Early in the morning, just as the sun was rising—
Curled up under his blanket and sucking on his finger, Roldy was deep in a sweet dream.
Suddenly, he felt a chill.
His warm blanket had been pulled away.
"Kid, get up! The sun's already shining on your butt!"
It was Zephyr, standing by the bedside.
After a week of living together, the two had grown much closer. Roldy groggily sat up, his eyes dull and unfocused as his brain slowly booted up.
"Uncle Zephyr… what is it?"
"Up you go! It's been a week. Your body's mostly recovered. Starting today, you'll train like a proper Marine. Strength and academics—neither can fall behind!"
Without waiting for a response, Zephyr hauled Roldy out of bed.
Looking at the boy's chiseled, statue-like muscles… then at the pink floral briefs he was wearing—
Zephyr's mouth twitched violently.
That ridiculous contrast…
"Training?"
The moment he heard the word, Roldy perked up. All traces of sleep vanished instantly.
Seeing the excitement in the boy's eyes, Zephyr smiled. How could he not like a child so eager to improve?
"Hurry up. Breakfast's on the table."
With that, Zephyr stepped out. Roldy quickly got dressed, ready to greet the new day.
The Training Grounds
Unlike most others, Zephyr's duties extended beyond serving as a Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral. He also personally trained promising recruits—his teaching ability far surpassed that of most instructors.
Around seventy to eighty young soldiers were already training on the grounds. They were talented, justice-driven youths.
But Roldy wouldn't be training alongside them.
Zephyr stopped at a separate open area. Roldy halted behind him, unsure what was about to happen.
Then Zephyr spoke.
"Come. Hit me."
He clasped his hands behind his back, striking the pose of an invincible master.
Roldy: ?
In his entire life, he had never heard such a request.
"Vice Admiral Zephyr… why? Unless…"
As Roldy's thoughts wandered, his eyes suddenly lit up.
"Wait… are you one of those legendary 'M' types?"
One sentence.
Critical damage to a Marine Vice Admiral.
Zephyr's upright figure suddenly wobbled. He nearly fell backward, his legs twitching slightly in midair before he caught himself.
"You brat! Who taught you that?!"
He stood up again, shocked and furious.
Damn it—where had his sweet, innocent Roldy gone?
After a week together, Zephyr was certain the boy was pure-hearted and upright. How could he possibly know something like that?
"Huh? Tokikake told me. He said some people like being hit—and even make weird noises."
Roldy blinked innocently.
Zephyr stared at him in disbelief.
A blazing fury ignited in his chest.
"To-ki-ka-ke!!!"
He roared the name through gritted teeth.
Meanwhile, in the Marineford residential district—
In his dream, Tokikake was basking in glory as Gion gently fed him sweets.
Suddenly—
He shivered violently.
In his dream, Gion's beautiful face abruptly transformed into Vice Admiral Zephyr's.