Rorschach was sleeping soundly when he suddenly felt something soft, plump, and incredibly springy pressing against his face.
"Hmm?"
He blinked awake groggily — and the first thing he saw was a snow-white finger thicker than his thigh poking his cheek again, squishing his face into an odd shape.
The owner of that white jade-like finger was a mermaid with long, pink, wavy hair.
Seeing Rorschach open his eyes, Shirahoshi's face showed a flash of panic. Like a child caught doing something wrong, she hunched her shoulders and stammered nervously,"Ah— Lord Rorschach, y-you're awake? I'm… I'm sorry!"
As she apologized, her large, clear blue eyes began to glisten with tears, which made Rorschach hurriedly wave his hands to comfort her."Uh… it's fine, I don't mind."
He sat up, stretched lazily, and looked around. The deck was littered with people sprawled out in all directions.
Neptune, Garp, Zephyr, Cobra, Poplar, Zoro, and others were all lying around, snoring so loudly the entire ship seemed to vibrate.
The grand banquet from last night — with all the eating, drinking, and celebrating — had gone on until the second half of the night before everyone finally passed out.
The Marine officers had already departed: some returned to headquarters, others set off early for the Holy Land.
Now, only the ships of Ryugu Kingdom, Alabasta, and the Holy Poplar Kingdom remained.
Interestingly, the ones escorting Poplar and his people were Law and Bepo's crew.
The Holy Poplar Kingdom was also one of the closest member nations to the Holy Land.
Shirahoshi kept sneaking glances at Rorschach.
She was very curious about this silver-haired young man who seemed so well-liked by everyone.
Last night, her elder brother Shark Star had told her about Rorschach's exploits, and now Shirahoshi felt both admiration and fear toward him.
She admired him because Rorschach was the Navy's new hero — someone who had rescued countless civilians from the hands of pirates and protected many places from destruction.
To Shirahoshi's pure and kind heart, that made him just like the great hero Fisher Tiger — someone worthy of respect and love.
But she was also afraid because she'd heard that Rorschach had killed many, many people.
In the eyes of some, this young man with the gentle smile that made people feel safe was actually a merciless demon drenched in blood.
However, more than fear or admiration, what puzzled Shirahoshi most was how someone so small — much smaller than herself — could eat so much.
During last night's great "Takoyaki Eating Contest," Rorschach had single-handedly defeated a crowd of Marines, devouring mountain after mountain of takoyaki.
Even her father, King Neptune, had joined the competition.
It had been an incredibly fun night for Shirahoshi.
She tasted fruit juices she'd never had on Fishman Island, made many kind new friends, saw the moon hanging in the sky, and watched the beautiful fireworks bloom overhead.
The anxiety she'd felt when she first left Fishman Island had been completely replaced by happiness and joy.
So, humans weren't as evil as some fishmen claimed.
Her mother's bedtime stories were right — if you treat others sincerely, they will return that sincerity.
Shirahoshi decided that when she returned to Fishman Island, she would share all these experiences — her new friends and everything she had seen in the human world — with everyone.
That was also what her late mother had always done.
"Clank, clank."
A heavy metallic sound came from the deck. Zephyr pushed himself up using his mechanical arm, rubbed his forehead, and shook his still-groggy head. Seeing the mess of people sleeping around, his mouth twitched involuntarily.
He couldn't even remember how much he'd drunk last night.
All he knew was that there had been round after round of toasts — so many that even he, the so-called "drinking champion" of Headquarters, had eventually blacked out.
As he rubbed his aching temples, a bottle of sherry appeared before his eyes — held out by a familiar hand.
"Teacher Zephyr, you're awake? Here, have a drink — it'll clear your head."
Seeing Rorschach smiling mischievously, Zephyr's forehead bulged with a vein. He irritably swatted the bottle aside.
"Cut the crap. More drinking? You never take anything seriously! Hurry up and escort King Cobra and the others to the Holy Land before Sengoku skins you alive."
"Hehe, I was just joking," Rorschach chuckled awkwardly and started to pull the bottle back — but Zephyr suddenly snatched it away.
Rorschach froze. "Teacher Zephyr, didn't you just say you weren't drinking?"
"Can't I bring it back to Headquarters for later?" Zephyr rolled his eyes, opened a small compartment in his mechanical arm with a click, and stored the bottle inside.
Then, glancing at Shirahoshi's retreating figure as she headed into the cabin, he turned and gave Rorschach a sidelong look.
"So, you brat — whispering sweet nothings with Princess Shirahoshi, huh? Don't tell me you're planning to steal Neptune's precious daughter? Sure, mermaid princesses are peerless beauties, and there's no… reproductive barrier between humans and fishmen, but don't you think your size difference is a bit much?"
"Teacher Zephyr! What are you saying?! I wasn't thinking anything like that! Don't talk nonsense!"
Rorschach's face darkened as black lines formed across his forehead.
Was this really the same man who'd been the dignified Marine Instructor last night?
Was he sure this wasn't just an old pervert with no sense of propriety?
"Please, Teacher Zephyr, be serious! If anyone overheard that, your 'noble and righteous' image would collapse instantly."
"Bah! 'Noble and righteous,' my ass. I'm just an ordinary man — don't paint me like some saint. That's Garp's image, not mine."
Zephyr snorted, then gave a good kick to Garp's backside — who was still snoring loudly on the deck.
Teacher and student walked together to the bow of the ship, standing side by side as they gazed at the towering Red Line half-hidden among the clouds.
After a brief silence, Rorschach spoke softly."Teacher Zephyr, after the World Conference ends, I'll probably be reassigned to the New World, right? I wonder if Fleet Admiral Sengoku will let me command a base on my own."
"What's this? You can't wait to dive into the brutal seas of the New World already?"
Zephyr smirked, the corner of his mouth curling into a grin.
"Yeah, a bit," Rorschach admitted, cracking his knuckles as sparks crackled in the air. His eyes burned with fighting spirit. "After being toyed with by Kaido and having pirates declare war on us, how can I not return the favor? The Navy's had it too easy for too long — it's time we advance into the New World."
Zephyr glanced at him, seeing the fiery determination blazing in Rorschach's eyes. His expression softened with admiration — and a trace of complicated emotion.
"Young blood really is something. When I was your age, I was the same — charging to the front lines in the name of justice. But, Rorschach, remember what I've always told you: while upholding your sense of justice, never lose your heart. Don't let the killing consume you. Don't follow Sakazuki's path — achieving goals by any means necessary. Look at him now: his reputation's in ruins. The whole world sees him as the World Government's rabid dog — cruel and merciless. Ruthlessness wins no hearts."
Rorschach was silent for a while, eyes fixed on the Holy Land of Mary Geoise, hidden in the clouds. His voice was deep and firm.
"Teacher Zephyr, I understand the logic. But the times are growing more chaotic. The Four Emperors rule their corners of the seas. The Shichibukai are arrogant and lawless — allies in name only, and yet their status only emboldens them further. This so-called balance has already crumbled. In such chaos, harsh measures are needed. Instead of letting the world rot slowly like a frog in warm water, it's better to strike fast and hard — to carve open a new age with our own fists and blades!"
Zephyr's body trembled slightly. He looked at Rorschach — his aura blazing like fire — and his heart stirred.
This disciple of his truly had tremendous ambition.
No less than Sakazuki back in his day.
But changing the world… was easier said than done.
Zephyr's thoughts drifted back to his own youth.
As a boy, he had called himself the "Hero of Justice, Z."
Even when weak and powerless, he had thrown himself into danger to uphold what was right.
He wasn't gifted, nor especially talented — all he had was boundless passion.
Through endless trials, blood, and sweat, he had clawed his way up to the rank of Marine Admiral.
He'd thought that standing higher would let him protect justice better — to ease suffering and save more lives.
But reality had been cruel.
No matter the side, there were always people who stood in his way.
He never yielded, never compromised — but even now, looking back, he realized he still hadn't achieved his childhood dream of changing the world.
Being a hero was never easy.
Still, as a teacher, Zephyr never discouraged his students' hopes.
He placed a hand on Rorschach's shoulder and smiled."Everyone has their own path. As long as you believe what you're doing is right, then go ahead and do it. If you ever run into trouble, come to me. I may just be an old bag of bones now, but I still have some experience to share."
"I will. Thank you, Teacher Zephyr." Rorschach nodded heavily.
"About your reassignment to the New World," Zephyr continued, "I've heard a bit from Sengoku. The plan is to have you train under Sakazuki and Gion at G-1 for a while before they give you your own base."
"What? More training? I'm already a candidate for Admiral!" Rorschach groaned, his expression collapsing.
Zephyr chuckled. "Haha, I know you want to command your own base. Don't worry — with your strength and reputation, you're more than qualified. Sengoku just doesn't want you too exposed to Kaido's eyes too soon. But since you're set on it, I'll talk to him. You'll get a base — maybe not G-1, but one of the branches. Let them figure out which."
"Awesome! Teacher Zephyr, you're the best! Not like old man Garp — I asked him to talk to Sengoku, but he just brushed me off."
"What's that? I brushed you off?"
A dark, menacing voice rumbled behind him.
Rorschach froze, turned — and there was Garp, standing right behind him, glaring fiercely.
"Ah… haha, Grandpa Garp! You're awake! Want some breakfast? I'll make it!"
He began edging toward the cabin.
"Where do you think you're going? Come back here and say that again! Who's not 'straightforward'? It's just a base command! I'll have Sengoku sign off on it right now! You brat, calling me slow — sounds like you need a good beating!"
Garp's roar shook the deck like thunder, waking everyone who was still sleeping.
"You misheard me! I didn't say that! Stop! The ship's going to sink! Princess Shirahoshi, save me!"
Chaos erupted on deck.
Rorschach dashed behind Shirahoshi's towering body, circling her as Garp chased him in furious pursuit.
"Eh?" Shirahoshi blinked in confusion, spinning around in circles until she was dizzy.
At that moment, Zephyr — who'd been smiling the whole time — suddenly furrowed his brow as his gaze sharpened toward the sea ahead. His smile faded, his eyes turning deep and serious.
"...A Celestial Dragon's slave ship."
End of Chapter)
────────────────────────────────────
"If you want early access to nearly 60+ chapters, join my patreon:- patreon.com/BaDwYGaMeR"