoker didn’t deny that he had considered it.
“After all, it’s the Tri-Service Tournament.
The number of monsters participating will definitely be beyond belief.” “Don’t worry, I definitely won’t let you reach the top three,” Roy said flatly.
Smoker sneered upon hearing this.
“Try it if you can.” As the two were bickering— “Senior Smoker.” A voice suddenly came from ahead.
Roy snapped back from his thoughts and noticed that they had unwittingly arrived at a Marine training ground.
Surrounding them were a fair number of patrolling Marines, organized in disciplined, neat formations that clearly belonged to the elite.
The speaker was a man.
He was clad in ninja attire, with exceptionally long limbs.
He held a tree branch in his hand, and strapped to his back were a green nodachi and a giant kunai.
Had it not been for the Marine uniform he wore over his outfit, Roy almost would have taken him for an infiltrator.
But right now…
[Discovered Devil Fruit User ‘Binz’] [Confirmed Devil Fruit: Paramecia · Grow-Grow Fruit.
Analyzing and storing in ‘Fruit Encyclopedia’] [Fruit Ability: Can accelerate plant growth and manipulate plants] [Level Effects] [LV1: Gain faint Fruit effect; slightly enhances plant growth speed by 3×] [LV2: Gain partial Fruit effect; greatly enhances plant growth speed by 10×; requires 80,000,000 / 33,000,000 Berries to unlock permanently/temporarily] [LV3: Gain full Fruit effect; allows plants to instantly mature and manipulate them; requires 500,000,000 / 200,000,000 Berries to unlock permanently/temporarily] [LV4: Deep Fruit development; manipulate plants for finer transformations and control; create ‘Plant Clones’; synchronize perception with plants; requires 1,200,000,000 / 400,000,000 Berries to unlock permanently/temporarily] [LV5: Fruit Awakening · Lush Vitality; gain plant-like tenacious life force; reconstruct body through plant-like ‘limb reattachment’; absorb surrounding moisture and life force to heal self; make plants grow far beyond normal size; requires 7,000,000,000 / 2,300,000,000 Berries to unlock permanently/temporarily] [Analysis Progress: 0%.
Upon completion, LV1 Fruit ability will be granted] The information from the Fruit Encyclopedia confirmed the man’s identity to Roy, while also confirming beyond doubt whom Smoker had brought him here to see.
“Binz, why are you alone?
Where’s Ain?
Where’s Instructor Zephyr?” And now, Smoker’s words corroborated his deduction.
Zephyr—former Marine Admiral and former Chief Instructor of Marine recruits.
He had enlisted in the same year as Marine Hero Garp, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, and Chief Staff Officer Tsuru.
Once renowned across the seas for his mighty Armament Haki, he had vanquished countless pirates and earned the moniker “Black Arm” Zephyr.
Later, disillusioned after pirates killed his wife and child in revenge, he stepped down as Admiral and turned to training Marine recruits, raising a vast number of elite Marine powerhouses.
For instance, the three current Admirals—Aokiji, Akainu, and Kizaru—had all been his prize pupils.
As a side note, Smoker had also been his student, whereas Roy had not—after recruit training ended, only a select portion of elite recruits received training directly under Zephyr.
Back then, Roy had already volunteered to serve in the Custody Unit, missing the chance to be taught by Zephyr.
But clearly, Vice Admiral Bilos was now allowing Roy to make up for that regret.
“Ain went out on a mission.
As for Master Zephyr, he went to the SSG [Special Science Group] and should be back in a bit.” The man named Binz answered Smoker’s question while turning his eyes onto Roy.
“This must be Major Roy, right?” “That’s right.” Snapping back to reality, Roy hesitated before speaking up.
“The instructor Vice Admiral Bilos found for me is Admiral Zephyr?
But as far as I know, shouldn’t he have…” He didn’t finish his sentence, but both Binz and Smoker clearly understood what he meant.
Four years ago, the training fleet led by Zephyr was ambushed by pirates during a mission.
On that ship, the vast majority of the disciples he had lovingly trained perished, and Zephyr lost an arm while suffering severe injuries.
Since then, he had completely retreated to the background.
“Yeah.
Ever since that incident, Master hasn’t trained recruits for a long time,” Binz said in a heavy tone.
He was one of only two Marines who had survived that ship.
“However, he and Vice Admiral Bilos are old friends, which is why he made a special exception for this request.” Binz briefly explained before adding, “Follow me.” He turned and walked toward the depths of the training ground.
Roy and Smoker naturally followed close behind.
Soon, they arrived at a training arena that was clearly distinct from the rest.
The perimeter lacked ordinary training equipment, surrounded instead by massive iron walls.
At the far end stood a building emblazoned with a distinct “Z” emblem.
“Master Zephyr asked you to wait for him here.
He should be back soon.” After saying this, Binz sat down cross-legged and said no more.
Seeing this, Roy and Smoker naturally followed suit.
“Don’t mind him.
Binz is a good guy, he just doesn’t talk much because of what happened four years ago.” Smoker offered a rare word of explanation.
He was a rebellious fellow, but he felt genuine gratitude toward Zephyr.
“Understood.” Naturally, Roy didn’t care about such trifles.
In fact, he was quite pleased with the quiet moment.
*The Grow-Grow Fruit…
Not a bad ability.
It could work wonders in certain special terrains.* *A pity Ain isn’t here—if I recall, that girl is an ability user too, and her power is ridiculously broken.* Watching the progress numbers steadily climb in his Fruit Encyclopedia, Roy recalled the details.
Ain was the other survivor from the attack four years ago.
Her Devil Fruit was the Return-Return Fruit.
Its ability de-aged anything she touched—one of the few Devil Fruits Roy knew of that touched upon the domain of time.
Just as Roy was thinking about making sure he got his hands on the Return-Return Fruit ability later— “Oh?
You’re already here?!” An aged yet boisterous voice echoed through the training ground.
A tall figure stepped into the arena.
He had resolute features and a towering, burly frame, dressed in a dark purple sleeveless vest beneath a draped Marine coat.
Years and combat had left deep marks across his body, yet they did not diminish his aura as a top-tier powerhouse in the slightest.
Most eye-catching was his right arm, which was severed clean from the shoulder, currently fitted with only a few specialized metal components.
That was none other than…
“Black Arm” Zephyr.
“Admiral Zephyr.” Seeing the former Admiral, Roy naturally stood up to salute.
But before he could speak— “You’re the Roy kid, aren’t you?” He saw a broad grin spread across Zephyr’s face.
“Bilos told me about you.
He said you’re the most promising youngster in the entire Custody Unit…
But I don’t believe in mere words!” As he spoke, Roy watched the former Admiral’s body vanish from the spot with a sharp *whoosh*.
That was Sori—and his speed was faster than anything Roy had ever witnessed!
Then— “My rule here is simple—let your fists speak!” Roy felt a fierce gale rushing past his ears.