That night.
Late into the evening.
Training camp, administrative building, Head Instructor's office.
A kerosene lamp glowed softly, casting warm light that pushed back the shadows in the room.
Zephyr sat at a time-worn desk, pen in hand, head down as he worked through a stack of documents. The lamp's glow stretched his silhouette across the wall, tall and broad.
As he flipped through the pages, it became clear they were the personal files of the new training camp recruits.
Beside him sat a green glass bottle of liquor, already uncorked.
Phew...
After a long while, Zephyr finally closed the file in his hand, exhaling a deep breath. A satisfied smile slowly formed at the corners of his mouth.
This year's recruits were impressive—so much so that, overall, they even outshone the first and second sessions. Their excellence was enough to leave even Zephyr, the head instructor, astonished.
As he looked at the brilliant names printed in the files, his heart swelled with anticipation.
In high spirits, Zephyr couldn't resist lighting a cigar. He took a slow, satisfied puff, then raised the bottle and took a drink.
Knock, knock, knock...
A knock came from outside the door.
Zephyr froze, quickly stubbing out the cigar and tucking it away.
Before he could hide the bottle, the door swung open, and Gion stepped in, holding a file.
"Zephyr-sensei..."
She was about to speak, but her sharp nose twitched at the smell of cigar smoke.
Her eyes swept over the clearly guilty Zephyr. She frowned slightly.
"Didn't the doctor advise you to quit smoking and drinking? It's not good for your condition."
Now that the camp had officially begun, and with staff running thin, Staff Officer Tsuru had suggested Gion serve temporarily as Zephyr's assistant to help with administrative tasks.
Caught red-handed, Zephyr chuckled shamelessly.
"Gion, come on—today's been a good day. I was just celebrating."
"You said the same thing yesterday."
"Uh... well, I was in a good mood yesterday too."
"..."
Gion sighed in exasperation.
She knew Zephyr's personality all too well—stubborn and hardheaded. Advice just didn't stick with him.
"Whatever, whatever... hahahaha!!"
Zephyr laughed, raising the bottle labeled "Sherry."
"My body isn't that fragile. And this is the boldest booze around! If I go a day without it, I feel all out of sorts!"
"That's called alcohol dependency," Gion said dryly.
Zephyr: ...
He put the bottle down with a defeated sigh, silently regretting ever agreeing to Tsuru's suggestion. He shot Gion a begrudging look.
"Alright, what brings you here?"
Gion stepped forward and placed the folder on his desk.
"This is the finalized construction list and budget for rebuilding the teaching building."
Zephyr gave it a glance, but the dense columns of numbers and fine print made his head spin. He waved it off.
"You handle it."
Then, after a pause, he looked at her seriously.
"I trust you completely!"
You're just trying to get out of it... Gion's mouth twitched, but she kept her composure.
"As for funding, headquarters hasn't allocated any specific budget..."
Zephyr raised an eyebrow.
"Didn't that Daren brat say he'd cover the damages?"
Gion blinked, instinctively replying, "Yes."
Zephyr grinned.
"Then it's settled! Sengoku told me that kid's loaded."
Gion's eye twitched slightly, but she nodded with resignation.
"I'll take my leave then, Zephyr-sensei."
"Alright, get some rest... Gion—wait."
Zephyr suddenly called after her.
She stopped, turning back with a puzzled expression.
"You spent some time stationed in the North Blue, right? You probably know that kid Daren better than most... In your opinion, what kind of person is he?"
The question caught Gion off guard. She fell silent for a moment.
What kind of person was Daren?
Images flashed through her mind.
Her fury during their first encounter, triggered by Lady Yadis, the Governor's wife.
Her own confrontation with Daren when she learned he was taking bribes.
The sycophantic respect he showed the Celestial Dragons.
The weeping father selling flowers in the hospital.
The death of the Celestial Dragons.
The wild, unyielding battle against Byrnndi World...
"Daren... is a very complicated person."
After a long silence, Gion finally spoke, her voice low.
"On the surface, he looks like a shameless scoundrel. But in reality..."
"In reality?" Zephyr leaned forward slightly, his eyes full of curiosity.
"...he's also a shameless scoundrel," Gion said coldly.
Zephyr: "..."
"But..."
Gion suddenly sighed, sounding reluctant as she continued.
"Even if his methods and approach are questionable, for reasons I can't explain, he somehow always manages to resolve the most troublesome situations with ease."
"And under his administration, North Blue did achieve peace. The lives of ordinary people improved significantly."
"I see..." Zephyr murmured thoughtfully. "Then in your opinion, what's that kid Daren's view on justice?"
Gion was silent for a long time, then slowly shook her head. Her expression was complicated.
"I don't know, Zephyr-sensei."
I really don't know.
What kind of person is he, truly?
...
...
"Commodore Daren, this is the residence arranged for you by the training camp."
In front of a small, weathered house, a young Marine Lieutenant spoke respectfully.
The house wasn't luxurious—clearly aged, with faded walls and ivy creeping up the corners. Still, it had been cleaned thoroughly inside.
It came with a 40-square-meter garden. A typical detached villa, the style was common in the civilian quarters of headquarters. Usually, officers with the rank of Commander or higher were assigned one for personal use or for their families.
"Thanks."
Daren smiled and nodded.
He wasn't picky about where he lived.
With his wealth, he could easily afford a grand mansion in Marineford, but since the headquarters had made arrangements, it saved him the trouble.
"By the way, are the other trainees also housed nearby?"
He suddenly thought to ask.
The lieutenant nodded.
"Yes. Aside from Commander Tokikake and Commander Gion, who already own homes here, everyone else has been assigned to this neighborhood for easier camp management."
"Many trainees brought their families and moved in as early as a month ago."
That was standard practice for the training camp. It was only due to Daren's unique circumstances—his extended delay in North Blue and being hospitalized by Roger—that he was just moving in now.
"Alright. Appreciate it."
Daren smiled and casually slipped the lieutenant a wad of cash.
"N-no, Commodore Daren, that's not necessary!"
The young man's face turned red as he looked at the thick bundle of bills and quickly stepped back.
"Go ahead and take it. I don't like having my kindness refused. Besides, I've got a favor to ask."
Daren smiled as he pushed the cash into the lieutenant's hands.
"Tomorrow morning, go buy a fresh fruit basket and have it delivered here, alright?"
Before the young Marine could respond, Daren patted him on the shoulder and headed inside.
The lieutenant stared blankly at Daren's back, then down at the tip—easily worth over half a year's salary.
Suddenly, his face flushed with excitement. He snapped to attention and saluted.
"Yes sir! I'll carry out the task without fail, Commodore Daren!"
Daren waved back.
"Get some rest."
...
(60 Chapters Ahead)
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