A Young Teacher!

A Young Teacher!

When Zephyr returned to his residence, Tsugikuni Yoriichi was still sitting in the corridor, looking up at the star-filled night sky.

Only when Zephyr drew near did Yoriichi stand up and smile at him. "Teacher Zephyr, you're back."

"Oh!"

"Yoriichi, you're still not resting?"

Starlight clustered around the moonlight, illuminating half of Yoriichi's face. Looking at the boy's young features, Zephyr steadied his emotions and asked.

"I don't usually sleep that early."

Zephyr nodded at that. After hesitating and thinking for a moment, he said,

"Yoriichi, you're already my disciple."

"However, I am the chief instructor of the Marine Academy after all, so I won't have much time. Because of the system, you won't be able to stay by my side all the time either."

"Yoriichi, can you read?"

At that point, Zephyr seemed to suddenly remember something and asked.

"Probably?" Yoriichi was somewhat uncertain. He had never seen the writing of the Pirate World before.

"Mm, I'll give you some books on navigation later. Read them on your own when you have time. If there's anything you don't understand, ask me when I return."

"When I'm back, I'll also make time to teach you the relevant knowledge."

"To become a Marine, the first things you must learn are how to read nautical charts, master navigational knowledge, and understand this world."

"As for combat training, I already have some ideas. We'll work through them gradually afterward."

"For now, the most important thing is gaining knowledge!"

"Get some rest early today. Tomorrow, I'll try to find a teacher to help you."

As he spoke, Zephyr patted Yoriichi's shoulder. His earnest expression made Yoriichi feel the deep concern he held for him.

"Okay, Teacher Zephyr."

Zephyr turned and left. Yoriichi watched his departing figure in silence for a long time.

Black Arm Zephyr, the No-Kill Admiral.

This man truly possessed a special kind of charm that made people trust and rely on him without even realizing it.

Zephyr's face was heavy as he walked away. He felt that Yoriichi's talent was going to be delayed by him, by the Marines.

"I need to think of another way..."

In the early morning, a thin blue mist shrouded Marineford.

Yoriichi, still asleep, suddenly noticed some movement outside and abruptly opened his eyes. After getting up, he grabbed the long sword beside his bed, pushed open the door, and left the bedroom.

Yet the moment he stepped outside, Yoriichi was stunned by the sight before him.

The sky was only just beginning to brighten, yet many craftsmen had already arrived at Zephyr's home. A great deal of lumber was piled in the courtyard outside his bedroom. Zephyr stood in the corridor with his arms folded over his chest, looking like a supervisor overseeing the work.

"What is Teacher Zephyr doing?"

Hearing the voice behind him, Zephyr turned his head. Seeing the bleary-eyed Yoriichi, he smiled and said,

"Oh! You're awake!"

"I'm planning to build a small dojo at home and renovate that empty room."

"When you're not studying, you can train in the dojo."

"Oh, right. I brought you some books. Move them into your room later."

As he spoke, Zephyr pointed at the stack of books piled beside his feet and smiled.

"So many?!"

Yoriichi turned to look and discovered that the stack beside Zephyr was nearly a meter high. When was he supposed to finish all those books?! It was not that Yoriichi feared studying; he simply had never known that becoming a Marine required learning so much!

If one had to learn that much to become a Marine, then Tsugikuni Yoriichi dared say that there probably were not many Marines in the entire Pirate World.

"Teacher, did you get something wrong? Are you sure I have to learn this much?!"

Yoriichi walked over to the pile, casually picked up a book titled "World History," and flipped through it. After only a few pages, he switched to another book, "The Contributions of the Celestial Dragons." He only skimmed a few pages of that one as well before putting it back.

Bending down, Yoriichi scanned the titles of the books, and his eyelids could not help twitching.

These books were vastly different from the "knowledge" Yoriichi had imagined. He had thought he would be learning navigation, military knowledge, and the like. Who would have thought this entire stack would be all sorts of "history" and "contributions"?

Just looking at the titles was enough to leave Yoriichi with little interest.

"Oh, this is only the first batch. We'll take it step by step, so start with these."

"If there are any characters you don't recognize, or if you have any thoughts, you can tell me!"

Even as he said this, Zephyr's tone was full of displeasure.

He had not chosen these books for Tsugikuni Yoriichi. Kong had selected them for him. Zephyr naturally understood what the Fleet Admiral was planning.

Zephyr had originally intended for Yoriichi to first learn navigation, familiarize himself with nautical charts, and gain a general understanding of the world.

But Kong had disrupted his plans. What could he do? He could only bring the books back first.

Still, Zephyr had already made up his mind. If Yoriichi was interested, he could read them. If not, he could treat them as reading material for learning characters.

"Alright. I'll read them."

Yoriichi could hear the displeasure in Zephyr's voice, and he understood that it was not directed at him. After seeing these books, Yoriichi thought about it briefly and understood.

It seems the Marines still don't fully trust someone of unknown origin like me.

Yoriichi sighed inwardly, but the distrust of the Marine higher-ups did not affect his mood.

He was not really a child. Yoriichi understood very well that trust was something that took time to build.

After giving the craftsmen some instructions, Zephyr handed Yoriichi some money and went straight to work. There was no helping it; as the chief instructor of the Marines, he was quite busy with daily affairs.

Yoriichi did not offer his opinions while the craftsmen built the dojo. This was Zephyr's home, not his. Yoriichi knew his place.

Carrying the books, Yoriichi returned to his room.

"Looks like I won't be able to come into contact with Haki anytime soon."

"Before that, I should focus on strengthening my body."

After moving the books, Yoriichi looked through their tables of contents. Forcing himself to endure it, he pulled out a copy of "World History" and began reading.

Before he started, Yoriichi had been full of resistance. Yet once he truly immersed himself in the content, he no longer found it so repellent. Though it had been written from the "justice" perspective of the World Government, its contents could still help Yoriichi understand this world.

At the same time, as he read further, Yoriichi gained a new understanding of this world's chaotic political situation.

Clang, clang, clang.

The sound of wood being struck rang out in the courtyard. The craftsmen had moved the materials into place and officially begun work. After staying in his room for a while, Yoriichi heard the commotion outside. Carrying his book, he went out into the corridor, leaned against a pillar, and sat on the floor, reading the "history" in his hands by the morning light.

As they worked, the craftsmen would occasionally glance at Tsugikuni Yoriichi sitting nearby. They were full of curiosity about the quiet boy.

It was their first time seeing a child in Admiral Zephyr's home. However, they had also heard that everyone in Zephyr's family had perished, which made them even more curious about Tsugikuni Yoriichi's presence.

"Is anyone home?"

"Which one is Tsugikuni Yoriichi?!"

Just as Tsugikuni Yoriichi was absorbed in "reading history," a shout came from the entrance.

Turning his head, he saw a blond youth stroll into the courtyard on his own. After looking over the craftsmen at work, his gaze fell directly on Tsugikuni Yoriichi in the corridor.

"Red hair, a flame-shaped birthmark."

"That should be him!"

Rosinante thought to himself. He walked straight up to Tsugikuni Yoriichi and greeted him.

"Hello! Tsugikuni Yoriichi!"

After speaking, Rosinante leaned down beside Yoriichi's ear and introduced himself in a lowered voice.

"My name is Rosinante. Admiral Zephyr asked me to come."

Afterward, Rosinante straightened and extended his hand to Yoriichi.

"Nice to meet you!"

"I'm the 'teacher' Admiral Zephyr assigned to you!"

"Please take care of me from now on!"

Rosinante had beautiful blond hair. Though his features could not be called exquisite, he could barely be considered a handsome young man.

He was tall and slender, and although he wore the ordinary sailor uniform of a Marine soldier, he looked spirited and upright. The sincere, brilliant smile on his face made him easy to approach.

Yoriichi looked at the youth before him, who stood nearly two meters tall, and was momentarily stunned.

After a moment, Yoriichi smiled as well, took Rosinante's hand, and said,

"Hello, nice to meet you."

"Please take care of me too."