#81 - Chapter 81 Sea Mission

The morning sky was faintly bright, and beams of soft orange sunlight shone through the gaps in the mist, scattering across a corner of the Marine training base.

The silence was broken by a burst of orderly footsteps as a group of new recruits marched in neat steps toward the training ground.

Zephyr stood at the very front of the formation, his gaze sweeping across every row of faces, ensuring that everyone was in character and ready to face today's mission.

Each time his gaze swept across an area, the Marines couldn't help but straighten their backs even more, their hands clenched tightly behind them, and their faces became more serious.

However, there were still a very few people standing lazily in the crowd, and he gave those few people a focused look.

"I won't force anyone who doesn't want to participate, you can just quit on your own, and I won't stop you."

His voice wasn't very loud, but it clearly entered everyone's ears.

Those who were already a little lazy had their eyes light up and instinctively raised their toes, but then seemed to think of something and hurriedly corrected their attitude.

Zephyr understood that these people didn't come voluntarily, and it was likely due to their families that they came to participate in this training camp.

But none of this was his responsibility. "Since no one is leaving, then listen carefully to orders and complete the tasks diligently!"

Although Zephyr was known as the 'Non-Killing Admiral,' he was also known among the higher-ups of the Marines for his strict military discipline.

He couldn't tolerate a grain of sand in his eyes and would never allow a black sheep to affect the lives of a group of people.

If those few who had the idea of withdrawing still performed like today in the future, he would never be soft-hearted.

Zephyr looked at the Marines in front of him and said loudly, "My name is Zephyr, and I believe most of you know my name, so I won't introduce myself any further."

"I am your chief instructor. From now on, your previous positions, resumes, and merits will be ignored. Here, you only have one identity, and that is students."

"Here, the only thing you need to do is obey. Even if I tell you to eat sh*t, you have to do it! Did you hear that?!"

"We heard you!!!"

All the Marines answered loudly, afraid that Zephyr would be dissatisfied.

Jin and the other two also cooperated vigorously with Zephyr, and their voices were even the loudest.

If they were going to do it, they would do it the best. They wanted to be the most dazzling guys in the training camp.

"This is the second time I've held a training camp. The duration is three years. Of course, if you want to graduate early, you can, as long as you reach the unanimous agreement of the Marine high command. You can graduate as early as you want."

Zephyr mentioned a method for graduating early, but it was estimated that not many people could do it.

"You are all already elites." Zephyr looked around, watching the slight movements on the faces of the people around him, and continued, "The first lesson I will teach you is… to really go to the battlefield."

Some of the Marines looked at each other. These people had experience fighting pirates, so Zephyr's first lesson felt a bit like child's play.

But there were also some people who looked embarrassed. They had never really been on the battlefield and were a little resistant to it.

Their purpose in coming to the Marine training camp was just to broaden their interpersonal relationships, and they never thought that they would face the difficulty of going to the battlefield on their first day.

Seeing the Marines' various expressions, Zephyr wasn't surprised. He had seen this kind of scene many times.

But all Marines would face this problem. Unless they transferred to a clerical position, this matter would happen sooner or later.

Zephyr said faintly, "I've seen 800 students with your quality, if not 1000. Next, you must pay attention to your own safety. Don't accidentally die on the battlefield and make an old man like me collect your corpses."

As soon as he finished speaking, all the Marines, including Jin and the others, were instantly dumbfounded, with a few black lines appearing on their foreheads.

As expected of a teacher, he could make up stories one after another.

He probably said these words to many people.

Jin had heard it since he was a child and was basically immune to this kind of unnutritious talk.

"Without further ado, next, I will specifically arrange your tasks."

Before the Marines could react, Zephyr went straight to the point.

"This time, the sea mission is a team mission. You can freely form teams of three to five people. The headquarters will send warships to escort you to the vicinity of the mission location."

"Your mission is to use your own and your partners' abilities to find the subjugation target."

"We will not give you any help with your mission. The only thing you can rely on is yourself and your companions, so please carefully choose the partners that are suitable for you."

Zephyr imprinted everyone's faces in his mind. Although he spoke harshly, he valued these young people in front of him more than anyone else.

They were the future of the Marines…

But he also understood that without tempering, they would not become pillars of the nation.

Zephyr continued, "You must pay attention to safety. Do not relax your vigilance when acting outside. You can't trust anyone except your own companions."

"After you complete your mission, return to the nearest Marine base, contact us there, and we will arrange for someone to pick you up."

As soon as he finished speaking, the Marines began to discuss among themselves, not caring that the instructor was still beside them.

They had encountered team missions before.

But asking them to find suitable teammates among people they had just met was a bit too difficult for them.

This was a mission that concerned their lives and could not be decided rashly.

Moreover, they didn't even know who the specific target of the mission was, which also made the mission difficulty increase by a level.

The Marines were as anxious as ants on a hot pot, completely unable to sort out their thoughts.

"Teacher Zephyr, what are the penalties for failing the mission?"

"We don't even know the specific situation of the people around us yet. It's too difficult for us to find teammates under these conditions."

"If we encounter danger, can we ask for your help?"

"…"

Zephyr didn't answer the Marines' questions. These things already had answers when they joined the Marines.

He coldly swept his gaze across the Marines who raised the questions and said in an icy tone, "You must be clear about your identity. You are Marines."

"When you become a Marine, you should be prepared. Even I am likely to die on the battlefield at any time. If you are not mentally prepared, quit as soon as possible!"

Hearing what Zephyr said, the Marines immediately fell silent.

Perhaps they had been in a comfortable environment for too long and had long lost their courage to move forward.

But they would not forget the goal of joining the Marines!

...