Elite Training Camp

Despite the humble attire of a seaman recruit, Brontes' charisma was undeniable. His striking features and towering physique made him a popular figure among the marines on the ship.

However, it was his insatiable appetite that truly set him apart. He could devour a feast meant for twenty in a single sitting, earning him the nickname 'Glutton' among his peers.

Burgi, the ship's captain, was often left with a throbbing headache, trying to manage the ship's dwindling supplies. Brontes' monstrous appetite was a logistical nightmare.

If it weren't for their imminent arrival at Marineford, Burgi would have had to request an emergency resupply from headquarters. The fear of starvation was real, as Brontes seemed capable of consuming the entire ship's food supply.

A week of this peculiar routine passed, and the warship finally docked at the marine headquarters, Marineford.

As the ship settled, a marine soldier sprinted towards Burgi, whispering urgent news into his ear. Burgi's eyes widened in surprise, and he quickly disappeared into the heart of Marineford.

Brontes, meanwhile, was assigned to the logistics department. He chose to keep a low profile, despite possessing the power of Rumble-Rumble Fruit, which could easily draw the attention of the entire Marine.

His duties were reminiscent of Koby's when he first arrived at Marineford under Garp's wing, performing menial tasks and odd jobs

The following day, Brontes learned of a significant development. Marine Admiral Zed, a man whose wife and son had been brutally murdered by pirates, had returned to Marineford.

Known as the Black Arm Zephyr, Zed had been deeply affected by the tragedy, leading to his resignation from his post.

His departure had left a void in the Marine's leadership, with only two Admirals remaining. The balance of power was precarious, and the Marine was barely maintaining stability. Fleet Admiral Kong had managed to suppress the news of Zed's resignation, but the situation was far from resolved.

In an unexpected turn of events, Zed, who had disappeared for two years, returned to the Marine and offered his services once again.

This news sent ripples through the ranks, prompting Fleet Admiral Kong to convene a meeting with all senior officers, including Burgi. The topic of discussion was whether Zed would reassume his position as Admiral or take on a new role with a rank below that of Admiral's.

If Zed chose to resign completely, the position of Admiral would need to be filled. Given the current circumstances, only one person seemed to possess the necessary qualifications - Vice Admiral Garp. The weight of this decision hung heavily in the air, as the future of the Marine teetered on the brink of change.

However, Garp's reluctance to assume the role of Admiral was a thorn in Fleet Admiral Kong's side.

 Currently, the Marine only had one official Admiral, Sengoku. While Garp was widely recognized as the unofficial third Admiral, his formal ascension wouldn't alter the Marine's overall strength.

Zed's personality had been drastically altered by his personal tragedy. The World Government and the Marine were hesitant to assign him any pirate-related missions, fearing his unpredictable actions could jeopardize their plans.

They preferred to keep him in a desk job, despite his rank. The role of an Admiral was demanding, with a multitude of responsibilities to shoulder.

After a lengthy meeting and authorization from the World Government, Fleet Admiral Kong managed to retain Zed in his position as Admiral. However, his duties would now involve frequent sea missions.

Zed had anticipated this outcome and didn't bother to contest it. Despite his decision to remain with the Marine, he made a request - to establish a new Marine Training Camp.

As an Admiral restricted from sea missions, aside from signing important documents, he would have ample free time. Training new recruits seemed like a fitting task, and both the World Government and the Marine approved Zed's proposal to form a new Marine Elite Training Camp.

The prospect of a training camp led by an Admiral instantly garnered attention.

The recruits under such an instructor would undoubtedly be extraordinary. Many marines, especially those with marine backgrounds, were eager to enroll their juniors in the training camp.

However, Zed had a different plan. He wanted to select trainees from ordinary marine recruits and common folk, not those with influential backgrounds.

During his time at Marineford, Brontes learned a great deal about the inner workings of the Marine.

He hadn't expected that his enlistment would coincide with the establishment of Zed's Elite Training Camp. If he wished to join the camp, all he needed to do was sign up.

Zed had complete control over the selection process for the training camp. He decided to hold a competition among recruits from Marineford and other branches worldwide.

Any foul play would result in the responsible branch leader being held accountable, ensuring no one dared to use underhanded methods to gain entry into the camp.

…..

Brontes sought out Burgi, who was engrossed in paperwork in his office. For Brontes, joining the Elite Training Camp was the optimal path to increase his strength and ascend the ranks swiftly within the Marine.

The graduates of the camp were destined to become the backbone of the Marine. Many high-ranking officers and Logia-Type Devil Fruit users had emerged from the Elite Training Camp.

"You want to join the Elite Camp?" Burgi asked, a hint of surprise in his voice. He hadn't anticipated Brontes' desire to join the elite ranks.

"Yeah," Brontes affirmed, his expression serious.

"This is a bit difficult. The training camp won't accept all recruits. You'll need to prove your worth in the competition. The seats are limited, and only those with true ability will secure one. Thousands of recruits aspire to join the elite camp." Burgi explained.

"However, fate brought us together on that island, so I'll give you a push and recommend you for the camp. Whether you can stay in the elite camp depends on your ability." Burgi added, a smile playing on his lips.

"Thank you, Sir." Brontes responded, his voice filled with gratitude.

Now that he was officially a part of the Marine, he began to interact with Burgi more formally.

Marineford buzzed with excitement due to the Elite Training Camp.

In the end, over a thousand recruits were selected from all over the world. Some of them weren't even marines, but they were already quite renowned in the sea.

On the day the elite camp students gathered, Brontes spotted Sakazuki, Borsalino, Onigumo, and others, all in their twenties. The elite camp was not located at Marineford.

Zed had chosen a deserted island not far from Marineford as the training ground.

A month later, dormitories and training facilities were established. Four warships transported over a thousand recruits to the camp.

Upon arriving at the training island, Brontes saw Zed for the first time. This man, one of the highest combat powers in the Marine, stood on a high platform, his presence exerting immense pressure on them.

"This is your starting point. Some of you are marine soldiers, and some of you have just joined the navy." Zed began, his voice echoing across the island.

"The number has exceeded the limit. What I aim to train are elites, not a horde of weak soldiers. There are more than 1,300 students, and I believe that's too many. I hope you all become powerful marines and protect the sea." Zed declared, his voice resonating with stern authority.

He paused for a moment before continuing, "However, if your training results are not up to standard, you will be expelled from the training camp."

Zed's words hung heavy in the air, setting the tone for the rigorous training that lay ahead. The training commenced as scheduled, and Brontes, like every other recruit, embarked on the grueling journey.

Every day, numerous recruits were dismissed, unable to meet the stringent standards. However, amidst the sea of faces, two recruits stood out, drawing the attention of everyone, including Brontes.

They were Sakazuki and Borsalino, both of whom were devil fruit users. But they weren't just any devil fruit users; they were Logia-Type Devil Fruit users, a classification that placed them at the pinnacle of power.

Their presence was akin to monstrous entities, their potential seemingly limitless.