Marineford Hospital, Orthopedics Ward.
Laurentina stood outside the door, holding a bouquet of flowers.
She knocked gently, guilt tightening her delicate expression.
After she unleashed her ultimate technique, her memory had cut out completely. Everything that followed was explaind to her later by Tashigi.
The results of that fight were… not light:
Bastille had five fractured ribs,
heavy bruising everywhere,
and his sword arm had been crushed to the point of baing unrecognizable.
She herself had quite a few injuries, but by the time the medical unit arrived, most had already healed. Her regeneration startled the officers — but that part made sense.
The Abyssal lineage gifted her unbelievable survivability.
But its downside was equally dangerous: that hive-mind bloodline interfered with the nervous system. And the cult's heavy injections of liquid Originium had long destabilized her mental state.
Only after merging with the Doctor's memories could she maintain normal clarity.
She also had a strong feeling:
When she regaind full control of herself, she would become the "complete" Laurentina.
"Come in," a weak voice said from inside.
Laurentina stepped in quietly.
Bastille looked nothing like his usual commanding self.
Bandages wrapped his entire body except for two beady eyes, making him resemble a mummy straight out of Alabasta.
He had already removed his bull-horn mask, but his actual face was still hidden beneath layers of wrappings.
"…I'm sorry, Vice Admiral Bastille. I may have gone a little overboard…"
A little?
He wanted to scream that she had shattered his sword arm into powder — but when he saw the guilty little nun in front of him, he simply couldn't muster any anger.
Sure, the second half of her fighting had been full of villain energy…
But right now she was just a flustered junior apologizing sincerely.
"It's… fine. I only want to know… why you picked me as your opponent."
Those two bandaged eyes blinked with deep confusion.
Laurentina's cheeks flushed. The ruby-red eyes that scared pirates now glanced everywhere but at him.
After a small cough, she answered truthfully:
"Ahem… Sharks are my favorite animal. And if I become a Vice Admiral someday… I want my code-name to be shark-related…"
After saying this, Laurentina looked out the window, trying to act unfazed — but Bastille clearly saw the embarrassment.
That's it?
Just because of a code-name, you turned me into sashimi?!
Bastille inhaled deeply, performing the same controlled breathing technique expectant mothers used in childbirth.
It was that or start screaming.
"…Since you won the duel, I suppose I can change it. What do you suggest?"
"Oh? You'll let me help?" Laurentina's face brightened.
"Of course. Any ideas?"
Laurentina's expression turned mischievous.
"Vice Admiral, do you call yourself 'Shark-Slayer' because you believe sharks are the kings of the sea?"
"Of course," Bastille nodded. "The name is imposing."
"I understand." Laurentina nodded seriously — then smiled wickedly.
"In that case… I recommend Whale-Slayer."
Bastille froze.
Laurentina continued enthusiastically:
"In the sea, orcas are larger, stronger, and even hunt great white sharks. Excluding Sea Kings, orcas are the true apex predators of the deep."
Bastille's eyes widened behind his bandages.
Laurentina saw his wavering and immediately doubled down, passionately explaining orca dominance and listing real combat records.
"…I see. I have underestimated the ocean," Bastille murmured.
Then his gaze firmed.
"Very well. From today onward, I am Whale-Slayer Bastille.
My beloved blade will be renamed Whale-Cleaver.
And perhaps I will try grilled orca someday…"
Laurentina nodded with satisfaction.
After a few more polite words, she left the ward.
After Recruitment — Class Placement
When the recruitment season ended, the new recruits were divided into:
Regular Class
Elite Class
The Elite Class was further split into three groups — each led by a different admiral. It was, essentially, the seedbed for future political factions.
Where there were people, there were factions.
Among the young generation, the hawkish faction was growing rapidly.
To maintain internal balance:
Laurentina, Ain, and Binz → placed under Admiral Aokiji
Isca and Shuzo → placed under Admiral Akainu
Kizaru, baing… well, Kizaru, refused the political game entirely, so he ended up with the lower-ranked elites.
After class placement, room assignments were issued.
Two-person dorms, each with a private bath and balcony — a luxury by military standards.
Even the Fleet Admiral's children had to follow the rules; there were no exceptions.
Tashigi was reluctant to let Laurentina leave but accepted it. At least she was promised that Laurentina would come home during breaks.
Laurentina didn't have much luggage. She moved quickly into her dorm room — and discovered that her roommate was someone she recognized:
Ain.
Second on the elite ranking.
Laurentina smiled warmly.
"Hello, I'm Lauren—"
She opened the door…
…and walked straight into Ain changing clothes.
The sentence died in her mouth.
The blue-haired girl jolted upright, startled. Her normally cool expression flushed instantly, and she scrambled to cover herself with the nearest blanket like a startled deer.
"Sorry!" Laurentina said quickly — then walked into the room anyway.
It was her dorm too, after all.
Ain froze, not expecting her to enter so calmly, then shrank farther into her blanket fort.
…She's actually shy?
Laurentina blinked.
For someone who radiated icy elegance, Ain seemed unexpectedly sensitive around strangers.
With a polite smile, Laurentina began organizing her side of the room.
Training Begins
Elite students were monsters — their physical aptitude already far above average recruits. Training began immediately with the basics of the Six Powers.
Meanwhile, among Marineford's high-ranking officers, a new discussion started:
Should Laurentina's slaying of a Supernova be made public?
And so, while the world debated what to do with the terrifyingly talented little nun, Laurentina and Ain quietly began their new life as roommates.
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