One Piece: Holy Light Swordmaster

Kuina, who had just made a new friend, was visibly happy—at the Marine Academy, even kids barely over ten were taught under a militarized curriculum with strict discipline.

Moreover, competition was the norm at the Academy. Kuina, being far stronger than most of her peers, stood out as one of the top cadets. Adding to her reputation was the fact that she was the junior of Vice Admiral Wright, the most renowned figure at Marine Headquarters, and coupled with her exceptional appearance, Kuina was immensely popular.

However, in Kuina's eyes, neither her "unreachable" senior brother Wright nor Zoro—who was younger than her but worked even harder—could be compared to the kids at the Marine Academy. These children might have been doing their best, but they still couldn't catch up to her.

Determined to shatter the so-called "limits" imposed by gender, Kuina trained even harder at the Marine Academy than she ever had at her father's dojo. With its well-structured training programs and excellent nutrition, and occasional special guidance from Wright, Kuina's progress was rapid.

In less than two years since arriving at Marine Headquarters, Kuina had surpassed even the most hardworking male cadets through her sheer effort!

Thus, at the Academy, Kuina wasn't just the most popular girl—she was also the most "unapproachable" one. "Beat me first, then we'll talk!"

With the Wado Ichimonji, one of the 21 Great Grade Swords, in her hand, who among these young cadets could possibly beat Kuina? Even Devil Fruit users would find it immensely difficult!

But the girl standing before Kuina now was… different.

Her eyes—those eyes—were the same as Kuina's had been after hearing her father's crushing words, "A woman cannot become the strongest swordsman", and after Zoro had reignited her fighting spirit.

Those were eyes that had once suffered the blow of despair, yet now glowed with newfound hope, walking resolutely toward it!

Kuina's face lit up with a brilliant smile.

"Then, we're friends now!

"My senior brother is very reliable—he's the youngest Vice Admiral at Marine Headquarters!

"Ah, you probably don't know what that means. Let me explain…"

Wright looked on, somewhat surprised to see Kuina chatting so enthusiastically with Nami.

"This girl's so talkative? Never noticed that before!"

Perhaps, as a swordswoman, Kuina's instincts had noticed something different about Nami, something that struck a chord with her.

Nami, a clever and sharp-witted girl, quickly realized that these Marines were vastly different from the ones she had encountered in her own life. Gradually, she began to let her guard down, opening up to Kuina and asking about various things.

"Marine Headquarters," "Vice Admirals," "warships," "justice coats," "pirates," and most notably, the man who had just promised to help her—Vice Admiral Wright.

That name sounds familiar…

Although Kuina wasn't yet an official Marine, the Marine Academy's curriculum had covered these basics extensively.

Excited to have found a friend she clicked with, and spurred on by Nami's sweet compliments, Kuina happily shared information that would have been unimaginable for someone living in a small village in the East Blue.

From Kuina's explanations, Nami finally began to understand the significance of the justice coat her adoptive mother, Bellemere, had once worn.

"That Marine captain… the one who works with that horrible fish-man… he never wore a justice coat," Nami muttered, recalling him with disgust. "He doesn't deserve it!"

As for Vice Admirals, Nami now had a clear grasp of their rank—compared to the Marine captain in the East Blue branch, Wright outranked him by a staggering five levels!

The officer who had just returned to the ship, wearing a justice coat and dealing with the pirate ship, was Marine Headquarters Lieutenant Drake—one of Wright's subordinates. He was said to be in his twenties, yet his rank was equivalent to a Commander in the East Blue branch!

[TL/N: Drake is, more specifically, a Lieutenant Junior Grade here.]

"Did you know? Drake's a Devil Fruit user! He can turn into this… really huge dinosaur!"

"Whoa! That's terrifying…"

Drake, who had been honing his Observation Haki, couldn't help twitching at the corners of his mouth as he overheard the two girls whispering about him.

"Haha! Drake, how were those pirates?" Wright asked with a smile, clearly having heard their chatter.

"They were far too weak," Drake replied seriously. "Sir, the East Blue truly lives up to its reputation as the 'symbol of peace' forged by the Marines. The pirate crews we've encountered here so far are far below the average strength found across the other seas."

"Good, you've studied strategy and data analysis well," Wright nodded. "Ten years ago, we probably wouldn't have encountered a single pirate on our way to Cocoyasi Village."

"That was the time when you made a name for yourself in the East Blue," Drake said with admiration. "To this day, no pirate hunter in the East Blue has matched your accomplishments."

"When I left the East Blue back then, Vice Admiral Garp mentioned increasing Marine forces here to suppress pirates." Wright shook his head. "When I returned a few years ago, I didn't have the time to check, but now, seeing the disparity between the pirates' strength and the Marines' presence… looks like there's another matter to handle."

Their conversation hadn't been quiet, and Nami, keenly listening for any information, easily picked up on several key phrases:

"Ten years ago," "pirates," "famous in the East Blue," "left the East Blue"…

"The strongest pirate hunter in the East Blue back then… was Vice Admiral Wright?!"

Nami was just a baby when Bellemere found her amidst the ruins of a war-torn island. Bellemere, who had been a Marine capable of wearing the justice coat—at least an officer—often spoke of Wright's legendary deeds. After Wright left for Marine Headquarters, the pirates in the East Blue ran rampant.

Even in Cocoyasi Village, the police chief, Genzo, had once said during Arlong's invasion:

"If Lord Wright were still in the East Blue, not a single one of these villains would have escaped!"

So that's it… No wonder Vice Admiral Wright gives me such a sense of security.

He's the legend who protected the East Blue.

The legend had returned. The village… can be saved!

"Ah, I forgot to tell you about my senior brother's feats back then…" Kuina exclaimed, realizing this as she overheard Drake. "But he rarely talks about his past."

"When I was a kid, I grew up hearing his stories. You don't know how I felt when I found out the legend from my childhood was actually my senior brother… Ahem, but don't let him know!"

Kuina's confirmation left Nami overjoyed, tears streaming down her face.

"It really is Lord Wright… The village is saved… sob…"

"What's wrong, Nami?" Kuina asked, pulling her into a hug.

"It's okay. With my senior brother here, any problem can be solved!"

"Mm!" Nami nodded firmly.

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