Chapter 61: Return to the Marines

Here's your chapter with improved grammar, flow, and clarity while preserving its original tone and intent.

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*"Darkseid? Carl's cousin?"*

Zephyr furrowed his brow as he read through the file. He recalled when Sengoku had mentioned that Carl had a special background. At the time, Zephyr hadn't thought much of it, but now? He couldn't ignore it.

A good student was already rare, but Carl was an exceptional case—a Logia-type Devil Fruit user with the Dark-Dark Fruit. Now, his so-called cousin had a Mythical Zoan ability? That was far too much of a coincidence.

*What are the odds of two people from the same family obtaining such rare and powerful Devil Fruits?*

It was one thing for a low-probability event to happen once, but twice? Zephyr was almost certain now—these Devil Fruits hadn't just fallen into their hands by chance. Someone powerful had arranged it.

The more he thought about it, the more uneasy he felt. *Who exactly is behind Carl and Lucia?*

His thoughts were suddenly interrupted by a commotion outside the window.

*"Tch… Those brats think they can slack off just because I've been gone? That lazy Borsalino must be behind this!"*

Zephyr strode to the window, his expression darkening. However, as he took in the scene below, his sternness softened slightly.

Carl had returned.

Standing beside him was a slender black-haired girl—no doubt Lucia, the one mentioned in the report. Even from a distance, Zephyr could tell she wasn't just any recruit.

On the training ground, Ginny had practically latched onto Carl, rubbing her face against his chest. Lucia frowned slightly at the display but said nothing.

Carl had already introduced her to his close friends on the ship, with Ginny being a key figure. Lucia knew how important Ginny was to him, so she remained silent.

Gion, standing in the crowd, also wanted to greet Carl but hesitated. Their relationship was… complicated. If she approached him now, it would only be awkward.

Instead, she glanced at Lucia, who had been quietly standing by Carl's side.

Something about her behavior piqued Gion's interest.

*Her eyes… That's not how a cousin looks at her relative. It's something else…*

Lucia suddenly noticed the gaze on her. She turned to meet Gion's stare, her expression calm, but her hand slowly moved to the hilt of her sword.

Gion's eyes narrowed. In that brief moment, she felt an inexplicable pressure—Lucia's presence was overwhelming, far greater than she had expected.

Carl, sensing something off, called Lucia's name softly. At his voice, she immediately relaxed, withdrawing her hand and breaking eye contact.

Meanwhile, Akainu waited for Ginny to step aside before addressing Carl.

"You've gotten stronger again."

Carl smiled slightly, half-joking, "Sakazuki, what makes you say that? My hair?"

Akainu, ever serious, shook his head. "No. It's not about your appearance. It's your aura—I can feel it."

Kizaru, rubbing his chin, nodded lazily. "Mm~ I feel it too."

The others weren't as surprised. To them, Carl's growth was expected. Given his talent, his strength seemed to increase by the day, especially after spending a month in Mary Geoise.

At that moment, a loud, commanding voice cut through the chatter.

*"What are you all doing? Getting lazy just because I wasn't around?!"*

Zephyr's booming voice silenced the crowd instantly.

Carl was suddenly reminded of the strict teachers from his past life—the kind who would suddenly appear at the classroom door, sending students scrambling to look busy.

The trainees quickly lined up in two neat rows. Lucia, however, stood still at Carl's right, the lone girl among the male recruits.

Zephyr's sharp gaze landed on her. "You must be Lucia, the new recruit. Step forward and introduce yourself."

Lucia didn't move, as if she hadn't heard him.

Zephyr's expression darkened, but before he could speak again, Carl stepped in.

"Teacher Zephyr, my cousin is a bit shy. She hasn't been around people much, so please don't force her. I've already introduced her to everyone. Lucia, apologize to Teacher Zephyr."

Lucia obediently nodded and murmured, "I'm sorry."

Her tone was stiff, but Zephyr let it slide.

*"This girl is… reserved. I just hope she's not another Sakazuki in the making."*

Sakazuki, as if sensing something, suddenly rubbed his nose.

Zephyr sighed. "Alright. Join the female recruits for now."

Lucia didn't move until Carl gave a small nod. Only then did she walk over to the female trainees.

The watching recruits exchanged glances.

Lucia's obedience to Carl was… extreme. If he weren't so young, someone might have mistaken him for her father.

Carl, on the other hand, felt a headache coming on.

*She's even more dependent on me than Ginny… I need to make sure she understands she can't follow me into my dorm at night.*

Meanwhile, in the female trainees' section, Jessica glanced back at Lucia before nudging Ginny with her elbow.

"Hey, Ginny… are you sure Lucia is really Carl's cousin? She doesn't act like it."

Ginny frowned. She had been thinking the same thing.

At first, she assumed Lucia was a long-lost relative Carl had reunited with, but something felt off.

*Carl left his family when he was eight. How could a cousin he barely knew be this attached to him?*

No, this wasn't how a cousin behaved.

This was how…

A wife acted.

The thought hit Ginny like a lightning bolt.

*Could Lucia be Carl's fiancée?!*

Her mind raced. The idea seemed ridiculous, but… was it really?

Carl's family was powerful. It wouldn't be strange if they arranged a marriage for him.

Ginny clenched her fists. *No! I won't let that happen!*

Jessica noticed her tense expression. "Ginny? Hello? What's up with you?"

Suddenly, Ginny blurted out, "No! Brother Carl, don't agree to it!"

Silence.

Everyone turned to stare at her.

Carl, confused, blinked at her from across the field.

Realizing what she had just shouted, Ginny's face turned bright red.

"A-Ah… I was just, um… thinking out loud… Sorry!"

The recruits burst into laughter.

Carl, still baffled, scratched his head. *What's going on with her?*

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This version refines grammar, enhances character interactions, and smooths out the pacing while keeping the chapter's core intact. Let me know if you need any further tweaks!