"No matter how you put it, your approach to 'pursuit' is a bit extreme. Even if she ends up beating you into the hospital, she won't be punished for it, you understand?" Zephyr said.
"I understand, Teacher Zephyr. Even if she beats me, takes off her shoes and stomps on my face, or even forces me to lick her feet, I would still have no complaints or regrets."
What gave Akira some comfort was that the gender norms in this world were relatively open-minded.
If this had happened in his past life, he probably would've ended up in jail already.
Zephyr was fine at first, but the more he listened, the more something felt off. He gave Akira a strange look. "I hope you really do understand."
"See you tonight, Teacher Zephyr~"
Once Zephyr left, Akira found a secluded spot to practice Moonwalk.
At around 5:30 p.m., right after the dinner rush, he grabbed a quick meal.
As for going back to the dorm—no chance. There were definitely a bunch of "knight-in-shining-armor" types waiting to ambush him there.
At 6:00 sharp, the four of them arrived at the forest behind Training Ground No. 3.
"I called the three of you here tonight because you're all geniuses," Zephyr said sincerely.
"Talents like you shouldn't be treated the same as average recruits—it would only waste your potential. From now on, meet here every night at 6 p.m. I'll personally train you."
The three of them were overjoyed.
A former Navy Admiral willing to give them personal tutoring—this was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
"The others in the elite camp would only harm themselves by trying to learn new Six Powers techniques before mastering Moonwalk," Zephyr continued.
"But you're different. Tina and Akira have already grasped Moonwalk. Smoker, you're close too. You're all ready to start learning the next of the Navy's Six Powers."
"Moonwalk and Shave have always gone hand in hand. While they take different paths, they ultimately lead to the same goal. Now, I'll teach you the technique of 'Shave.'"
The three stood at attention, afraid to miss a single word.
Zephyr glanced at Smoker. "You listen for now, but don't try it yet. After this, come with me into the forest—we'll focus on getting you fully comfortable with Moonwalk first."
"Yes, sir." Smoker nodded.
Zephyr continued, "Both techniques rely on leg strength for acceleration. The only difference is:
Moonwalk involves stepping on the air with enough speed to generate shockwave propulsion and allow flight.
Shave, on the other hand, uses rapid steps—dozens within a single second—to generate explosive ground reaction force that boosts speed."
Having already mastered Moonwalk at a peak level, Akira found this lesson easy to follow.
Even without system assistance this time, he quickly grasped the basics of Shave.
Meanwhile, Tina and Smoker were still struggling with the fundamentals.
Zephyr was very pleased. This kid really was a genius.
But Akira soon discovered a fatal flaw: basic-level Shave couldn't turn!
If he misjudged timing during combat, he'd basically be throwing himself onto the enemy's blade.
As the three continued training, a series of rapid footsteps drew closer, and scattered voices reached Akira's ears.
"Hurry, faster! If we arrive early enough, we might still save some people!"
"Those bastards... how could they do such a thing?!"
Zephyr frowned and held out a hand to stop one of them.
"Ad-Admiral Zephyr!" the middle-aged Navy officer was startled, instantly saluting.
"What happened? Also—I'm no longer an Admiral," Zephyr said.
"We received intel that a powerful pirate crew is currently slaughtering a village. We've been ordered to pursue and eliminate them. They've already wiped out ten villages and towns."
"Pirates again," Zephyr said with undisguised loathing.
"As long as those scum remain in this world, countless families will continue to be destroyed. Pirates should not exist!"
"Teacher Zephyr…" Tina looked at him worriedly. The man before her was no longer the kindly elder they all knew.
Bathed in moonlight, he looked downright fearsome.
"You three return to base," Zephyr said over his shoulder to Akira and the others. Then he turned to the officer, "I'll come with you."
"Huh?!" The officer was stunned—then ecstatic. "Please, this way!"
Even if the pirate crew was unusually brutal, with the legendary Black Arm Zephyr joining them, it would be no contest. They might even save more villagers.
Watching the two walk off and talk, Akira was deep in thought.
Because the system had activated again.
[New Life Choice Unlocked.]
[Option 1: Obey Zephyr's orders and return to the dorm. Reward: Paramecia-Type Devil Fruit - Corrosion Fruit.]
[Option 2: For lust or pride—stay and either defeat Smoker or ask Tina for her worn stockings. Reward: Randomly elevate one of your existing abilities to the ultimate level.]
[Option 3: Request to accompany Teacher Zephyr in eliminating the pirates. Reward: Unlock the System Shop.]
After a moment's hesitation, Akira called out to Zephyr, "Teacher Zephyr!"
Option 1 was out—if he was going to eat a Devil Fruit, it had to be the best, or he wouldn't bother.
Option 2 sounded tempting, but he doubted he could beat Smoker yet.
And asking Tina for her worn stockings? That was just asking to get hunted down. He could already imagine the bloody consequences.
Compared to those two, Option 3 was clearly the most attractive. He was eager to see what the system's shop would offer.
"What is it?" Zephyr asked in a deep voice.
"I want to go with you, Teacher Zephyr. May I?" Akira asked sincerely.
"Why?" Zephyr's face turned serious. "Give me one good reason. That level of battle is too dangerous for you."
"Because I want to fight alongside you," Akira replied firmly. "Besides—you're the one who said it: geniuses shouldn't be treated the same as average people. I think this is a great chance to gain real experience."
"You brat…" Zephyr's expression was a mix of pride and complexity.
Pirate extermination missions had nothing to do with Akira.
In Zephyr's eyes, the only reason Akira would want to come was out of concern for him.
Was he being underestimated?
Had he been retired as an Admiral for so long that people forgot his title—Black Arm?
Even at 58, his combat prowess hadn't diminished in the slightest.
"If you want to come, then come. This will be a valuable lesson," Zephyr said as he turned and strode toward the harbor. His voice rang out, full of confidence:
"You two come along too. No one gets to harm my students while I, Zephyr, still stand!"
"Yes, Teacher Zephyr!" the three shouted in unison, each catching a gleam of excitement in the others' eyes.
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