On the way back, Gion kept talking in Chiga's ear.
"You were really generous this time. I think those students are going to start fighting for their lives now!"
Chiga shrugged, his expression calm.
"Isn't that better? They'll all be your subordinates in the future. Don't let the good stuff flow to outsiders."
"That's true, but what about Conis? I think she… hmm!"
"What can I do? I told her to go to the palace after training. We'll talk about it properly then."
"No wonder. I saw her face was so red. But Conis has always performed well, and I've never heard her talk about her relationship with you."
Chiga smirked faintly.
"Of course. How could someone I'm close with be bad?"
"Huh? Do you remember your disciple Yamato? She's been coming to your house often these past few days, but she always just happens to miss you. Do you want to see her?"
Chiga froze for a moment, Yamato's silly smile flashing through his mind.
"Yamato… It's been a while since I've seen her. How is she doing now?"
"Very well. Among all the newcomers, her talent is definitely the strongest. Even Zephyr sensei has some trouble against her now!"
Chiga nodded thoughtfully. Yamato was Kaido's child, after all—her natural talent was undeniable. With proper training, it wouldn't be impossible for her to one day reach her father's level.
Thinking about the girl who once followed him everywhere, calling him "Master," Chiga couldn't help but smile knowingly.
To be honest, he had been an unqualified teacher. He never really taught her much. Her true master was Zephyr now.
Still, he wondered—had Yamato's personality changed? Or was she still the same bold tomboy from before?
With that thought, Chiga felt the urge to see her again. After bidding farewell to Gion, he disappeared from sight.
---
At the back mountain training grounds—
Boom!
A deafening crash echoed as two mythical humanoid beasts, one black and one white, clashed in a storm of power. Dust and smoke billowed before clearing, revealing Zephyr and Yamato locked in combat in their half-beast states.
A look of approval crossed Zephyr's ox-like face.
"Yamato, you've made great progress recently. You deserve praise!"
Yamato gripped the spiked club in her hands, a fierce gleam in her eyes.
"That's because Master is back. I have to let him see how far I've come!"
"You mean Chiga, right? Speaking of which, you've never once called me Master."
Yamato stuck out her tongue playfully.
"Hey, isn't calling you Zephyr sensei basically the same thing?"
Zephyr chuckled. Ever since he had a family, his stern demeanor had softened, and he was far more likely to joke with his students.
"Call me whatever you want. But now I'm going to get serious. Be careful."
His horns darkened with Armament Haki, and in the next instant, he charged like a black war truck.
Yamato's expression sharpened. She tightened her grip on the kanabō and met his charge head-on.
At the last moment, she swung her weapon downward.
"Divine Step – White Serpent Body!"
The impact cracked the ground beneath them. Yamato was knocked back, her weapon buzzing from the force, but she landed on her feet. Zephyr, though unmoved, rubbed his horns with a slight wince.
She could have dodged instead of clashing directly, but frustration burned inside her. She hadn't been able to find Chiga in days. The only way to vent was through combat.
Zephyr sighed and slammed his palms against the earth. The training ground trembled as the ground itself rose like a wave, rushing at Yamato.
Yamato stomped hard, raising a wall of ice that surged up in front of her, blocking the oncoming wave.
Earth against ice—the powers of their Mythical Zoan fruits collided violently.
Seeing his attack stopped, Zephyr grinned.
"Good! This ice control is almost on par with Kuzan's!"
But Yamato only pouted.
"That means I'm still far behind. My goal is Master. No one surpasses him in ice control. Even Admiral Aokiji admitted he was completely defeated by him in that area!"
Her admiration was plain, her words always circling back to Chiga. Zephyr raised an eyebrow.
"As far as I know, Chiga never really taught you anything. So why call him Master so insistently?"
For once, Yamato fell silent. Against the snowy backdrop, her quietness gave her an almost ethereal air.
Finally, she spoke softly.
"Because the title is unique. Only in this way can I keep his attention."
Zephyr paused, then gave her a long, knowing look.
"I see. So you also—"
"Don't say it, Zephyr sensei!" Yamato cut him off abruptly, her face flushed. "Let's keep fighting! Frost Fang!"
She inhaled and released a blast of freezing breath, the air itself crystallizing into sharp ice shards.
Zephyr barely dodged, laughing even as he cursed.
"Damn brat! You're just like Chiga back in the day, attacking without warning!"
Those words thrilled Yamato more than his earlier praise. She smirked proudly.
"Of course! I'm Master's favorite disciple!"
"Uh, aren't you his only disciple?"
"Hmph! Then I must be his favorite! Take this, Zephyr sensei!"
She stomped and leapt into the air, her kanabō raised high.
But Zephyr wasn't foolish enough to block with his horns again. He clenched his fists, covering them in Armament Haki, the very fists that earned him the title of Black Arm.
"Let's see you handle this!"
He punched upward with 80% of his power. The impact sent Yamato flying, her kanabō torn from her grip as she tumbled backward.
Zephyr winced. That blow had been too much. He rushed forward to catch her—but before he could, another figure appeared in an instant.
Chiga.
He caught Yamato in his arms, steadying her effortlessly. She blinked up at him, stunned, while he looked down at her with narrowed eyes.
"What are you doing showing off like that? Do you think you're invincible?"
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