Menkyo Kaiden: Part II

Just as Wang Chuan finished marveling at his own progress, he suddenly gasped in pain.

Wang Chuan didn't even need to look to know that his right arm was likely broken.

At that moment, familiar footsteps approached.

Zephyr laughed in a slightly mocking tone.

"Hahaha, you're killing me.

You've only been training for a mere dozen years or so, and you already want to go head-to-head with my fists?

Don't get ahead of yourself, you brat!

As you are now, playing hide-and-seek is still the only thing you're suited for when facing me."

Wang Chuan looked at Zephyr helplessly.

"Calling yourself an old man when you're only in your forties, Teacher Zephyr, isn't that a bit too early for you?"

"Mind your own business, brat.

On this sea, living to your forties is already considered old.

Besides, I've been in this space for thirteen years; even if I haven't aged on the outside, I'm effectively over fifty now. What's wrong with me calling myself an old man?"

Zephyr retorted with dissatisfaction.

He then sat down not far from Wang Chuan, looking at him with a complex expression, as if he had something on his mind.

After a moment, Zephyr asked.

"Hey kid, after all these years, have you still not found the justice in your heart?"

Wang Chuan, currently keeping his eyes closed to enjoy this brief moment of leisure after being heavily injured, was somewhat surprised by Zephyr's sudden question. He opened his eyes and looked at Zephyr, asking curiously.

"Teacher Zephyr, why are you asking this all of a sudden?"

"Don't worry about that, I just want to ask.

Besides, you've been learning under me for so many years; you should have your own perspective on justice by now.

Since we fought to this point today, just tell me what you think."

Zephyr said calmly, his majestic eyes fixed firmly on Wang Chuan, looking as if he wouldn't let him off the hook until he gave a clear answer.

Wang Chuan slowly raised his head, looking at the clear blue sky, and fell into silence.

Justice—what a lofty word.

It seems almost every person in power labels themselves with it.

But for someone like him, who was an orphan and a corporate slave in his past life, and who only wants to become stronger in this life to achieve wealth, it seems a bit too ethereal.

Of course, with Wang Chuan's knowledge, he could easily make up some ethereal but high-sounding justice to fool Zephyr.

But thinking of this man who had spent ten years teaching him how to become stronger, day after day, Wang Chuan didn't want to just brush him off.

Suddenly, as if something had occurred to him, Wang Chuan glanced at Zephyr. Thoughts began to surface naturally in his mind, and he blurted out.

"The justice of family.

Teacher Zephyr, what do you think of this justice of mine?

I feel that if one cannot even protect the family by their side, then so-called justice is nothing but a pile of dog shit."

Upon receiving Wang Chuan's answer, Zephyr was silent for a brief moment before laughing heartily once again.

"Hahaha, the justice of family, huh? That really is a selfish kind of justice."

But soon, Zephyr stopped laughing and looked at Wang Chuan earnestly.

"However, kid, this justice isn't bad...

I understand your thinking. If I couldn't even protect my own wife and child, then this so-called 'justice of non-killing' of mine would indeed look like a pile of dog shit.

So, I acknowledge you, kid.

And I have nothing left to teach you.

From today on, I declare you Menkyo Kaiden; you are ready to graduate."

Wang Chuan was stunned. Why was he graduating all of a sudden?

Did this cheat have such a setting?

Wait, what did Menkyo Kaiden mean again?

If I recall correctly, it's a term from Japanese martial arts schools meaning the highest rank, where the master allows the student to open their own school or take on students of their own, right?

So, I've finished my apprenticeship?

But my Armament Haki hasn't surpassed Teacher Zephyr's to reach the peak yet!?

Just as Wang Chuan was filled with confusion and inner complaints, a faint glow began to emanate from Zephyr's body, and he said.

"Don't be surprised, kid."

Just as you once told me that you knew this was your cheat, I also know that I was forcibly summoned here to instruct you.

Although I don't know what kind of entity could pull off such a feat, there is a consciousness in my mind telling me so.

Once you have mastered all of my combat techniques and earned my approval, you will be able to graduate, and there will be no need for you to come here again.

Wang Chuan suddenly realized; so that was how it was.

But soon, a look of reluctance appeared in Wang Chuan's eyes.

After all, even keeping a dog for a long time builds an emotional bond, let alone a human being, especially a teacher who had been teaching him for over a decade.

Soon, as if Wang Chuan had thought of something, he saw that Zephyr's legs were beginning to fade away, so he hurriedly asked.

"Teacher, are you returning to your own world?"

Zephyr nodded slightly.

"That's right, that consciousness told me so. But kid, remember, even though you aren't a Marine—"

Before Zephyr could encourage Wang Chuan to uphold the justice in his heart, Wang Chuan struggled to stand up and said.

"Teacher, don't speak, listen to me!

I have seen your future. You are currently forty years old. If you return to your world and time hasn't changed, remember to protect your wife and children quickly, and it would be best to bring them back to Marineford!

Otherwise, your wife and children will be killed in retaliation by the pirates you failed to kill, and you will regret it for the rest of your life!

Also, if you have asthma, go get it treated immediately! Go find Vegapunk!

With his wisdom that transcends the world, he will definitely be able to cure you!

Otherwise, in the future, you will encounter a man named Weevil, and he will cut off your right arm!"

Zephyr, who had originally intended to play the role of a life mentor one last time, heard Wang Chuan blurt out such shocking revelations and could no longer maintain his composure. His expression changed drastically, and he instinctively took a step forward, wanting to ask for more details.

But as if it were a cruel joke of fate, this movement caused Zephyr's body to crumble and accelerated his dissipation, leaving him unable to even speak.

Wang Chuan finally caught a fragment as light as a feather and said earnestly to the remaining head of Zephyr.

"Remember my words, Teacher.

If you haven't forgotten, please, don't let yourself have any regrets."

Zephyr's eyes were filled with melancholy; look at the mess this had turned into.

However, in the final moment before he vanished, he still cast a look of gratitude toward Wang Chuan.

Because these two pieces of information were far too important to him.

Wang Chuan slowly exhaled a breath of stale air, his gaze fixed on the training ground before him, which was also dissipating. Having trained here for over a decade, he had developed an emotional attachment to it as well.

Now that it seemed he would never be able to return here in the future, he felt a small sense of loss.

During this time, Wang Chuan's previously severed right arm was restored. Wang Chuan immediately stretched, thinking that he could finally get some sleep now.

But as the training ground completely vanished, Wang Chuan's vision went black, yet he did not fall asleep. Instead, a line of small text appeared before his eyes.

[Strongest Haki Inheritance...]

Wang Chuan stared at this scene in a daze; this was the very entrance interface he had seen when he activated his cheat at the age of three, and it was also how he had learned the name of his cheat.

It really has been a long time.

Immediately, the corners of Wang Chuan's mouth twitched as he realized something.