The spring air was still chilly, and the morning light barely filtered through Marinford's skyline.
It was March, and winter's lingering breath still hovered over the island. Before the sun had fully risen, Tsugikuni Yoriichi quietly left his room, gazing at the empty courtyard with a mix of relief and Hope.
Only yesterday, thanks to Garp's recommendation, he had become the disciple of Admiral Zephyr at Marine Headquarters. Yet, because of his young age, he could not enroll directly in the Naval Academy. Instead, he would reside with Zephyr, training under his guidance.
Zephyr, now forty-seven, had faced a tragic turning point five years prior. His family had been murdered by pirates he had once hunted. Since then, the once Tenacious admiral had stepped away from the front lines, earning a reputation as a "no-kill" instructor who valued life even amidst the Inhumanity of the seas.
Though he had meditated leaving the Navy entirely, coaxing from friends like Admiral Sora and Garp had kept him in the service, albeit in a quieter role: nurturing the next generation of Marines.
Marinford itself was a sprawling island, serving not only as the Navy's headquarters but also as a residence for officers' families. At its heart lay the Navy family compounds. Zephyr's allocated residence had been sizable, but after his family's death, he spent most nights in the Academy dormitory. Only yesterday had he returned to this home, Joined by Yoriichi.
Now, however, the house felt strangely empty.
Yoriichi understood Zephyr's grief. Even after decades of surviving in a harsh, Demon Slayer-like world, the sight of Zephyr reminded him of both the cruelty of life and the resilience of those who uphold justice.
He also felt admiration for the admiral who refrained from killing, even in the face of loss. This meeting had not only impressed upon Yoriichi the harshness of the world but also offered a rare glimpse of human kindness.
Turning back to his room, Yoriichi noticed it had once belonged to Zephyr's child. Toys still lay scattered on the table, untouched, as if frozen in time. Though Zephyr rarely stayed at home, the room had been meticulously maintained, a silent testament to a father's enduring love.
"Oh! Up so early? Good! That saves me the trouble of waking you," Zephyr's voice called from the hallway, his cheerful demeanor cutting through the morning chill.
"Your early habits are excellent. A proper sleep schedule is essential for becoming a good admiral!" he continued. "Did you sleep well last night? Apologies for the mess; I didn't have time to clean."
Yoriichi turned to him, smiling politely.
"Teacher Zephyr, you jest. A wildling like me could hardly expect such luxury," he replied. "The room is neat, and I like it. Thank you for arranging this."
Zephyr nodded. It was normal for a child to be cautious in an unfamiliar place, and he welcomed the polite distance.
"As long as you like it, this will be your home. Garp is often away on missions, so you'll stay with me. I'll take care of you. But first—let's have breakfast."
"I'll accompany you to the Naval Academy later. You won't enroll yet, but you can begin some self-training whenever you like. The facilities are available when no one else is around."
Zephyr placed a warm hand on Yoriichi's shoulder, dispelling the morning chill with its Soothing weight.
"Understood, teacher."
Yoriichi had long forgotten what it felt like to be cared for. Having lost his mother early, with a distant father and an incapable brother, his childhood had been defined by discipline and survival. The warmth from Zephyr was foreign yet comforting.
Zephyr glanced at the boy, then at the empty child's room, before speaking in a deep voice:
"Yoriichi… come with me to the Naval Academy today. If you don't like it, you won't have to join the Navy."
Seeing the child's face reminded him that, despite his talent, Yoriichi was still only thirteen. Life offered many paths. Perhaps a simple, ordinary existence could also bring happiness.
Yoriichi, however, was resolute.
"Are you testing me?" he thought briefly, then shook his head. "No, I've made my decision. I cannot accept this world as it is. No matter what others think, I will strive to change it."
Zephyr stared, Surprised by the child's unwavering determination. At such a young age, Yoriichi already possessed a will and clarity rare even among adults.
"How could a child harbor such thoughts?" Zephyr murmured. "Our Navy truly isn't doing enough… damn it."
Then, unexpectedly, he laughed.
"Hahaha! Excellent! Very ambitious! Come, I'll show you how the finest sailors are trained!"
When they arrived at the Naval Academy, cadets were already immersed in training. The morning chill Endured, but the grounds were alive with the sound of exertion and determination.
"Yoriichi, these cadets are elite, drawn from across the world," Zephyr said proudly. "Not everyone can join the Academy. Only those who excel in their branch get this chance. Those who graduate are fast-tracked to leadership."
Yoriichi observed the cadets with interest. "If it's just running, I think I can manage."
Zephyr smiled and called over a supervising instructor. "Report! How long have you been training?"
The instructor saluted. "One hour and forty minutes, sir. Twenty minutes remain for warm-up."
Zephyr turned to Yoriichi. "Running is only a warm-up. One lap is a kilometer, and they run forty kilometers daily before engaging in specialized training—navigation, firearms, combat, naval history, and more. What you see now is merely the beginning."
The Naval Academy had evolved significantly under Zephyr's leadership, with comprehensive training far beyond simple swordplay or Haki mastery. Each class now produced exceptional officers.
Yoriichi, impressed, raised an eyebrow. The Academy was far more Elegant than he had imagined—a true institution for cultivating leaders.
Zephyr then explained the enrollment requirements. "Only those with a Dao Power of 80 or above may enter. To put that in perspective, an ordinary adult male with some training barely reaches 10."
Yoriichi's eyes widened. The bar was Formidable—but he felt ready.
Read Two weeks ahead at
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(End of Chapter)