One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

"Yo! Z, long time no see! I can't wait to attend the next graduation ceremony for the training camp again!"

The combat internship warship, led by Zephyr, docked back at Marineford. The former admiral saw his young disciple waiting at the port to greet him, and a smile crept across his face.

In just eight short years, this young man had gone from a green Marine recruit—a mere Ensign—to the rank of Vice Admiral, recognized as a core combat force within Headquarters. Not to mention his numerous classified achievements…

"Heh, these young folks are truly something else these days," Zephyr muttered to himself, leading his cadets off the warship.

"Wow! Is that Vice Admiral Wright? Our senior from a few classes ago?"

"When we set off, he was still a Rear Admiral, and now he's promoted to Vice Admiral!"

"I heard the combined assault formations we train with were invented by Vice Admiral Wright!"

"Not to mention those miraculous crystals... Without them, I might not have made it back alive!"

"Instructor Shuzo even mentioned that Vice Admiral Wright's powers can erase scars..."

"Huh? You're not thinking of asking him to heal your scars, are you?"

"Of course not! Scars are a man's badge of honor!"

As the most popular Vice Admiral in the Marines, topics about Wright never seemed to fade in the training camp. In fact, his popularity rivaled—if not surpassed—that of the three Admirals during their own training days. After all, many of the life-saving combined assault strategies and the groundbreaking Lightforged Crystals originated from Wright himself!

At only 26 years old, Vice Admiral Wright stood as a peerless rising star. By comparison, even Borsalino, the man known as Admiral "Kizaru," had only just joined the Marines at that age!

Shuzo, who had accompanied the warship, gave Wright a quick greeting before heading off to organize the cadets and finalize the graduation ceremony details. Meanwhile, Zephyr strode directly toward Wright.

"Congratulations, Wright."

"To become a Vice Admiral at 26 years old… At your age, I wasn't even a Warrant Officer yet!"

Wright stepped forward and gave Zephyr a hearty bear hug. "Sensei, you're too modest! You rose from Corporal to Admiral in just ten years. Compared to that, my achievements are nothing."

"You and your smooth tongue!" Zephyr chuckled. "Still, I know all about those classified accomplishments of yours, even if they're not made public."

Releasing Zephyr from the embrace, Wright studied the older man's energetic expression. A glimmer of excitement flashed in his eyes—anticipation of history about to change. "Sensei, I brought a little something to celebrate your 50th anniversary in the Marines."

Indeed, Zephyr had joined the Marines at the age of 14. Now, at 64, he wasn't exactly elderly among the top brass. In fact, he was younger than Garp or Sengoku. Yet the devastating blows he had endured had undeniably taken their toll, leaving this once-proud Admiral a shadow of his former self.

"Oh? I'd forgotten all about that milestone," Zephyr sighed. "Fifty years… It's been that long?"

"Hahaha! Fifty years, and you're still the same youthful idealist, with your unwavering sense of justice!" Wright grinned. "For your unwavering dedication, Sensei, I created something special. Please, come aboard the warship—I'll show you!"

It wasn't easy to surprise someone of Zephyr's stature, but Wright's creations—the combined assault formations, the Lightforged Crystals, and even the rumors Sengoku had hinted at—had managed to astonish him time and again.

"What is it this time?" Zephyr asked, his gaze falling on the sizable box beside Wright. "Looks like it takes up some space."

"You'll find out soon enough. But remember, what you're about to see is still classified. Sengoku hasn't approved its public release yet."

Zephyr was truly stunned.

Standing before the Lightforged Beacon, bathed in radiant golden light, Wright's figure emerged from the previously empty base of the device and walked toward him.

Zephyr instinctively activated his Observation Haki, scanning the scene carefully.

No illusions—this was the real Wright.

"Wright… Your ability can even achieve this?"

Zephyr immediately grasped the implications of installing such a device on his warship.

"This means, Sensei, that this warship is under my personal protection!" Wright laughed heartily. "In an emergency, you won't even need a Den Den Mushi. Just crush this Lightforged Beacon Crystal, and I'll be there instantly!"

Wright handed Zephyr a box containing ten of the crystals. "Sensei, may the Holy Light be with you… No, may the Holy Light always be with you!"

In the days to come, Zephyr would come to fully understand just how significant that statement was.

Elite Training Camp Graduation Ceremony

The scene was livelier than it had been during Wright's own graduation, with even more high-ranking officers in attendance.

Present were Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Admirals "Akainu" Sakazuki, "Kizaru" Borsalino, and "Aokiji" Kuzan, as well as Vice Admiral "Hero" Garp, Vice Admiral "Chief of Staff" Tsuru, and Vice Admirals Momonga, Doberman, Dalmatian, and Jonathan, who were all stationed at Headquarters.

After the usual speeches and formalities, it was time for the cadets and Vice Admirals to make their mutual selections.

This time, no one was distracted. Even Garp, notorious for his unpredictable behavior, seemed uninterested in causing a scene—perhaps due to the sheer number of personnel who had flocked to G-3 under Wright's leadership.

In fact, ever since Wright's promotion to Vice Admiral, Garp had "generously" offloaded many subordinates onto his ship… much to Wright's chagrin.

Fleet Admiral Sengoku, pleased with Garp's unusually quiet demeanor, cleared his throat and addressed the crowd.

"Cadets, it is my honor to announce that the Marines have gained another Vice Admiral—Vice Admiral Wright!"

Few among the cadets were unfamiliar with the name. But hearing it announced in person, knowing he would be participating in the selection process, sparked a wave of excitement.

"Due to Vice Admiral Wright's unique abilities, and to prevent, shall we say, a bit of chaos among you eager cadets, the Vice Admirals have unanimously agreed—" Sengoku allowed himself a slight smile.

"Vice Admiral Wright will be the one to select his cadets, not the other way around. Otherwise, I suspect the rest of the Vice Admirals might take issue with the results."

A ripple of laughter spread among the Vice Admirals on stage, while a collective groan of disappointment rose from the cadets below.

"Wise decision, Fleet Admiral," Vice Admiral Momonga said, clapping Wright on the shoulder. "Just look at them—they'd all jump ship to join you if given the chance!"

Wright responded with an awkward smile. What else could he do?

"Vice Admiral Wright, you've reviewed their profiles. The floor is yours to make your selections," Sengoku said, gesturing for Wright to step onto the platform.

"Hmm…" Wright scanned the sea of hopeful faces, feeling a shiver run down his spine.

Good thing he'd already made up his mind.

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