One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

Drake stood dumbfounded, listening to Vice Admiral Wright casually haggle with Vice Admiral Garp, calling him "old man" at every turn. He couldn't help but feel a deep admiration for his superior officer, who was only three years older than him.

Until...

"By the way, Wright, what exactly made you choose this kid?" Garp glanced at Drake, who was trying hard to keep a neutral expression, and asked curiously.

"He's not even the top graduate of this batch. Sure, he's eaten a fairly unique Zoan-type Ancient Devil Fruit, but his personality doesn't seem to align well with his abilities."

Wright rubbed the massive bump on his head indifferently, raised his hand, and let out a small burst of golden light. The bump visibly shrank.

Though the dizziness persisted.

Drake broke out in a cold sweat. Vice Admiral Garp's fist… He finally got to experience it firsthand. The situation, though, felt a bit... off.

Then again, Garp's easygoing and jovial personality aside, he was still a Marine hero with sharp eyes. His assessment of Drake was straightforward and fair. Yet, Drake couldn't help but wonder: why had Vice Admiral Wright chosen him?

"Well… back in the North Blue, this kid, though unintentionally, did save another boy's life."

Wright chuckled when he saw Drake's eyes widen in surprise. "Consider it me repaying a favor on behalf of that boy. Besides, old man Garp, you've underestimated him. Drake is an exceptional talent!

"As long as he overcomes his personality issues, he has a bright future ahead. And personality issues? Not a problem under my watch."

Wait—Vice Admiral Wright knows me?! But what does saving another boy's life mean?

"Oh? Personality issues aren't a problem? Do you think your own personality isn't a problem?!" Garp shot back, his tone icy.

"Huh? I think it's fine!"

"Heh!"

"…Ahem! The biggest issue Drake faces right now is his lack of combat experience. Over the past few years in the Marines, he's received focused training because he's a Devil Fruit user. However, his real-world experience is lacking.

"Even as a Devil Fruit user, developing his powers has been mostly self-taught. For Zoan users, their abilities often boil down to becoming bigger, tougher, faster, stronger, and having better recovery. But that's just the basics.

"Zoan users have three main forms: human, hybrid, and full beast. Drake is still at the beginner stage of using his beast form in combat, isn't he?"

Drake hurriedly confirmed. Garp, meanwhile, muttered under his breath, "Of course I know that. Why do you think Dalmatian is so strong? He's got the Dalmatian Zoan Fruit, yet he could easily thrash Drake's rare Ancient Zoan…

"Even with such a seemingly ordinary fruit, Dalmatian was able to maintain hybrid form for extended periods back when he was in the Elite Training Camp! Now that he's a Vice Admiral, he's taken that basic Zoan fruit to extraordinary heights!"

"…" Wright exchanged a nod with Vice Admiral Dalmatian, who was currently in his hybrid form, and added, "So, just developing Devil Fruit abilities isn't enough. You also need to train in martial arts or swordsmanship. Vice Admiral Dalmatian happens to be a martial arts instructor.

"That means Drake has a lot to learn. With enough training and battles, his personality won't be an issue. And trust me, we don't lack battles here."

So… am I about to face hellish training under Vice Admiral Wright?

Drake wasn't sure. He didn't dare ask. Instead, he stood there in a daze until the graduation ceremony concluded.

Wright's Office

"Hina is surprised, Smoker. You'd rather be setting up your room than going shopping with Hina!"

"Hina is upset!"

"Shopping is a waste of time! I refuse to go!"

"Smoker, how could you say that? A proper gentleman should be kind to a lady!"

"Rear Admiral Rosinante, this guy is unbearable! Hina suggests you punish him!"

"Hina has already applied to transfer under Smoker's command. Hina wants to see how Vice Admiral Wright trains you in Haki!"

"Hina! What's so interesting about Haki training?"

"Hina thinks it's very interesting! Especially since I heard Vice Admiral Garp and Vice Admiral Wright will train you together. Hina can't wait to see what you look like with a swollen face!"

"…"

"Hahaha… HAHAHA!"

"Smoker, you… you're finally getting what you deserve! Hahaha!"

Wright, with a bewildered Drake in tow, stood at the office door, listening to the furious voice of a young woman, Smoker's awkward mumbling, and Rosinante's uncontrollable laughter.

"Ahem!"

Wright opened the door and stepped in.

"Ah! Vice Admiral Wright! Hina is delighted to see you!"

Sitting on the couch was a stunning woman with long pink hair, large eyes, and a crimson suit paired with a Justice coat.

Seeing Wright enter, she jumped up excitedly, ignoring Smoker's dark expression, and ran over. "Vice Admiral Wright! I'm Hina, Headquarters Major and a Cage-Cage Fruit user!"

"Hina has been transferred under Captain Smoker, your subordinate. Please take care of me!"

"Uh…"

Wiping cold sweat, Wright glanced at Smoker as if asking, "What's going on?"

Smoker, holding his forehead, shot back a silent "You figure it out!"

"…"

"Major Hina, pleased to meet you. Please, have a seat. Smoker! What are you standing around for? Serve tea for the lady!"

Wright leaned closer to Rosinante and whispered, "What's the story? Did Smoker offend her, and now she's here for payback?"

"Pretty much," Rosinante said, holding back laughter as he recounted the earlier exchange. "Only Hina, who joined the Marines the same year as him, can keep Smoker in check."

"…" Wright looked at Rosinante as if he were an idiot. "Did you forget you're also part of the Haki training program?"

Watching Rosinante's shift from confusion to shock, Wright added lightly, "Oh, and don't forget, my little apprentice Kuina will be there to observe."

"No way! Wright, you can't bring Kuina to watch such brutal training!"

"My reputation… ruined!"

Ignoring Rosinante's dramatics, Wright called Drake inside, intending to introduce him to the chaotic bunch.

But as soon as they entered, they found Smoker puffing two cigars furiously, Rosinante lighting a cigarette with a melancholy look, and Hina biting down on a lady's cigarette while glaring daggers at Smoker.

"Drake," Wright said, rubbing his temples. "Remember this—if you start smoking like these guys, you're learning bad habits from Smoker. And that smoke? It's choking me!"

Drake: "(ΩДΩ)!"

Smoker: "???"

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