"Th-This…"
Hearing this, Sengoku was momentarily stunned, then immediately recalled the headache-inducing problem.
"…If possible, we should still try to get funding from the World Government."
Zephyr offered his suggestion, but Sengoku felt the chances were slim.
He vaguely understood one thing: the World Government's current financial situation wasn't exactly good. Otherwise, they wouldn't have cut the Navy's budget.
They had to deal with this chaotic era, where member nations were affected by pirate attacks and tribute disruptions, and still give Orin a share of the profits…
Wait!!!
Orin?!!!
All problems, all complications, ultimately traced back to that man!!!
"What a headache…"
…
Even though a few people in the distance quietly observed, Orin didn't bother to care.
After all, it was teaching time.
Following Virgo and Doll, of course, was Orin's most recent favored subordinate—
Currently, the most promising animal he had encountered—
The King of Seagulls!
"Don't disappoint me, my subordinate who I've bestowed the title of King."
Orin looked at the King of Seagulls before him, flapping its wings, eyes blazing with fighting spirit and fire, a slight smile tugging at his lips.
Perhaps it was due to the New World, or maybe every species had some exceptional prodigy. The King of Seagulls was very different from ordinary seagulls.
First, it ignored the oppressive aura of Conqueror's Haki. Beyond that, its strength and speed were clearly unlike regular seagulls—
It was more like the Orin or even Big Mom of the seagull world.
With a casual kick, Orin sent the attacking seagull sprawling. The King of Seagulls merely flapped its wings, looking slightly embarrassed, and flew up again, as if nothing serious had happened.
"Interesting…"
Using spatial powers from a distance, Orin whipped and restrained it with subtle manipulations.
Even the powerful King of Seagulls found itself at a disadvantage under these invisible attacks.
Repeatedly thrown, bleeding, even sustaining some fractures, it nonetheless stood up each time.
Countless Navy cadets watched in awe and fear. The strength of this seagull was absurd, yet its determination was terrifying—
Every time, it would rise again.
Finally, after another casual spatial lash from Orin, the heavily wounded King of Seagulls coughed up blood. After countless sit-ups, it seemed to suddenly reach a new peak—
Spinning swiftly in the sky, dodging one invisible attack after another.
Even when some attacks were unavoidable, patches of dark feathers would appear on its wings, absorbing as much damage as possible.
"No way!!!"
"A… a seagull, has actually awakened Observation Haki and Armament Haki!!??"
"After all these years, and it's still outclassed by a bird…"
This scene completely shattered the worldview of the Navy cadets.
"As expected of my number one pet~"
Seeing this, Orin laughed genuinely, very pleased. With a casual wave, the bloodied King of Seagulls appeared in his hand.
Seeing it badly injured yet still forcing itself to stand, Orin patted its head.
With a snap of his fingers, the blood and dust vanished instantly, and the King of Seagulls' wounds began to heal.
"From now on, you'll train them for me."
Orin was internally satisfied.
He would now leave the rest to his beloved pet and go relax.
Sitting on a conjured chair, Orin crossed his legs, like a seasoned coach, giving verbal tips on awakening Haki power.
For this, he even developed a new technique—
Inspired by his good subordinate, Doflamingo.
Orin slowly extended a hand, fingers curling as if manipulating a marionette, fluid and precise.
In an instant, the King of Seagulls, previously fiercely battling the Navy cadets, showed a brief look of confusion, its body seemingly out of control.
"Caw?!!"
But catching sight of Orin's hand, it instantly calmed.
Its attacks became sharper. Navy cadets who had been struggling to contend with the newly awakened Haki of the King of Seagulls immediately felt an enormous surge of pressure!!!
What's happening!!!
Orin casually sat there, curling his fingers.
One by one, the cadets were battered by the King of Seagulls, bruised and bloodied, some even heavily injured.
Though many hadn't successfully awakened Haki, their bodies and spirits were improved from this near-death battle.
Only a rare few with strong foundations could awaken Haki like Virgo and Doll, at least partially.
After a long while,
Looking at the cadets lying unconscious and scattered on the ground, Orin stretched lazily.
He then looked at the medics prepared in the distance, pointing at the bloodied, collapsed cadets.
"Navy!! Time to clean up!!"
At his command, the medics arrived, sweating, and carried the cadets away one by one on stretchers.
At this moment, the King of Seagulls flapped its wings and perched on Orin's shoulder.
"You're really capable… King of Seagulls."
Orin patted its head.
"Caw!!!"
The King of Seagulls, its camera strapped on its neck, let out a happy cry and flew up into the sky, facing Orin in front of all the cadets:
...
Three days later,
Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
The Shichibukai had already left Marineford, returning to their respective forces.
And the masterful Orin, amidst the cadets' tears of gratitude and sorrow, boarded the Oro Jackson, waving casually as he departed.
Doll, of course, was also there to see him off. Even her normally strong-hearted self couldn't help shedding a few tears when parting from Orin.
However, this sentiment didn't last long.
Doll was soon summoned by Admiral Sengoku to his office.
"Marine Headquarters Commodore Doll, reporting in!!!"
"No need to be so formal. Sit down, Doll."
Looking at the poised female officer before him, then warmly gestured for her to sit.
"Don't be nervous, Commodore Doll. I called you here today to discuss…"
"Your previous instructor, Saint Orin. What are your thoughts? How was your relationship with him?"
By deliberately bringing up the instructor's identity first, Sengoku wanted to probe Doll's relationship with Orin before guiding the conversation further.
Doll's reaction and answer pleasantly surprised him.
"Orin? He's incredibly strong, and… he taught me a lot—not just Haki, but also many insights about what justice truly is!!!"
"As for our relationship…"
"We're… good friends, I'd say."
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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