While the Great Hall roared with the sounds of a hundred hungry students, the atmosphere in the Teachers' Banquet was thick with the weight of leadership. Here, the future was being mapped out over glasses of wine and half-eaten plates.
All Might leaned over to Aizawa and Vlad King, his face serious. "Who shall we pick? This island isn't just a training ground; it's a crossroads."
Aizawa didn't hesitate. "From Class 3-A: Bakugo, Todoroki, Midoriya, Tokoyami, and Yaoyorozu. They have the raw power, but more importantly, they have the experience of staring down true villains. They won't break."
Vlad King nodded in agreement. "For Class 3-B, the potential lies in their adaptability. Monoma, Shiozaki, Kendo, Kodai, and Yanagi. Their teamwork is what will keep them alive."
"So, ten from the main classes," Nemuri calculated, tapping her chin.
"Let's not forget the Big Three and our top transfer prospects," Nighteye added, his eyes sharp.
Ryukyu adjusted her seating. "That brings the UA total to fifteen. Mirio, Hado, and Tamaki are a must, along with Yoarashi and Camie. They represent our absolute peak." Fatgum nodded enthusiastically, while Lady Nagant remained silent, her eyes focused on the door.
Across the table, Zephyr and Sengoku were cross-referencing their own rosters.
"Ain is going," Zephyr stated firmly. "Along with Coby, Smoker, Tashigi, and Hibari. They are the backbone of the new Marine generation."
Sengoku glanced at Akainu, who was shrouded in a cloud of cigar smoke. "Oh your daughter is coming too Akainu!
Akainu gave a single, curt nod.
Nearby, Gion (Momousagi) and Fujitora were discussing the Samurai Academy's contribution. "Kuina, Zoro, Law, Okiku, and Kawamatsu," Gion listed.
"What of Momonosuke?" Fujitora asked.
"Too busy with his father's studies," Gion replied. "Hiyori will be joining us later, but for now, we focus on those with the sharpest blades and the strongest wills."
The most chaotic conversation, however, was held by Garp and Dragon. Garp slammed a hand onto Dragon's shoulder, making the principal of adventurer Academy groan. "So, brat! Who are you sending?"
"Stop hitting my back, old man," Dragon muttered.
"We must send the three brothers," Ivankov interjected with a dramatic flare. "Ace, Sabo, and Luffy are non-negotiable!"
"Where's Kuma?" Garp asked, looking around. "His daughter, Bonney, has incredible potential. Why isn't he here?"
"At his church," Dragon replied shortly. "He's protective. He doesn't want her in unnecessary danger."
"Hmph. Makes sense," Garp grunted.
Ivankov sipped some wine. "And the others? The magnetic boy, Kid? The card reader, Hawkins? The music boy, Apoo?"
"They have power," Dragon admitted, "but we are looking for more than just fruit abilities. We need potential that can weather a storm. We'll add Belo Betty and Karasu to round them out.well think about the rest if they can make it to time "
"Enough talk!" Garp shouted, standing up. "I'm going to eat!"
In the far corner, away from the loud debates of the men, Shakky and Gloriosa dined in quiet elegance. They didn't need to discuss their roster—their mission was singular. They were the shadows behind the future Empress, Boa Hancock.
The Amazonian ancient texts had predicted the rising of this island. The scrolls spoke of an emergence from the void, promising great benefits but warning of an "Unknown" lurking in the shadows. They weren't fools enough to venture there alone; the expedition was the perfect shield for their own secret objectives.
As the teachers finalized their lists, the "Unknown" felt closer than ever.
The Twin World was finally swallowed by the velvet embrace of night, but peace was a phantom that few could catch.
In the guest quarters of the Marine Academy and the cramped bunks of the ships docked at the harbor, sleep was a luxury. The air was heavy with the unspoken weight of the morning to come. Young heroes, seasoned adventurers, and disciplined marines lay in the dark, staring at the ceilings. Every heart beat like a war drum—a rhythmic, surging tide that echoed the uncertainty of the new island. They thought of their power, their rivals, and the chilling memory of the "Death Aura" from the scroll. The anticipation was a physical pressure, a tidal wave of nerves and excitement crashing against their resolve.
Far from the restless tossing and turning of the dormitories, the Kuja ship swayed gently on the dark, obsidian waves.
Standing on the deck, bathed in the ethereal glow of the full moon, was Boa Hancock.
The silver light caught the edges of her long, raven hair and turned her porcelain skin into polished marble. She stood perfectly still, her deep, piercing eyes fixed on the star-spangled sky. Above her, the cosmos remained indifferent to the tremors of fate. The stars didn't flicker with fear; the moon didn't pale at the thought of a crumbling world. The heavens were calm, even as the two worlds beneath them prepared for a storm that would shake their very foundations.
Hancock tightened her grip on the railing, her silk robes fluttering in the cool night breeze. To the others, this was an expedition for potential and growth. To her, it was a path toward a destiny already written in the ancient sands of Amazon Lily.
"The unknown..." she whispered to the wind, her voice a soft, dangerous melody.
The sun is about to rise on the most significant day in the history of the Twin Worlds..
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To be continued