Chapter 81: Observations and Arrangements for the Fish-Man Unit!
Marine Headquarters, Marineford, Dormitory Area 3, downstairs of Building C.
Nearly two hundred Fish-Men, uniformly wearing Marine Soldier sailor uniforms, were lined up neatly in a square column. Each of them was nearly two meters tall, strong and sturdy, with very firm gazes.
They looked straight ahead, facing Jinbe and Aladdin.
These two were now officially a Headquarters Lieutenant Colonel and a Major, serving as the Commander and Deputy Commander of the Fish-Man Unit. The Coat of Justice, representing their Officer status, was naturally draped over their shoulders.
Honestly, combined with the seriousness on their faces, they truly looked full of aura.
However, they were waiting for someone.
Soon, a Colonel walked over alone, looked at Jinbe with a smile, and said.
"I believe you received the Fleet Admiral's notification yesterday. Today, I, Harrington, will take everyone on a tour to familiarize yourselves with the island's environment, as well as the training content you'll need to undergo and the general missions you'll need to perform in the future."
"Yes, please guide us!"
Jinbe responded loudly and sternly. They originally came from the Sea King Army, so they weren't uncomfortable with this at all, which also made Colonel Harrington very satisfied with his attitude.
Don't let his current gentle smile fool you, he actually cares a lot about the rules of hierarchy.
Before coming, he was thinking that if these Fish-Men were arrogant and overbearing, relying on their so-called ten times strength, he might have to take action to intimidate them. But now it seems completely unnecessary. These Fish-Men are quite sensible.
"Alright, follow me then."
Colonel Harrington walked casually outwards with his hands behind his back. Jinbe and Aladdin followed one step behind, followed by nearly two hundred Fish-Man Marine Soldiers in a column. They marched out of the Gate of Dormitory Area 3 in a mighty procession, immediately attracting the attention of passing Marines of various ranks.
However, some who had seen them yesterday just glanced and went about their business. After all, there were no beautiful Mermaids among them, so what was there to see?
As for the Marines seeing them for the first time, if they were in a hurry, they would at most glance a few times while walking. Only those who were temporarily idle would stop and watch.
So many Fish-Men, and wearing Marine Soldier uniforms at that, it was truly a rare sight and quite spectacular. Where had they ever seen so many Fish-Men gathered together before?
"Follow this road straight for about three hundred meters, then turn left, and you'll see the Cafeteria. Then, walk right from the Cafeteria Gate, and you'll find the Headquarters Hospital."
Colonel Harrington, thirty-four years old this year, introduced things to the two behind him as he walked, completely ignoring the gazes of the surrounding Marines.
"You haven't eaten yet, right? I'll take you to have Breakfast first. The Cafeteria has no time limit, you can go whenever you want, there are always Chefs available. You can eat as much as you want, and it's free, but you can't leave too much leftover, or you'll be punished."
"Excuse me, are there any special arrangements for us Fish-Men, for example, a specific zone allocated for us?" Jinbe hesitated for a moment, but still opened his mouth to ask.
"Special arrangements?"
Colonel Harrington glanced at him strangely and retorted, "Are you Fish-Men very special? Why would the Cafeteria need to clear out a specific zone just for you?"
"Ah, this..." Jinbe opened his mouth, unsure how to answer. Colonel Harrington just smiled and said, "Relax, there aren't that many troublesome things on Marineford. Our Marines don't only have the Fish-Man Tribe among the demi-humans. Even the Giant Race can freely enter and exit the Cafeteria."
"If you ever encounter someone discriminating against your race, just curse them back directly. If the other party makes a move, don't hesitate, beat them up first, and the Military Police will come to handle it later. Who was right and who was wrong will be investigated clearly."
Hearing this, Aladdin asked, "What if the Military Police are biased?"
"Look at the Transponder Snails around you, and it's not just the Military Police Department in charge here. They can't control everything. On the contrary, if the Military Police are found to have issues, they will be directly escorted to Enies Lobby for trial. The consequences of that are much more severe than your fights." Colonel Harrington shook his head and smiled.
"Oh right, let me talk about the general situation of your Fish-Man Unit."
"Simply put, normally, your Fish-Man Marine Soldiers will participate in Daily Training together with Human Marine Soldiers. It's not difficult, it's just two hundred laps on a standard five-hundred-meter track, two thousand standard push-ups. If you don't do them to standard, the Officer (Field Grade) next to you will ask you to do two more. Also, climbing a hundred-meter high altitude rope a hundred times back and forth. Finally, there's Combat Training, whether unarmed or using a Wooden Sword. Just fight until the opponent completely faints. The winner can rest, the loser will be woken up and fight again. Regardless of victory or defeat, the training is considered finished."
After speaking, Colonel Harrington said cheerfully, "Of course, if you Fish-Men feel this isn't enough, as long as you don't have a mission, you can completely do Extra Training on your own, no one will stop you."
"This is Daily Training?" Major Aladdin gasped. Behind them, the dozens of Fish-Man Marine Soldiers closer to them also widened their eyes, feeling a sudden sense of dread.
When they were in the Sea King Army before, the Training Intensity was much lower than this.
Colonel Harrington nodded with his hands behind his back.
"Yes, Daily Training. Unless there's a special situation, this content is set in stone. Unless you get Promoted to Officer (Field Grade), then you can do as you please."
"Daily Training usually ends before 9 AM. After that, if there are no missions, it's considered free time. And the missions for your Fish-Man Unit aren't complicated either. If warships dispatched outwards need Fishman Soldier support, then you will need to send a Squad to board the ship and follow the team. Or if a certain Operation Plan from above requires you Fish-Men to cooperate."
"I feel that once most Officers experience the benefits of Fishman Soldiers, you'll be busy. It's even possible that one day, the G-Branches outside might apply to transfer Fishman Soldiers over."
This Colonel had already learned about the Fish-Man Tribe's strong abilities in the sea before coming. Fast Swimming Speed, great Strength, can breathe, and can also communicate with Fish.
For the Marines, this is simply the best help!
"Take me for example, I'll also have a mission in a few days, and I'll definitely bring a team of Fishman Soldiers. At that time, you two must pick skilled individuals to come!"
After hearing such a long speech, Jinbe felt incredibly relaxed and happy. A smile finally appeared on his face, and he said, "Please rest assured, we will definitely dispatch elites."
Meanwhile, everyone arrived at the Headquarters Cafeteria. The group of Fish-Men, including Jinbe and Aladdin, were immediately astonished by its immense size, spaciousness, and liveliness.
Because it was currently Breakfast time, the flow of people in the Cafeteria was at its peak. Marines of various ranks were densely packed, coming in and going out. Wafts of delicious food's fragrance permeated every corner of the air.
Most surprisingly, they could even see some Giant Race Vice Admirals walking out very naturally, patting their slightly bulging bellies as they strolled.
It was clear how big this Cafeteria was!
Inside, they could see Round Tables of various sizes. There were even extra-large Round Tables over ten meters wide. The tables were piled high with various kinds of food like small mountains.
Strong and sturdy Waiters walked back and forth, carrying plates several meters wide. Their steps were extremely agile. When encountering crowds blocking the way, some would even use Moonwalk to fly up and walk over people's heads.
The surrounding Marines, however, paid no attention to this.
"This is Marine Headquarters, huh..." Jinbe muttered to himself. Although it was just a Cafeteria, seeing the small details revealed the whole picture, and they could fully grasp how powerful its influence was.
"Colonel Harrington, I would like to learn Human Swordsmanship, is that possible?" At this moment, Aladdin, who had come back to his senses, seized the opportunity to ask.
"Swordsmanship, ah, it's also included in Daily Training, specifically the Combat Practice. As long as you hold a Wooden Sword, there will be Officers skilled in Swordsmanship to provide guidance. However, you are already a Major, so you can completely choose not to participate in training." Colonel Harrington said this while thinking about what to eat later.
"I can't participate?"
"You can, if you don't feel ashamed training with a group of Marine Soldiers. Actually, I suggest you get to know a Sword Master Officer and have him teach you separately when he has time, that would be better. Do you know anyone?"
Aladdin said helplessly, "I only know Vice Admiral Aokiji..."
(End of Chapter)