One Piece My strange ability

Chapter 18: Late Night Meeting

Marine Headquarters – Marineford

General Instructor's Office

Zephyr sat at his desk, pen in hand, alternately frowning at a file and showing a faint, inscrutable smile.

"Knock, knock!"

The sound of someone at the door pulled Zephyr out of his thoughts. He shook his head, put the file back in its folder, and said in a deep voice:

"Come in."

The door opened to reveal Karen. After Karen's victory over the instructor earlier, the recruits had been fired up, challenging their instructors one after another until evening.

After having a quick dinner, Karen had come straight to Zephyr's office without stopping. He was eager—he couldn't wait any longer to begin learning "Life Return."

"You're quite impatient," Zephyr remarked with a hint of humor upon seeing who it was. He gestured to the chair opposite him and said casually, "Sit."

Karen didn't stand on ceremony. He walked over, took the seat, and, noticing a teapot and empty cups on the table, poured water for both himself and Zephyr. Without savoring it, he downed his drink in one gulp.

Zephyr watched Karen's actions with interest, amused rather than annoyed. Reaching into a drawer, he took out a cigar and offered it to Karen.

"Relax. Want one?"

Karen hesitated. He had smoked before, in his past life, though rarely cigars. Since coming to this world, he hadn't smoked at all. He debated whether to accept it—after all, smoking was bad for health. But then he thought: In a world like this, is that really a concern?

He noticed that nearly everyone in Marine smoked, from Zephyr to Ghost Spider, even Smoker and Tina. Was there anyone in Marine who didn't?

With a grin, Karen accepted the cigar, lit it, and took a puff. Instantly, he felt a burning sensation in his throat.

"Cough, cough, cough!"

Karen quickly extinguished the cigar, grabbed his water, and drank it to relieve the choking sensation.

Zephyr burst into laughter, tears forming in his eyes. "Hahaha, so you've never smoked before, huh?"

Karen shot Zephyr a resentful glare but got straight to the point.

"I'm here to learn 'Life Return.'"

Zephyr stopped laughing and adopted a serious expression.

"Are you sure this is what you want to learn? There are other techniques to choose from."

Karen nodded firmly.

"Alright, here's the training manual for 'Life Return.' Take it. If you don't understand something, come to me. But remember, if you really can't grasp it, don't waste too much time. You've already passed the best age to learn this technique."

Zephyr took a booklet out of his desk drawer and handed it to Karen. It seemed he had prepared it in advance.

Karen accepted the booklet, placing it carefully in his pocket. After expressing his gratitude, he stood to leave, but Zephyr stopped him.

"Wait. Why are you in such a rush?"

Reluctantly, Karen sat back down, giving Zephyr a questioning look.

Zephyr squinted at Karen, studying him closely. Finally, he asked in a probing tone:

"Do you know Monkey D. Dragon?"

Karen wasn't surprised by the question. He had always known that hiding his connection to Dragon wouldn't last forever.

Karen nodded, not denying it.

"Yes. I was able to join Marine Headquarters because of a recommendation letter from him."

"Do you know his identity?"

"I do. But I only found out after joining Marine."

Zephyr wasn't entirely convinced but didn't press further. "What's your opinion on the Revolutionary Army and Dragon?"

Karen didn't answer immediately. He lowered his head, pondering how to respond. From Marine's perspective, the Revolutionary Army was a dangerous force threatening the world's stability, and Dragon was its leader.

For Karen, however, Dragon was more than just a notorious figure. He was the one who had saved his life and provided him with the opportunity to join the Marines. In Karen's eyes, that made Dragon his benefactor.

After some thought, Karen raised his head and said slowly:

"I don't know. But what I do know is that I'm a Marine."

By not answering directly and simply stating his allegiance, Karen avoided any potential traps.

Zephyr blinked, slightly taken aback by Karen's response. A sly smile formed on his face as he muttered to himself, "What a clever kid." Still, he couldn't argue with the sentiment—Karen's allegiance as a Marine was clear, and for now, that was all that mattered.

Blowing out a puff of smoke, Zephyr leaned back slightly and said with a tone of finality, "That's enough for me. You're my student, and that's what matters most."

Karen stood again, ready to leave, but before he could touch the doorknob, Zephyr called out:

"Wait. There's one more thing."

Karen sighed inwardly. Why can't he just say everything in one go?

Turning back, he asked, "What is it now?"

Zephyr stubbed out his cigarette. "Go to the Munitions Department."

"Munitions Department?" Karen repeated, confused.

"You want a unique weapon, don't you? The Munitions Department has a variety of options. Go there and pick something that suits you."

Karen was surprised that Zephyr had thought about this for him. Without hesitation, he said, "Alright, I'll head there shortly."

Zephyr rolled his eyes and pulled out a sealed envelope. "'Shortly'? Do you even know where the Munitions Department is? Think they'll just let you browse? Take this and go now."

Karen smiled sheepishly and accepted the envelope with both hands.

This time, Karen didn't rush to leave. Instead, he stood there silently, staring at Zephyr.

"What are you doing?" Zephyr asked, puzzled. "Why haven't you left yet? Do you want me to accompany you?"

Karen replied with a smile, "No, no. I just wanted to make sure you don't have anything else to add."

Zephyr touched the back of his head.

Karen blinked, then asked again, "Are you sure there's nothing else?"

Zephyr's face froze. Finally realizing Karen's concern, he shouted, "That's it! Now get out of here!"

Karen turned, grabbed the door handle, and dashed out like lightning. As he left, he called back:

"Got it!"