Half an hour later.
Inside the Chief Instructor's office at the Marineford Elite Training Camp, the atmospheric pressure was so low it felt suffocating. The air was heavy with the scent of old paper and the lingering smoke of frustration.
Under a large horizontal plaque with the word Justice written in bold calligraphy on the wall, Zephyr sat behind a massive desk. His majestic, veteran face was now as dark as forged iron. The thick veins on his forehead throbbed with every heartbeat, looking as if they might burst under the skin at any moment.
In the center of the office, the scene was grim.
Kane and Kuzan stood side-by-side as punishment. Their heads were bowed so low that their chins were almost buried in their chests.
Kuzan's two-meter-tall frame was trembling slightly. Cold sweat dripped from the tips of his dark, curly hair and splashed onto the polished floor. In his mind, three words were screaming on an infinite, terrifying loop: I am dead!
Not only had he left the island without permission to visit a place of ill repute, but he had been caught red-handed by Head Instructor Zephyr himself! Was his Marine career over before it had even truly begun? Would he be stripped of his rank and cast out in disgrace?
Compared to Kuzan's spiraling confusion and despair, Kane also kept his head down. His shoulders were even trembling violently, making him look as if he were in the middle of a breakdown caused by intense remorse.
But in reality, the truth was far different.
Kane was desperately biting the inside of his cheeks, using the sharp physical pain to prevent himself from snorting with laughter. On his retina, the azure system screen was frantically scrolling with updates.
[Discipline points settlement complete!]
[Current discipline points balance: 48,192!]
I am rich! Kane thought, his mind racing. This is straight-up financial freedom! Should I save up to fifty thousand and go all in on a lucky draw to gamble for a Mythical Zoan Fruit? Or should I just max out the Rokushiki techniques and become a physical monster? It is so hard to choose. Is this what the worries of a rich man feel like?
THUD!
With a sudden, violent bang, Zephyr's iron fist smashed heavily onto the solid wood desk. The hard surface cracked instantly under the pressure, and small wood chips flew through the air like shrapnel.
Kane's internal ecstasy was sharply interrupted. He immediately adjusted his expression, instantly switching back into his heartbroken and regretful mode.
Speak!
Zephyr's roar was so powerful it made the glass windows in the office buzz and rattle in their frames.
Are these the future pillars of the Navy that I had such high hopes for? Zephyr stood up, leaning over the desk. These are the best recruits of this class? Going to the Pleasure District? Drinking at a brothel while on duty? Why don't you two just go and become pirates instead?! Huh?!
The Admiral's spittle almost sprayed onto their faces as he vented his fury.
Kuzan's knees went weak. His face was pale, and he opened his mouth to stammer out an admission of his mistake. Instructor, I... I am so...
However, another figure was faster than him.
THUMP!
A dull but firm sound of knees hitting the ground rang out in the quiet office.
Kane had knelt down without any warning, but his back remained ramrod straight. His emerald-blue eyes looked directly into the furious eyes of Zephyr, showing a strange mix of pain and conviction.
Reporting, Instructor Zephyr! Everything... everything is my fault! I did it all alone! I forced him to go! This has nothing to do with Kuzan!
His voice was loud, resonant, and filled with a tragic sort of bravery.
Kuzan snapped his head around, looking at Kane beside him in total disbelief. His jaw nearly dropped. What was Kane doing? They had clearly planned the trip and gone together. Why was he taking the entire burden of the blame on his own shoulders?
Why?!
Zephyr stared at the boy intently, his teeth grinding together. Give me a reason, Kane! Is the glory your father traded his life for something to be trampled on by you like this? Is this how you honor his memory?
It is not like that!
At the mention of his father, Kane's body jolted violently, as if he had been struck. He slowly raised his head, his eyes turning red. Two lines of tears fell from the corners of his eyes at the perfect moment, rolling down his cheeks.
In that moment, Kane was possessed by the spirit of a legendary actor.
Instructor! It is precisely because I do not want to fail my father's glory, and for the sake of Marine justice, that I have done such a bastardly thing!
Zephyr was stunned. His brow furrowed in confusion, and the pure rage in his eyes flickered with uncertainty.
Kane's voice began to tremble slightly with feigned emotion. Kuzan is too naive, Instructor! In his eyes, the world is only black and white! He is like a blank sheet of paper, knowing absolutely nothing of the filth and darkness of this world!
But Instructor, you know better than anyone that this sea is not black and white! The New World we are going to in the future is filled with deception, greedy desires, and the most extreme evil imaginable!
Kane paused, letting out a shaky breath. I am worried... I am truly worried that in the future, because of this overly idealized version of justice, he will hit walls everywhere on the cruel sea. I fear he might even take an extreme path when reality breaks his heart!
So...
Kane clenched his fist and thumped it heavily against his own chest, right over his heart.
That is why I wanted to use this extreme method to let him see the filth of this world in advance! I wanted him to understand just how much helplessness and ugliness is hidden beneath the peace we risk our lives to protect! Even if it violates military discipline! Even if it leaves a permanent stain on my record! Even if I am expelled from the academy!
He looked Zephyr in the eye, his expression one of total sacrifice. As long as it allows Kuzan to see the cruelty of this world now and makes his future path of justice more stable... I, Kane, am willing to be punished! I have no regrets, even if it means my death!
After finishing his grand speech, Kane kowtowed heavily, his forehead hitting the floor with a crisp, echoing sound.
Please, Instructor, punish only me!
The entire office fell into a stunned silence.
Kuzan was completely breathless. His entire worldview had experienced its second major collapse of the night. So... was that why Kane did it? Was it all for his sake? In an instant, Kuzan's heart was overwhelmed by a massive surge of guilt and brotherly love.
Zephyr's chest was heaving violently as he processed the words. He looked down at the youth kneeling on the ground. Looking at that straight spine, Zephyr felt as if he saw the shadow of an old comrade-in-arms who had died in battle years ago.
This kid, Zephyr thought, his heart softening. Although his actions are absurd and wild, his original intention was actually to protect and educate his comrade?
Zephyr's heart, which had been gradually growing cold and cynical due to the tragic death of his own family at the hands of pirates, was deeply touched by this display of self-sacrifice.
Phew...
Zephyr let out a long, weary breath. The anger in his eyes mostly dissipated, replaced by a complex, paternal look.
What a line. 'No regrets even in death.'
Zephyr sat back down in his chair. Though his tone remained stern, the terrifying killing intent had vanished from the room.
Even if your motivation was for the sake of your comrade, military discipline is still military discipline! Rules are what keep the Navy from falling into chaos! Since you want to bear the weight of everything, Kane, then I will grant your wish!
Zephyr waved his large hand toward the door.
You two bastards, get to the training ground right now! You will carry 2,000 kilograms of iron weights and run two hundred laps around the perimeter of Marineford! If you do not finish every single lap, no one sleeps today! Move!
Yes! Instructor! Thank you, Instructor!
Kane acted as if he had been granted a great mercy. His face was full of fake gratitude as he kowtowed one last time. He quickly grabbed Kuzan, who was still stuck in a daze of raw emotion, and turned to rush out of the office before Zephyr could change his mind.
Watching their departing backs, Zephyr tiredly rubbed his brow with his thumb and forefinger. However, despite himself, the corner of his mouth curled up in a tiny, almost imperceptible arc.
This class of recruits... they are really going to give me a headache. But... they are not bad. Not bad at all.
5:00 AM, Marineford training ground.
The moonlight was pale and cold, and the salt-heavy sea breeze was bone-chilling as it swept across the open concrete.
Two figures, each carrying mountain-like stacks of specially-made iron blocks, trudged with great difficulty along the track. With every heavy step they took, a dull thud echoed across the silent base.
Huff... puff...
Kuzan felt like his lungs were on fire, ready to explode. The aftereffects of the alcohol were kicking in, making his head spin. Combined with the terrifying 2,000-kilogram weight strapped to his back, every single step felt like a form of medieval torture.
Kane... I am so sorry... I dragged you into this mess... Kuzan managed to apologize while gasping for air. His eyes were swimming with guilt.
Kane, who was running just a few paces ahead of him, was also drenched in sweat. His shirt was soaked through, but his eyes remained firm and focused.
Stop talking, Kuzan! Save your strength for the run! This is the price of growth! We finish this together!
However, inside his mind, Kane was roaring with excitement. System! Give me the points! Go all in! I want to be a physical beast!
[Command received. Converting discipline points...]
[Physique enhancement starting!]
[Physique 55 to 56... 700 points consumed.]
[Physique 60 to 61... 1,200 points consumed.]
Boom!
As the discipline points were consumed like water in a desert, a scalding hot stream of energy appeared out of thin air, flooding into his limbs. His originally aching, tearing muscle fibers were instantly reorganized and strengthened under the nourishment of this magical energy.
The weights, which had felt heavy as mountains only seconds ago, suddenly became light, almost like they were made of wood. The pleasure of breaking through his human limits almost made Kane groan aloud in satisfaction.
This is sweet! Kane thought. Is this the joy of cheating? Others get more tired as they run, but I just keep getting stronger!
[Current Physique: 65 (Human Limit)]
[Warning: You must master Armament Haki to break through the physical barrier before you can continue to add points.]
[Haki Initiation requirement: 100,000 discipline points.]
[Discipline points balance: 36,692]
One hundred thousand?
Kane smacked his lips in thought. Looking at the remaining balance, his eyes became even more dangerous and predatory. It seems this level of trouble isn't enough. If I want the real power, I need to cause even bigger, more chaotic trouble!
Just then, a heavy thud sounded from behind him.
Kuzan had finally reached his absolute limit. His eyes rolled back into his head, and he fell straight onto the track, passing out cold from exhaustion and the lingering effects of the booze.
Kuzan!
Kane stopped in his tracks and turned around. He looked toward the distant office building. He knew Zephyr was at the window, watching them from the shadows. The corner of Kane's mouth curled into a tiny grin.
Since this is an act, I have to go all the way to the end.
Since I said I would bear everything... Kane gritted his teeth, letting out a low, beast-like growl for the benefit of any listeners. Then I will see it through to the end!
He walked over to Kuzan's unconscious body. He grabbed the two-meter-tall man with one hand and hoisted him, along with all of Kuzan's heavy iron weights, directly onto his own shoulders.
A full four tons of iron, plus the weight of a giant adult man.
In the distance, Zephyr watched this scene from his office. His teacup remained frozen in mid-air. He didn't take a sip, nor did he put it down for a long time. He was mesmerized by the display of loyalty.
BOOM!
Kane's legs bent slightly under the massive pressure, and the concrete ground beneath his boots cracked. Carrying the combined weight of two people, he started moving again.
And his speed was even faster than before.
The unconscious Kuzan regained a tiny sliver of awareness amidst the rhythmic jolting of the run. He felt himself lying on a broad, warm, and incredibly stable back. In his ears, he could hear the heavy but powerful thumping of Kane's heartbeat.
Ka... ne... he mumbled.
Shut up and keep sleeping, Kane panted heavily, his voice raspy but firm. I will run the rest of the way for you. Just rest.
Kuzan's eyes grew moist as he drifted in and out of sleep. He looked at the ground moving rapidly beneath them, and in his mind, he replayed everything Kane had said tonight. He thought about the back of the friend who was currently killing himself to save his hide.
Is this what justice feels like?
Going to a place like that, being punished for a comrade, running all through the night... although it was very hot-blooded and touching, it was also something else.
But... really... it is just so tiring.
Kuzan slowly closed his eyes again. Before he completely lost consciousness, he let out a tiny murmur from the very depths of his soul.
Justice and all that... it is just too much of a pain...