The next day, Kaito appeared at the training grounds feeling completely refreshed. Beside him, Breach whispered to Glefos,
"Kaito boss must've finally bloomed like a steel tree—you see how great his mood is today?"
Glefos glanced sideways at Breach and said nothing. He didn't dare gossip about this matter with Kaito. After all, he still remembered that Kaito had promised to introduce him to that beautiful officer's older sister.
My god, just based on how gorgeous Miss Gion was, how bad could her sister be? Just imagining it made his heart race. That's exactly why he had to draw a clear line between himself and that fool Breach right now.
When Breach saw Glefos clearly didn't want to engage, he shut his mouth reluctantly and turned his head toward Binz, using his eyes to signal:
"Ask me! Hurry up and ask me! Ask what happened last night!"
As expected, Binz remained silent.
Fine. You guys are something else. Acting all high and mighty, huh? Don't care about gossip? Whatever. Breach will just savor it in his own mind!
Zephyr appeared on the platform as usual. He scanned the group below and then announced,
"Today, I have two announcements to make. First, congratulations to Kaito for achieving first place in the year-end evaluation!"
As soon as the words left his mouth, thunderous applause erupted from below. Many of the cadets had flushed faces, as if they were the ones who had taken first place.
After all, this evaluation wasn't limited to their cohort. Many upperclassmen had participated too, and yet the one who came out on top was someone from their own year. That in itself was a glorious achievement.
At least now they wouldn't have to hear that infamous line: "You're the worst class I've ever taught."
Once the applause died down, Zephyr continued,
"The second announcement is that Cadet Kaito will be temporarily leaving our training camp. According to headquarters, given his current strength, Kaito will be assigned to a new post for the upcoming year."
After the second announcement, Zephyr looked over at Kaito in the crowd. His eyes held pride, reluctance, but most of all—relief.
Kaito was the student he was most proud of. And now, that student had already spread his wings ahead of schedule, ready to fly into the vast sea. As a teacher, all he could do now was encourage and support him.
Kaito's dormmates were full of reluctance to see him go. Breach immediately lunged at him, hugging him tight, bawling with snot and tears, crying out,
"Boss, don't leave!"
Modis, who was lounging on Kaito's shoulder, pushed at Breach's chubby face with her tiny paw in disgust, clearly trying to stop his snot from dirtying Kaito's clothes.
Glefos didn't care about appearances anymore. He quietly pulled out a cigar and lit it. Binz, meanwhile, just stared at Kaito, his eyes filled with silent emotion.
Kaito was speechless. He pushed the clingy Breach off and raised his hands.
"What's with you guys? We'll see each other again soon. Maybe in less than a year, you'll be boarding my ship. Believe it?"
Uh... The other three paused. Breach reacted the fastest. Yeah! With boss's strength, racking up some merits should be a piece of cake. Wouldn't that mean rapid promotions and bringing them all along for the ride?
The three quickly calmed down. Kaito patted their shoulders, then suddenly glanced off in another direction.
Breach asked, "What's up?"
Kaito shook his head. "Nothing."
...
On the other side, Ain silently averted her gaze. She lowered her head and looked toward her feet—but thanks to her maturing figure, all she could see in her field of vision were two towering peaks.
"Will we meet again... Kaito?"
...
After finishing the announcements, Zephyr declared a one-day break to celebrate the cadets' excellent performance in training. Cheers immediately broke out, and the heavy farewell mood was lightened.
After the crowd dispersed, Kaito was summoned once again to Zephyr's office.
This time, Zephyr wasn't wearing his usual stern expression. When Kaito walked in, he saw his teacher smiling at him with a trace of kindness.
"Instructor Zephyr, is something the matter?"
"Nothing important. I just wanted to see you one more time. After all, you're going to be quite busy from now on."
Looking at Zephyr like this, Kaito felt a pang of sadness.
Damn those pirates.
The more he interacted with Zephyr, the more he hated pirates. This man had once been known as the Admiral Who Wouldn't Kill. How could those scum bring themselves to do what they did?
Emotion swelled in his chest, and Kaito suddenly asked,
"Instructor Zephyr, what is your current stance on pirates?"
Zephyr was stunned by the question, then fell silent for a long time. He didn't answer directly. Instead, he asked in return,
"What do you think about kindness?"
Kaito thought for a moment and replied in a low voice,
"Kindness must have an edge. Softness without boundaries only invites further aggression. Mercy without principles only gives the other side free rein to do as they please."
Kindness must have an edge... What a powerful line.
Zephyr smiled bitterly and shook his head. He agreed with Kaito's words more than he ever expected. He also understood that, to some degree, Kaito's words were a rejection of his old form of justice.
But so what?
Would his merciful justice bring his wife and child back to life? Would it make pirates truly repent?
Kaito's statement wasn't just a challenge to him—it was a wake-up call to the pacifist faction within the Marines.
Too many of them had embraced a justice that was far too lenient. And while Akainu's brand of justice might be extreme, you couldn't deny it—this sea needed a man like Akainu.
For Kaito to say something like this showed that he had already formed his own sense of justice. And when it came to justice, there was no absolute right or wrong.
But at the very least, Zephyr acknowledged him. At this point, he was certain—Kaito's future wouldn't stop at Admiral.
He would become the Fleet Admiral. Maybe even something greater.
I just hope I live to see that day.
For that, he had to keep living, no matter what.
Ever since stepping down from Admiral, Zephyr felt a renewed drive fill his entire body. He was going to use the last of his strength to send Kaito to the peak where he truly belonged!
With that thought, he stood up and placed a firm hand on Kaito's shoulder.
"Go with peace of mind, Kaito. Your teacher will always be the firmest pillar of support here at headquarters!"
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Pls Drop some Power Stones
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