Chapter 23: Enrollment

Hearing Zephyr call for him, Kizaru felt an instant headache and muttered,

*"What's with the old man? He doesn't even let people rest on their days off!"*

Akainu had already taken off his shirt and was on the floor, doing one-handed push-ups. Kizaru rubbed his hands together and said,

"Sakazuki, come with me!"

"No. Teacher Zephyr called for you."

"How heartless. I just treated you to barbecue!"

"It was Carl who invited us."

"Hey, that's practically the same thing~"

Seeing that Sakazuki had no intention of budging, Kizaru sighed in defeat and trudged toward the door with his head hanging low.

He and Zephyr had never gotten along. In Kizaru's mind, getting called into Zephyr's office was never a good thing.

And sure enough, the moment he stepped inside, Zephyr scowled and barked at him,

"Borsalino! Didn't I tell you not to use your abilities recklessly outside? I've been getting complaints from civilians!"

Kizaru lowered his head, rolling his eyes as he muttered under his breath,

*"Who even bothers with that?"*

Zephyr slammed his desk.

"What did you just say?! Stand at attention!"

Kizaru sighed dramatically but straightened up, giving a half-hearted salute.

"Yes! Teacher Zephyr, everything you say is absolutely right!"

"Don't give me that nonsense! If everything I say is right, why do you never listen? What's Sakazuki doing right now?"

"Reporting to Teacher Zephyr—he's exercising!"

"Hmph! And you have the nerve to bring that up? As a Devil Fruit user, Sakazuki still prioritizes physical training. What about you?"

"Reporting to Teacher Zephyr! I also wanted to train, but you called for me. And I think Teacher Zephyr's orders are the most important!"

Zephyr sighed, rubbing his forehead. He knew arguing with Kizaru was pointless.

"Forget it. You'll understand once you suffer for it yourself."

"Understood, Teacher Zephyr! So… can I leave now?"

Zephyr waved his hand dismissively.

"Get out of here. Training resumes tomorrow—don't you dare be late!"

"Yes, sir!"

Kizaru gave a textbook-perfect salute, then turned and marched out in an exaggerated goose-step, his boots thudding loudly against the floor.

Zephyr folded his arms, watching Kizaru leave. He sighed, then pulled out a file from his desk drawer. Staring at Carl's photo, he muttered,

"Another Logia… I just hope you won't give me as many headaches as Borsalino does."

Sengoku had personally handed over Carl's file, highlighting the details for Zephyr to review. The message was clear—Zephyr was to keep a close eye on Carl.

Not that Zephyr needed to be told. He understood all too well the significance of a powerful Logia user joining the Marines. Carl's young age didn't concern him in the slightest.

Since stepping down as an Admiral and becoming an Instructor, Zephyr's priorities had shifted. He was fully dedicated to training the next generation.

Especially students with great potential—like Kizaru and Akainu. Even if Kizaru was insufferably lazy, Zephyr knew his talent was undeniable.

Most people assumed Kizaru relied entirely on his Devil Fruit, but Zephyr knew better. Even without the Glint-Glint Fruit, Kizaru's physical prowess and swordsmanship made him nearly unbeatable among his peers—except for Akainu.

Zephyr often thought, *If only Kizaru trained half as hard as Sakazuki…*

His strictness toward Kizaru wasn't out of hatred. It was frustration—frustration that such immense talent was being wasted.

---

On the day of enrollment, Rear Admiral Babs arrived early to escort Carl and his group to the Marine School.

At the school gates, Babs stopped and smiled.

"This is as far as I go. Once inside, head straight to the office building—Zephyr's office is on the top floor."

Carl shook Babs' hand.

"Thank you for everything, Rear Admiral Babs. I appreciate it."

"Haha! No need for that. You three are rare talents. Your future achievements will far surpass mine. Before long, I'll be the one calling you 'Sir'!"

They exchanged smiles before Babs waved goodbye and left.

As Carl, Ginny, and Kuma walked through the school grounds, Carl took in the sight of students training on the field.

That's when he spotted a familiar face—Akainu.

Unlike the other students, Akainu trained alone in the corner, surrounded by specialized training equipment. He was lifting a barbell so massive that no ordinary person could hope to move it.

But in Akainu's hands, it looked like a toy. His face remained calm, showing no signs of strain.

The other students barely paid him any mind, as if they'd long accepted his monstrous strength.

Sensing someone watching him, Akainu looked up. His gaze met Carl's, and his expression softened slightly.

Ginny waved at him cheerfully, while Carl gave him a thumbs-up.

Akainu set down the barbell with a dull *thud* and—much to the shock of those around him—actually smiled and waved back.

The other students exchanged hushed whispers.

"Who's that guy? A new student?"

"Yeah, never seen him before. Looks like he knows Sakazuki."

"That's odd… Sakazuki barely talks to anyone except Borsalino."

"If he's friends with Sakazuki, he's probably another monster."

"Shh! Don't forget what happened last time. Some guys badmouthed Borsalino, and Sakazuki beat them so bad they spent half a month in the infirmary!"

The murmurs immediately died down.

Those students had thought they could provoke Sakazuki into a fair fight by telling him not to use his Devil Fruit.

What they didn't expect was that Sakazuki didn't need his powers to crush them with brute force alone.

Outside the training grounds, Carl and his group were about to continue walking when he suddenly stopped.

A strong hand reached for his shoulder—but before it could make contact, Carl instinctively reacted, grabbing the incoming arm mid-air.

A deep chuckle followed.

"Nice reflexes," said a towering figure standing behind him.

Carl turned his head to see a broad-shouldered man with dark skin, wearing a Marine coat draped over his shoulders. His sharp eyes studied Carl with interest.

"You must be Carl," Zephyr said with a smirk.

---

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