Thanks to reader ~鼓励の伱~ for the 100-coin tip!
Zephyr was worthy of being Head Instructor of Headquarters. Sengoku had not given him the position merely because he was a former Admiral with formidable strength.
The position also reflected Zephyr's gift for teaching. After just a few words, he had seen what was on Loa's mind.
Seeing Loa's embarrassment, Zephyr smiled and shook his head. "Forget it. I'm just saying. Focus on learning the basics first. If you can't master those, anything more will be useless."
"Yes, sir!"
A few days later, at the large Port of Marine Headquarters.
A warship sailed slowly in from the distance and eased into the Port.
A marine from the logistics crew hurried over with his tools, ready to record the ship's arrival date and ask whether it needed repairs or maintenance.
Tap.
Leather shoes struck the stone pavement. The marine was writing in his notebook when he glanced up at the scratches on the ship. "That's serious damage! Were you attacked?"
"Not attacked, I think."
"We just hit an iceberg."
"Just hit an iceberg." The marine's mouth twitched. He turned to see who could say that so casually, then froze in shock.
Crack!
He had snapped his pencil without realizing it. Half of it fell onto his foot.
The impact jolted him back to his senses. He stamped his right foot, straightened his back, and snapped a salute so hard his hand struck his forehead with a dull thud.
"Admiral Aokiji!"
A clatter swept through the harbor.
"What?"
"An Admiral!"
The busy marines all looked over. Sure enough, the figure standing on the Port's stone steps, yawning with one hand in his pocket, was Aokiji, one of the Three Admirals!
The bustling harbor fell silent within a few breaths. Seconds later, feet stamped