"The night sky in this world feels even deeper than the last one…And the stars shine brighter, too."
While Yoriichi Tsugikuni sat outside, quietly admiring the sky, Zephyr was not at home.
Tonight, he had a meeting to attend — one that was extremely important, both for him and for Yoriichi Tsugikuni.
Fleet Admiral's Office
Fleet Admiral Kong sat behind his desk, two thick stacks of documents piled neatly before him. He flipped through them with focused attention.
Standing on either side of him were Marine Vice Admiral Tsuru and Marine Admiral Sengoku, both reviewing the files as well.
Knock knock knock.
A knock sounded at the door.
Kong looked up. "Come in."
The door opened, and Zephyr strode in wearing his coat of Justice. After closing the door behind him, he walked quickly to the desk, his expression serious.
"How did the investigation go?""Did you find anything wrong?"
Kong did not answer immediately. Instead, he lowered his gaze and continued reading.
Seeing this, Zephyr's pupils shrank slightly. Just as he was about to speak again, Tsuru raised a hand to stop him.
"Don't rush. Sit down first," she said calmly."So far, there are a few points worth noting, but nothing that indicates any major problem."
Zephyr walked to the sofa and sat heavily.
"What points?"
Before Tsuru could reply, Sengoku spoke.
"Yoriichi Tsugikuni's actual age is likely twelve."
"According to testimonies from survivors rescued from Dragon Chant Island, he did indeed grow up there."
"His parents arrived on the island about twenty years ago, though their origins remain unknown."
"His father died of illness when Yoriichi Tsugikuni was two, and his mother passed away when he was eight."
"He survived with help from neighbors, but disappeared two years ago. The next time anyone saw him was when he fought pirates alongside Garp."
Zephyr listened with a frown. When Sengoku finished, he spoke with mild irritation.
"Sengoku, you've said all that — what exactly is the suspicious part?"
"His life path is perfectly clear. He disappeared two years ago — probably got lost in the forest. Dragon Chant Island is full of dangerous beasts, so the townspeople likely assumed he died."
"Didn't Garp find the cave where he'd been living?"
"His sword was probably passed down from his parents. His swordsmanship comes from both talent and their teaching."
"The world is huge — people like this exist. It's not strange."
"He survived in the wild, grew strong through natural talent, and was eventually discovered by Garp. That's straightforward."
"So what exactly is the issue?!"
His tone carried clear protectiveness.
Zephyr genuinely liked the gifted boy. During their time together, Yoriichi Tsugikuni's occasional flashes of maturity had tugged at his heart. No child became that composed without hardship.
In a way, Zephyr wasn't wrong.
"Easy, easy," Sengoku said with a smile. "Let me finish."
Four years earlier, Sengoku — who had no children — adopted a boy named Rosinante. Only during routine background checks did he discover the child was actually a Celestial Dragon from the Donquixote family.
The matter was quietly sealed. Only the people currently in this office — plus Garp — knew the truth.
Zephyr, after losing his family, had devoted himself entirely to nurturing the next generation. And now, Yoriichi Tsugikuni — living in his home — had clearly been accepted as one of his own.
Just like Sengoku back then, Zephyr had let his heart soften.
"Go on," Zephyr said, arms crossed.
"The suspicious points are his weapon… and the fact that, according to Garp, he's already awakened Conqueror's Haki."
Sengoku paused, watching Zephyr's reaction.
Zephyr's expression grew colder.
"That sword he carries — you've noticed it too," Sengoku continued."It's clearly not ordinary craftsmanship. Yet it doesn't match any of the Supreme Grade blades."
"Someone capable of forging such a weapon can't be insignificant."
"And Conqueror's Haki… the disposition of a king. You don't believe he has no background at all, do you?"
Zephyr shook his head firmly.
"I hate that kind of reasoning."
"Yoriichi Tsugikuni is Yoriichi Tsugikuni. His origins don't define him."
"He's lived in the East Blue since birth. He's committed no crime."
"He's just a kid who lost his parents — one with extraordinary talent. Is that a sin now?"
"Suspicious? That's nonsense."
He stood abruptly and headed for the door.
Before he could leave, Kong finally spoke.
"Zephyr."
"You're right — he's just an orphaned child."
"But precisely because he's young, he must be guided carefully."
"For the next five years, he is not to leave Marineford."
"And you are not to teach him Marine secrets — no classified intelligence, no Haki, not even the Six Powers."
"At his age, building a strong foundation and proper values is more important than anything else."
"Focus on physical conditioning and education until he comes of age."
Zephyr paused at the doorway, then snorted.
"I don't need you to tell me that."
Bang!
The door slammed shut behind him.
Sengoku tossed his file onto the desk."Looks like I'm done here too. Rosinante's waiting for me."
He left as well.
After they were gone, Kong turned to Tsuru.
"What do you think?"
Tsuru — the Marines' strategist — answered calmly.
"His background is clear. There's nothing to worry about."
"A child is like a blank sheet of paper. I trust Zephyr will raise him well."
"Zephyr is reliable… unlike Garp."
At the mention of Garp, Kong rubbed his forehead with a sigh.
Garp's son — Monkey D. Dragon — was still in the Marines, but his recent actions had grown increasingly unpredictable.
Kong couldn't shake a faint sense of foreboding.