Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
In the residential area, inside Zephyr-sensei's garden.
At the moment, Zephyr was sitting beneath a tree, holding the day's Marine internal bulletin, reading through recent happenings with evident interest.
Beside him stood a small desk. Trafalgar Law was sprawled over it, writing furiously, occasionally reaching over to flip through the towering stacks of books piled beside him, nearly taller than he was.
The titles alone looked daunting. Human Anatomy, Organ Studies, Detailed Analysis of Blood, and more. All of them were clearly medical texts.
These books had been borrowed by Zephyr-sensei from the Marine Medical Academy specifically to train Trafalgar Law.
After all, while the Ope Ope no Mi was powerful, fully developing its potential and balancing its combat applications with its medical capabilities required an extremely deep foundation in medicine.
And Trafalgar Law himself came from a distinguished medical family in Flevance. His father, mother, grandparents, all of them were doctors, and not ordinary ones, but highly skilled physicians.
Because of that, Law had been exposed to medical knowledge from a very young age. He had once relied solely on books to study his own Amber Lead Syndrome, even determining his remaining lifespan on his own. That alone showed just how gifted he was in this field.
However, during his time with the Donquixote Family, he never pursued this path, nor did Doflamingo place much emphasis on it.
It wasn't until Trafalgar Law was kept at Marine Headquarters and placed under Zephyr-sensei's care that Zephyr, teaching according to the student's strengths, restarted this line of study.
Zephyr folded up the bulletin in his hand and looked at Law, who was still immersed in his books.
With a mix of satisfaction and concern, he spoke.
"Work and rest should go hand in hand. You already spent the entire day attending classes with those instructors. There's no need to push yourself this hard after coming back. Only by resting properly can you absorb knowledge better, Law."
"I understand, Grandpa Zephyr," Law replied. Even so, he didn't lift his head, continuing to study as he spoke. "But I'm not tired yet. For the next two years, I won't be tired. I have to cure my sister and my own illness. Time won't wait for me."
Hearing this, Zephyr-sensei let out a soft sigh, his tone tinged with helplessness.
"These matters aren't something I truly understand, so I can't help you much directly. But whatever you need, just say the word. I'll do everything I can to provide it."
Teaching others how to fight was something Zephyr excelled at.
Teaching others how to save lives, however, was far outside his expertise.
Fortunately, this was Marine Headquarters. After centuries of development, the Marines had an extremely complete system and abundant resources. Even if Zephyr couldn't teach Law himself, he could bring in plenty of experienced doctors to instruct him.
That was the Marines' advantage.
"Thank you, Grandpa Zephyr," Law said sincerely, before returning to his studies.
Just then, footsteps sounded outside the garden gate.
Moments later, Rob Lucci walked in. His temperament was cool and restrained, but his features were sharp and handsome.
Although there was still a hint of youth about him, the air of a young man had already become unmistakable.
He could no longer be treated as a child.
Today, Lucci looked almost like a grown adult. He wore a well-fitted black suit and carried some fruit in his hand. As he stepped inside, a natural smile appeared on his normally cold face.
"Zephyr-sensei, would you like some oranges?"
After a brief pause, he added,
"Law, you should take a short break too."
"No need, Lucci," Law replied without lifting his head. "I'll rest later."
Lucci could only smile helplessly and turned to Zephyr-sensei.
"His diligence really puts me to shame."
Zephyr-sensei chuckled.
"You were just like him back then. Always saying you wanted to become stronger, to grow up faster, so you could chase after Ortoren in the New World."
After a short pause, Zephyr looked at Lucci.
"Have the results come out?"
"Yes," Lucci replied. "I've completed all the required credits. Tomorrow, the instructors will compile all my grades and submit them to you. As long as you approve, I'll be able to graduate."
There was a trace of anticipation in his voice.
These days, although Zephyr still worked on the front lines of education, the old officer training camp had long since developed into a proper academy.
Naturally, he was no longer the only instructor.
As the principal, most of his responsibilities now lay in managing the school's overall operations.
"So you're really not willing to wait any longer this year, are you?" Zephyr asked, looking at Lucci with a trace of reluctance.
Lucci handed him a peeled orange and crouched beside him. He didn't raise his head to meet Zephyr's eyes, but his voice was steady and resolute.
"Teacher, I'm ready. You once said that the Marines are a blade forged from iron and blood. Now, this piece of raw steel that is me should face that iron and blood as well."
Lucci was exceptionally gifted, and he had grown up within the Marines while enjoying the very best resources.
His current level far surpassed what he would have reached had he remained in the CP organizations.
Zephyr had kept him by his side for many years, giving him the best education from an early age. Now, Lucci not only had complete mastery over the Rokushiki, but he was also fully proficient in both Armament Haki and Observation Haki, and highly skilled in various forms of combat.
In the academy's martial competitions, he had achieved outstanding results time and time again.
It could even be said that his very existence made the top students of previous years look lackluster.
Those people hadn't become top students because they were the best in the academy.
They became top students only because Lucci couldn't graduate.
That was the only reason it was their turn.
Zephyr accepted the orange, rubbed Lucci's head, and said softly, "Looks like I really am getting old. I've sent off plenty of students before, but when it comes to you… I truly can't bear to let you go."
Lucci felt a warmth rise in his eyes at those words, but he quickly reined in his emotions. That, too, was a quality an outstanding Marine had to possess.
As for why Zephyr felt such reluctance, Lucci understood it perfectly. Over the years, he had lived together with Zephyr, and could be said to have been raised by him since childhood.
In name they were teacher and student, but in truth, they were more like grandfather and grandson.
After a brief silence, Zephyr seemed to make up his mind.
"Since you've already decided, I can't stop you anymore with excuses like being too young. In that case… tomorrow, I'll grant you the rank of Captain at Marine Headquarters, and you'll officially become a member of our Navy."
Lucci's face lit up. He raised his head to look at Zephyr and said happily,
"Thank you, Teacher!"
To be honest, even though Lucci had not yet officially joined the Marines, he believed his strength was already no weaker than that of some Rear Admirals at headquarters.
Rear Admirals aside, even if he couldn't win, if a Vice Admiral stood in front of him, he would still dare to step up and trade blows.
What's more, Lucci believed that the accumulation of all these years would rapidly turn into real strength once he experienced true warfare, the real front lines, the true iron and blood.
What he lacked was only practical combat experience. His foundation was already more than solid enough.
Give him two years of real battles, and Lucci felt that even the Navy's elite Vice Admirals might not be beyond his reach.
His dream was to one day become the left and right hand of Navy Admiral Benn Ortoren.
"A few days ago, Ortoren had the Science Unit deliver something," Zephyr said as he stood up and walked toward the house. "They said it was a gift for you…"
Lucci didn't follow. He stayed where he was, watching Trafalgar Law study as he waited.
Not long after, Zephyr came back out, holding a Devil Fruit in each hand.
He placed both fruits on the small table and said to Lucci, "You already know this one. Last time Ortoren visited, the gift he gave you was an Ancient Zoan, the Neko Neko no Mi, Model: Cave Lion. As for this one, it was brought along when Borsalino came over…"
"What ability is it?" Lucci asked with curiosity.
"It's the Mythical Zoan you've always wanted," Zephyr said with a smile. "You never ate that Ancient Zoan because you were worried it might affect your upper limit, weren't you? Well, Ortoren finally found you a Mythical Zoan. This is the Mythical Zoan, Bat Bat no Mi, Model: Vampire. Do you want it?"
"Yes!" Lucci nodded without the slightest hesitation.
He had never felt any need for politeness or restraint. When it came to gifts from Zephyr or Ortoren, he always accepted them without a second thought.
Because deep down, he knew he had already entrusted his life to the two of them.
There was no need for courtesy. He would become Zephyr's new pride, and the sharp blade in the Admiral's hand.
Zephyr placed the Devil Fruit into Lucci's hands, then patted his shoulder with a smile of encouragement.
"Go. Go and run wild across this sea. Become my pride, become Ortoren's pride, and become the pride of our Marines, Rob Lucci."
Lucci held the fruit, his expression solemn and resolute.
"I won't let you down, Zephyr-sensei."
...
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