Sengoku watched the young vanguard disperse, his heart heavy but hopeful. "I know you have many questions," he said, his voice softening slightly, "but first, go. See your friends and classmates off. They depart for their own adventures now, and you must say your farewells."
"YES, SIR!" the shout echoed as one, a thunderous roar of resolve.
The students hurried back to the bustling port. At the UA ships, the atmosphere was bittersweet. The 15 chosen students stood apart from their 31 classmates. Midoriya hugged Uraraka and Iida, promising to stay safe, while Bakugo simply grunted as Kirishima and the others offered their boisterous encouragement. Across the docks, similar scenes unfolded—Coby saluting his fellow cadets, and the Three Brothers sharing a final laugh with the rest of the Adventurers.
Meanwhile, back in the hall, the atmosphere was strictly professional. The teachers who would serve as the guardians of the vanguard stood in a formidable circle.
Sengoku scanned the legendary lineup. "Are you all ready?"
The roster for the New Island was a collection of power that could level nations. All Might, Nighteye, Nemuri, Ryukyu, Lady Nagant, and Aizawa stood ready for UA. Zephyr, Borsalino, and Hina represented the Marines. Shakky and Gloriosa remained the silent observers for the Kuja. Fujitora and Gion were joined by the newly arrived Ashura and Denjiro, the fierce guardians of the Wano lineage.
For the Adventurers, Dragon, Ivankov, and Garp stood like pillars of the world. Aokiji leaned against a pillar, his eyes hidden behind sleep-masks, assigned specifically to protect Nico Robin. And finally, Akainu stood like a volcano ready to erupt; he was there for his daughter, and no one was foolish enough to question his presence.
Tsuru adjusted her shawl, looking at the assembled strength. "With this lineup," she murmured, "I think everything will be alright."
"I hope so," Sengoku replied, though his eyes remained on the horizon.
A few moments later, the heavy doors of the hall creaked open. The chosen students returned, their farewells finished and their faces set in masks of grim determination. They stood before their respective teachers, gear packed and weapons checked.
"You may take your seats," the teachers commanded.
The students obeyed, moving to the center of the hall where the furniture had been rearranged. A massive, white rectangular table now dominated the space, surrounded by fifty chairs. As they settled in, the doors creaked open once more, admitting the elite group from the previous night's "Goddess Table."
The air in the room shifted as they entered, thick with an aura of high status and deep knowledge. Crocus and Kureha led the way, their medicinal scent preceding them, followed by Kaya and Chopper. Behind them came the Wizard Elder with Nami Mere, whose sharp eyes were already calculating the humidity in the room. Fisher Tiger and Jinbei walked with a heavy, rhythmic tread, flanking Shirahoshi, who clung to Vivi's arm. Vivi herself walked with royal grace, her guardians Pell and Chaka trailing like shadows.
Finally, Sanji appeared, pushing a cart overflowing with intricate desserts and chilled drinks, with Zeff walking sternly beside him. Nico Robin brought up the rear, her quiet conversation with Vivi drawing the eyes of everyone in the room.
"Ah, you're here," Sengoku noted, gesturing to the remaining empty chairs. "Take a seat. It is time we discuss exactly what these kids are walking into."
Tsuru glanced toward the entrance, her eyebrow arched. "Shakky, where is Hancock?"
Shakky exhaled a long, thin stream of smoke. "She's coming. Perfection takes time, after all."
Before Zeff could even finish telling Sanji to set the table, the blond chef was already a blur of movement. With heart-shaped eyes and fluid grace, he began placing the finest desserts in front of the women first, his focus entirely singular.
"Hey!" Luffy shouted, drool pooling on the table as he watched a plate of tarts pass him by. "What about me?!"
Sanji snapped his head back, his face contorting into a mask of rage. "Go get it yourself, rubber-brain!"
SMACK!
Zeff's fist connected with the back of Sanji's head, sending the chef face-first toward the floor. The tension in the room snapped as the gathered students burst into a roar of laughter. "Hahahahahaha!" even the stoic Todoroki and the disciplined Coby couldn't help a small smirk.
But the laughter died in an instant.
Click. Click. Click.
The unmistakable, sharp sound of high heels rang out from the hallway, echoing with a rhythmic authority that demanded absolute silence. Every head turned toward the entrance as the light from the corridor began to frame a silhouette that radiated a beauty and a pressure unlike anything they had felt before.