When Zephyr returned to his residence, Yoriichi Tsugikuni was still sitting on the long corridor, looking up at the star-filled night sky.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni stood up only when Zephyr approached, smiling as he said: "Teacher Zephyr, you're back."
"Oh!"
"Yoriichi, you haven't gone to rest yet?"
Starlight and moonlight illuminated half of Yoriichi Tsugikuni's face. Zephyr looked at the young face, calmed his heart, and asked.
"I don't usually go to sleep this early."
Zephyr nodded upon hearing this, hesitated, thought for a moment, and said:
"Yoriichi, you are now my disciple."
"However, I am the Chief Instructor of the Marine School, so I won't have much time. Due to regulations, you won't be able to follow me constantly during the day."
"Yoriichi, can you read?"
Saying this, Zephyr seemed to suddenly remember something and asked.
"I think so..." Yoriichi was unsure, as he hadn't seen the writing of the One Piece world.
"Hmm... I will give you some books on navigation knowledge. You can read them on your own during the day, and if anything is unclear, ask me when I return."
"I will also make time to teach you relevant knowledge when I get back."
"To become a Marine, the first things you must learn are how to read sea charts, master navigation knowledge, and understand this world."
"As for combat training, I already have an idea and will introduce it gradually."
"The most important thing right now is to master knowledge!"
"Get some rest early tonight. Tomorrow, I will try to find a teacher to help you."
As he spoke, Zephyr patted Yoriichi's shoulder. His earnest manner made Yoriichi feel his deep care.
"Understood, Teacher Zephyr."
Zephyr turned to leave. Yoriichi watched Zephyr's retreating back, remaining silent for a long time.
Black Arm Zephyr, the Non-Killing Admiral.
This man truly possessed a unique charisma that made people trust and rely on him involuntarily.
Zephyr, who had turned to leave, wore a heavy expression. He felt that Yoriichi's talent was going to be held back by him and by the Marines.
"I need to... think of other ways..."
In the early morning, a thin, blue mist enveloped Marineford.
Yoriichi Tsugikuni, who was asleep, suddenly noticed some movement outside, and his eyes snapped open. After getting up, he grabbed the katana by his bed and pushed the door open to exit the bedroom.
However, as soon as he stepped out, Yoriichi Tsugikuni was surprised by the sight before him.
It was still dimly lit, but many craftsmen had already arrived at Zephyr's house. In the courtyard in front of his bedroom, piles of lumber were stacked up. Zephyr stood on the corridor with his arms crossed, overseeing the work.
"What is Teacher Zephyr doing?"
Hearing the sound from behind, Zephyr turned around. Seeing the sleepy-eyed Yoriichi Tsugikuni, he smiled and said:
"Oh! You're awake!"
"I'm planning to build a small dojo at home. I'm converting that empty room."
"In addition to your studies, you can do your regular training in the dojo."
"Oh, right, I brought you some books. Go move them to your room later."
As he spoke, Zephyr pointed to a stack of books piled at his feet, smiling.
"That many?!"
Yoriichi tilted his head and saw that the stack of books at Zephyr's feet was a meter high. How long would it take him to read all those books?! It wasn't that Yoriichi was afraid of studying, but he never knew becoming a Marine required learning so much!
If one had to learn this much to become a Marine, then Yoriichi Tsugikuni dared to say there would barely be any Marines left in the entire One Piece world.
"Teacher, did you make a mistake? Are you sure I need to learn this much?!"
Yoriichi Tsugikuni walked over to the stack of books, casually picked up a book titled World History, flipped through a few pages, then switched to one titled The Contributions of the Celestial Dragons, only flipping through a few pages before putting it back.
Bending down, Yoriichi quickly scanned the titles of the books, and his eyelids couldn't help but twitch.
These books were vastly different from what Yoriichi understood as "knowledge." He thought he would be studying navigation, military knowledge, and the like, but who would have thought this entire stack was various "histories" and "contributions."
Just looking at the titles, Yoriichi had very little interest.
"Oh, this is just the first batch. We'll proceed gradually; start with these first."
"If there are any words you don't recognize, or if you have any thoughts, feel free to discuss them with me!"
When Zephyr said this, his tone was also full of dissatisfaction.
He hadn't chosen these books for Yoriichi Tsugikuni; Kong had helped select them. Zephyr naturally understood the Fleet Admiral's intentions.
Zephyr's original intention was to have Yoriichi study navigation knowledge, learn sea charts, and generally understand the world.
But Kong had disrupted his plan, so what could he do? He could only bring the books back first.
However, Zephyr had already made up his mind: if Yoriichi was interested, he would read them; if not, they would just serve as reading material for literacy.
"Alright, I'll read them."
Yoriichi sensed the dissatisfaction in Zephyr's tone. He also understood that this dissatisfaction was not aimed at him. After seeing the books, Yoriichi thought for a moment and figured it out.
"It seems the Marine high command still doesn't fully trust me, a person of unknown origin!"
Yoriichi sighed inwardly, but the lack of trust from the Marine high-ups did not affect his mood.
He wasn't truly a child anymore. Yoriichi knew very well that trust itself requires time to build.
Zephyr gave the craftsmen some instructions, then handed Yoriichi some money and immediately left for "work." After all, as the Marine Chief Instructor, his daily affairs were quite busy.
Yoriichi did not interfere while the craftsmen built the dojo. This was Zephyr's house, not his, and Yoriichi understood his place.
Moving the books, Yoriichi returned to his room.
"It looks like I won't be able to access Haki for a while."
"Before learning Haki, I should focus on strengthening my physique."
After moving the books, Yoriichi looked at their table of contents and, bracing himself, pulled out the World History book and began to read.
Before starting, Yoriichi was reluctant, but once he genuinely got into the content, he no longer resisted. Although the book was written from the "Justice" perspective of the World Government, the content could still help Yoriichi understand this world.
At the same time, as he read deeper, Yoriichi gained new insights into the turbulent political situation of this world.
"Clang, clang... clang."
The sound of hammering wood echoed in the courtyard. The craftsmen had moved the materials and officially began work. After staying in the room for a while, Yoriichi heard the commotion outside, took the book, and walked onto the corridor. He sat on the floor, leaning against a pillar, and began reading the "history" in his hands under the morning light.
While working, the craftsmen would occasionally look at Yoriichi Tsugikuni sitting on the side, filled with curiosity about the quiet boy.
This was the first time they had seen a child at Admiral Zephyr's house, but they had also heard the news that Zephyr's entire family had been killed. This only made the craftsmen more curious about Yoriichi Tsugikuni's existence.
"Is the master of the house in?"
"Who is Yoriichi Tsugikuni?!"
Just as Yoriichi Tsugikuni was concentrating on "reading history," a shout came from the doorway.
Turning his head, a blond young man had walked into the courtyard on his own. After glancing at the working craftsmen, his eyes immediately fell on Yoriichi Tsugikuni on the corridor.
"Red hair, flame-shaped birthmark."
"It must be him!"
Rosinante (Corazon) thought to himself, walking straight towards Yoriichi Tsugikuni and greeting him:
"Hello! Yoriichi Tsugikuni!"
After speaking, Rosinante leaned down to Yoriichi's ear and introduced himself in a lowered voice:
"My name is Rosinante, and I was asked to come by Admiral Zephyr."
Then, Rosinante straightened up and extended his hand toward Yoriichi Tsugikuni, saying:
"It's nice to meet you!"
"I am the 'teacher' assigned to you by Admiral Zephyr!"
"Please guide me from now on!"
Rosinante had beautiful blonde hair. Although his features weren't exactly delicate, he could still be called a handsome young man.
His figure was tall and slender. Although he was wearing the standard Marine seaman's uniform, he looked spirited and upright. His sincere and bright smile easily made people feel approachable.
Yoriichi looked at the young man, nearly two meters tall, standing before him, his expression slightly stunned.
After a moment, Yoriichi also smiled and shook Rosinante's hand, saying:
"Hello, it's a pleasure to meet you."
"Please guide me too."
(End of Chapter)