Loya wiped the sweat from his brow, glancing at Zephyr with a mix of curiosity and surprise. "Kuzan's back already? That's... unexpected. Wasn't he supposed to be on a mission in the East Blue?"
Zephyr nodded, his brow furrowing slightly. "Indeed. It's unusual for an Admiral to return so quickly, especially given the nature of their assignments."
Loya tossed the towel over his shoulder, mulling it over. "You're right. Those top-tier missions can take months, what with all the sailing and unpredictable weather. Wonder what brought him back so soon?"
"Could be any number of reasons," Zephyr mused, crossing his arms. "Perhaps the situation resolved itself, or maybe new intel changed the mission parameters. With Kuzan, you never know – he might've just gotten bored and decided to come home."
Loya chuckled at that. "Yeah, that sounds like him. Should we go find out?"
Zephyr shook his head. "Let's give him some space. If it's important, we'll hear about it soon enough. Now, back to your training. You've still got a long way to go if you want to make it in the Navy."
Loya groaned good-naturedly but picked up his training equipment again. "Yes, sir. No rest for the wicked, eh?"
As they resumed their workout, the buzz of activity at the port continued in the distance, with whispers about Kuzan's unexpected return spreading through the ranks like wildfire.
Loya raised an eyebrow at Zephyr's cryptic response. "Forget it if I don't know? Come on, old man, you can't leave me hanging like that!"
Zephyr's lips twitched in a half-smile. "Kuzan wants to see you in the small square tonight. Probably to test your progress these past few months."
"Tonight?" Loya's eyes widened. "But why the secrecy?"
Zephyr just shrugged, his expression unreadable. "That's all I'm saying. Don't be late."
Loya knew better than to push. The memory of his cigar-stealing incident was still fresh – and painful. He snapped to attention. "Yes sir! I'll be there!"
As night fell, Loya made his way to the small square. The newly laid cobblestones gleamed under the moonlight, creating eerie shadows.
Suddenly, a voice rang out. "Who's there? Show yourself!"
Loya stepped into view. "Ease up, Will. It's just me."
The marine, Will, lowered his weapon with a sheepish grin. "Oh, Loya. You startled me. My wife... well, let's just say I didn't get much sleep last night."
Loya couldn't resist teasing his friend. "Ah, trouble in paradise? Or too much paradise, if you catch my drift?"
Will's face flushed red. "Oi! Watch it, you!"
Laughing, Loya threw an arm around Will's shoulders. "Relax, I'm just messing with you. Though I do know this great herbal remedy that'll put some spring in your step, if you know what I mean..."
Will groaned, shoving Loya away. "You're impossible, you know that?"
As they bantered, Loya's mind drifted to his upcoming meeting with Kuzan. What could the Admiral want? And why all the secrecy? Only time would tell.
Will's eyes lit up with interest. "Really? You're not pulling my leg, are you?"
Loya grinned, channeling his inner snake oil salesman. "Would I lie to you? Come here, let me tell you the secret..."
The two huddled together, whispering and snickering. As Will left, he promised Loya a generous reward if the "remedy" worked.
...........
Months later, Zephyr noticed many Navy officers eyeing his pet goat strangely, particularly its hindquarters. The poor animal, terrified, refused to leave Zephyr's office.
Back in the present, Loya sensed danger and dodged just as an ice spear whizzed past his head. He snatched it out of the air, crunching on it like a popsicle.
"You know, Kuzan," Loya said without turning, "most people say hello before trying to impale their students. And where are my souvenirs?"
"Ah, my apologies," came Kuzan's lazy drawl as he materialized from the shadows. "I'm about to be even ruder, I'm afraid."
"Ice Phoenix!" Kuzan called out, sending a massive bird of ice hurtling towards Loya.
Loya's eyes narrowed, a smirk playing on his lips. "Two can play at that game. Ice Make: Heavy Lancers!"
The night erupted into chaos – shattering ice, panicked shouts, and flashing lights as the base came alive.
As Loya traded blows with his mentor, a part of him reveled in the moment. As a time traveler, he'd often felt disconnected from this world, like a passive observer in a 3D movie. But here, now, trading ice attacks with Kuzan, he felt truly alive.
He'd found his place in this strange new world. With Kuzan, with the Marines, with all the friends he'd made – Loya was no longer alone. And that, more than any power or position, made all the difference.
.........…..
The battle's aftermath found Kuzan and Loya sitting side by side, watching as calm slowly returned to Marineford. Kuzan's clothes were slightly torn, but he was otherwise unscathed. Loya, on the other hand, sported a swollen, bruised face.
Kuzan felt a mix of pride and concern. Loya's growth was undeniable – the young man had held his own against an Admiral. But there were other, more troubling matters to address.
"Hey, Loya," Kuzan began, his voice uncharacteristically serious.
Loya turned, his swollen eyes barely more than slits. "What's up?"
Kuzan sighed, rubbing his chin. "I heard about what happened with the CP agents. Is it true?"
Loya's heart sank. He'd expected this, but it didn't make it any easier. After a moment's hesitation, he nodded. "It's true. Even Rob Lucci, who got off the lightest, probably won't ever reach his full potential now."
He recounted the events, holding nothing back. As Loya spoke, the air around Kuzan grew frigid, ice creeping up his arm.
"Do you have any idea what kind of mess you've made?" Kuzan's voice was sharp with anger and worry.
Loya met his mentor's gaze unflinchingly. "I know it was reckless, but I stand by what I did. Anyone who threatens my comrades answers to me. No exceptions."
Kuzan's anger faltered in the face of Loya's resolve. This was the Loya he knew – fiercely loyal, perhaps to a fault.
Silence fell between them, heavy with unspoken words. The distant sounds of Marineford settling back to normalcy seemed a world away from the tension on their rooftop perch.
Finally, Kuzan broke the silence. "Your loyalty is admirable, but actions have consequences. The World Government won't let this slide easily."
Loya nodded, his expression grim. "I know. But I'd do it again in a heartbeat."
Kuzan sighed, the ice receding from his arm. "Then we'd better start figuring out how to deal with the fallout. Because believe me, its coming."
As they sat there, mentor and student, the weight of what was to come hung heavy in the air. But beneath the worry, there was also a sense of solidarity. Whatever storm was brewing, they'd face it together.
The fallout from Loya's actions against the CP agents was far more severe than anyone had anticipated. The Five Elders, who typically viewed such conflicts with detached interest, found themselves genuinely alarmed by the situation.
The Cipher Pol wasn't just any organization – it was the face of the World Government and, by extension, the Celestial Dragons. For a Navy officer to so brazenly attack them was unprecedented and deeply troubling.
Initially, the Five Elders had planned to issue a mere warning to the Navy, a symbolic gesture to maintain appearances. Their unspoken message was clear: "Handle your internal affairs as you see fit, but understand we cannot openly condone such actions."
However, the extent of the damage changed everything. Not only were numerous CP agents incapacitated, but Rob Lucci himself – the most promising agent in generations – had been maimed. At just 24, Lucci represented the future of CP, and now that future was in jeopardy.
The loss of such a valuable asset infuriated the World Government. Talent like Lucci's was irreplaceable, and his injury represented more than just a personal setback – it was a blow to their long-term plans.
What made the situation even more precarious was Lucci's secret mission. Unknown to most, including Kuzan, Lucci had been undercover in Water 7 for a year, searching for the ancient weapon Pluton. This mission, critical to the World Government's ambitions, was now in jeopardy.
Only former Fleet Admiral Kong's diplomatic efforts with the Celestial Dragons prevented Loya's immediate arrest. But the young officer's actions had set in motion events that would have far-reaching consequences.
As the Five Elders convened to discuss their response, the atmosphere in Marineford grew tense. Loya's loyalty to his comrades had inadvertently challenged the very power structure of the world. The coming storm would test not just Loya, but the entire Navy's relationship with the World Government.
The situation had grown even more complex than initially thought. The bald official's decision to include Kaku and Kalifa in the mission had backfired spectacularly. With one agent in a coma and the other wheelchair-bound, their cover at Water 7 was in serious jeopardy.
Lucci's return would undoubtedly raised suspicions. The coincidence of their injuries and absences would be hard to explain away, even for someone of Lucci's caliber. The entire undercover operation, years in the making, now teetered on the brink of failure.
It was this confluence of factors that had both the Five Elders and the Celestial Dragons fixated on Loya. The young officer had unwittingly become the focus of their ire, placing both himself and the entire Navy Headquarters in a precarious position.
............…
After a long silence, Kuzan surprised Loya by bursting into laughter. It started as a chuckle and grew until he was howling with mirth. Loya watched, bewildered, as his mentor's laughter echoed across the rooftop.
Catching Loya's deadpan stare, Kuzan abruptly stopped, clearing his throat to cover his embarrassment. His expression turned serious as he addressed his student.
"Look, kid," Kuzan said, "you need to rein in that impulsive streak. Yes, CP overstepped by acting without notifying us. That gives us some wiggle room. But your response? That was overkill."
He fixed Loya with a meaningful look. "Think about your comrades. You're strong, you're growing fast, and maybe you feel invincible. But what about them? What happens to them when the World Government comes knocking?"
Loya's face fell as the implications sank in. He thought of Zephyr, of how powerless his friends might feel in the face of such pressure.
"I understand, Mr. Kuzan," Loya said softly, head bowed in reflection.
Kuzan sighed inwardly. His troublesome apprentice had a knack for finding – and creating – chaos. This incident would have repercussions for a long time to come. But as he looked at Loya, Kuzan's resolve hardened. He'd chosen this student, and he'd stand by him, come what may.
Sometimes, the bonds between men were just that simple. Once forged, they'd defend them to the last.
As the night wore on, mentor and student sat in contemplative silence, the weight of coming challenges heavy on their shoulders. But in that moment, there was also a sense of solidarity – a shared understanding that whatever storms lay ahead, they'd weather them together.