Doll!
21: The Guerrilla Unit Assembles!
Doll!
Chapter 21: The Guerrilla Unit Assembles!
Doll!
“Admiral Kizaru!” Binz’s eyes immediately lit up when he saw the newcomer, even though he was currently straining every muscle in his body while practicing Tekkai.
This was one of the three active Admirals!
Aside from the Fleet Admiral, they stood at the very top of the Marines and represented the World Government’s greatest military power.
They were practically the public face of the entire Marine organization.
Even Nate, who was concentrating on controlling his Haki, couldn’t help giving Kizaru a few extra looks.
This was his first time seeing one of this world’s true top-tier fighters in person.
‘Power level unknown.
Somehow stronger whenever the opponent is stronger.’ ‘And a veteran actor when it comes to holding back.’ Kizaru noticed Nate as well.
After all, Haki was surging around Nate’s entire body like a Saiyan powering up.
It would’ve been harder not to notice him.
“Oh?” Kizaru raised an eyebrow with interest.
“Instructor Zephyr, this must be my junior, right?
He’s already doing this kind of training?” His lazy voice dragged slightly.
“Young people these days really are impressive.
When I graduated from the training camp, I’d only just started learning Haki.” ‘That tone…’ Ain couldn’t help frowning slightly.
‘Why does he sound a little like Nate?’ Even that lazy expression was similar.
The problem was that their faces were completely different.
The same expression looked sleazy on Admiral Kizaru, while on Nate— ‘Wait!
Ain, what are you thinking?!’ ‘That’s Admiral Kizaru!’ The girl’s face reddened slightly.
“Nate doesn’t have an overwhelmingly powerful Devil Fruit like you did.” Zephyr’s voice was cool.
“So naturally, he has to work harder.” ‘Wow.’ Nate glanced at him.
‘Instructor Zephyr sounds pretty cold toward him.’ Still— “Instructor Zephyr, what are you talking about?” Nate lazily objected.
“My ability is the strongest ability in the world.” Zephyr rolled his eyes.
“If that makes you happy.” “Oh, Instructor Zephyr, you’re really playing favorites.” Kizaru pushed up his sunglasses and complained in that same drawn-out tone.
“You were so strict when you taught me back then, but you’re awfully gentle with Junior.” “Kizaru-senpai.” Nate spoke faintly.
“For something like that, shouldn’t the reason be obvious just by looking at our faces?” Even an old veteran like Kizaru couldn’t stop the corner of his mouth from twitching.
‘This kid is kind of annoying.’ “Nate, show some respect to your superior.” Zephyr reprimanded him, though there was clearly a smile at the corner of his mouth.
Then the Chief Instructor turned back toward his very first generation of students.
“Because Nate is different from someone like you, who relied too much on his ability.” “Ooh.” Kizaru gave him a meaningful smile.
“You’re still looking at me the same way you did back then, Instructor Zephyr.” Nate gave a slight nod.
‘I’m siding with Kizaru-senpai on this one.’ Zephyr really was judging him through outdated impressions.
Kizaru’s Haki certainly wasn’t weak.
If Nate had to guess, it might not even be inferior to Zephyr’s during his prime.
His technique was unquestionably top-tier, and his Haki was strong enough to casually block attacks from Gear Five Luffy.
None of the three Admirals had weak Haki.
‘Unfortunately, without even Conqueror’s Haki, it’s hard to keep up with the current meta.’ “All right, Instructor Zephyr.” Kizaru leisurely changed the subject.
“That’s enough catching up for now.
Your subordinates have already assembled.” He tilted his head.
“Want to go meet them?” “Already?” Zephyr looked surprised.
“Five large warships and five thousand soldiers have all been gathered?” “Mr.
Sengoku is taking this very seriously.” Kizaru spread his hands.
“They were transferred directly from G-1 and G-5.” He sighed lazily.
“Fortunately, I’m rotating back to Headquarters in a few days.
By the time Sakazuki rotates in, he’ll have plenty of headaches just replenishing all the manpower.” ‘Oh?’ Nate’s lips almost curved upward.
‘He’s heading back soon?’ Kizaru might technically command the Marine Science Unit, but he was an Admiral first and foremost.
Unlike when he’d been a Vice Admiral, there was no way he could spend most of his time stationed with the science division anymore.
‘Good news.’ “I’ll meet with the officers first.” Zephyr nodded.
“Then we’ll inspect the troops.” “Perfect.” Kizaru turned toward the harbor.
“They’re already waiting for you.” Their warship soon entered port.
As they disembarked, Kizaru pointed toward five enormous vessels anchored nearby.
“Instructor Zephyr, those are the warships prepared for your unit.” “They’re huge!” Binz’s jaw practically dropped.
Each vessel stretched over a hundred meters in length, genuine giants of the sea.
“Those are among the highest-grade warships used by the Marines.” Zephyr nodded in satisfaction.
“Each can carry one thousand soldiers.” Nate merely stared at the dense rows of cannon ports lining their hulls.
‘These are the same class of warship used in a Buster Call, right?’ A proper Buster Call simply used ten of them, along with ten thousand troops.
The group followed Kizaru into the massive fortress, took an elevator upward, and eventually entered a spacious conference room.
“Instructor Zephyr!” The moment Zephyr stepped inside, greetings rang out from every direction.
Nate raised an eyebrow.
Eight officers were waiting inside.
Judging from their insignia, there was one Vice Admiral, two Rear Admirals, and five Commodores.
Yet every single one of them respectfully addressed Zephyr as Instructor Zephyr.
‘So this is what it means to be the teacher of the Marines.’ “They’re all familiar faces, so relax.” Zephyr waved a hand before smiling with interest.
“I dragged all of you over here on short notice.
None of you resent me for it, do you?” His eyes settled on one man.
“Especially you, Simon.” The middle-aged man wore a gray suit with Vice Admiral insignia on his shoulders.
He smiled calmly.
“I was part of your very first class, Instructor Zephyr.
If you’re returning to the front lines, how could I not come support you?” Then his smile deepened.
“Besides, you wouldn’t treat me badly, would you?” Nate recognized him.
Vice Admiral Simon, Deputy Base Commander of G-5 Base.
He had graduated from the first class of the Marine Recruit Training Camp and had trained alongside Akainu and Kizaru.
“Then I won’t waste time.” Zephyr’s expression became serious.
“Simon, you’ll serve as Deputy Commander of the Marine Guerrilla Unit.” Simon laughed openly.
“Supporting Instructor Zephyr sounds like a lot of pressure, but leave it to me.” “Good.” Zephyr nodded, then turned toward the two Rear Admirals.
“Gavin, logistics and equipment will be your responsibility.
That’s always been your specialty.” “No problem, Instructor Zephyr.” The slightly heavyset Rear Admiral Gavin answered solemnly.
“Next, Marcus.” The other Rear Admiral immediately straightened.
He was a tall, powerfully built man with several scars across his face, looking every bit like a hardened veteran.
“You’re an experienced fighter.” Zephyr continued.
“You’ll handle combat readiness, troop training, and other military matters.” “Understood.” Marcus’s voice was low and concise.
“Then…” Zephyr shifted his gaze toward the five Commodores standing behind them.
“I’m dividing our five warships into five divisions, one thousand soldiers each.” “Each vessel will have one commanding officer responsible for everyone aboard.” He looked over the five of them.
“I’m leaving those positions to you.
Any problems?” “None!” The five answered almost simultaneously.
Nate was studying one of them with particular interest.
Of the eight officers in the room, she was the only one he remembered from the original story.
Commodore Doll was exceptionally tall, with legs so long they seemed almost unfair.
She had short black hair, bright blue eyes, and striking yet heroic features.
A black short-sleeved T-shirt, jeans, and knee-high black boots completed the outfit, along with a strange collar around her neck whose purpose Nate couldn’t guess.
In the original story, she would later become commander of G-14 Base and appear during the Egghead incident.
She was also one of the unfortunate Vice Admirals whom twelve-year-old Bonney had treated like little more than speed bumps.
‘Tragic.’ “As for the three of you…” Zephyr turned toward Nate, Ain, and Binz.
Nate’s eyelids were already fighting a losing battle against gravity, without a shred of nervousness.
Ain and Binz were the exact opposite, standing ramrod straight.
“Binz and Ain, you’ll stay with me for now and help handle miscellaneous duties.” Zephyr then looked directly at Nate.
“Nate, you’ll be my adjutant.” The most important thing for Nate right now was fulfilling his potential and becoming stronger as quickly as possible.
There was no reason to waste his time on management duties.
Once Nate mastered Flowing Armament Haki, he would become one of the sharpest blades in the entire Marine Guerrilla Unit.
“Instructor Zephyr.” Gavin suddenly looked toward Nate with obvious confusion.
“Isn’t Major Nate a little too young?” He hesitated before continuing.
“Can he really handle that responsibility?” An adjutant didn’t merely handle paperwork and miscellaneous tasks.
One of the position’s more important duties was protecting the commanding officer.
Of course, Zephyr hardly needed a bodyguard, but his adjutant at least couldn’t become a burden during battle.
And Major Nate looked far too young to inspire confidence.
If a real fight broke out, it seemed more likely Zephyr would have to protect him.
The other senior officers wore similarly doubtful expressions.
‘Don’t tell me Instructor Zephyr has started practicing nepotism too?’ “Don’t underestimate this kid.” Zephyr merely smiled.
“Among all the students I’ve taught over the years, Nate belongs among the very best.” “What?” The officers stared at him in shock.
‘Among the very best?’ Almost instinctively, several of them glanced toward Admiral Kizaru, who was lazily leaning beside the door.
Didn’t that mean Zephyr was placing Nate in the same category as the current three Admirals?
“Instructor Zephyr.” Vice Admiral Simon couldn’t help speaking up.
“Are you serious?” He frowned slightly.
“I personally saw how powerful Sakazuki and Borsalino were back then.” Calling them merely strong wasn’t enough.
The difference between those two and almost every other recruit had been like an impossible chasm that left the rest of their class in despair.
“If you don’t believe me, then test him.” Zephyr smiled.
“One of you can spar with Nate.” “Huh?” The senior officers hadn’t even reacted yet when Nate broke first.
“Instructor Zephyr, why do I have to waste my time doing something this boring?” He looked completely uninterested.
“I don’t need anyone’s approval.” ‘Who the hell are these people anyway?’ ‘A bunch of speed bumps acting all important.’ Zephyr glanced sideways at him.
He intended to place considerable responsibility on Nate in the future, but Nate was far too young and his official rank was still too low.
If he didn’t demonstrate his strength first, who would genuinely accept his authority?
The Marine Guerrilla Unit might revolve around Zephyr’s command, but he couldn’t simply behave like a pirate captain and make every decision through personal whim.
“Instructor Zephyr, I’ll do it!” Doll stepped forward, rolling her shoulders with eager confidence.
“Let me see what kind of strength this junior you’ve praised so highly actually has.” Zephyr considered it for a moment.
She really was the best choice.
Simon, Gavin, and Marcus were all well into their forties.
They probably wouldn’t even have the face to challenge a seventeen-year-old Major themselves.
Doll, in her twenties, was far more suitable.
Zephyr nodded decisively.
“Good!” “Doll, you’re the one!” Nate let out a long, gloomy sigh.
‘Wait.’ ‘What about my opinion?’ He stared at Zephyr.
‘Are we playing Pokemon now?’ … …