Nighttime, aboard the warship.
Sakazuki, covered in bandages from head to toe, was eating in the dining hall, replenishing his energy.
His body was no longer in critical condition, though the injuries were severe enough to require a period of rest and recovery.
Enel sat cross-legged atop the "Admonition," floating midair, quietly watching Sakazuki. After a moment, he spoke:
"Sakazuki-san, I want to become stronger."
Sakazuki was slightly surprised when he heard that. Why did it feel like Enel had suddenly matured a bit?
Looking at Enel's determined little face, Sakazuki said:
"Let Karol draw up some training plans for you first. After a couple of years, when you're old enough, you can enter the Naval Academy."
Enel listened carefully to Sakazuki's words, then nodded solemnly. With a resolute expression, he turned and went to find Karol.
Sakazuki watched as Enel walked away, a faint smile appearing on his face.
It was as if he had remembered something amusing. He shook his head and continued to replenish his energy.
...
In the adjutant's private quarters, Karol was at his desk, writing and planning something.
Knock knock knock!
The sound of knocking came from the door. Without looking up, Karol called out:
"Come in."
Enel pushed the door open and entered, stating his purpose.
Karol had just finished writing at that moment. He handed the piece of paper to Enel and smiled as he spoke:
"This is your temporary training plan."
Though the plan looked lengthy—filling a whole page—
It was actually just heavily segmented. Each segment's time allocation was within a controlled range.
Karol also wanted to see Enel's surprised reaction.
He smiled at him expectantly.
After a while, staring at the training plan,
Enel opened his mouth with a serious and solemn expression:
"Karol-san..."
A gleam seemed to flash in Karol's smiling eyes as he responded:
"Hmm?"
Enel looked up at Karol, who was sitting backward in his chair, hugging the backrest.
"I can't read."
Like a thunderclap on a clear day, the words exploded in Karol's mind.
Karol's eyes widened, and his mouth twitched.
I'm so dumb... so dumb...
Holding his forehead, Karol had dark lines all over his face.
He had completely overlooked the fact—a child who had wandered the streets since infancy, how could he know how to read?
Especially since Enel was only three years old.
Even children from normal households might not recognize every character at that age.
Feeling utterly defeated, Karol took back the training plan from Enel's hands.
He walked to his desk and picked up a notebook.
He first wrote a few characters and gave them to Enel, teaching him their pronunciation and how to write them.
He told him to practice on his own. There really weren't any children's primers aboard the warship.
He would have to wait until they reached the next island to buy some.
Enel returned to his small cabin with Karol's notebook.
Under the bright light,
Enel sat in a chair, reciting aloud as he clumsily scribbled on the desk:
"En—el."
"Ju—stice."
The lights of the warship glowed brightly as it sailed slowly through the night sky...
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
After several days of sailing, Sakazuki's warship finally arrived at Headquarters—Marineford.
The warship slowly entered the port. After nearly a year, everyone once again saw the majestic and solemn complex of buildings.
Aboard the ship, Enel stared in amazement at the towering fortress.
Engraved on the grand city walls were the massive words "NAVY," exuding an aura of dignity and reverence.
The sight struck deeply in Enel's heart.
The warship dropped anchor and came to a stop.
Sakazuki instructed everyone to rest for half a day, then led Enel toward Fleet Admiral Kong's office.
Flying behind Sakazuki on the model of "Admonition," Enel drew a lot of attention along the way.
Feeling a bit embarrassed, Enel stuck close behind Sakazuki, not daring to lift his head.
Leading Enel to the door of Fleet Admiral Kong's office, Sakazuki raised his hand and knocked.
Knock knock knock!
"Come in."
Fleet Admiral Kong's voice came from inside. Sakazuki pushed the door open and entered.
Enel followed behind, peeking half his body in to look at Fleet Admiral Kong.
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