To Master and Madam,
It has been more than eight years since this disciple bade farewell to Master and Madam and set out on his own. Whenever I made progress, I thought of Master and Madam's generous gifts and never dared forget them.
During the three years after leaving the dojo, this disciple purged pirates in the East Blue, aided civilians, practiced what was in his heart, experienced the many facets of the world, and tempered both swordsmanship and spirit.
Along the way, I encountered Vice Admiral Garp, the "Hero" of Marine Headquarters, and thus joined the Marines, taking another step toward my dream.
Five more years passed. At Marine Headquarters, this disciple found wise teachers, like-minded comrades, and superiors who cared for me as Master and Madam did. I am deeply humbled and can only strive ever harder.
This disciple has now become a Headquarters Commodore. I write this specially so that you need not worry.
Also, Junior Sister Kuina should already be practicing the sword. It is a great regret that I cannot see her in person, so I have prepared a gift and respectfully ask Master and Madam to present it to Junior Sister Kuina.
This item is of great importance—like the ability this disciple displayed when Junior Sister was first born, it is my earnest hope that Master and Madam keep it close to her body. It may save her life!
In three years, this disciple will certainly return to visit.
Words cannot fully convey my thoughts. I will speak the rest in person.
May you be well.
Respectfully yours.
After finishing the letter, Wright placed the carefully crafted gift—a ladies' pendant made from a natural crystal that had undergone "Light-Forging" and become a "Lightforged Pointing Crystal"—into a gift box, sealed it with wax, and mailed it together with the letter.
Destination—One Heart Dojo, Shimotsuki Village, East Blue. Koushirou.
After developing the Lightforged Crystal, the first person Wright thought of was not Rosinante, but this little junior sister with whom he was "fated" to meet—his realm of Iron Cutting and Observation Haki were both, to some degree, inseparable from her.
As for his little junior sister's fated death, Wright had originally wanted to go and protect her personally. But first, he did not know exactly when it would happen, and second, "foreseeing the future" was something even the highest level of Observation Haki could only achieve for a short time. There was no way to explain such a lengthy period.
But with a Lightforged Crystal, he could achieve the same goal—at the instant Kuina encountered trouble, it could keep her alive. Combined with Master's treatment, Wright could rush over for rescue the moment he sensed it.
Putting his worries aside, Wright prepared to visit the New Marine Recruit Camp—the Lightforged Crystal project was still gradually advancing, and for the time being, Wright needed to remain at Headquarters and occasionally make some Lightforged Crystals for backup.
Originally, Garp had planned to bring him along to Sengoku's office to mooch food and drinks, but Wright had refused—You two old men are meeting up in person. If a young man like me stays there radiating light and heat for too long, won't I get humanely eliminated?
Just as he was grumbling inwardly, Wright noticed a tall, thin figure approaching him—Wright was a little over two meters tall. Back in his "previous life," that had been beyond anything he could have imagined, and it had already thrilled him greatly. Unfortunately, people in this world were generally freakishly tall.
And this man walking toward him undoubtedly possessed "Admiral height"—black curly hair, a sleazy face, a black gentleman's hat, and a cigarette dangling from his mouth. He was Borsalino, the Logia Glint-Glint Fruit user and Headquarters Vice Admiral!
Did this dead monkey only start wearing sunglasses and quit smoking after becoming an Admiral?
Thinking such nonsensical thoughts, Wright had always been curious about this Logia user who could turn his body into "light"—what exactly was the difference between Wright's Holy Light and a Logia's light?
The carefree Borsalino had clearly noticed Wright, the rising young officer, as well. "Oh~ how frightening. Look who this is~?"
"Greetings, Vice Admiral Borsalino!" Wright stopped and saluted. Before him stood the firm practitioner of the so-called Ambiguous Justice, an outrageously powerful expert at slacking off, a mysterious fence-sitter who often showed up without putting in real effort, yet believed that "the crimes of pirates can never be erased"—a complicated old man.
"Commodore Wright~" As one of the very top Vice Admirals, Borsalino had clearly learned of some arrangements made by Headquarters' higher-ups. "How rare. Even when I was promoted to Commodore, I wasn't as fast as you~ Where are you headed~?"
"Reporting to Vice Admiral," Wright's thoughts raced. This old man's relationship with Teacher Zephyr had never been very good, because Teacher Zephyr had criticized him for relying too heavily on his Fruit ability. "I was thinking of visiting the New Marine Recruit Camp to see whether I could help Vice Admiral Garp pick out a few recruits."
"Mm~" Borsalino narrowed his eyes. "Junior Brother Wright~ no need to be so formal. We're true fellow disciples, aren't we~?"
"Although Teacher Zephyr doesn't like me very much~ that's because the old man is used to using his fists~ But this senior brother has humbly accepted Teacher Zephyr's teachings too, practicing swordsmanship and hand-to-hand combat~"
This old monkey really was clever!
Wright immediately went with the flow. "Senior Brother Borsalino, you jest. It's nothing like that... Recently, too many people from G3 Branch have been trying to squeeze in. I was just hoping Senior Brother could help Old Man Garp share the manpower burden—there are many people Old Man Garp cannot easily refuse."
Seeing that Marines nearby had begun to notice the two of them talking, Wright raised a brow. "How about we discuss it over food, as fellow disciples—miso ramen? This junior brother's treating!"
"I also happen to have some questions about light-based abilities that I'd like to ask Senior Brother—when it comes to that, Senior Brother Borsalino is an expert."
Watching Wright seize the opportunity and call him "Senior Brother" and himself "Junior Brother" over and over without the slightest reserve, Borsalino could not help narrowing his eyes as he recalled his first meeting with Wright—
At the New Marine Recruit Camp graduation address, in front of the Fleet Admiral, two Marine Admirals, and several Vice Admirals, this kid had actually spaced out right under Mr. Garp's nose—what a genius!
"Oh~, miso ramen. I like that quite a bit~" Borsalino smiled, somehow looking even sleazier. "Then this senior brother~ will have to let Junior Brother Wright spend some money this time~ Headquarters' miso ramen tastes pretty good~"
"As for light-based abilities~ I've been keeping an eye on you for a long time, Junior Brother~ That trinity of offensive, defensive, and restorative light energy you have is something this senior brother is terribly envious of~"
Wright gestured for Borsalino to lead the way to his favorite ramen shop. As he casually chatted with this nominal senior brother, he quietly pondered why Borsalino had suddenly appeared and acted so friendly.
What Borsalino had just said—that he and Wright were true fellow disciples—made a great deal of sense.
Nearly all of the new generation of Marine Headquarters flag officers had come from under Marine Admiral Black Arm Zephyr, but graduating from the New Marine Recruit Camp did not mean one could call Zephyr "Teacher."
Zephyr personally taught only the Elite Squad of each class. For everyone else, he was merely the nominal Chief Instructor, mostly responsible for drafting training plans and supervising training.
Therefore, only trainees from the Elite Squad directly called Zephyr "Teacher." They were the true "fellow disciples."
Among them, there was an even rarer phenomenon—Zephyr personally taught every course, even joining sparring sessions himself, imparting his teachings through both words and example. Such people could be called his "personal disciples"!
So far, Zephyr had taught only four such disciples. All four had been called "monsters" among their peers, overwhelmingly surpassing every other trainee of their generation and possessing the potential to become Admirals—
Sakazuki, Borsalino, Kuzan, and Wright!
Thus, these four were the true fellow disciples Borsalino had meant!
Fourth update on Saturday. Thank you, bosses, for your support and recommendation votes! The second round of promotion starts tomorrow afternoon, and the editor told me to write well~ I need to do better~ This silly newbie is really nervous! Booking your support in advance~
Before you continue