Chapter 5: Meeting the Next Generation

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As the Umbra glided smoothly back into the Marineford harbor, Selene stood at the bow, the sea breeze brushing through her dark hair. The towering Marine headquarters loomed ahead, bustling with activity as ships came and went. It was a familiar sight, but Selene's sharp gaze softened slightly at the thought of seeing some familiar faces again.

After the chaotic events in Alabasta, she welcomed the idea of some quieter moments—at least for a little while. However, fate had other plans. As soon as she stepped off the Umbra, her attention was drawn to a pair of young Marines standing awkwardly by the docks.


The two figures wore Marine uniforms—one with pink hair, bright eyes, and an eager smile; the other with a proud stance, long blond hair, and an air of slight arrogance.

Coby and Helmeppo. Selene recognized them almost instantly. They were Garp's trainees, and she'd heard a great deal about the boys through the Marine grapevine. Garp had been bragging about them non-stop, especially Coby, who was showing great promise.

As Selene approached them, the pink-haired boy—Coby—stood stiffly at attention and snapped a salute.

"Admiral Selene, ma'am!" Coby said, his voice filled with nervous energy. "It's an honor to meet you!"

Helmeppo followed a moment later, though his salute was a bit less enthusiastic. "Uh, yeah—pleasure to meet you, Admiral." He tried to play it cool, but it was clear he was a bit nervous, too.

Selene's eyes twinkled with amusement. "Relax, boys. You'll hurt your backs standing that stiff."

Coby flushed bright red and immediately relaxed, though he kept himself upright, trying his best not to embarrass himself. Selene took a step closer, studying them both with a curious glint in her eyes.

"So, you're Garp's new projects?" she asked, her tone light but teasing. "He talks about you two a lot, you know. Says you've got potential."

Coby's eyes widened in surprise. "Vice Admiral Garp really said that?!"

Selene chuckled softly. "Of course he did. Garp loves bragging about his trainees. Almost as much as he brags about his grandson." She gave Coby a sly smile. "Though, between you and me, I think Luffy gives him more gray hairs than anything else."

At the mention of Luffy, Coby's expression shifted—a mixture of fondness and conflict. Selene caught the change instantly, her curiosity piqued. "Ah," she said knowingly. "You've met him, haven't you?"

Coby nodded slowly, his smile fading into a more thoughtful expression. "Yeah... I met him. He's the reason I became a Marine."

Selene's gaze softened. She had seen that kind of inner conflict before—Coby admired Luffy, but now they were on opposite sides. It wasn't an easy thing to come to terms with, especially for someone as idealistic as Coby.

"That must be hard," Selene said gently. "Caring about someone, even when they walk a different path."

Coby looked surprised by her understanding but nodded. "Yeah... but I still want to do the right thing. I want to be a great Marine, like Vice Admiral Garp."

Selene smiled softly. "Garp may be a bit rough around the edges, but his heart's in the right place. If you follow your own sense of justice—like he does—you'll be just fine."

Helmeppo shifted awkwardly beside him, clearly feeling out of place. "Uh, yeah. Me too. I'll... follow my sense of justice, too."

Selene chuckled. "That's the spirit, Helmeppo. Just try not to trip over your own feet along the way."

Selene saw something in Coby and Helmeppo that reminded her of younger versions of Garp—and, in a way, herself. They weren't perfect, but they had potential. And in a world as chaotic as theirs, that was enough.

"Listen to me, both of you," Selene said, her tone soft but firm. "Being a Marine isn't about following orders blindly. It's about doing what's right—even when it's hard. The path won't always be clear, and sometimes, you'll have to make tough decisions. But as long as you act with care and conviction, you'll be the kind of Marines this world needs."

Coby nodded eagerly, hanging on every word. Helmeppo tried to act nonchalant, but it was clear he was paying attention, too.

As the conversation wound down, Garp's booming voice echoed from across the docks, calling for the two young Marines. "Coby! Helmeppo! Get over here before I use you two as cannonballs!"

The boys winced in unison, exchanging glances that said, "Here we go again."

Selene chuckled. "Looks like you two are needed. Better not keep the old man waiting."

Coby gave her one last salute, this time with genuine gratitude. "Thank you, Admiral Selene! It was an honor!"

Helmeppo gave a quick nod. "Yeah, uh—thanks!"

As the two scurried off toward Garp, Selene watched them with a small, satisfied smile. "They'll do just fine," she murmured to herself.

With a graceful turn, she made her way toward the main building of Marineford, her boots tapping softly against the stone. "The next generation... Maybe there's hope for the Marines after all."

~End of Chapter 5: Passing the Torch...

Selene's encounter with Coby and Helmeppo left her feeling unexpectedly light-hearted. Though the world was shifting and chaos brewed on the horizon, the sight of two young Marines determined to follow their own sense of justice gave her a rare glimmer of hope. In a world where lines between friend and foe often blurred, perhaps the future wouldn't be as bleak as it seemed.

But Selene knew that her work was far from over. The tides of change were coming, and she intended to meet them head-on—just as she always did, in the shadows, with a smile.


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