The voice on the other end grew a bit clearer:
"Oh? Guess not."
"Then forget it."
"By the way, let me give you a reminder."
"When the government assigned you, maybe they didn't tell you this."
"But the Shichibukai are nothing more than lackeys of the government and the Navy."
"Keep your own people in line."
"Remember that."
Click—
The sound of the call ending echoed.
Jinbei's eyes widened, his fists clenching tightly:
"Navy…"
The aura around him surged outward, instantly alerting several sharp-sensed fighters on the ship.
They rushed to the deck but found no enemy.
Creak—
The sound of a door opening followed.
By now, Jinbei had reined in his aura:
"It's nothing. Everyone, go back."
Seeing Jinbei step out holding the Den Den Mushi, the others exchanged glances.
"Jinbei?"
...
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
On the barren ground behind the mountain, Enel was sparring with a purple-haired youth.
Both were keeping the aftermath of the fight tightly controlled within a set area.
They were about the same height, but while Enel's build was evenly proportioned, the purple-haired youth was sturdier—though not at all sluggish.
Boom!
The purple-haired youth slammed a strike at Enel's position.
But Enel's figure slowly faded away—it was only an afterimage.
Bzz—
A sharp crack of thunder rang out from behind.
Enel's arm became like a spear of lightning, thrusting at the youth's head.
The purple-haired youth didn't even turn his head, slamming his elbow back to meet it.
The Armament Haki-coated elbow knocked Enel's arm off course, the strike grazing past his ear.
Boom!
They split apart after a single clash.
With a zap, Enel's figure reappeared at the edge of the field:
"Not fighting anymore. Boring."
"I can't let loose, and you're way too steady."
"Developed on all fronts, no real weaknesses."
"How does Admiral Zephyr even train you people?"
The purple-haired youth chuckled:
"Maybe my father just has strict standards."
"Plenty of people couldn't keep up."
Enel thought for a moment:
"True…"
"Everyone has their own view on how to develop."
"Back in the academy, I argued with Admiral Zephyr plenty myself."
The purple-haired youth said:
"Father just doesn't want tragedies to happen to the cadets…"
"So he's always been strict."
Enel sighed softly:
"Tragedies, huh…"
"By the way, how old are you now?"
"Back then you were just a kid. Now…"
"You're an adult already, right? How come you're still not on a ship?"
The youth gave a bitter smile:
"Twenty-three."
"Father says my strength isn't enough yet."
"I still need a few more years of training."
Enel shook his head:
"Unbelievable…"
"But don't worry, Sakazuki-san already went to talk to Admiral Zephyr."
"Maybe something will come of it."
"And there's even a gift for you."
A spark of anticipation flashed in the youth's eyes:
"Really?!"
...
Marine Headquarters, Academy Principal's Office.
Ward Morris sat at the massive desk, lifting his tea, blowing gently on the steam as he looked at the two men before him.
Zephyr sat on the sofa with arms crossed, confidently eyeing Sakazuki:
"I'm afraid you'll be disappointed, Sakazuki."
"I won't be persuaded."
Sakazuki chuckled lightly:
"Don't be so quick to decide. Take a look at this first."
He pushed a box on the coffee table toward Zephyr.
Ward Morris leaned in curiously to see.
Sakazuki slowly opened the box, revealing a Devil Fruit with irregular patterns.
Zephyr picked it up and looked it over:
"Paramecia, huh."
Ward Morris shook his head, sipping his tea. Just another Paramecia…
As Ward Morris raised his cup, Sakazuki said with a faint smile:
"Paramecia—Float-Float Fruit."
Pfft—
Ward Morris nearly spit his tea, staring at the fruit in shock.
Zephyr, too, was taken aback as he looked at the fruit in his hand:
"You mean…?"
Sakazuki nodded:
"That's right. It's the one."
"The previous user was Golden Lion Shiki—the Float-Float Fruit."
Ward Morris gasped sharply:
"How is this in your hands?"
"Sure, you killed him… but still…"
Sakazuki grinned:
"Golden Lion died at Loguetown. The Devil Fruit respawned somewhere in East Blue."
"During the East Blue sweep, we 'found' it on a small pirate crew."
Zephyr's expression turned stern:
"No. This fruit is too valuable."
He pushed it back.
No matter how much he disliked the idea of his son eating a Devil Fruit…
Facing this kind of fruit, even he felt temptation.
After all, aside from the fruit's inherent value, Golden Lion became a legendary pirate largely thanks to the Float-Float Fruit's power.
It wasn't an ordinary ability—it was a rule-based power.
It could make the user and anything they touched "break free from gravity" and float.
Yes—"break free from gravity."
Golden Lion once made dozens of islands float thousands of meters in the sky for years without falling, all thanks to this absurd ability.
With no concern for stamina drain, he could even make water float.
If Golden Lion had been more unhinged, he could've gone from island to island, flipping them over… countless would have died.
Just a touch, and an entire island could be uprooted and inverted…
Sakazuki shook his head, pushing the fruit back again:
"It's not for you."
"Whether he eats it or not is his choice."
"His talent is outstanding, and he's had your guidance since childhood."
"I know what you're worried about."
"You're afraid he'll face an enemy too strong and won't be able to escape."
"That's why you've kept him close all this time."
"Thinking you'll release him when he's strong enough."
"But even fledglings have to learn to fly."
"He's twenty-three already. How long will you keep him leashed?"
"Until he's twenty-five? Thirty? Thirty-five?"
"Until he's Admiral-level before you let him out?"
Zephyr fell silent… Sakazuki wasn't wrong. He just didn't want to face it.
After all, he himself had joined the Marines at fourteen. By eighteen, he was already fighting pirates.
But his son, now twenty-three, had barely left his sight at all—for fear of something happening.
That pain of separation… he didn't want to feel it again.
Sakazuki sighed softly:
"Your intentions are good."
"But for the kid, isn't it just another burden?"
"Your worry is his safety."
"This fruit can put your worries to rest."
"With the Float-Float Fruit's power, thousands of meters is just seconds away."
"Only a handful of top pirates could catch up."
"Let him train under Enel for a few years first."
"Then we can build an aerial fleet."
"With him leading it—perfect."
"Zephyr's physique, Golden Lion's power, and a Navy aerial armada blocking out the sky."
"Picture it."
Zephyr stared at the fruit, lost in thought…
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The fanfic is Finished on p@treon/tambeerg. 414 chapters in total