Zephyr was brimming with confidence. He was certain he could mold Reid into the next Navy Admiral. After all, Reid's Devil Fruit ability was an exceptionally rare type. If Reid could be recruited, the Navy's strength would grow even more formidable.
Having joined the Navy alongside Sengoku all those years ago, Zephyr knew full well just how terrifying the Human-Human Fruit, Mythical Zoan: Buddha Form could be.
"Instructor Zephyr, I want to be a pirate."
"No, you must join the Navy!"
Zephyr threw a punch at Reid. If words wouldn't convince him, then he'd just have to defeat Reid and drag him back by force.
With the power of his Devil Fruit and the techniques developed by Sengoku, Reid managed to narrowly dodge the attack while gradually getting accustomed to his transformed body and the sensation of using his abilities.
"This Zephyr is really something, as stubborn as a child," Reid thought, at a loss for words. Why was everyone so unreasonable?
As he ran, Reid shouted back, "No, I want to be a pirate!"
"You brat, pirates are enemies of the World Government. There's no future in that."
"I still want to be a pirate!"
"Join the Navy!"
"Pirate!"
"Navy!"
"Pirate!"
"NAVY!!!"
Reid was left speechless. The two of them were arguing like children fighting over candy.
At the same time, Reid felt a hint of smugness.
"This scene feels just like when Garp was lecturing young Luffy. Haha, never thought I'd get to experience this kind of treatment myself."
For a moment, Reid reverted to his original, somewhat dorky self.
"You brat, I'm trying to point you toward the right path. You're still young and don't understand that this isn't a game. Pirates meet tragic ends."
"Instructor Zephyr, I love the idea of a free and unrestrained life. Besides, there are too many people in the Navy I dislike—like that Akainu. I'll kill him sooner or later."
Hearing this, Zephyr was slightly taken aback. What did this mean? Did this kid have some grudge against Sakazuki?
"Kid, Sakazuki is my student. As far as I know, you two have never met. Why do you harbor such hostility toward him?"
Noticing that Zephyr had slowed down behind him, Reid decided to stop as well.
Turning around, Reid said, "Instructor Zephyr, that bastard Akainu is nothing but a scoundrel. He's ruthless and cruel. In the name of his so-called 'justice,' he'll slaughter innocent civilians without a shred of compassion. It's all just an excuse for his bloodlust. I would never work alongside someone like that."
Zephyr also came to a halt, looking puzzled. "Huh? Why would you say that?"
His expression was odd. Reid spoke with such conviction, as if he knew Akainu well. But as Akainu's mentor, while Zephyr was aware of his student's harsh personality, there had been no incidents so far where Akainu had killed both pirates and civilians to complete a mission.
"Well... Instructor Zephyr, if you don't believe me, you'll find out eventually."
Reid didn't know how to explain. He couldn't very well say he already knew what would happen in the future.
"Zephyr should be around 50 years old now. By this time, his family has probably already been killed... The culprit, Whitebeard Jr., even becomes one of the Seven Warlords later, and even cuts off Zephyr's arm. Wait... at that time, three people joined the Warlords..."
Reid rested his chin on his hand, deep in thought.
"Buggy, Law, and Whitebeard Jr.—all three use swords. It must be Whitebeard Jr."
"Hey, kid, why aren't you saying anything?"
Snapping out of his thoughts, Reid coughed twice.
"Ahem... Instructor Zephyr, I have my own judgments."
Reid wore a sincere expression. If he could prevent the tragedies of Zephyr's later years, surely many would agree with his actions.
"Oh? Kid, what are you trying to say?"
Zephyr found Reid's sudden shift in tone strange. Did this kid have some kind of delusional disorder?
"Instructor Zephyr, I can tell you don't actually despise the Roger Pirates. In fact, I think you admire Roger."
"This kid..." Zephyr muttered inwardly.
"Instructor Zephyr, your personality dislikes unnecessary killing. Yet even after your family was murdered by pirates, you still treat the Roger Pirates with respect. That tells me you hold Roger in high regard."
The moment these words left his mouth, Zephyr's face darkened instantly. This was the most painful chapter of his life.
"Kid, are you looking to die?!"
Zephyr pulled out a pistol and fired at Reid.
Caught off guard by the sudden attack, Reid failed to react in time and took the bullet square in the chest.
Clang!
Reid was unharmed.
"That was close... Good thing I'm in this form now, bullets don't work on me."
Reid broke out in a cold sweat. He still hadn't fully adjusted to this world, instinctively thinking he was back on Earth.
After his initial rage subsided, Zephyr regained his composure. He knew firearms were ineffective against Devil Fruit users—he just carried one out of habit.
"Kid, what's the meaning of this? Are you here to reopen old wounds?" Zephyr said coldly.
"No, Instructor Zephyr. You're a kind and outstanding Navy Admiral, an excellent teacher. I just wanted to warn you—between the ages of 60 and 70..."
Clang!
The bullet harmlessly bounced off Reid's golden form.
Zephyr's expression darkened as he holstered his pistol. "Every time I take my students on expeditions, I'm already cautious. Are you suggesting some specific danger awaits me in my 60s?" He scoffed. "Can you see the future now?"
Reid maintained his Buddha form's serene expression. "Call it... intuition. Just remember my warning when that time comes. What do you have to lose by being extra careful?"
"You're a strange one," Zephyr chuckled before suddenly turning serious. "Then how about this - you join the Marines, and I'll remember your 'prophecy'. I keep my promises, brat. I'll personally train you."
"Wha-? We're back to this again?!" Reid's divine composure cracked as he backpedaled. "I'm going to be a pirate!"
As he turned to flee, Reid called over his shoulder: "Just... just think about what I said when you're assigning missions in twenty years!"
Zephyr's booming laughter followed him. "Get back here, you little-! The Navy needs talents like you!"