Chapter 75 Graduation

The graduation day for the first batch of the Elite Navy Expansion Program had finally arrived.

Smoker stared blankly at the graduation test arrangements.

To his surprise, he, Hina, Gasparade, Esther, and four others—seven in total—were exempt from taking the test and allowed to graduate directly.

Holding the document, Smoker went to find Zephyr.

"Zephyr-sensei, what's going on here?! How did we get graded without even taking the test?"

He had been looking forward to showing off his skills and maybe rubbing it in a bit.

Why was his chance to shine—or rather, to crush some weaklings—being taken away?!

Zephyr, lounging in his office chair and flipping through a newspaper, replied dismissively, "What's there to test with you lot? If even you can't pass, the entire program would be a joke! Do you want the first expansion batch to become a laughingstock?"

Smoker slapped the results sheet onto the desk in protest.

"Fine, no test. But why is Hina ranked higher than me?"

According to the instructors, Hina was ranked first, with Smoker in second.

Lowering his voice conspiratorially, he added, "Between us... I could easily take her down."

Zephyr's eyes shifted from the newspaper to Smoker, his lips curving into a sly smile.

"How about this—you two can compete based on the graduation test criteria?"

"Combat, strategy, communication, intelligence, law, cultural knowledge, firearm maintenance, ship navigation, administrative regulations..."

"I can set it all up for you."

Smoker hesitated, his bravado crumbling. "Uh… never mind. If she's ranked higher, she's ranked higher."

Zephyr snorted. "Hmph. Thought so!"

He continued, "Relax. The top position is still yours. You and Hina are being groomed for different roles anyway."

Smoker looked puzzled. "What do you mean?"

Zephyr, as if remembering something, pulled out a stack of files from his desk drawer.

"By the way, the tests will take about two months to wrap up."

"You'll have some free time. Take care of these targets in the meantime."

Smoker took the files and flipped through them carefully. They were wanted posters and dossiers.

"'Bright Pirates'... Captain 'Bright Burial Lamp,' bounty 200 million berries, Paramecia-type Light-Light Fruit. Major officer 'Tracker Cody,' bounty 50 million berries, Zoan-type Dog-Dog Fruit: Coyote Model."

"'Fold Pirates'... Captain 'Untouchable Titan,' bounty 130 million berries, Paramecia-type Distance-Distance Fruit. What kind of ability is that?"

Smoker read further into Titan's profile. The ability was detailed in full:

"Distance-Distance Fruit allows the user to extend or shorten the distance between themselves and a target at will, up to 10 times. Effective range is suspected to be ten nautical miles... interesting."

"This one's unique too, the 'Glide Pirates'... Captain Fly Squirrel, bounty 74 million berries, Zoan-type Mouse-Mouse Fruit: Flying Squirrel Model."

"Their entire crew specializes in gliders and hot air balloons… Hmm, an aerial unit?"

"But their non-combatant death rate is ridiculously high…"

"And there's more…"

The stack contained over twenty wanted posters, involving more than ten pirate crews.

The bounties varied widely, as did the pirates' abilities. Most were ordinary Zoan users or wielders of lackluster Paramecia powers.

In addition, the dossiers included their current locations—spread across the first half of the Grand Line—and even their planned routes.

Smoker couldn't help but feel a twinge of pity.

These idiots were clearly being monitored by intelligence operatives. They didn't stand a chance.

"Finished reading?"

Zephyr pulled out another document, scribbled on it swiftly, and placed a Den Den Mushi with a special insignia in front of Smoker.

"Take this file. Whether you need ships or personnel, the logistics team will support you."

"If you need intel, use this Den Den Mushi to contact the intelligence division. But listen carefully—don't lose it! If you do, you might spend the rest of your life rotting in Impel Down!"

"And one more thing: recover as many Devil Fruits as you can, but keep it absolutely confidential!"

Smoker accepted the file and the Den Den Mushi, his expression skeptical.

"Zephyr-sensei, is this some task from Admiral Sengoku that you're just passing off to me?"

Zephyr slammed the desk and barked, trying to mask his guilt, "What?! How dare you tarnish my good name with baseless accusations! Catching pirates isn't passing the buck—it's training for you! A blessing for your career!"

"Anyway… that's enough chatter. Off you go now, don't waste my time!"

Realizing he'd been dismissed, Smoker clicked his tongue and left reluctantly.

"Ten pirate crews, huh? Looks like I'll be busy for a while."

Two months passed quickly.

The students finished their tests, and Smoker rushed back to headquarters.

Despite the exhausting work, it had been a fruitful venture.

He defeated pirates by the shipload, with their collective bounties totaling over a billion berries. Not to mention the hidden treasures he'd quietly pocketed, including 20 Devil Fruits.

The graduation ceremony was held in the training grounds.

In attendance were the successful graduates, students who had been reassigned to desk roles due to injuries, and a solemn row of black-and-white photos commemorating the fallen.

Zephyr announced:

"Out of the 237 students enrolled in the first Elite Navy Expansion Program, only a few were reassigned due to severe injuries or disabilities.

None quit or defected. Of the 173 who endured the rigorous final tests, all passed and graduated successfully!"

The following medal ceremony, though less grand than those for Admiral candidates, was still solemn and momentous.

Zephyr personally awarded each student their rank, all of which were at least the rank of Major.

Among them:

10 graduates received the rank of Colonel, granting them command of their own ships. If stationed at one of the Navy's bases in the Four Seas, they could immediately serve as base commanders.

32 graduates were promoted to Lieutenant Colonel, securing high-ranking positions in the bases.

The remaining 129 students earned the rank of Major, as anything below this rank couldn't pass the rigorous tests.

But two individuals stood out the most—Smoker and Hina.

Thanks to his accumulated achievements and the glory of his two-month mission, Smoker was promoted from Colonel to Rear Admiral.

Only then did Smoker realize that Zephyr's so-called "passing the buck" had been more than just laziness—it had been a calculated move.

Hina, on the other hand, had built an impressive resume over the years alongside Smoker. With her natural Devil Fruit powers, mastery of Haki, and exceptional all-around skills, she was promoted to Commodore.

It was rare in the Navy to see officers enter the admiralty ranks immediately upon graduation.

The final agenda was the announcement of assignments.

Among the 173 graduates, Hina and 130 others were sent to reinforce various branches and bases.

The remaining 43, led by Smoker, were assigned to the newly established Navy G-12 branch.