Chu Zihang stood stock-still outside the imposing oak doors of the principal's office, his posture as rigid and disciplined as a soldier at attention. The hallowed halls of Cassel College were hushed, the silence broken only by the faint, distant hum of the building's climate control system.
Suddenly, a sharp vibration erupted from his chest pocket. The satellite phone Gustave had given him was buzzing insistently. The unexpected intrusion shattered his concentration, and for a fleeting moment, the stoic young man's composure faltered. He fumbled for the device, his fingers hastily pressing the screen to terminate the call without even a glance at the caller ID.
He'd barely taken a breath before the phone began vibrating again, a persistent and unwelcome distraction.
With a grimace, he silenced it a second time.
Several floors up, in a lavish office overlooking the campus, Principal Hilbert Ron Anjou stared at his own phone, a frown creasing his brow. The line had gone dead. Twice.
"Didn't that fellow who calls himself 'Ultraman' want money?" Anjou murmured, his fingers drumming a perplexed rhythm on the polished mahogany of his desk. It was a baffling contradiction: a man offering a service for a fee who then refused to answer his phone.
"Perhaps there is an unforeseen complication on his end," Schneider suggested from his post near the window, his voice a flat, mechanical monotone. He gazed out at the manicured college grounds, his scarred hands clasped neatly behind his back.
"A distinct possibility," Anjou conceded, stroking his chin thoughtfully. "We'll try again in the morning. If this 'Ultraman' is as capable as he claims, I'm sure he'll contact us once his situation is resolved."
Setting the mystery aside, Anjou shifted his focus back to the matter at hand. "Schneider, please ask the young man to come in now."
Schneider gave a curt nod and strode from the room. A moment later, he returned with Chu Zihang, who entered with a quiet confidence that belied his age.
"My apologies for the delay, Mr. Chu," Anjou said, rising from his grand leather chair with a warm, disarming smile. "Some unexpected business arose that required my immediate attention."
"Please, don't trouble yourself, Principal Anjou," Chu Zihang replied, offering a respectful nod. "I understand completely."
Anjou studied the young man's face, a flicker of nostalgia in his eyes. The strong jaw, the determined set of his mouth—it was an uncanny echo of a memory from long ago. "Professor Schneider has briefed me on your... unconventional arrival. I must express my deepest condolences for the loss of your father. Chu Tianjiao was, without question, one of the finest dragon slayers Cassel College ever produced."
The principal's gaze seemed to drift back through the decades, lost in recollections of old missions and a camaraderie forged in fire. Chu Zihang met his gaze silently, the air thick with unspoken grief and unanswered questions.
"My boy," Anjou continued, his voice resonating with admiration, "you are the first person in the history of this institution to find us through sheer willpower alone. That, combined with your father's legacy, is more than enough. If you wish to enroll, I will personally approve your admission as a freshman, effective immediately."
Anjou had a deep and genuine appreciation for talent, and he saw in Chu Zihang that rare, burning fire that defined a true warrior.
"I would be honored to join Cassel College," Chu Zihang answered without a flicker of hesitation. The decision had been cemented long before he stepped into this office. While the One Piece world offered boundless opportunities to grow stronger, only Cassel held the keys to uncovering the truth about Odin and his father's death.
"Excellent! I'm delighted to hear it," Anjou beamed, his face lighting up. "We are currently on summer vacation, which gives you two options. You may return home and await the start of the semester, or you can remain on campus to acclimate and prepare."
"I would prefer to stay," Chu Zihang stated simply.
"Perfect! I'll have Professor Schneider see to your dormitory arrangements and help you get settled."
"Understood, Principal," Schneider acknowledged.
With the formalities concluded, Schneider led Chu Zihang from the office, guiding him through the labyrinthine corridors toward the student residences. As they walked across the impressive campus, Schneider provided a crash course on the college's unique structure: the complex classification of dragon bloodlines, the rigorous entrance exams, and the specialized courses that awaited him. Chu Zihang absorbed it all, his mind a steel trap for any information that might prove useful in his hunt.
The dorms at Cassel were divided into standard and luxury accommodations. While his stepfather had given him more than enough money for the finest suite, Chu Zihang, ever practical, chose a standard room. Such extravagance felt wasteful, an unnecessary indulgence paid for with another man's hard work.
After confirming his choice, Schneider led him to his new home. For a "standard" dormitory, it was surprisingly lavish, furnished with high-quality furniture and modern amenities that could rival a four-star hotel. The only real giveaway was that it was a double-occupancy room, though for now, Chu Zihang had it all to himself.
His only neighbor was a student across the hall, one who would soon make his presence known.
No sooner had Schneider departed than the door flew open and a young man with an explosion of sandy hair bounded in. "Hey there! Name's Finger! Senior student, resident expert, go-to guy for all things Cassel! If you need anything, and I mean anything, I'm your man!" he declared in a rapid-fire, overly enthusiastic monologue.
Finger's well-intentioned but overwhelming welcome was cut short when Chu Zihang, with polite firmness, explained that he was exhausted from his travels and needed to rest. With a perfectly reasonable excuse, he managed to usher his new, boisterous neighbor back across the hall. Finger retreated, looking slightly dejected, wondering if he'd already made a terrible first impression.
Once alone, Chu Zihang meticulously swept his new room for bugs, checking every corner, piece of furniture, and electrical outlet. Only when he was certain the space was clean did he retreat into the bathroom for privacy. He was about to open the Gate of All Worlds when he remembered the time difference. It would be the middle of the night in the One Piece world. Not wanting to disturb his friends, he decided to wait.
The next day dawned bright and clear over the Grand Line. On the deck of the Bamboo Staff, a fierce fishing competition was underway. Gustave, Luffy, and Tom had their lines cast, each determined to win.
Tom's bucket was already overflowing with a bizarre and colorful assortment of fish, a testament to the cartoon physics that governed his existence. Gustave had a respectable haul himself, but Luffy's spot remained barren. He stared at his unmoving line with the desperate hope of a condemned man, his frustration mounting with every passing minute.
"Having a little fishing competition?" a familiar voice asked from behind Gustave.
It was Chu Zihang.
"You bet!" Gustave shot back, his eyes glued to his line. "Loser has to do laundry for the other two!"
"Do you plan to be at this all day?" Chu Zihang inquired.
"Nope! Competition ends at three o'clock sharp!"
Chu Zihang calmly checked his pocket watch. "It's already well past three."
"What?!" Gustave shot to his feet, nearly kicking over his own bucket. He marched over to Luffy, who was still glaring at the water as if he could will a fish onto his hook.
Placing his hands firmly on the rubber boy's shoulders, Gustave announced with theatrical solemnity, "You hear that, Luffy? It's over! The competition has officially concluded!"
Luffy looked up, his face a mask of utter defeat. His shoulders slumped. "I know," he mumbled miserably. "I'll do the laundry."
Mercifully, neither Gustave nor Tom intended to bury him in weeks of dirty clothes. They each handed over a single outfit from the previous day.
With the contest settled, Gustave finally turned his full attention to their guest. "So, what's the news? Did you find Cassel College?"
"I found it," Chu Zihang replied, leaning against the railing and taking in the endless blue vista. "I'm officially enrolled as a freshman. But that's not why I'm here. That satellite phone you gave me has been ringing off the hook."
"Damn it! Why didn't you lead with that?!" Gustave yelped, his leisurely mood vanishing in an instant. His eyes lit up with the unmistakable glint of a businessman sensing a golden opportunity. This was it. A major client was on the line.
"You seemed rather absorbed in your fishing," Chu Zihang answered with a deadpan shrug.
"Come on, let's go! Time is money!" Gustave declared, grabbing Chu Zihang by the arm and all but dragging him toward the Gate. The inconvenience of needing an anchor point for every crossing was a small price to pay for access to a universe of paying customers.
Back in the quiet of the Cassel College dormitory, Gustave materialized through the portal and took a moment to survey his surroundings.
"Wow. Cassel College really doesn't skimp on the budget," he observed, admiring the elegant decor. "Even the standard dorms are nicer than most hotels."
"You should probably contact the principal," Chu Zihang urged, cutting through Gustave's interior design commentary. "They've already called twice."
"Right, right! On it!" Gustave replied, his entrepreneurial instincts firing on all cylinders.
Then, as quickly as he arrived, he vanished.