Chapter 37 — The Decision
Talk?
About what?
He already got the training manual. As far as Eiger was concerned, the old man's "usefulness" was over.
Eiger more or less understood why Zephyr had come.
Either to arrest Nico,
or to persuade him to join Headquarters.
But after what happened yesterday—and Zephyr's intentional "misunderstanding" about Nico being his wife—Eiger was pretty sure this old man wasn't here to drag Nico away.
So without hesitation, Eiger looked away, turned around, and walked off without even offering a greeting.
This reaction left Zephyr—who had woken up early and waited at the village entrance—completely stunned.
He was the Chief Instructor of the Marines.
The Chief Instructor.
Based on Enchi's words previously, he had imagined this boy to be a young man who continued to train diligently even after retirement, never letting himself slip.
And after hearing the village chief describe Eiger's daily routine, he only became more certain.
And now, with him, the great Marine instructor standing here personally…
Had he already mastered every insight in the manual he gave him?
Was he not even a little afraid Zephyr might report his wife's identity to the Marines?
But when Zephyr saw Eiger casually carrying his axe, walking toward the back mountain as if nothing in the world concerned him, he immediately understood—
This brat really wasn't worried at all.
Zephyr burst into hearty laughter.
Then, without warning, he lunged forward and swung his left fist—wrapped in Armament Haki—straight toward Eiger's back.
"You little bastard, you're getting slippery!"
But right as the punch was about to land, Eiger reacted instantly.
He raised his axe and blocked the blow head-on, sparks scattering.
He had been ready from the moment he saw Zephyr.
His Armament Haki had been active from the start.
And rather than fear, his face showed… excitement.
A proper training partner.
Ever since that lolita-stalking Admiral vanished from the region, he hadn't found anyone suitable to spar with.
Strong enough not to die instantly,
but not strong enough to kill him by accident—
that sort of training partner was rare.
Today, he would beat up a one-armed old man.
"You brat!"
Seeing Eiger's expression, Zephyr suddenly understood.
He let out a booming laugh.
"In that case, let this old man see how much you've grown!"
Even with only one functioning arm, Zephyr didn't back down.
His left fist, cloaked in hardened Haki, swung repeatedly—not pretty, but forceful.
He had to constantly twist his torso, shifting his weight to compensate for the missing arm.
But when he saw Eiger's axe coated in Haki—more solid than before—Zephyr's eyes gleamed with satisfaction.
"Not bad! Looks like even though you always wake up late, you've still been training seriously. Your Armament Haki is much stronger than last time!"
Zephyr's tone shifted, sharp and forceful.
"Even with only one arm left, I'm not someone you can handle so easily!"
BOOM!
A heavy punch slammed down—only to hit the ground as Eiger slipped away.
"Observation Haki, huh? You can already sense my attacks!"
Zephyr laughed heartily, clearly warming up.
"Come on—again!"
After months bedridden, his body practically rusted stiff, the thrill of fighting a young powerhouse made even the Marine Chief Instructor excited.
Even if this young man was technically retired, still just a former Ensign…
"Hah! This is refreshing!"
But before long…
Zephyr realized something was wrong.
He looked at Eiger—his Haki never wavering, his movements only getting sharper, strength steadily rising. The brat wasn't just enduring.
He was getting more energized.
Does this kid not get tired?!
Even Zephyr, a legendary instructor of the Marines, was starting to feel fatigue creeping in.
How unfair!
How unreasonable!
This wasn't a life-or-death struggle, yet somehow he was the one running out of breath?!
If this continued…
After who knew how long, Zephyr finally had enough.
Panting slightly, he stepped back and scowled.
"Enough! I'm done! Your damned ability is too unreasonable!"
Eiger blinked, visibly disappointed, though he held back.
He couldn't exactly beat an old man bloody in front of his two students.
So he put away his axe and looked at Zephyr with an expression that clearly said:
That's it? Really?
Zephyr's face heated with humiliation.
"You brat! I only stopped because I'm still recovering! If not—I could fight you three days and three nights!"
With a cold snort, he swept his gaze over Eiger.
"Hmph. Not bad. Your Armament and Observation Haki have grown. Your physique and strength too. And judging by earlier—you've completely mastered the Six Powers."
It hadn't even been that long since they last met.
This kid's growth was absurd.
"Light-Light Fruit, huh?"
Zephyr grinned knowingly.
"Absorbing sunlight to recover stamina and injuries… and even boosting your strength under the sun."
He had already figured out the nature of Eiger's Devil Fruit.
"It suits you. Seems you did read through the material I gave you."
"You should also understand I'm not going to join Marine Headquarters."
Eiger rested his axe on his shoulder.
"So just tell me—what did you come here for?"
But unexpectedly—
"Who said I came to find you? Don't flatter yourself."
Zephyr laughed, waving him off.
"I just heard from Enchi that the scenery here is nice. Came to rest, that's all."
"…"
Eiger stared at him speechlessly.
Sure.
And he was a Celestial Dragon.
But he didn't bother arguing.
He simply turned away.
"If you're done, I'm heading out."
"Go, go! Don't disturb my recovery!"
"..."
He was seriously sticking to that excuse?
Eiger glanced at him once more, then continued toward the mountain.
But after only a few steps, a calm voice sounded behind him.
"Enchi told me something else. That you've been… waiting. That for fifteen years you've never fought a true life-or-death battle."
"…"
Waiting?
Of course he was waiting—for the damn "protagonist script flag" to trigger!
And somehow it still hadn't.
Eiger's face twisted with complicated emotion.
Zephyr continued:
"Every true powerhouse is shaped by countless deadly battles. Only those who've stood on that edge can awaken Conqueror's Haki."
"And though relying too much on a Devil Fruit is unwise… since you've eaten one, you must learn to develop it properly."
"Take these words as my thanks—for saving my arm."
Eiger's eyelid twitched.
He didn't turn around.
"…Thanks."
With that, he walked off into the mountain path without another word.
Zephyr watched his back quietly.
After a long moment, he shook his head with mixed amusement and disappointment.
"Truly… a surprising kid."
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