"You!" Rear Admiral Morris was fuming, his face flushed bright red.
He knew Dalmatian could be a rogue, but he had never expected him to be this shameless. Dalmatian showed no respect at all. In front of so many people, even Morris's own child, he acted aggressively, completely ignoring his fellow rear admiral.
Dalmatian casually approached the blocked entrance. The Marine soldiers stationed there instinctively stepped aside as he drew near, allowing him to pass.
Standing directly before Morris, Dalmatian paid no attention to his angry, red-faced colleague. Instead, he crouched down and fixed his gaze on Morris's son, a small boy no older than five or six.
The boy froze, clutching his father's leg, clearly intimidated.
"Dalmatian! What are you trying to do?!" Morris demanded angrily.
Dalmatian ignored the outburst entirely. He remained focused on the boy, then suddenly made a playful, exaggerated face.
The effect was immediate. The little boy burst into laughter, his previous tension vanishing in an instant.
Dalmatian allowed a faint smile to appear on his own lips. His tone softened as he asked gently, "Hey there, little guy. Can you tell me your name?"
"Jason. Jason Morris," the boy replied, summoning all his courage.
"Jason, huh? Nice to meet you. I'm Dalmatian. If you don't mind, maybe we can be friends from now on."
"Friends?" Jason tilted his head, looking slightly puzzled.
"Since we're friends, I won't hide the truth from you. I'm afraid you won't be able to participate in the youth training camp this time, little Jason," Dalmatian said, spreading his hands in a calm gesture. "Actually, it's not really your fault. If I remember correctly, you arrived late because your father told you not to rush, right?"
Jason glanced at his father but remained silent.
"That's right. The official final assembly time for the camp is seven o'clock, and I set it myself. Yet I had them block the entrance at six fifty, going against my own promise. Do you know why?"
The boy shook his head quickly, eyes wide.
"Because I wanted to give everyone a lesson: never be the last to arrive. Other people's expectations are just a baseline. Your own standards should never settle for less than that."
Dalmatian's voice grew firm, but gentle. "You must constantly remind yourself, whatever you do, to always do your best. Never, ever allow yourself to be someone who simply completes what's expected, someone who does only the bare minimum."
He patted the boy's shoulder lightly and smiled. "Whether or not you get into the youth training camp, I believe you will grow into an outstanding person. Consider this your first lesson from a friend. Remember it well, little Jason."
"Yes," Jason nodded thoughtfully, even if he only partially understood the meaning.
"Now, go home. Come visit me another time when you're free," Dalmatian said, ruffling the boy's hair. He then turned to address the other children who had been excluded. "What I just said wasn't just for him. It applies to all of you who were left out. Remember this day and take it to heart. Whether or not you understand the reason, remember it anyway."
With that, Dalmatian turned and walked away without looking back. He did not speak to the parents of the excluded children once, from start to finish.
By now, Morris had calmed down. The anger that had turned his face red gradually faded as he watched Dalmatian interact with his son. He took a deep look at Dalmatian's departing figure, held his son's hand, and walked away without further questions.
The other officers, ashamed of their behavior, quickly led their own children away as well.
Nearby, the children who had gathered earlier had witnessed everything. Most were deep in thought. Even Hina, standing beside Rayfa, was no exception.
"That was an impressive tactic. Dalmatian really lives up to his reputation. He is destined to become a vice admiral capable of handling any challenge. Seeing him in person is far more instructive than just hearing about him," Rayfa thought. Though possessing the mind of an adult, Dalmatian's approach left a profound impression on him.
Dalmatian had given the children a critical lesson, one that would influence their worldview to varying degrees. This lesson reached not only the children present but also those excluded due to his temporary rule change.
This was why Morris did not complain as he left. He realized the lesson was having a meaningful impact on his own son.
Instilling values in children is difficult; their judgment of right and wrong is limited. If you tell them a principle outright, they might reject it out of rebellion or misunderstanding. Dalmatian's method, using empathy and playful interaction, was far more effective.
Morris understood this, which is why he chose not to confront Dalmatian further. If they had fought, it would have been hard to predict who would suffer more.
This is what made Dalmatian so clever. Though he held little regard for Morris, he avoided unnecessary conflict while still earning a degree of respect and gratitude. His finesse and strategic thinking were exceptional.
Rayfa, observing the situation, saw through Dalmatian's tactics and was deeply impressed.
At the same time, Rayfa finally matched Dalmatian's actions to the man himself. Dalmatian was not just a rear admiral; he was the legendary Dalmatian, a user of the Animal–Dog Fruit. He would go on to become one of the core forces of the Marines, a top martial artist trained in the six Marine disciplines of "Sword Strike" and "Finger Gun."
In addition to his Devil Fruit abilities, he was highly skilled in nearly all combat techniques involving body arts. His swordsmanship was formidable, though not quite at the level of the very top masters. Yet he was widely regarded as a swordmaster in his own right.