When Zephyr returned to his quarters, Tsugakuni Yoriichi was still sitting on the porch, gazing up at the starry night sky.
Seeing Zephyr approach, Yoriichi stood and smiled. "Teacher Zephyr, you're back."
"Oh! Yoriichi… you haven't rested yet?" Zephyr asked.
Starlight and moonlight bathed half of Yoriichi's young face, giving him an almost ethereal glow. Zephyr calmed himself, observing this earnest, determined child.
"I don't go to bed that early," Yoriichi replied simply.
Zephyr nodded, hesitated, then said thoughtfully, "Yoriichi, you are already my disciple. But I am the chief instructor of the Naval Academy, so I won't always be able to personally oversee your training. The system limits my time with you."
He paused, then asked, "Can you read?"
"I think so," Yoriichi answered, a little uncertain. He had never encountered the writing of the pirate world before.
"Well," Zephyr said, "I'll give you some books on navigation and related knowledge. You can read them on your own, and if you have questions, I'll teach you when I return. The most important thing right now is understanding nautical charts, navigation, and the world around you."
Zephyr's hand landed lightly on Yoriichi's shoulder. "Go to bed early today. Tomorrow, I'll try to find a teacher to help you."
"Okay, Zephyr-sensei," Yoriichi said sincerely.
Watching Zephyr leave, Yoriichi remained silent for a long moment, staring at his retreating back. Black-armed Zephyr, the Unkillable Admiral—this man carried a charm that inspired both trust and admiration.
Yet, Zephyr himself was troubled. Yoriichi's talent, he felt, was being wasted under the Navy's rigid system.
"I have to find another way," Zephyr thought.
---
Early the next morning, a thin green mist settled over Marineford. Yoriichi, still asleep, was stirred by movement outside. His eyes shot open.
Grabbing the long knife by his bed, he pushed open the door and stepped outside. Dawn's light revealed a surprising scene: craftsmen were already at work in Zephyr's yard, preparing to build a small dojo. Wood was stacked high, and Zephyr stood in the corridor, supervising with folded arms.
"What's Zephyr-sensei doing?" Yoriichi murmured.
"Oh! You're awake!" Zephyr greeted with a smile. "I'm building a small dojo here. You can train in the dojo while studying. By the way, I brought some books for you—you can move them to your room."
Yoriichi's eyes widened. A pile of books over a meter high sat at Zephyr's feet. His initial shock wasn't from fear, but from realizing how much knowledge a Marine needed to master. Surely only a few could achieve it.
"Teacher… are you sure I need to learn all this?" Yoriichi asked, picking up a book titled World History. He flipped through a few pages, then moved to Contributions of the Celestial Dragons, quickly skimming it. The titles alone made him blink in disbelief. This wasn't the navigation and military knowledge he expected—it was filled with history and politics.
Zephyr's tone carried discontent. "This is just the first batch. Take it step by step. If you don't understand a word, or have questions, tell me."
Zephyr's irritation wasn't aimed at Yoriichi—it was at Sora, who had disrupted his plans. Originally, Yoriichi was meant to start with navigation basics, but now he had to work through these books first.
Yoriichi understood. The Navy doesn't fully trust someone like me, he thought. But he didn't mind. He wasn't a child anymore—trust was earned over time.
Zephyr returned to his work, leaving Yoriichi to carry the books to his room. He quietly observed the craftsmen building the dojo, knowing his place.
Yoriichi sat by a pillar, leaning against it as he opened World History. Resistance turned into focus as he absorbed the content. Though the perspective was that of governments, it gave him insight into the chaotic political landscape of the world.
The knocking of wood outside echoed as the craftsmen worked. Yoriichi glanced at them, curious, and they in turn glanced at him, intrigued by this quiet, diligent boy. He was the first child of Zephyr's household they had ever seen, and stories of the family's tragedy only deepened their curiosity.
Suddenly, a voice called out from the yard.
"Is the master here?"
Yoriichi looked up to see a blond boy enter, observing the work before his gaze landed on Yoriichi. His sharp eyes caught the flame-shaped birthmark and long red hair—immediately recognizing him.
"That's him," the boy thought. He approached Yoriichi with a bright smile.
"Hello! Tsugakuni Yoriichi!" he said. Then, leaning in, he lowered his voice. "My name is Rosinante. Admiral Zephyr sent me here."
Straightening, Rosinante extended his hand. "I'm your 'teacher,' assigned by Admiral Zephyr. I look forward to guiding you."
His blond hair glimmered in the morning light. Though slender, he wore the Marine uniform neatly, exuding energy and uprightness. His smile was sincere and welcoming.
Yoriichi looked up at the nearly two-meter-tall boy, slightly surprised. Then he smiled, shaking Rosinante's hand.
"Hello, nice to meet you. Thank you for your guidance."
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(End of Chapter)