They came and left quickly. From the clash between Tokikake and Ethan to the battle with Kizaru and Akainu, only half an hour had passed.
Yet in just thirty minutes, everyone who had once looked down on Ethan began to fear him. Previously, because he devoted himself entirely to training and avoided socializing, many had dismissed him.
From this moment on, no one dared underestimate this madman especially when he became cold and merciless, leaving a lingering shadow in everyone's minds.
"I… I'm sorry," Momotaro said, head lowered, fidgeting with the edge of her clothes as she nervously approached Ethan, looking delicate and pitiful.
"Stop provoking me. I don't have time for childish games," Ethan said expressionlessly, not even glancing at her, turning back to continue his training.
The onlookers' faces twitched at his words. After all, Momotaro was a stunning beauty, and Ethan's tone could anyone really accept it?
Sniffling, she couldn't stop crying. Momotaro couldn't even remember the last time she had cried. The harder she tried to hold back, the faster the tears flowed.
"I'm sorry!" she shouted, wiping her eyes as she ran off in tears. Anyone watching would have assumed Ethan had done something terrible to her.
"Hey… is that really okay?" Aokiji followed Ethan, grimacing.
"Women are trouble. I don't have time for them right now," Ethan replied, sitting cross-legged, eyes closed, calm and focused.
"You have no heart Momotaro is a true beauty, you know?"
"Don't distract me from training," Ethan said, opening his eyes briefly to look at Aokiji.
"You really don't know how to appreciate a pretty face," Aokiji yawned, dusting off his pants. "Come on, I'm going to take a nap."
What he didn't realize was that, from that day onward, rumors began circulating among the students. Ethan was a cold-blooded monster, unmoved by beauty, obsessed with training. As his reputation grew, this label stuck with him.
Night fell, stars twinkled, and the salty sea breeze carried the scent of the ocean, calming and refreshing, as if floating above the waves.
Behind Marineford, a solitary figure dashed into the forest and disappeared.
"Here you are," Zephyr said, gazing at the vast, starlit sky in a clearing.
"Master, I'm sorry I lost track of time during training," Ethan said awkwardly, scratching his head. The meeting was scheduled for seven, and he was thirty minutes late.
Fortunately, Zephyr was not a petty master.
"I knew you'd be late because of training. What am I going to do with you? Sometimes you need balance to experience new things. Don't overdo it, or your mind will collapse before your body does." Zephyr turned to face his drenched student, eyes full of fondness. Though he scolded him, his heart swelled with pride.
"Yes, I understand," Ethan said with a smile, nodding.
"Good," Zephyr said, patting his shoulder. "Did you get hurt in today's fight?"
"Thanks for asking. I got a few scrapes, but they've already healed."
"That's a relief," Zephyr exhaled, then warned him, "You angered Tokikake and Akainu be careful, especially with Akainu. He's a Logia-type. Most of your attacks won't harm him. He was careless today. Next time, you might not be so lucky."
I know. I never thought I could hurt him. But now that I've beaten him once, I can do it every time.
"If I become strong enough, the next fight will be the last time he sees this world," Ethan's eyes hardened. In front of Zephyr, he felt no need to hide he trusted his master completely.
"I won't stop you you're my disciple," Zephyr said, his expression stiffening, but he treasured that trust.
"Master, I will trouble you from now on. I must master the six techniques and Haki simultaneously." Ethan's eyes shone like stars, leaving Zephyr momentarily speechless.
"All right, but understand this: it will be a grueling battle. I won't go easy on you," Zephyr said, his expression serious.
"Thank you, Master. I won't disappoint you." Ethan calmed his racing heart, resolute in his determination.
"Then let's start with the six techniques. Do you want to learn all of them, or just a few?"
"I'll start with Shave, Finger Pistol, and Moonwalk. The rest can wait."
"You've thought this through you want these three to complement your Devil Fruit abilities," Zephyr said, seeing right through his plan.
"Yes."
"All right first, Shave…"
Time passed quietly under Zephyr's careful guidance as Ethan trained relentlessly.
Three hours went by, and they paused. Ethan was frustrated he still hadn't broken through. He could only strike the ground five times per second, far short of the required ten. Finger Pistol and Moonwalk showed almost no progress.
"This is already impressive most people can't even do this on the first night." In fact, Ethan's talent was only slightly above average. True prodigies would come later. But with this persistence, Zephyr believed he could catch up and even surpass them.
"Next is Haki. Which type do you want to start with?" Zephyr asked with a smile.
"Master, which do you recommend?" Ethan hesitated.
"If you can endure it, you can train both Armament and Observation Haki simultaneously."
Ethan twitched at the corner of his mouth he realized this wouldn't be easy.
"What's the difference?" he asked cautiously.
"Armament Haki resides in your body. Sense it, touch it, control it, and only then can you use it. Getting hit is the fastest way to awaken it."
"Observation Haki requires clearing your mind, expanding your spirit, sensing nature, and detecting enemy attacks. Close your eyes and dodge my attacks; if you fail, take a hit to temper your Armament Haki." Zephyr smiled gently, but a chill ran down Ethan's spine.
Ethan gritted his teeth, resolute. "Then Master, please guide me."
"I knew you'd choose this path."
"Begin. Remember, you can counterattack that strengthens combat instincts but keep your eyes closed. Let me see what you've got."
Counterattack blindly? Might as well not counterattack at all, Ethan thought, rolling his eyes internally.
"Ready?"
"Master, start whenever you want." Ethan closed his eyes.
Without warning, he gagged, then was hurled backward, raising a cloud of dust.
Thud thud…
Painful groans echoed.
He felt trapped in hell all night, body aching, mind on the brink of collapse.
By 3 a.m., Zephyr looked at Ethan, unconscious, with a mixture of pity and admiration. He had wanted to give up countless times, yet this stubborn boy refused to quit, only succumbing when utterly exhausted.
Even knowing Ethan's madness, Zephyr was still awed every time he witnessed it.
Sometimes, he thought, having a disciple like this in his life made everything worthwhile.