You're Not Good Enough, Kid!

Rosinante was twelve years old, exactly the same age as Yoriichi.

His full name was Donquixote Rosinante. That was right—he was Donquixote Doflamingo's younger brother.

Rosinante's family had originally been Celestial Dragons living in the Holy Land Mariejois. However, his father had given up his status as a Celestial Dragon and moved to an island nation somewhere on the Grand Line.

But when the local civilians learned that his entire family had once been Celestial Dragons, they took revenge.

Stripped of their status, the Donquixote family was "judged" by the civilians. Just as the family was about to meet with disaster, the young Doflamingo awakened Conqueror's Haki.

This "born devil" believed that all the suffering he had endured was because of his father. He then took his father's head to Mariejois, hoping to regain his status as a Celestial Dragon, but was refused.

Rosinante, who had survived, was rescued by Sengoku and later taken in as his adopted son.

The first half of Rosinante's life could be said to have been a mixture of fortune and misfortune. His liberal father had also given him a kindness that most Celestial Dragons had never possessed. Having gone through such tremendous upheaval, Rosinante had lost some of his innocence, but his kindness remained.

Yoriichi could sense that.

Ever since meeting Rosinante, Tsugikuni Yoriichi's life had become a little more varied.

Like Yoriichi, Rosinante was too young to enter the Marine Academy directly, nor had he officially become a Marine.

Moreover, Sengoku was highly protective of Rosinante. In truth, only a few of Sengoku's close friends knew about Rosinante's background.

Every day, Tsugikuni Yoriichi stayed home and read with Rosinante. Sometimes, they would wander around the "family quarters" together. Before long, the two "peers" had become good friends.

At night, when Zephyr returned home, he would tell Yoriichi amusing stories from the Marine Academy. As for Yoriichi's "academic progress," Zephyr did not care in the slightest.

Those days were peaceful and tranquil. They made Yoriichi feel as though he had returned to his student days.

However, that relatively calm life came to an end half a month later, when the dojo was completed.

The dojo Zephyr had built specifically for Yoriichi was finished without issue, and Tsugikuni Yoriichi's life underwent enormous changes.

"Hey! Yoriichi, Yoriichi!"

"I'm here!"

"Come on, then! Today, I'll show you what I'm made of!"

Early in the morning, Rosinante charged straight into Zephyr's house with a bamboo sword in hand. The moment he stepped into the courtyard, he began shouting at the top of his lungs.

He had learned yesterday that the dojo had been completed, and had clamored about properly teaching Yoriichi "swordsmanship." Although he had not formally joined the Marines either, Sengoku often gave him private instruction.

Rosinante had some foundation in swordsmanship, though that foundation was rather poor.

"Hmm?"

"Oh! Sengoku's little brat! Hahahaha, you're here!"

At that moment, Zephyr pushed open the door to another bedroom and stepped out. The Marine Academy happened to be on break today, so Zephyr had not gone to school. Just yesterday, the dojo at home had been completed, and he had planned to take some time today to properly train Tsugikuni Yoriichi.

Seeing Rosinante rush into his home, Zephyr did not blame him. Instead, he burst into laughter.

Zephyr had always been very tolerant and fond of young Marines when they were not training. Besides, Rosinante was Sengoku's adopted son and got along well with Yoriichi. He could be considered Yoriichi's first friend his own age among the Marines.

"Uh..."

"Admiral Zephyr!"

Rosinante, who had been shouting loudly just moments ago, immediately straightened up when he saw Zephyr and respectfully greeted him. As the two spoke, Yoriichi emerged from the bedroom in a loose training outfit.

When he saw Rosinante, Yoriichi smiled as well and called out with a grin,

"Kid, you're here."

"Come on, let's go to the dojo!"

He was familiar with Rosinante. The young Rosinante was thin, with barely any meat on his bones, so Yoriichi affectionately called him "kid." Of course, there was another important reason: Rosinante's identity was secret. When the craftsmen from Marine Headquarters had been building the dojo, Yoriichi had never addressed Rosinante by name in front of them.

"You bastard!"

"Don't call me kid! I have a name!"

Hearing Yoriichi's form of address, Rosinante shouted angrily. The craftsmen had already left, and everyone here was one of their own. There was no need to avoid the subject.

"Alright, kid," Yoriichi replied with a cheerful smile, but his form of address still left Rosinante speechless.

"Come on, come on, let me show you what I can do! Let's see if you still call me kid after that!"

As Rosinante spoke, he raised the bamboo sword in his hand.

Influenced by Sengoku, Rosinante dreamed of becoming an outstanding Marine. Since arriving at Marine Headquarters, he had been working toward that goal.

Combat was indispensable if he wanted to become a Marine. So when he learned that Yoriichi also intended to become a Marine, and that Zephyr had built a dojo for Yoriichi's training, he immediately arranged with Yoriichi to practice together and grow stronger together.

"Sure." Seeing Rosinante's excited expression, Yoriichi smiled. Then he entered the dojo Zephyr had commissioned with Rosinante.

The dojo was quite spacious, nearly one hundred square meters. There was no furnishing around it; aside from several bamboo swords leaning against the walls, there was nothing else. It was exceedingly simple, but more than sufficient for Yoriichi.

Walking barefoot into the dojo, Yoriichi casually picked up a bamboo sword from beside the wall and gave it a few idle swings. The air immediately rang with sharp swishing sounds.

"Feels pretty good."

"Come on, kid."

Yoriichi called to Rosinante with a smile. Carrying his bamboo sword, Rosinante entered the dojo and came before Yoriichi.

Zephyr followed Tsugikuni Yoriichi and Rosinante into the dojo. Seeing the two brats about to spar, he sat down on an open patch to the side with a smile and called out,

"I'll be your referee!"

"Give it your all!"

Although he knew perfectly well that Rosinante was no match for Yoriichi, he still enjoyed watching this kind of sparring. Young people supporting one another as they grew was something he had experienced himself.

A gap in ability did not matter. Even a large gap did not matter. Friends were supposed to help each other, after all.

"Begin!"

Zephyr called out loudly, truly treating himself as the referee.

The instant his voice fell, Rosinante seized the initiative. He lunged forward with his sword raised and slashed down at Yoriichi's head. A fierce whooshing sound tore through the air, and the blow carried considerable force.

"Your footing is a little unsteady, and your intentions are far too obvious."

"You're not good enough, kid."

The moment his opponent made a move, Yoriichi knew he was a novice. He had not even tested his opponent's skill before launching a confident attack, and his center was left completely exposed as he struck. His swordsmanship was truly difficult to praise.

With a simple flick of his sword, Yoriichi effortlessly deflected Rosinante's attack. At the same time, he smoothly thrust forward, and the tip of his sword immediately tapped Rosinante in the chest.

Yoriichi had not used much strength. It was purely technique.

Rosinante's breathing hitched as the sword tip struck his chest. He staggered back three steps before steadying himself.

"See? You're dead," Yoriichi said with a cheerful smile. Sparring with Rosinante was like teasing a child.

"Again!"

Rosinante rubbed his chest, his eyes brightening.

He had not expected it! His friend actually had some skill. Now this was interesting!

However, more than ten minutes later, Rosinante no longer found it interesting. He had originally thought Yoriichi only knew a little, but who would have thought that what he knew was indeed only a tiny, tiny bit.

Every one of his attacks was neutralized by Yoriichi in a single move, followed by a counterattack.

Every time, after just one exchange, Yoriichi would knock him down. Fortunately, Yoriichi held back. Though he was repeatedly struck, Rosinante was not injured.

But how was this supposed to be fun if he kept getting defeated in one move? It was like playing a shooting game: you respawn, then get instantly killed by a single shot. What was the point of a game like that?

Watching Rosinante get defeated again and again, Zephyr's smile never left his face.

"Aaaahhh~~"

"I'm done practicing! I can't beat you!"

"Yoriichi, why didn't you tell me you'd studied swordsmanship before? If I'd known, I wouldn't have practiced with you. It's completely one-sided—too boring."

A few minutes later, Rosinante threw down his sword and collapsed onto the tatami, drenched in sweat and giving up entirely.

"That won't do. You're done after just a few moves?"

"Get up. Keep going."

"I haven't even loosened up yet."

Yoriichi looked speechlessly at Rosinante, who was lying on the floor and giving up. He seemed to understand why this guy, despite having been adopted by Sengoku from childhood, had grown up to be such a weakling. He knew neither Haki nor the Six Powers.

No wonder that despite being Sengoku's adopted son, he had ended up as only a lieutenant commander.

As far as Yoriichi was concerned, this guy was not even strong enough to be a lieutenant commander. Even Tashigi, a sergeant during the Loguetown period, was stronger than him!

No, I can't spoil this kid. He needs to train.

I can't come into contact with Haki at my current stage, and physical growth has to proceed step by step. I should bring this kid along whenever I train!

That way, he won't get crushed by Virgo in the future and disgrace Sengoku's adopted-son title.

If people find out this kid trained with me, it'll tarnish my reputation too—though I don't have a reputation yet.