The Correct Use of Life Return

Yaen could never repay the kindness Admiral Sengoku had shown him.

When Yaen had first transmigrated into this world, his physique had been practically no stronger than that of a baby in this world—frail beyond measure.

By the time Admiral Sengoku had fished Yaen out of the Great Sea, Yaen had drifted at sea for three days and was already unconscious with a high fever, teetering on the brink of death.

Afterward, Admiral Sengoku had pulled Yaen back from death's doorstep, then raised and taught him for more than a decade.

It could be said that Yaen owed Admiral Sengoku a debt of gratitude he could never repay.

Thus, because of that debt, although Yaen loathed the dark World Government beyond measure, he had never entertained the thought of becoming a Pirate.

Of course, his lazy personality was one reason as well.

Still, the thing Yaen had worried about and dreaded for years had ultimately happened, and he had even become involved in it by accident.

That was also Yaen's concern about joining the Marines and attaining a high position. The closer one got to the Navy High Command, the more restrictions one would face from the World Government, and the more likely one would be assigned—or made to assist in—things one did not wish to do.

Massacring Civilians, capturing Slaves, guarding Celestial Dragons... Yaen found all of those things utterly repulsive.

For a moment, Yaen could not help but sigh from the bottom of his heart. "This really makes me uncomfortable..."

"What's making you uncomfortable?"

All of a sudden, Kuzan appeared beside Yaen through Elementalization and asked.

Faced with Kuzan's question, the color quickly drained from Yaen's face. He said weakly, "I mean... I... blegh, seasick... motion sick... blegh..."

Yaen immediately bolted to the deck railing and unleashed a furious bout of vomiting into the Great Sea.

The sight made Kuzan frown slightly. He subconsciously swallowed and asked, "Yaen, you actually get seasick?"

"Yeah..."

Yaen slumped down weakly, his face pale as he said, "I've been weak and frail since childhood. So although my heart yearns for justice, and I dreamed of inheriting Old Man's will and becoming a glorious Marine, my condition simply won't allow it..."

After pausing, Yaen took several weak breaths, as if suppressing some discomfort, before continuing.

"Now that I think about it, the most suitable thing for me is probably taking on some clerical work in the Marines. Sigh, I'm just too useless."

Kuzan asked with considerable surprise and confusion, "That shouldn't be possible, right? Didn't Admiral Sengoku teach you? Once you train your physique to a certain level—especially after learning 'Life Return'—you can freely control every muscle in your body. There shouldn't be any chance of a physiological reaction like seasickness."

Yaen wore a pained expression, his voice full of shame as he said, "It's too difficult. Aside from having a little talent for Shave, I've only learned the bare basics of the remaining Six Powers, let alone the advanced Six Powers technique, 'Life Return.'"

"This..."

Kuzan was momentarily speechless. He even wondered whether Admiral Sengoku had gotten something wrong.

Someone who got seasick, motion sick, and had not even fully mastered the Six Powers—what kind of combat power could he have?

No...

Kuzan suddenly recalled the terrifying speed Yaen had displayed in the office, as well as that unknown, peculiar movement technique.

Could he be faking it?

Kuzan could not help but look at Yaen with a hint of suspicion.

But seeing Yaen's pale face and listless appearance, as though he might need to unleash another violent bout into the Great Sea at any moment, Kuzan still gave up on questioning him further.

No matter what, Yaen was Admiral Sengoku's son. That identity alone was enough to dispel plenty of unnecessary doubts.

Even if Yaen had some secret, Admiral Sengoku would naturally be responsible for it.

Kuzan then called over two Marine Soldiers and had them support Yaen back to his room to rest.

Once the two Marine Soldiers shut the door, Yaen, lying on the bed, instantly regained his normal complexion.

Kuzan was right. After learning "Life Return," which allowed one to control every muscle in one's body, it was completely impossible to suffer physiological reactions such as seasickness.

But correspondingly, once one had learned "Life Return," one could naturally get seasick whenever one wanted to.

Whew, I finally got rid of that troublemaker Kuzan for the time being...

Kuzan at this stage really is a pain. He's brimming with passion, nowhere near as lazy and lovable as he'll be in the future, when he turns a blind eye to all sorts of things...

Old Man sure has it easy. He wants me to earn merit in the 'Buster Call' operation?

Impossible. Absolutely impossible. I'll just lie here comfortably and do nothing. I refuse to believe it.

The thought of escaping while Kuzan was distracted had not failed to occur to Yaen, but he understood that it was almost impossible to pull off.

This... was the Great Sea!

Moreover, Yaen knew very well that these ten Marine Warships were guarded by no fewer than five Marine Headquarters Vice Admirals. Two of them were the future Marine Admirals "Akainu" Sakazuki and "Aokiji" Kuzan.

Under such circumstances, Yaen would not even consider taking that risk.

Lying down is enough. Mm, I should lie flatter...

Sailing on the Great Sea, boredom was an eternal theme.

And Yaen, who had yet to officially join the Navy and was, in a sense, still just a civilian, had no responsibilities or missions to shoulder at all. He only needed to lie obediently in his room every day and recuperate.

During that time, Kuzan had visited Yaen several times, wanting to have a discussion with him about "justice."

But Yaen looked half-dead from seasickness, leaving Kuzan unable to broach the subject. He could only leave in disappointment.

Hah, I'm lying down anyway. I'm just playing around. I'm not getting up.

With Old Man not around, I'll just pretend to be sick. What can you do about it, Kuzan?

Merits... tch...

Yaen controlled sheets of "cherry blossoms" as they continuously danced through the room. Gathering and scattering, they formed all sorts of lifelike shapes. As he used them to train his control, he muttered leisurely to himself.

Just as Yaen thought the day would pass peacefully once again, Kuzan, who had not appeared for several days, approached his room once more.

"Hmm?"

Though Yaen found it somewhat strange, with a thought, the "cherry blossoms" drifting through the room rapidly gathered into the form of a Zanpakutō and returned to its sheath.

Knock, knock!

A knock sounded at the door.

"Come in."

Yaen, pale-faced and listless, replied weakly.

The door opened. Kuzan's expression today lacked his usual enthusiasm, appearing especially calm and subdued, like an iceberg.

"Yaen, you've rested long enough. It's time to get up. We've arrived at Ohara."

As Kuzan's words fell, the Navy warship in motion gradually came to a stop.