Thankss for the Power Stones 💕Bonus Chapter will be uploaded
Now lets hit 100 Power Stoness🫡
Chapter 29: The Academy
The residence Zephyr arranged for Satoru was his own home. The large villa, usually empty and silent with Zephyr as its sole occupant, now held a new, quiet energy.
The home itself was revealing. The garden Satoru passed through to enter was meticulously kept, bursting with well-tended flowers and shrubs. It was a side of the gruff, battle-hardened legend Satoru hadn't expected.
"Those plants are my usual company," Zephyr said, gesturing to the garden. "When you train, be careful not to damage them. Or there will be consequences."
Satoru nodded. "I'll be careful."
Inside, on a living room cabinet, a single photo frame caught Satoru's eye. It was a picture of a younger Zephyr, a kind-faced woman, and a smiling child, taken right here in this vibrant garden. Understanding dawned. These weren't just plants; they were a living memorial, a connection to a lost family. It explained the fierce, protective tenderness Zephyr held for them.
Dinner was prepared by Zephyr himself, and it was, to Satoru's surprise, excellent—far superior to anything Garp could (or would) ever make.
"Rest up," Zephyr instructed after the meal. "Tomorrow you come to the Academy with me. With your strength, you'll be placed directly in the elite class. But remember: in my domain, bullying is forbidden. You will not use your power to intimidate your classmates. Understood?"
"I understand, Master," Satoru replied.
Internally, he added a caveat: As long as they don't start it with me. His personal creed was simple: live and let live, but an eye for an eye, settled immediately.
The next morning, when Zephyr rose, he found Satoru in the garden, already in the final stages of a precise, rigorous warm-up routine. A light sheen of sweat covered the boy's forehead.
"Who taught you that regimen?" Zephyr asked, impressed. He'd been observing for a few minutes. The exercises perfectly balanced and targeted every muscle group. "It's too refined to be something Garp came up with."
"I designed it myself," Satoru answered.
The admission made Zephyr's eyebrows shoot up. "I see. You're not just a prodigy... you're a creator." In his mind, there were two kinds of geniuses: those who learned swiftly, and those who invented the methods of learning. Satoru appeared to be the latter.
Of course, Satoru couldn't explain it was the inherited conditioning method of Gojo Satoru. Zephyr would have him checked for fever.
"Alright, clean up, eat, and then we go."
Half an hour later, they stood before the imposing gates of the Naval Academy.
"Instructor Zephyr!"
The two Marines guarding the entrance snapped to a crisp salute, their respect immediate and deep. While Garp inspired awe, Zephyr commanded universal reverence. For over a decade, as chief instructor, he had shaped thousands of officers. Most of the high-ranking officers at Headquarters bore his mark.
"At ease. Register him. He's joining the student body."
"Yes, Sir!"
The guards' eyes flicked to Satoru, curiosity plain. His distinctive appearance and the fact he was personally escorted by Zephyr marked him as significant.
"Name, young man?" one guard asked kindly, pulling out a ledger.
"Monkey D. Satoru."
Monkey D.?
Both guards stiffened slightly. The surname was legendary, tied inextricably to the Marine Hero. Their gazes turned speculative, wondering about the connection.
Inside the Academy grounds, every Marine they passed greeted Zephyr with the same profound respect. Their eyes then inevitably lingered on Satoru, whispers and theories undoubtedly starting—was this the legendary instructor's secret son?
Zephyr led Satoru directly to a specialized training hall. Inside, thirty students—the elite class—snapped to attention.
"Listen up," Zephyr's voice boomed. "This is your new classmate. His name is Satoru. His age is irrelevant. What matters is this: as of now, he is the strongest among you."
The statement landed like a thrown gauntlet. The atmosphere in the room shifted instantly.
So much for 'don't start trouble,'Â Satoru thought wryly. He'd just wanted a quiet start. Now, thirty pairs of eyes, previously curious, now glinted with competitive fire, skepticism, and outright challenge. Zephyr had just painted a massive target on his back.
"Do not doubt my assessment," Zephyr continued, seeing the rising tension. "You will verify it for yourselves soon enough. From today, he trains with you. If any of you are outshone—in any metric—by someone younger, you should have the decency to reconsider your place here. I value your shame, even if you don't."
"REPORT, INSTRUCTOR!" a large, muscular student near the front barked. "WE WILL NOT BE SURPASSED BY A JUNIOR!"
His voice was full of conviction and pride. This student, Zephyr knew, was among the top of this class. With proper growth, he had the makings of a future Vice Admiral, a solid pillar for the Marines in the first half of the Grand Line.
"Good!" Zephyr's approval was clear. "That's the spirit I expect! Never-say-die resolve!"
He clapped a hand on Satoru's shoulder, then turned to leave the students to their introductory stares. "Your first practical session begins now. I suggest you all get acquainted."
As Zephyr's footsteps faded, the room's focus narrowed onto the small, white-haired boy standing alone at the front. The air crackled with unspoken challenges. The quiet life Satoru had momentarily imagined was over. The forge of the elite class awaited its newest piece of steel.
(End of Chapter)
✨If you're enjoying this story, consider supporting me on Patreon —
Patreon.com/TofuChan
💕Patreon members get early access to chapters, bonus content, and voting power on future ideas.💕
Every bit of support helps me write more and faster. Thank you so much for reading! 🥰
Bonus Chapter For Every 50 Power Stones
Lets hit the goal of 100 Patreon Members now for 5 Extra Chapters 💕
We are at 106 members right now.
Donate me Stoness!!!