On the way back, Gion kept chattering beside Kaito's ear.
"You were really generous this time. I bet those cadets will start pushing themselves like crazy after this!"
Kaito shrugged and replied casually,
"Isn't that better? They'll be your subordinates in the future anyway. No point letting outsiders reap the rewards."
"That's true, but what about that Conis girl? I get the feeling she's kinda… into you?"
"What can I do?" Kaito smiled helplessly. "I told her to come by the palace after training. We'll talk things through then."
"No wonder! Her face was so red. Still, she's been performing really well lately—never once bragging about whatever connection she's got with you."
"Of course. Would I ever take a liking to someone unworthy?"
"Heh~ you still remember that disciple of yours, Yamato? She's been coming to your place a lot these past few days, but somehow always manages to miss you at the perfect timing. Maybe you should see her too?"
Kaito paused, the image of Yamato's goofy grin flashing through his mind.
"Yamato, huh… it's been a while. How's she doing lately?"
"She's great. Among all the rookies, her talent's definitely the strongest. Even Zephyr-sensei's starting to find her a bit tricky to handle!"
Kaito nodded. Yamato was Kaido's child after all—there was no question about her talent. With proper systemized training, reaching her father's level one day wasn't impossible.
Thinking of that kid who used to follow him everywhere, yelling "Sensei! Sensei!", Kaito couldn't help but chuckle.
Honestly, he hadn't been much of a teacher—he never really taught her anything. Yamato's real mentor was Zephyr now.
He wondered if her personality had changed at all—was she still that same tomboyish girl from before?
With that thought, Kaito found himself wanting to see her again. He said a quick word to Gion, then vanished from sight.
...
Rear Mountain Training Grounds
Boom!
A thunderous crash shook the area as two humanoid beasts—one black, one white—burst out of the smoke and squared off against each other.
They were Zephyr and Yamato, both in their half-beast forms.
A look of approval appeared on Zephyr's bull-like face as he said,
"Yamato, you've been improving fast lately. I'm impressed!"
Yamato adjusted her grip on her spiked club and grinned.
"That's because Sensei's back! I have to show him how much I've grown!"
"You mean Kaito, right? Funny—you've still never called me 'Sensei,' you know."
Yamato stuck out her tongue.
"Eh, calling you Zephyr-sensei is basically the same thing!"
Zephyr didn't actually mind. Ever since he'd built a family, his temperament had softened. He even joked around now and then.
Rolling his shoulders, he smiled.
"Call me whatever you like. But this time, I'm going all out—watch yourself."
In the next instant, the bull horns on his head darkened as his whole body lunged forward like a massive black truck.
Yamato's expression hardened. She gripped her club tightly and charged straight toward him.
Just before they clashed, she swung her weapon down fiercely.
Thud!
Yamato was sent flying backward by Zephyr's headbutt. He stopped in place—her attack had landed well enough to leave him a bit dizzy.
Landing hard, Yamato stabbed her club into the ground to steady herself. She could've dodged, sure, but after spending days failing to find Kaito, the frustration had built up. This fight was her outlet.
Zephyr shook his head, then pressed both hands to the ground and heaved. The entire terrain beneath him buckled like a carpet, rising and crashing toward Yamato like a wave.
Yamato stomped one foot, summoning a towering ice wall that rose up to shield her.
Both of them had long since mastered the secondary powers of their Mythical Zoan Fruits. This clash was between earth and ice elements.
Seeing his attack stopped, Zephyr couldn't help but praise her again.
"Not bad! Your ice control's nearly on Kuzan's level!"
But Yamato didn't look the least bit pleased. She pouted.
"That means I've still got a long way to go. My goal is Sensei—nobody's better with ice than him! Even Admiral Aokiji himself admits he can't beat Sensei in that area!"
Her voice brimmed with unrestrained admiration. Every few sentences, "Sensei" came up again and again.
Zephyr raised a brow.
"As far as I know, Kaito never really taught you anything, right? Why are you so attached to calling him 'Sensei'?"
Yamato fell silent. When quiet, she seemed like a completely different person—serene, graceful, her figure framed by the falling snow.
After a pause, she finally murmured,
"Because that title is unique. It's the only way to make him notice me."
Zephyr blinked. He seemed to understand, though he hesitated before saying,
"I see… so you've got feelings for Kaito too—"
"Don't say it, Zephyr-sensei! Let's continue our match!"
Yamato cut him off, exhaling a freezing breath. The air itself crystallized, coating everything in thick frost.
Zephyr barely dodged, laughing in surprise.
"Damn! You really are like Kaito used to be—attacking without a word of warning!"
The words made Yamato beam with pride.
"Of course! I'm Sensei's favorite little disciple!"
"Uh… I thought you were his only disciple?"
"Hmph! Then what's wrong with what I said? Take this!"
With a powerful leap, Yamato vaulted high into the air, raising her club for another mighty strike toward Zephyr's head.
This time, Zephyr wasn't about to take it head-on. Though his fruit gave him immense strength, his true power lay in those iron fists—the very ones that earned him the title Black Arm.
He pulled both fists to his waist, Armament Haki crackling over his knuckles. Then, as Yamato descended, he threw a devastating punch upward.
He'd used at least eighty percent of his strength. Even with her aerial advantage, Yamato couldn't resist the impact—her club went flying as her body hurtled backward uncontrollably.
Zephyr cursed inwardly. Too much force!
Just as he was about to rush forward to catch her, a figure appeared behind Yamato out of thin air, catching her in his arms.
It was Kaito.
He looked down at the dazed Yamato and scolded softly,
"What were you thinking, showing off like that? You think you're indestructible or something?"