Encountering a Yellow Monkey

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 make progress, I think of the generous gifts bestowed by Master and Madam and never dare forget them.

During the three years after leaving the dojo, this disciple purged pirates in the East Blue, aided civilians, put his convictions into practice, experienced the many faces 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 this disciple's dream.

Another five years have passed. At Marine Headquarters, this disciple encountered wise teachers, like-minded comrades, and superiors who cared for me as Master and Madam once did. This disciple is deeply humbled and can only strive ever harder.

This disciple has now risen to the rank of Marine Headquarters Commodore. I write to inform you, and hope you will not worry.

Also, Junior Sister Kuina should already be practicing the sword. It is truly regrettable 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—just like the ability this disciple displayed when Junior Sister was first born. I earnestly ask Master and Madam to have Junior Sister wear it close to her body. It may save her life!

In three years, this disciple will surely return to visit.

Words cannot convey all that is in my heart. The rest I will tell you in person.

Wishing you peace.

Respectfully.

After finishing the letter, Wright placed his carefully crafted gift—a ladies' pendant made from a natural crystal that had been Light-Forged into a Lightforged Pointing Crystal—into a gift box, sealed it with wax, and sent it out along 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 junior sister with whom he was "fated" to meet—Wright's Iron Cutting realm and Observation Haki were, to some extent, both inseparably connected to her.

As for this junior sister's fated death, Wright had originally wanted to go protect her personally. But first, he did not know exactly when it would happen. Second, even the most advanced Observation Haki could only foresee a short period of the future. There was no way to explain such a long span of time.

But with a Lightforged Crystal, he could achieve the same goal—at the instant Kuina met with danger, it could keep her alive. Combined with his master's treatment, Wright could rush to her aid the moment he sensed it.

With that worry set aside, Wright prepared to visit the New Marine Recruit Camp—matters concerning Lightforged Crystals were still progressing step by step, and Wright needed to remain at Headquarters for the time being, making Lightforged Crystals from time to time to keep in reserve.

Originally, Garp had planned to bring him along to mooch food and drinks in Sengoku's office, but Wright turned him down—You two old men are meeting up in person. If a young guy like me shines too brightly around you for too long, won't I get eliminated on humanitarian grounds?

While silently grumbling, Wright noticed a tall, skinny figure approaching him—Wright stood just over two meters tall. Back in his "previous life," that would have been unimaginable, and it had already made him quite excited. Unfortunately, people in this world were generally freakishly tall.

And this man approaching him undoubtedly possessed "Admiral height"—with black curly hair, a lecherous face, a black gentleman's hat, and a cigarette dangling from his lips, he was the Logia Glint-Glint Fruit user and Headquarters Vice Admiral, Borsalino!

Did this damn monkey only start wearing sunglasses and quit smoking after becoming an Admiral?

Thinking such random nonsense, Wright had always been curious about this Logia user who could transform his body into "light"—what exactly was the difference between Wright's Holy Light and a Logia's light?

The slovenly Borsalino had clearly noticed Wright, this rising young officer, as well. "Oh~ How terrifying. Look who this is~?"

"Greetings, Vice Admiral Borsalino!" Wright stopped and saluted. Before him stood the steadfast executor of the so-called Ambiguous Justice, an outrageously powerful expert at slacking off, a mysterious fence-sitter who often showed up without putting in much 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 certain arrangements made by the higher-ups at Headquarters. "How remarkable. Even I wasn't promoted to Commodore as quickly as you were back then~ Where are you headed~?"

"Reporting to Vice Admiral," Wright's thoughts raced. This old man had never gotten along especially well with Teacher Zephyr, having been criticized by him for relying too heavily on his Devil Fruit ability. "I was thinking of taking a look at the New Marine Recruit Camp, to see if I can help Vice Admiral Garp pick out a few newcomers."

"Hmm~" 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 of yours has humbly accepted Teacher Zephyr's teachings too, practicing swordsmanship and physical arts~"

This old monkey was sharp!

Wright immediately went with the flow. "Senior Brother Borsalino, you flatter me. 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 some of the burden—there are many people Old Man Garp cannot easily refuse."

Noticing Marines nearby beginning to pay attention to their conversation, Wright raised an eyebrow. "How about we fellow disciples talk over a meal—Miso Ramen, perhaps? This junior brother's treat!"

"I also happen to have some questions about light-type abilities that I would like to ask Senior Brother. In that regard, Senior Brother Borsalino is an expert."

Seeing Wright shamelessly latch on, calling 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 encounter with Wright—

At the New Marine Recruit Camp graduation address, in front of the Fleet Admiral, two Admirals, and several Vice Admirals, this brat had actually spaced out right under Mr. Garp's nose—what a genius!

"Oh~, Miso Ramen. I do like that very much~" Borsalino smiled, somehow looking even more lecherous. "Then this senior brother~ will let Junior Brother Wright spend some money this time~ The Miso Ramen at Headquarters tastes quite good~"

"As for light-type abilities~ I've had my eye on you for a long time, Junior Brother~ That light energy of yours, combining offense, defense, and recovery, has made this senior brother rather envious~"

Wright made a welcoming gesture, inviting Borsalino to lead the way to his favorite ramen shop. As he chatted idly with this conveniently acquired senior brother, he secretly pondered why the man had suddenly appeared and adopted such a friendly attitude.

What Borsalino had just said—that he and Wright were true fellow disciples—actually made perfect sense.

Nearly all of the new generation of Marine Headquarters 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. To everyone else, he was merely the nominal Chief Instructor, mainly responsible for developing training plans and supervising training.

Therefore, only students from the Elite Squad directly called Zephyr "Teacher." Only they were "fellow disciples."

Among them, there was an even rarer distinction—all courses were personally taught by Zephyr. He even sparred with them himself, teaching through both words and example. They could be called his "personal disciples"!

So far, Zephyr had taught only four such disciples. All four had been called "monsters" in their respective classes, overwhelmingly surpassing every other student of their generation and possessing the potential to become Admirals—

Sakazuki, Borsalino, Kuzan, and Wright!

Therefore, these four were the true fellow disciples Borsalino had spoken of!

Fourth update this Saturday. Thank you, everyone, for your support and recommendation votes! The second round of promotion starts tomorrow afternoon. The editor told me to write well~ I need to pull myself together~ As a clueless new writer, I'm really nervous! Booking everyone's support in advance~