Sabaody Archipelago, Island 60, Marine Base Pier 1.
After receiving Sephiroth's instructions, the Logistics Department mobilized all the base's best coating artisans. They worked relentlessly for half a day, ensuring every inch of the small warship was wrapped in a special resin layer, safe enough to withstand the deepest ocean pressure.
By late afternoon, the work was finished.
Sephiroth arrived at the pier, carrying an iron cage covered with a black cloth. His sharp eyes scrutinized the small warship, which now shimmered, ready to dive. He then turned to Lieutenant Junior Grade Frank and the fifty Marines standing in a neat formation. This group was the core of his Special Forces, veteran soldiers who had been with him for the past three years. Their loyalty was beyond question.
Despite their loyalty, Sephiroth knew their talent was limited. Unfortunately, their potential wasn't enough to develop further. Unless, of course, he was kind enough to give them a powerful Devil Fruit. Over the last three years, amidst his busy scientific research, Sephiroth had never stopped secretly hunting for Devil Fruits from pirates. He managed to obtain a few, though the results weren't always satisfactory.
He had once discovered several Devil Fruits: a Zoan-type ancient species Spider-Spider Fruit, model Tarantula Rosamygale grauvogeli, and several Paramecia types like the Chain-Chain Fruit, the Lush-Lush Fruit, and the Color-Color Fruit. However, of the twenty-eight users he hunted, he only managed to retrieve four of the fruits. This was a frustrating success rate.
He had even returned to the island where he obtained the Vampire Devil Fruit to study its reincarnation mechanism. But, instead of finding clues, he discovered that the wild fruit tree he thought was where the fruit regenerated was actually a deadly poisonous plant.
Good gracious, I, a time traveler, almost died again! he thought at the time. The incident made him realize that not all Devil Fruits were reborn in ordinary fruit. Some didn't even have a fruit shape at all, like Chopper's Human-Human Fruit, which resembled a mushroom. This was a huge problem, because the Devil Fruit Encyclopedia was incredibly incomplete, only listing names and abilities, without pictures.
This only strengthened Sephiroth's resolve to develop artificial Devil Fruits. Instead of relying on luck, it was better to produce them himself on a massive scale!
Frank saluted, his voice interrupting Sephiroth's reverie. "Reporting, Brigadier General Sephiroth! All supplies and personnel have been accounted for. We can depart at any time!"
"Good," Sephiroth replied succinctly. He thought for a moment. "Call the recruit from the Logistics Department named Vergo. He will be joining us to Fish-Man Island."
Frank nodded, immediately contacting the Logistics Department commander via a Den Den Mushi. Not long after, Vergo ran toward them, a long spear slung over his back and a small spoon still stuck to his face.
"Reporting, Brigadier General Sephiroth! Recruit Vergo reports as ordered!" his voice was loud and clear.
"Hmm! Very good spirit," Sephiroth praised, patting Vergo's chest twice. "Vergo... why was such an excellent soldier like you, who excels in combat, marksmanship, and physical fitness, assigned to clean toilets in the Logistics Department? You must have wondered about it, right?"
"No, I obey my superiors' orders!" Vergo answered firmly, though his heart was in turmoil.
"Oh!? You didn't ask, but you have dissatisfaction, is that it?" Sephiroth teased with a smirk.
Vergo remained silent. Sephiroth laughed, his smile cold. "Hahaha! Actually... I deliberately put you in the Logistics Department to clean toilets!"
Vergo's eyes twitched, nearly cursing. But he immediately restrained himself. Sephiroth was his superior. If he still wanted a career here, he couldn't offend him.
"Do you know why?"
"No," Vergo answered honestly.
The soldiers around them were surprised. In their memory, Sephiroth wasn't the type of superior who would humiliate a subordinate without reason. He was always fair, even willing to share profits with them.
"Actually... I had good intentions!" Sephiroth said. "When I saw your recruitment profile, I knew you were a powerhouse. Therefore, I threw you into the Logistics Department to clean toilets."
Vergo truly wanted to curse. "H-how could that be?"
"I did this to hone your willpower and observe your mindset! This was a test for you. If you pass, I will focus on developing you. You don't believe me? Ask my lieutenant, Frank, and these fifty soldiers! When I first joined, I beat all of them to test their strength. Right?"
"Right!" the soldiers exclaimed. "At that time, Brigadier General Sephiroth beat all of us as soon as he arrived!"
"Yeah, after getting beaten up, we thought he was a difficult person, but it turned out he's very good to his subordinates!"
Listening to their comments, Vergo felt completely slandered in his heart. Why didn't you just beat me up to test my strength?! Why did it have to be this way?!
A look of disappointment suddenly appeared on Sephiroth's face. "Unfortunately... they're not like you. Their strength and talent are limited, making it difficult for them to grow into Admirals in the future. That's why, after testing their strength, I didn't need to test their will and mindset. But you are different. You are expected to become a Marine Admiral! It's just that you enlisted at the wrong time and missed the opportunity to enter the Marine Academy. Therefore, after seeing your strength, I immediately judged your will and mindset. Now... I declare, Vergo, you have passed my assessment! From now on, you are officially transferred from the Logistics Department to the Special Unit as a squad leader!"
"Thank you for your guidance, Brigadier General Sephiroth!" Vergo gave a perfect military salute, his heart turbulent. Good! It's time for me to stop Doffy from acting against Sephiroth. I've already earned his appreciation, I'm sure I'll be promoted quickly. But... could it be that Doffy's report about Sephiroth and the Pirate Empress has already reached headquarters... Has he already fallen? A new worry arose in Vergo's mind.
"Work hard..." Sephiroth smiled, patting Vergo's shoulder. "If you succeed on this mission to Fish-Man Island, you will get a promotion and a pay raise!"
Sephiroth then walked past the pier and boarded the warship. An incident of workplace bullying had, in the blink of an eye, turned into "strenuous training" in his words. The word "commander" had two meanings, and as a superior, everything he said was right—even what was wrong became right.