After Roya stepped down from the arena, the all-camp combat assessment continued. Recruits kept issuing challenges, and even among the top ten, multiple clashes broke out.
Hina was unable to retain her second-place position and was pushed down to twelfth, where she stabilized. Her strength was still considerable; within Fifth Squad, aside from Roya and Drake, she was the strongest.
Finally, as the number of challengers dwindled to none, the all-camp combat assessment came to an end.
In fact, its swift conclusion surprised the instructors. They had expected it to last at least two or even three days.
The assessment was mostly decisive—once someone landed a strong blow, it ended the confrontation. Apart from Roya's Crescent Strike, which was overwhelmingly powerful and instantly defeated Drake, causing him a minor injury, there were virtually no casualties.
Seeing that no recruits were issuing further challenges, Zephyr nodded and announced the conclusion of the assessment. Then, based on rankings and performance, he called out the names of fifteen individuals from top to bottom.
These fifteen were the selected recruits to join the Elite Training camp.
Roya, naturally, was the first name called. Following him were Drake and the others, with Hina also included among the fifteen.
"These are the recruits promoted to the Elite Training camp. Those whose names were called, follow me."
After reading the list, Zephyr addressed the assembled recruits in a serious tone. Once Roya and the others stepped forward, he led them away from the plaza.
The training grounds of the Elite Training camp were completely separate from those of the regular camp.
Joining the Elite Training camp placed one in a completely different world compared to ordinary recruits. Zephyr, as the instructor, provided highly targeted guidance, far beyond the training any rear admiral instructors could offer.
Behind them, the remaining recruits watched enviously as Roya and the others departed, before dispersing under the command of the rear admiral instructors.
---
Zephyr led Roya and the group across the plaza and straight into the massive Marine fortress of headquarters.
The fortress' upper levels housed Admiral Sengoku's office and the high-level conference rooms of the Marine headquarters, followed by offices of admirals and vice admirals.
Lower levels contained the intelligence department and other specialized agencies.
The second floor of this enormous fortress was reserved for the Elite Training camp recruits, providing spaces for specialized training. Zephyr's office was also located here.
This was not Roya's first time entering the fortress.
Being Garp's nephew, he had visited the Marine fortress several times, even entering Admiral Sengoku's office once.
He had seen, firsthand, Sengoku—the brilliant strategist who had ruled the seas during the Great Pirate Era and now commanded authority above all admirals.
Perhaps due to Roya's soul being far stronger than ordinary humans, his willpower and spirit far exceeding the norm of this world, he felt no oppression in Sengoku's presence.
Initially, he had felt a slight pressure when facing Garp, but over time, that pressure had been offset by the power emanating from his soul. In front of him, any person's authority or aura seemed utterly ineffective.
The question remained whether he could be similarly immune to the power of Conqueror's Haki.
Zephyr led Roya and the others to the second floor of the fortress without obstruction. Along the way, every Marine officer they encountered saluted him respectfully.
After walking through several corridors, they arrived at a spacious hall. Inside were numerous Elite Training camp recruits engaged in various forms of training—some sparring with one another in combat drills.
Upon entering, the Elite Training camp recruits turned and saluted Zephyr in unison.
"This place is about to get more familiar faces," Roya remarked to himself with interest as he scanned the hall.
He recognized many familiar figures from memory, such as Smoker and Ain, while others felt vaguely familiar—likely characters who had appeared in the original canon.
As Roya and his group observed the "veterans" of the Elite Training camp, the veterans were also observing them.
"Huh, finally some newcomers, huh?"
"Brought over by Instructor Zephyr, no doubt. But they don't look like much," one veteran remarked with slight disdain.
Another countered, "Don't underestimate them. I've heard of this new recruit, Drake. He's quite strong—you might not even beat him. Who knows which one of them he is?"
"Ha! Are you joking? I can't beat a rookie? Even if they all came at me together, I'd still handle it!" The veteran laughed, shaking his head in disbelief.
---
"This is where you'll be staying from now on. Your living quarters will be moved here as well. You may call me Instructor Zephyr; no need to address me as 'Chief Instructor' anymore."
Zephyr nodded to the Elite Training camp veterans, allowing them to continue their training, then turned to Roya and the new recruits.
"The Elite Training camp is different from the regular camp. You who are here are the Marine's elite. Though nominally still recruits, in reality, you are fully graduated Marine personnel!"
"From now on, you will face not just my special training, but real combat missions. These are not exercises or assessments—they are true battles… against pirates!"
The words carried great solemnity, immediately deepening the serious atmosphere in the hall.
After a long pause, Zephyr resumed, his tone easing slightly as he began to explain the differences between the Elite Training camp and regular recruits, focusing on the graduation rules.
Graduation from the Elite Training camp differed completely from the regular camp. It was not cohort-based; instead, it was application-based.
Recruits could apply for graduation, participate in the graduation assessment, and if they passed, graduate.
Generally, to pass the Elite Training camp graduation assessment, possessing the strength of a Marine headquarters commander was sufficient. Upon graduation, military rank would be assigned based on the assessment results.
Even those who barely passed would receive the rank of Lieutenant Commander, while outstanding performance could earn direct promotion to Commander.
"When to apply for graduation is entirely up to you. However… it must be done within three years at the latest."
"If a recruit does not apply or fails the graduation assessment within three years, they will be forcibly graduated without a rank, becoming the lowest-ranking marine. This serves as a form of indirect punishment."
Zephyr paused briefly, then added calmly:
"Since the founding of the Elite Training camp, no one has remained here three years without passing the graduation assessment. I hope none of you will be the first."