The Training Ground at Night
The Marine Headquarters training ground was still brightly lit at night. Hundreds of new Marine recruits were sweating under the moonlight, their punches flying like rain.
Roy followed Garp, and from a distance, he saw a figure standing like a mountain in the center of the field.
He was a man with short purple hair. The night wind rustled its tips, and his black sunglasses reflected the moonlight. His calloused fists were guiding the new recruits' punching forms, one by one, as if injecting "Justice" itself into their fists.
"Black Arm" Zephyr!
Roy's heart skipped a beat. In the manga from his past life, this was the character whose story he could never get over—the mentor who trained the three monster Admirals but insisted on a "no-kill" philosophy; the man who fought for justice even after losing everything.
And now, in the year 1500, Zephyr's arms were intact. He was in his prime.
Sensing Garp's presence, Zephyr snorted coldly without turning around. "Garp, you bastard finally decided to come back? Sengoku was so angry he smashed three vases in his office!"
Garp laughed and slapped Roy on the back, pushing him forward. "Look what I brought you! This is a treasure I found in the East Blue!"
Under the moonlight, Zephyr finally turned around slowly.
When his eyes, hidden behind the sunglasses, fell on Roy's bandaged yet straight-standing figure, he raised an eyebrow slightly. "For an old bastard like you to call someone a 'treasure'..."
Before he finished speaking, his right fist shot out!
"BOOM—!"
The air seemed to explode as his fist flew like a cannonball!
Roy's pupils constricted, his body reacting before his mind could think. As he teleported backward, his Armament Haki instinctively coated his crossed arms in defense!
"CLANG!"
A sound like metal striking metal rang through the air.
Zephyr's fist stopped steadily in mid-air, a rare smile gracing his lips. "Observation Haki to predict, a prototype of Armament Haki, and qualified reaction speed!"
He retracted his fist and glanced at Garp. "He really is a good prospect."
Garp proudly placed a hand on Roy's shoulder, grinning like a cunning old fox. "This kid also sent a Sea King flying with his bare hands!"
Zephyr's eyebrows shot up, his smile widening. "Is that so? Well then, this just got interesting!"
After the training session, Zephyr led them to his office.
Inside, an old-fashioned ceiling lamp cast a dim, yellow light. On the wall hung a faded photograph—it was from when Zephyr had just become a Marine instructor. He stood proudly on the training ground, wearing his greatcoat with his arms crossed, his expression stern and proud.
Beside him stood the young Kuzan, Sakazuki, and Borsalino, not yet Admirals, still possessing a certain youthful sharpness.
They were the three strongest disciples he had poured his heart into, and they were his greatest pride.
In the photo, everyone had a spirited smile, although Sakazuki's smile towards Borsalino looked a bit creepy—one was too serious, the other too sleazy.
That was Zephyr's most glorious era, and also his most painful memory later on.
"Sit, kid!"
Zephyr pointed to a chair, his voice deep and steady.
Roy quickly sat up straight. "Yes, sir!"
Zephyr looked at Roy. "Garp said you ate the Teleport Fruit?"
Roy nodded. "Yes! I call it 'Super Teleport.' I can instantly appear anywhere I can see!"
With that, he vanished with a swish and reappeared, standing steadily behind Zephyr.
Without turning, Zephyr shot his hand back to grab him but caught only air.
He looked up and saw Roy hanging upside down from the ceiling with a smug look. "Hehe!"
Zephyr showed a rare smile. "Interesting!"
He stood up, his gaze intense behind his sunglasses. "Starting tomorrow, you'll train with the new recruit battalion!"
He then pointed a finger at Roy, his tone suddenly stern. "You'll have two extra hours of training every day. I will personally teach you Armament Haki!"
Roy shot up from his chair, which clattered to the floor. "Really?! Can I, Sensei Zephyr?!"
Zephyr placed a hand on his shoulder. The strength and warmth from that calloused palm made Roy tremble slightly.
"Remember," Zephyr's voice was firm and powerful, "abilities are just tools. A true master—"
" —uses his fists to carry out justice!" Garp suddenly interjected, his hearty laughter echoing in the office.
Zephyr smiled lightly. "Haki is the only truth!"
Garp threw his head back and laughed. "I was right about you! Zephyr, my old friend, that's just like you!"
Roy stared blankly as the two old soldiers laughed side-by-side. Under the moonlight, he seemed to see that spirited "Black Arm" Zephyr who would forever defend justice, his eyes shining like stars.
In that moment, he made a secret vow—
"Since I've been given this chance, I will definitely change that tragic future!"
The next morning, at the Marine Headquarters training ground.
The first rays of dawn fell on the field where new Marine recruits were already assembled in neat rows. The air was filled with the smell of sweat and the sea.
Garp and Zephyr stood together in the center of the training ground, a legendary sight for the new recruits.
"Today's focus is 'Haki Combat Training'!"
Zephyr took off his sunglasses, revealing his sharp gaze. His voice was loud and resonant, as if made of metal. "Haki is the foundation of the Marines! If you can't learn it, don't even talk about justice!"
Garp stood with his hands on his hips, grinning widely. "Listen up, kids! Today, we've specially arranged a 'Live Combat Demonstration of Observation and Armament Haki'!"
As he spoke, he pushed Roy into the center of the field. "Roy, this sparring match will be personally supervised by Zephyr!"
A murmur went through the recruits as all eyes focused on Roy. "Is that... the newcomer from the East Blue?"
"Who is he? To be coached by both Instructor Zephyr and Vice Admiral Garp?"
"What's his background... Is he related to a high-ranking Marine?"
Roy's heart tightened. He took a deep breath, walked slowly towards Zephyr, and clenched his fists. "Instructor Zephyr, please guide me!"
Zephyr's eyes narrowed, his voice steady. "No need to be nervous. Make your move, kid. Show me your reaction speed!"
The moment he finished speaking, Zephyr's figure flashed. He closed the distance instantly, a punch whistling through the air like an iron hammer!
"BANG—!"
Roy's pupils constricted. His Observation Haki activated instinctively. With a flash of light at his feet, he swished to the side. Just as he regained his footing, Zephyr's side kick came at him like a whirlwind!
"WHOOSH—!"
Armament Haki! Roy instantly coated his arms, crossing them to block. With a loud "CLANG!", he was sent sliding back several meters but managed to stay on his feet.
The new recruits' eyes widened. "He... he can actually fight against Instructor Zephyr?!"
"He actually blocked Instructor Zephyr's attack?!"
"Is he a monster?!"
Zephyr's lips curved upward slightly. "Not bad. To use Observation to dodge and Armament to block in such a short time. Your reactions are good."
"However—" Before he could finish, Zephyr suddenly retracted his fist, his steps like thunder. His figure exploded forward, pressing down on Roy like a mountain!
"BANG! BANG! BANG—!"
A flurry of punches rained down like a storm. Roy used his teleportation to its fullest, dodging again and again, but Zephyr's fists seemed to predict his trajectory, following him relentlessly.
As he dodged, Roy thought, Instructor Zephyr is too strong! His Observation Haki's range... it's like he's using a wallhack!
Suddenly, an opening! Zephyr seized the chance and threw a heavy punch. Roy instinctively blocked—
"BOOM!!!"
His arms went numb. Roy was sent flying several meters, crashing to the ground with a trickle of blood at the corner of his mouth.
Zephyr walked over slowly, looking down at him. "Not bad, kid. Your teleportation is strong, but Haki is the foundation that will let you stand at the pinnacle of the strong!"
"Remember: Haki is an extension of belief. The stronger your belief, the stronger your power!"
Garp walked up laughing and pulled Roy up from the ground. "I've got high hopes for you! Don't just dodge! Fight back!"
Roy gritted his teeth, wiped the blood from his mouth, his eyes burning with fighting spirit. "Yes! Please continue to guide me!"
Zephyr nodded in satisfaction. "Very good!"
"Continue!"
On the training ground, fists whistled, sparks of light flashed, and waves of Haki rippled outwards.
The new recruits were completely stunned. "My god, he's been fighting Instructor Zephyr for so long and he's still standing!"
"That's 'Black Arm' Zephyr! What kind of monster is he?!"
"This newcomer... he's definitely a future Admiral-level figure..."
As dawn broke, sweat and dust mingled. Roy, covered in scrapes with trembling arms, had an incredibly determined look in his eyes.
"Mastering Haki is not something that can be done overnight, but..." He took a deep breath and pursed his lips. "I will become stronger than anyone else!"
On the training ground, Garp and Zephyr exchanged a smile, their eyes filled with immense relief and expectation.
On the other side of the field, senior students from Zephyr's training camp—Smoker (14 years old) and Hina (12 years old)—were also present, preparing for their own physical training.
Smoker's gaze was fixed on the flashing figure of Roy in the center of the field, his brow slightly furrowed. "That kid... to be able to go head-to-head with Instructor Zephyr for so long on their first meeting, and he can use teleportation... What a monster."
Hina, playing with a pair of handcuffs, spoke in a cool but appreciative tone. "Smoker, this newcomer might become a formidable rival for you in the future."
Smoker snorted, blowing out a puff of smoke. "Hmph, I don't care who he is. To become strong, you have to be tempered a thousand times. I hope he can withstand Instructor Zephyr's training."
Hina's lips curved into a slight smile. "Hina, for one, is a little interested in him."
They exchanged a glance, both looking towards the boy in the center of the field who was still standing unyieldingly under Zephyr's storm-like attacks.
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