Chapter 30 - 'Inspection'

In the four months since Terumi and the rest of the trainees started their bracer training, much progress has been made. Next week is when they will officially start their field training which will count as their graduation should they finish.

Terumi stood in a familiar field with Asashi in hand. His body has grown slightly larger, now standing at 195 cm. His clothes hid a toned and fit body, carefully sculpted with the help of Zephyr's training.

"Field training is starting soon. I feel comfortable with all the new stances I created, but I still want to perfect one more constellation."

Terumi removed his weighted bracers. It was shaped like a large leather arm bracer that wrapped his entire forearm, from wrist to elbow. The ones on his legs were from just under his knee down to his ankles.

Thud.

The bracers fell on the ground with a loud thud.

"Whew. That feels better. Now."

Hisssss

'Breath of Star, Tenth Form!'

Terumi's body heated up and his mark formed fully on his forehead.

"Kouyou Seikan - Aquila! (Shining Constellation - Aquila)

Terumi grasped Asahi tightly and disappeared. Afterimages appeared at multiple points, dashing like rays of light, leaving behind a trail of sword slashes.

From beginning to end, the entire move took less than a second from start to finish.

Terumi landed on the final point of Aquila and his afterimage clones disappeared, he turned around to view his work, and a wide smile rose to his face.

"Yes! Perfect!"

From the movement trail left behind by Terumi and his afterimages, the Aquila constellation was cleanly painted on the ground.

Terumi looked up to the sky with a smile, closing his eyes and calming down his breathing. His mark returned to its normal state.

'It took so long to perfect my most versatile attack. In the beginning, I could only do simple constellations like Cassiopeia. Now I can do more complicated ones with my afterimages. All that training has indeed paid off.'

Terumi's tenth form relied heavily on his explosive speed. In fact, because of the fact that he uses all of his acceleration power in every step, he cannot freely change direction after he moves and the movement itself is too fast even for himself to react. In order to make up for this weakness, Terumi decided to go all out with his speed and create patterns of attacks based on constellations. It is a set, practiced routine that allows him to fully utilize all of his power without thought. The variety of constellations that Terumi can use allows him to diversify the form so that his opponents can not read the pattern and counter him.

"I dare say that the speed of my tenth form might not even be matched by Borsalino at this point."

Terumi sheathed Asahi and looked around. A familiar small feeling of nostalgia rose to his chest.

"I'm gonna miss this place. Starting next week I'll be gone for four months. But I can't say I'm not excited. Finally, it's time to sail the seas once again."

While Terumi was in his thoughts, he felt someone approach him from behind.

"Hey kid, it's meeting time."

Terumi turned around and saw Shuzo standing there waving at him.

"Commodore Shuzo-sensei."

"Brararara. Kid, after all this time, don't you know to drop the formalities? Just call me Shuzo."

"Sorry, it's a habit."

Terumi scratched his cheek and equipped back on his weighted bracers. He then walked over next to Shuzo.

"Better get used to it, with your rate of growth, you'll probably outrank me within a few years. Might as well just accept it now. Don't forget to come by and visit when you make it so I can show off to the other recruits! Brararara!"

"Heh, alright. So, what are you here for? Did you need something from me?"

Shuzo grinned with a knowing smile and answered.

"Instructor Zephyr asked me to come get you. He's gathering all of the recruits."

Terumi raised an eyebrow with a pondering expression.

"Hm? I thought he said we were free this week. Well, okay. Let's go then."

Shuzo nodded and then walked with Terumi toward the main ground.

Once they arrived there, Terumi paused once he saw that there was no one else there.

"Where is everyone?"

Shuzo kept walking and waved Terumi over.

"Not here kid, we're meeting up at the sparring arena near the tower."

Terumi was nodded slowly and caught back up with Shuzo.

'The sparring arena? That place is only used for competitions held by the Marines. I didn't hear about any events that were supposed to happen today.'

Not too long after Terumi and Shuzo left the elite camp compound, they made their way to the sparring arena that was located on the east side of Marineford fortress, near the tower. Along the way, Terumi noticed that there weren't any Marines training in any of the many fields as per usual.

Once the pair arrived in front of the arena, Terumi saw Zephyr standing with the rest of the recruits.

Zephyr noted their arrival and nodded to Shuzo. Shuzo gave Zephyr a salute and entered the arena, leaving Terumi behind to get in line with his classmates.

Terumi stood next to Hina as she greeted his gaze. He questioned with his eyes if she knew what they were doing here, but she simply shook her head.

Zephyr eyed each one of them up and down and then crossed his arms.

"This morning I received news that we're due for an inspection. Fleet-Admiral Sengoku wants to see the results of your training in the elite camp so far before he approves you all for field training."

Terumi and the other recruits gasped in surprise. All the way, Zephyr had a knowing smile on his face.

"Now understand this. The 'inspection' will be held in joint collaboration with all of the other training camps currently active in Marineford. All of the Vice-Admirals and above will be here to 'evaluate' your performance. If you don't pass their evaluation, you can kiss your opportunity for field training goodbye."

Smoker clicked his tongue in annoyance once he heard Zephyr's explanation. The other recruits all had looks of understanding on their faces as well. Terumi calmed his nerves and thought to himself.

'I see. So that's what this is about. Zephyr never gave us much detail about the field training, only that it's a shortcut to graduation and that we'll be on active duty under temporary rank. If my guess is right, this 'field training' is actually more like an internship. If I want to be approved for it, I have to catch the eye of someone commanding a Marine base in order to be deployed.'

Zephyr grinned as he saw the recruits contemplate the meaning behind his words.

"I'm glad to have students who are quick on the uptake. Now, as members of the elite camp, don't you dare shame that status, do you understand, recruits!?"

"Yes, sir!"

The trainees gave a hearty reply to which Zephyr nodded in approval.

"Good. Now, let's go in."

As the recruits followed Zephyr into the Arena, Terumi spoke quietly with Hina.

"Hina, did you finish your training?"

Hina nodded.

"Yes, with your help, Hina is now able to use five of the six Rokushiki techniques. As far mastery goes, Hina can only confidently say that about Soru and Geppo."

"Good, that's enough. What about your Haki training?"

Hina shook her head.

"Damn. Okay. If you can, apply to the same base as me. Haki is more easily awakened in real combat, I'll help guide you during deployment."

Hina smiled slightly.

"That was Hina's plan anyway."

Terumi was somewhat surprised but not completely. He had introduced her to the idea before but Hina never confirmed to him whether or not she would do it.

"I'm really glad, Hina. Now, let's show them the results of our training."

Entering through the gates of the Arena. What immediately caught Terumi's eyes were the large crowd of people sitting in the stands to the left and right of him, all the way around the large premise. Some of them are in Marine uniform, others not. The stands surrounded a large slightly elevated Arena platform.

Looking far directly forward, he saw a special area where some very distinct figures were seated.

A row of chairs, seating many Marines draped in Justice coats. Terumi could see Garp and Tsuru seated among them. Above them, were only four figures.

Fleet-Admiral Sengoku, and the current three Admirals of the Marines. On the left was a kind-looking older gentleman with graying green hair who looked to be in his 60s. Next to him was another elderly man, with streaks of black in his graying hair, and a fierce glint in his eyes. In the middle right was Sengoku, and all the way on the far right was the final Admiral. He looked older than the other two. His hair was full gray and he had his eyes closed.

A strange pressure then started to weigh heavy on Terumi and the recruits, making them pause their step.

'What's going on? What's this pressure? Who's doing it?'

Terumi darted his eyes back and forth, before landing them on an individual glaring at them with a mischievous smile. He was seated next to Sengoku, on the middle left seat. The one with black streaks in his hair.

'That's...One of the three Admirals.'

Noticing the situation, the man sitting to the left of him tapped Kurokarasu on his shoulder, the pressure that Terumi and the other recruits were feeling, then suddenly lifted.

The recruits then breathed a sigh of relief. Zephyr saw this and laughed.

"Gahahaha, now you know the kind of people who will be evaluating you guys today. That was Admiral Kurokarasu (Black Raven), with his paramecia Fuchi-Fuchi no Mi (Pressure-Pressure fruit), he can manipulate air pressure at will, even at this distance. The one seated next to him on his left who helped you guys is Admiral Zougekame (Ivory Tortoise), he has the logia Tsuchi-Tsuchi no Mi (Earth-Earth fruit). You all know Sengoku, so the last one on the far right is Admiral Shubashikou (White Stork), he has the logia Kaze-Kaze no Mi (Wind-Wind Fruit.)"

The recruits nodded in affirmation.

'I've studied about them in class, but this is my first time seeing them.'

Terumi scanned the three Admirals, pausing his gaze on Admiral Shubashikou. Specifically, on the object by his waist.

'A sword? Is Admiral Shubashikou a swordsman?'

Noticing Terumi's gaze, Shubashikou opened his eyes and stared back at him.

Something in Terumi made him grip Asahi tightly, ready to draw it at any moment. Beads of sweat started to form on Terumi's neck.

Seeing Terumi's reaction, Shubashikou chuckled and closed his eyes again.

'What was that? I felt like he was going to cut me with just a glance.'

Gulping down his nervousness, Terumi followed Zephyr as the group resumed their way down towards the Arena platform. Once they reached the bottom, Terumi saw many dugouts filled with young Marines.

The Marines glared at Terumi's group, though it did nothing to faze any of them. Soon after, Zephyr led them to their assigned dugout area.

Terumi took a seat and calmed himself down.

'So that was the strength of the current three Admirals.'

Terumi's hand shook slightly, but not from nervousness, as a smile formed on his face.

'I'll show you what I got. You're going to be in for a surprise today.'