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Currently at chapter 244
After receiving the reward for mastering the new technique, Ju·24 Lian, Bai Yu finally sheathed his blade.
Instead of continuing his own training, he turned his focus toward guiding the individual practices of Maya and the other three.
This went on until late into the night.
By then, the warship had arrived at the G5 Marine Branch.
---
"What's going on here?"
"Where are the G5 personnel? Did they all disappear?"
The moment the warship touched the shore and the crew disembarked, Bai Yu turned to Smoker with confusion.
The entire G5 base was pitch black—no lights, no movement.
Not even a flicker of life could be seen.
"…This…"
"I have no idea what's happening."
"I clearly notified them in advance."
Even Smoker looked baffled.
He had sent a prior message ahead as soon as he learned Bai Yu would be taking over G5.
The intention was for the branch's soldiers to perform well and give Bai Yu a solid first impression.
But now, with the base shrouded in complete darkness, it looked more like a deserted ruin than an active Marine base.
"Let's head inside and check it out."
Bai Yu, seeing that even Smoker was clueless, shook his head and led the group forward.
---
Clack, clack, clack…
Just as they passed through the main gate and entered the central plaza—
FLASH!
Blinding floodlights suddenly illuminated the entire square.
All beams focused on Bai Yu and his team.
Startled by the sudden light, everyone instinctively reached for their weapons, their senses on full alert.
---
"Welcome, Major General Bai Yu!"
"Thank you for purging the traitors from our G5!"
"Welcome, Major General Bai Yu!"
A chorus of voices suddenly rang out from every direction.
Dozens upon dozens of Marines emerged from the shadows, all chanting in unison.
It was then that Bai Yu and the others finally understood—
It wasn't that G5's forces had abandoned the base.
They had been preparing this… "surprise" welcome ceremony.
---
Bai Yu cast a sharp sideways glance at Smoker.
"…This wasn't your idea, was it?"
Smoker looked like he wanted the ground to open up and swallow him whole.
"These guys… They're not usually like this," he muttered with a sigh of deep embarrassment.
Until recently, with Virgo gone, Smoker had held the highest authority at G5.
And now, the soldiers had pulled such a flashy and undisciplined stunt, right in front of his superior.
It was a nightmare.
No wonder G5 had such a rotten reputation in Marine ranks.
Laziness and lawlessness were practically their branch policy.
---
"Enough! Cut it out!"
"Do you have no shame?!"
Smoker barked.
Immediately, the base lights returned to normal, and the crowd dispersed back into formation.
Around 500 Marines lined up in neat rows before Bai Yu.
Because of G5's tarnished reputation and dismal record, their manpower had dwindled.
In fact, their numbers were even less than the 188th Branch that Bai Yu had previously commanded.
Bai Yu swept his gaze over them.
His expression betrayed a hint of disappointment.
He couldn't help it.
The soldiers were a mess.
Some weren't even in regulation uniforms, others looked more like gamblers or street thugs than Marines.
---
"Tomorrow morning, everyone will gather here."
"When the assembly horn sounds, I expect every single one of you here within ten minutes—no excuses."
"Now… disband!"
Bai Yu's voice was cold and commanding.
Tap tap tap—
Sensing the shift in tone, the G5 soldiers scattered like frightened rabbits.
No one dared linger.
---
"I've got my work cut out for me…"
Watching the rabble retreat, Bai Yu rubbed his temples and sighed.
Under Smoker's guidance, Bai Yu made his way to the living quarters atop the G5 fortress—the same room that once belonged to Virgo.
To his mild relief, the place had been cleaned up.
All of Virgo's personal items were gone, replaced with fresh furnishings and clean supplies.
It wasn't much, but at least it was a start.
And just like that, Bai Yu officially took command of G5.
---
The Next Morning
Bai Yu was already standing at the center of the training square at dawn.
He had the on-duty soldiers sound the assembly horn.
WHOOO, WHOOO, WHOOO—
The low, resonant blare of the horn echoed across the base.
But despite his clear orders the night before—
It took nearly thirty minutes for all personnel to arrive.
Bai Yu's face darkened.
---
"What did I say yesterday?"
Standing atop the platform, Bai Yu's voice cut through the air.
"…"
Everyone looked down, avoiding his gaze like schoolchildren caught misbehaving.
"What's wrong? G5 Marines suddenly gone deaf?"
Bai Yu barked.
---
"Reporting, Major General Bai Yu!"
"You instructed that we assemble within ten minutes after the horn is blown!"
One brave soul dared to respond loudly.
"And how long did you take today?"
"…"
Silence again.
---
"I don't care how you ran things before."
"But now that I'm in charge of G5, we do things my way."
"From now on, I'll be putting you through the same training regimen used at Marine Headquarters."
"If you can't keep up, if you refuse to adapt, or if you just don't like my methods—then pack up and leave."
Bai Yu's voice carried the weight of command.
He was no longer the rising star of a small branch.
He was a major general now—and G5 would reflect that, one way or another.
---
"As they say: 'a new broom sweeps clean.'"
"If you pass my standards, you'll be elite Marines."
"And for the elite—I'll fight to get you the best equipment and the best benefits."
"I want the whole Grand Line—even Marineford itself—to hear the name G5…"
"…and feel awe. Not laughter."
---
WHOA—!
An audible buzz spread through the soldiers.
Bai Yu's words hit home.
For most G5 Marines, being ridiculed by other branches had become the norm.
It wasn't that they didn't want to be respected.
They just never had anyone worth following.
Years of apathy and lawlessness had eroded their pride.
But Bai Yu's speech reignited something in them—the reason they joined the Marines in the first place.
What's more, Bai Yu was now one of the top rising stars within the organization.
His words mattered.
And maybe—just maybe—he really could change G5.
---
"All hail Major General Bai Yu!"
The entire square erupted in unified voices.
---
"From now on, training will be led by Koby and Helmeppo."
"If you can't complete the drills, if you fall short, or if you think I'm pushing too hard…"
"Then leave."
"Training starts now!"
Bai Yu turned and nodded toward Koby and Helmeppo.
---
"Everyone, follow me!"
Now serving as official instructors, Koby and Helmeppo could hardly contain their excitement.
They stepped forward, eager to begin basic morning drills.
And so, under new leadership and a new dawn, G5's transformation had begun.
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