The sun broke over the horizon, its light stretching across the twin worlds of the Green and Blue Stars, signaling the end of a restless night.
On the UA ships, the students had been up since the first light. Discipline was high; they moved through their daily chores with the practiced efficiency of heroes-in-training. For the forty-six students of the Hero Course, today was the turning point. Today, they would be integrated with the other academies and set sail for the expedition that would test their very souls.
Over on the Adventurer ship, the wake-up call was a little less formal.
"Luffy, get up! If you don't, the meat is going to disappear!" Sabo shouted, shaking the hammock.
Luffy's eyes snapped open instantly, his pupils practically turning into the shape of a steak. "No! My meat! Who took it?!"
"Finally, you're awake," Ace laughed, tossing Luffy his vest. "Come on, let's go. The world isn't waiting for us."
While the Adventurers were taking their time, the Marine students had already occupied the Great Hall, sitting in rigid, perfect formation. The Samurai from samurai academy followed shortly after, settling into their seats and immediately pulling out whetstones to polish their blades, the rhythmic shhh-shhh of steel filling the room.
When the UA students entered, the energy shifted. Despite the gravity of the day, they were still vibrant and loud. Bakugo's eyes immediately locked onto Zoro, who was meticulously cleaning his three katanas.
"Hey, Moss-head!" Bakugo shouted, a dangerous smirk playing on his lips. "Want a warm-up before we leave?"
Zoro didn't even look up from his blade. "Huh. For a weakling like you? One sword is more than enough."
Just as the two were about to clash, a man in a sharp black suit exhaled a cloud of smoke. Sanji adjusted his tie and glared at them. "Hey, you two vegetables. Shut up. It's too early in the morning for this much noise."
Bakugo and Zoro turned in unison, their anger redirected. "What did you say, Nosebleed guy?!" Bakugo barked, as Zoro chimed in, "Shut it, Curly-eyebrows!"
"Hey, hey... calm down," Smoker interrupted, leaning against a pillar with two cigars lit. He looked at them with bored disdain. "You're acting like a pack of stray dogs."
"You got a problem, Smokey?" Bakugo snapped, his palms beginning to crackle.
"Shut up, Pinecone," Smoker replied flatly.
A booming laugh erupted from the entrance as the three brothers walked in. "Hahaha! What are you all doing?" Luffy shouted, grinning ear to ear. "Are you just gonna bark? Come on, fight!"
"Yeah, don't just bark like stupid dogs!" Ace added, fueling the fire with a mischievous grin. Sabo just shook his head, laughing along.
"Now that's the spirit!" Yoarashi roared, giving them a giant thumbs up that nearly blew the napkins off the tables.
Mirio Togata walked past them, letting out a huge yawn. "Fighting in the morning? We should have breakfast first, guys." "How bothersome..." Tamaki whispered, trying to find a corner to hide in. "Is something wrong with your heads?" Nejire asked, floating curiously around the group. "Are they not working well today?"
As the hall filled up, the Culinary Academy students worked double-time to provide a feast to fuel the young legends. However, a wave of visible disappointment washed over the boys—especially Mineta and Kaminari. Mineta had doused himself in so much cologne he smelled like a distillery, and Kaminari was wearing flashy yellow glasses, waiting for a reaction from the "Goddess Table."
But the round table remained empty. The princesses and the scholars had not yet arrived.
After breakfast was finished, Vice-Admiral Momonga stepped onto the stage, his hand resting on the hilt of his katana. The room went silent as he looked out over the sea of students.
"Settle down," he commanded. "Wait here. Your teachers are finishing the final rosters. They will be here shortly to discuss the groupings and the details of the expedition. Stay sharp.".
Ten minutes of heavy anticipation passed before the doors swung open, and the leaders of the five academies marched in with the weight of the world on their shoulders.
Zephyr and Tsuru walked in lockstep toward the Marine Academy students, their presence instilling an immediate, spine-straightening discipline in Coby and the others. Fujitora and Gion moved with a quiet, sharp dignity toward the Samurai Academy table, their cloaks fluttering like the wings of birds of prey. Aizawa and Vlad King approached the UA table, their tired but stern gazes immediately silencing the rowdy Class 3-A and 3-B students.
Finally, the atmosphere shifted as Shakky and the youthful Gloriosa glided toward the Kuja table. Their allure was a silent power, reminding everyone that the women of Amazon Lily were as dangerous as they were beautiful.
The room fell into a respectful, pin-drop silence as Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral and Principal of the Marine Academy, marched straight to the center stage. He stood tall, his cape billowing behind him, looking out over the assembled youth—the strongest potential of two worlds.
He raised his hand, and even the breathing in the room seemed to stop.
"Students," Sengoku began, his voice deep and resonant, echoing off the high ceilings. "Today, we do not just sail for a new island. We sail toward an era that has yet to be written. Many of you have trained your entire lives for a moment like this—to test your quirks, your blades, and your fruit powers against the unknown."
He scanned the faces—Luffy's wide grin, Bakugo's fierce scowl, Midoriya's focused intensity, and Zoro's hand on his sword.
"This expedition is not merely a test of strength," Sengoku continued firmly. "It is a test of resolve. The island that has emerged is a place where the logic of our two worlds may not apply. You will be grouped across academies. You will rely on people you met only yesterday. To some, this is a mission; to others, an adventure. But to all of us, it is a necessity."
He leaned forward, his eyes burning with an elderly but fierce wisdom. "Be brave, but do not be foolish. Support your comrades, for the 'Unknown' does not discriminate between a Hero, a Marine, or a venturer. Now, listen closely as your teachers announce the chosen vanguard for the New Island Expedition."
Sengoku stepped back, nodding to the teachers to begin the long-awaited announcement.
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To be continued