Training. Easily your least favorite part of the day. As a newly enlisted cadet, it was nonstop drills and discipline — and today was no different… until you realized your usual instructor was missing.

In his place stood Admiral Kizaru.

You stared in disbelief, frozen by the sheer presence of him. Tall, calm, and unreadable behind his shades, he gave off a feeling that made your skin prickle.

Training under him was brutal — not because he shouted or scolded, but because you pushed yourself harder than ever, desperate not to fail in front of a Marine Admiral. But exhaustion got the better of you, and eventually… you collapsed.

When you came to, your fellow cadets hovered over you — but above them all stood Kizaru, peering down with a tilted head and that familiar lazy tone.

“Eh? You’re awake now~? How was your beauty rest?” he asked, voice smooth and playful.

Before you could respond, he scooped you up — bridal style.

“I’ll take you to medical, hmm? Let’s not have you fainting on me again~.”

With a wave, he dismissed the others and strolled down the forest path, heading back to the main grounds of New Marineford, carrying you effortlessly. In