"Black Arm" Zephyr!

The training ground under the night sky.

Marine Headquarters' training ground was still brightly lit at night. Hundreds of Marine recruits were drenched in sweat beneath the moonlight, throwing punches like rain.

Following Garp, Roy spotted a mountain-like figure standing in the middle of the training ground from afar.

He was a man with short purple hair, the night breeze stirring its tips and the moonlight reflecting off his black sunglasses. With his calloused fists, he demonstrated each punch to the recruits, as though he meant to instill justice itself into their fists.

"Black Arm" Zephyr!

Roy's heart skipped a beat.

In the manga from his previous life, this was the character whose fate had troubled him most—the instructor who had trained the monstrous Three Admirals yet held fast to his principle of not killing, the man who had continued to fight for justice even after losing everything.

And now, in the year 1500, Zephyr still had both arms and was in his prime!

Sensing Garp's presence, Zephyr snorted without turning around. "Garp, you bastard, you finally decided to come back? Sengoku was so angry he smashed three vases in his office."

Garp laughed and slapped Roy on the back, pushing him forward. "Look what I've brought you! This is a treasure I picked up in the East Blue!"

Under the moonlight, Zephyr finally turned around.

When the eyes behind his sunglasses fell on Roy, standing straight despite his bandages, he raised an eyebrow slightly. "For an old bastard like you to call him a treasure..."

Before he finished speaking, his right fist shot out!

"Bang!"

The air seemed to explode, and the wind from his punch struck like a cannonball!

Roy's pupils contracted sharply. His body reacted before he could think—as he teleported backward, Armament Haki instinctively coated his arms as he crossed them in defense!

"Clang!"

A crisp metallic clash seemed to ring out in the air.

Zephyr's fist stopped steadily in midair, and a rare smile touched his lips. "Anticipation with Observation Haki, the beginnings of Armament Haki, and a passing reaction speed."

Withdrawing his fist, he glanced at Garp. "He really does have potential."

Garp proudly rested a hand on Roy's shoulder, grinning like a sly old fox. "This kid even swatted a Sea King flying with his bare hand!"

Zephyr raised an eyebrow, his smile deepening. "Oh? Now that's interesting."

After training ended, Zephyr brought the two of them into his office.

An old hanging lamp cast a dim yellow light over the room. A faded group photograph hung on the wall—it showed Zephyr when he had just become a Marine instructor, standing on the training ground with a coat draped over his shoulders and his arms folded, looking stern and proud.

Beside him stood a young Aokiji, Akainu, and Kizaru, shoulder to shoulder. Not yet Admirals, they still looked somewhat youthful and sharp.

They were his three strongest pupils, whom he had devoted himself to training, and his greatest source of pride.

Everyone in the photograph wore a high-spirited smile, though the smiles on Sakazuki and Borsalino looked a little unsettling: one was too serious, the other too sleazy.

It was the most glorious period of Zephyr's life, and later became his most painful memory.

"Sit down, kid." Zephyr pointed to a chair, his voice deep and steady.

Roy quickly sat up straight. "Yes, sir!"

Zephyr looked at Roy and spoke slowly. "Garp said you ate the Teleport-Teleport Fruit?"

Roy nodded. "Yes! I call it Super Teleportation. I can flash to any place I can see!"

With that, he vanished from the spot with a swish, and the next second he was standing steadily behind Zephyr.

Without turning around, Zephyr suddenly reached back to grab him, but caught nothing.

He looked up and saw Roy hanging upside down from the ceiling, looking pleased with himself. "Hehe."

A rare smile appeared on Zephyr's face. "Interesting."

He stood up, his gaze burning behind his sunglasses. "Starting tomorrow, you'll train with the recruit camp."

At that, he pointed a finger at Roy, his tone suddenly stern. "Two extra hours of training every day. I'll teach you Armament Haki myself!"

Roy sprang up from his chair, sending it clattering to the floor. "Really?! Instructor Zephyr!"

Zephyr reached out and pressed a hand to his shoulder. The strength and warmth from that calloused palm made Roy tremble slightly.

"Remember," Zephyr said firmly, "a power is only a tool. A true powerhouse—"

"Relies on his fists to uphold justice!" Garp suddenly cut in, his hearty laughter echoing through the office.

Zephyr chuckled. "Haki is the only truth!"

Garp threw back his head and laughed. "Wasn't I right? Zephyr, old friend, that's just like you!"

Roy stared blankly as the two veterans laughed side by side. In the moonlight before him, he seemed to see that high-spirited "Black Arm" Zephyr, forever protecting justice, with light sparkling like stars in his eyes.

At that moment, he silently swore to himself—

"Now that I've been given a chance, I will change that tragic future!"

Early the next morning, at Marine Headquarters' training ground.

The first rays of dawn fell across the grounds. The Marine recruits had already assembled in neat ranks, and the air was filled with the scent of sweat and sea breeze.

Garp and Zephyr stood together in the middle of the training ground. To the recruits, such treatment was practically legendary.

"Today's focus is Haki Combat Training!"

Zephyr took off his sunglasses, revealing a piercing gaze. His voice rang out with an almost metallic quality. "Haki is the foundation of the Marines! If you can't learn it, don't talk about justice!"

Garp planted his hands on his hips and grinned. "Listen up, kids! Today we've made special arrangements for a demonstration of Observation and Armament Haki in combat!"

As he finished, he pushed Roy into the center of the grounds. "Roy, Zephyr will personally guide you through this spar!"

A stir ran through the recruits, and every eye turned to Roy.

"Is that... the new recruit from the East Blue?"

"Who is he? He's getting guidance from both Instructor Zephyr and Vice Admiral Garp?"

"What's his background? Could he be related to someone in the Marine high command?"

Roy's heart tightened. He took a breath and walked slowly up to Zephyr, both fists clenched. "Instructor Zephyr, please teach me!"

Zephyr narrowed his eyes slightly, his voice steady. "Don't be nervous. Come at me, kid. Let me see how you react!"

As soon as he finished, Zephyr flashed forward, closing the distance in an instant. His fist came at Roy like an iron hammer, whistling through the air!

"Bang!"

Roy's pupils contracted sharply, and his Observation Haki activated instinctively. A flash of electricity flickered beneath his feet as he flashed to the side, but just as he found his footing, Zephyr's side kick swept toward him like a whirlwind!

"Whoosh!"

Armament Haki!

Roy instantly coated both arms in Armament Haki and crossed them to block. With a tremendous clang, the impact sent him sliding back several meters, but he steadied himself.

The recruits' eyes widened.

"He... he can actually fight Instructor Zephyr?!"

"He actually blocked Instructor Zephyr's attack?!"

"Is he a monster?!"

The corners of Zephyr's mouth lifted slightly. "Not bad. You can use Observation Haki to dodge and Armament Haki to block in such a short time. Good reactions!"

"But—"

Before he finished, Zephyr pulled back his fist and surged forward, his footsteps like thunder, bearing down on Roy like a mountain!

"Bang, bang, bang!"

A flurry of punches came down like a violent storm. Roy used his teleportation to its fullest, dodging again and again, but Zephyr's fists followed close behind, as though they could anticipate his path.

As he dodged, Roy thought, Instructor Zephyr is too strong! The range of his Observation Haki... it's like he's using a wallhack!

Suddenly, an opening!

Zephyr seized the moment and threw a heavy punch. Roy instinctively blocked—

"Bang!!!"

His arms went numb, and he was blasted several meters away, crashing to the ground with blood seeping from the corner of his mouth.

Zephyr walked over slowly and looked down at him. "Not bad, kid. Your teleportation ability is strong, but Haki is what will let you stand at the pinnacle of the strong!"

"Remember: Haki is an extension of conviction. The stronger your conviction, the greater your strength!"

Garp laughed as he strode forward and hauled Roy up from the ground. "I've got high hopes for you! Don't just dodge! Fight back!"

Roy gritted his teeth and wiped the blood from his mouth, fighting spirit igniting in his eyes. "Yes! Please continue teaching me!"

Zephyr nodded in satisfaction. "Very good!"

"Continue!"

On the training ground, punches whistled through the air, flashes of electricity sparked, and waves of Haki rippled outward.

The recruits watched, utterly dumbstruck.

"My god, he's fought Instructor Zephyr for so long and still hasn't gone down!"

"That's 'Black Arm' Zephyr! What kind of monster is he?!"

"This newcomer is definitely going to be Admiral-level someday..."

The morning light fell as sweat mingled with dust.

Roy was covered in scrapes, and his arms trembled, but his eyes were utterly resolute.

It really does take more than a day or two to hone Haki, but...

He took a deep breath and pressed his lips together.

"I'll become stronger than anyone!"

On the training ground, Garp and Zephyr exchanged smiles, their eyes filled with gratification and anticipation.

On the other side of the training ground, two senior students from the Zephyr Training Camp, Smoker, aged fourteen, and Hina, aged twelve, were also present, preparing to begin their own physical training.

Smoker stared intently at Roy as he flashed around the center of the grounds, frowning slightly. "That kid... it's his first time meeting Instructor Zephyr, and he can already go head-to-head with him for this long. He can even use teleportation... What a monster."

Hina toyed with the handcuffs in her hand, her tone a little cool but unable to conceal her approval. "Smoker, I'm afraid this newcomer will become a formidable rival for you someday."

Smoker snorted and exhaled a puff of smoke. "Hmph, whoever he is, if he wants to become strong, he'll have to go through countless trials. Let's hope he can endure Instructor Zephyr's training."

The corners of Hina's mouth lifted slightly. "Hina is a little interested in him."

The two exchanged a glance, then both looked toward the boy in the center of the grounds, still standing unyielding beneath Zephyr's storm of attacks.