- Wow! Dad, I didn't expect you to be a Grandmaster... this is just amazing! - Leonardo spoke with admiration on his face, as if he was in a daze.
He agreed with his father's theory. Leonardo still knew he was a novice with a gun, and he had no desire to become an admiral or take over the seas. Honestly, working in the Marines seemed like a regular nine-to-five job. It wasn't that bad, even though his parents were dead and he had a younger half-sister. He needed to stay calm and focused until he had developed his skills to the fullest.
"Of course, I didn't work so hard for nothing for all these years," old Curry answered with pride, looking into his son's admiring eyes.
...
The Naval Academy at Headquarters was not created by former Admiral Zephyr. It had existed for many years, but at that time there was no professional and systematic training model. Most of the instructors were those who had been seriously injured at the front and could no longer fight. These people became teachers at the academy. In the past, the academy was a place where ranks were awarded. If you were successful on the battlefield or the leaders noticed your talent, you would simply be sent there for two years and then promoted to officer rank. Both the Marine Corps and the World Government did not take the academy seriously.
Two years ago, Admiral Zephyr, known for his "no killing" policy, resigned as admiral after pirates killed his wife and child. He became a navy instructor and began training new Marines.
After the disappearance of the powerful pirate Rocks, there was no real ruler in the sea, and the pirates became more and more daring. The Marines could not keep up with their development, because the old training methods no longer worked. After all, the youth dreamed of freedom, and just the word "freedom" could make half of them drop their business and go to sea with weapons in their hands. Most young people did not like restrictions, and the Marines were a place where discipline reigned. Therefore, few wanted to join its ranks, despite all the benefits it offered.
On the other hand, if you became a pirate and got on the wanted list, you were already considered outstanding. If the reward for your head exceeded 10 million, you became a leader, and if 100 million - in your hometown they could erect a monument in your honor.
There have been very few Marines who have become famous over the years. Many have remained unknown heroes, working behind the scenes. For those who dreamed of glory, the Marine Corps was clearly not the best choice.
The pirates were growing too fast, and the pressure on the Marines was growing. Before the academy, staff officers were promoted gradually, starting from the ranks. If you were lucky and your superiors noticed your merits, you would be promoted. But such talent was too few. Many capable people could not prove themselves due to the lack of a professional training system.
After Zephyr, a former admiral, began teaching at the academy and taught two classes, it became clear that he was doing an excellent job as a teacher. In the last two years, the support for the academy from the Marines and the World Government has increased significantly.
Among the future stars of the Marine Corps, two wielders of the rare Loggia powers stood out. Their successes helped raise the academy's reputation. This year, many officers began sending their children to the academy. Previously, it was just a formality, but now, with teachers like Zephyr, everything changed. Everyone who lived at sea knew how dangerous it was. If their children became stronger, they would be able to avoid dangers in the future.
When old Curry brought little Curry to the academy, it was already full of people. Not only were the staff officers sending their children to study, but talented young people were coming from all over the world. Among them was the "monster" sent by the hero of the Marines.
Garp, the hero of the Marines, the man who followed the great pirate Roger with a pair of iron fists. The one he recommended for admission was definitely not an ordinary one.
"I'll talk to Admiral Zephyr later," old Curry said, looking around the crowd.
Old Curry brought Leonardo into Zephyr's office, and the way his father bowed and fawned over Zephyr was very different from the way he bragged at home. Leonardo stood behind him, speechless.
"Is this the 'little brother' you were talking about?" someone asked.
"Who's whose younger brother..." someone muttered in response.
The current Zephyr didn't look like the old man with the mechanical arm as described in the books. He was a middle-aged man with purple hair, a neat admiral's cape, silver-rimmed glasses, and a strict purple suit. If it weren't for his overly visible, powerful chest muscles, he would have looked like a real high-level intellectual. It was hard to imagine that in twenty-odd years this gentle man would turn into an old villain who dreamed of destroying the world.
"Brother Curry, just call me Zephyr. I'm not an admiral anymore. I'll teach little Curry to be a real marine," Zephyr said, looking at his older brother, who continued to bow, and feeling a slight irritation in his soul. All his life he had been a straightforward man, always acting according to the rules. Most of all, he hated it when people tried to solve problems through connections. Over the past two years, many came to him to "keep an eye" on their young people, but he threw them out of his office without a second thought.
But this older brother was different. He really helped him get on the path of a sailor. When Zephyr was just gaining strength, it was this man who shared his experience with him, brought him up to people. Although he did not achieve great success, he will always remember the presence of such a caring mentor who introduced him to a family of marines.
- Ha-ha, it's kind of awkward, rules still have to be followed. So, about this guy... - old Curry began.
*BAM!*
"Hahaha, Zephyr, why is the door closed during the day? Someone came to ask you for connections?.. Eh? Brother Curry is here for the same thing, right? I'm one of them! This is the younger Curry, right? Already grown up in a year, huh?" Before old Curry could finish, the door to Zephyr's office swung open and a loud laugh burst into the room.
Leonardo twitched nervously at the heroic laughter. In the naval headquarters, who else could have barged into Zephyr's office so easily, except for the newcomer, the marine hero Garp?