After parting ways with Sengoku, Ezra D. Vale headed straight for the training grounds.
Both the regular class and the elite class were training together today. Off to the side stood Zephyr, wearing his trademark sunglasses. Years ago, because of Ezra's intervention, the tragedy that once defined Zephyr's life had unfolded differently. Although Zephyr's training ship had still been attacked by pirates and he had lost his arm, the students he cherished had survived. Ezra had arrived at the scene in time to save them. The culprit escaped, but at least Zephyr's life and his pupils had been spared.
Even so, Zephyr had gone on to establish the "Pirate Guerrilla Force," dedicating himself to hunting pirates. The man once known as the Admiral Who Would Not Kill had long since broken that vow.
Nearby, Kuzan was half-reclined beneath a large tree, gazing toward the elite trainees with a thoughtful expression.
"Yo. What are you thinking about?"
Ezra walked over and sat beside him.
Kuzan scratched his head.
"Nothing much… just remembering the days when I trained under Instructor Zephyr."
Ezra raised an eyebrow.
"I'm jealous of you guys. Having classmates, comrades from the same generation…"
Kuzan blinked, then remembered. Ezra had skipped ranks entirely back then.
"Well… that's because Admiral Zanka is ridiculously strong, right?"
Ezra chuckled. The two of them sat quietly, watching the elite class train.
For some reason, Ezra felt like he had forgotten something important, but he could not quite grasp what it was.
After chatting for a while, he stood up and brushed the dust off his clothes.
"Alright. Enough looking back."
Kuzan nodded and got to his feet as well.
"Let's go. Over there."
Ezra pointed toward the stretch of beach beside the training grounds.
The two of them took their positions on the sand, facing each other.
A faint smile curved Ezra's lips.
"There's only a few days left for your last-minute push, but sharpening the spear before battle never hurts."
He tightened the gloves on his hands, his tone turning cold.
"Come on, Kuzan. Fight me with the resolve to kill me."
His eyes sharpened.
"Otherwise, I'll kill you."
The moment the words fell, an overwhelming killing intent erupted from Ezra's body.
Kuzan's expression turned completely serious.
"This level of killing intent… just how many people has he killed?"
"I understand, Admiral Zanka!"
Frost began to seep from Kuzan's body.
"Ice Time: Pheasant Beak!"
A piercing cry rang out as a massive ice pheasant shot toward Ezra in an instant.
Ezra smiled faintly.
"Your Devil Fruit control is much better than before."
He casually raised his right hand. A wave of scorching heat surged outward, melting the ice bird instantly.
Kuzan had already vanished.
Ezra's brow lifted slightly as a biting chill swept past his ear. He tapped the ground lightly with his foot and shifted his body just enough.
An ice spear materialized beside him.
If he had not moved, it would have pierced straight through his heart.
"That's it. You need the resolve to kill me."
A hint of crimson flashed in Ezra's eyes. He licked his lips lightly.
Excitement was beginning to take hold.
With a shout, Kuzan appeared directly in front of him, an ice blade slashing downward.
Ezra drew Ryujin Jakka from his waist.
Clang!
The ice blade shattered instantly.
Kuzan showed no surprise. After all, that was the number one sword in the world, Ryujin Jakka.
There was no time to dwell on it anyway.
Because Ezra's blade was already descending toward his head.
"Ice Bullets!"
Without hesitation, Kuzan fired compressed blasts of freezing air toward Ezra's abdomen.
Ezra's brows lifted. He vanished with Flash Step, leaving only an afterimage.
"Not bad… Kuzan."
He wiped the blade with his thumb.
"To me, you're still weak. But you're not a bad opponent to test my sword against."
A red glint flickered in his eyes.
"From now on, I'll only use swordsmanship. Come, Kuzan."
Kuzan's gaze sharpened. He stomped forward, his body launching ahead like a cannonball.
Their clash immediately drew the attention of nearby naval cadets.
"That's… Admiral Zanka!"
"My idol!"
"It really is him!"
"Who's he fighting?! Who is it?!"
"That messy hair… it's Vice Admiral Kuzan!"
Hearing the excited whispers, Zephyr also turned his attention toward the battle in the distance.
He knew a bit about the tension between Sakazuki and Kuzan. Their rivalry was nothing new.
But today, it seemed even that lazy brat Kuzan had finally developed a genuine desire to win.
"…Let's hope he does."
Zephyr shook his head and said nothing more. He had his own concerns lately. Rumor had reached him that the pirate responsible for his past tragedy had appeared in the West Blue. Once this batch of recruits finished training, he planned to head there himself and settle things.
Back on the beach, Ezra and Kuzan exchanged blows relentlessly. The sharp ringing of steel echoed across the sand.
Kuzan hurled ice capsules again and again, but Ezra only laughed softly. With each swing of Ryujin Jakka, every attack was effortlessly dismantled.
Eventually, Kuzan retreated, landing several meters away, breathing heavily.
Ezra flicked his sword in a clean flourish and pointed it toward him.
"Both you and Sakazuki possess extremely destructive Logia powers. Wide, overwhelming attacks are inevitable."
He paused.
"But Kuzan… remember this."
"Details often decide victory or defeat."
Seeing Kuzan fall into deep thought, Ezra did not attack. He simply waited.
After a moment, Kuzan exhaled slowly.
"Thank you, Admiral Zanka."
Ezra nodded with satisfaction and sheathed his blade.
"That's enough for today."
Kuzan blinked.
"Admiral Zanka… we're not continuing?"
Ezra shrugged.
"There's too big a gap between us. I've already taught you what I can."
"Think carefully about how to deal with Sakazuki."
Kuzan nodded firmly.
"I understand!"
"I will uphold my justice!"
Ezra smiled faintly.
"Do your best. Keep climbing toward the summit."
With a casual wave, he left the training grounds.
Kuzan collapsed onto the sand, drenched in sweat.
Only those who had fought Ezra truly understood the pressure of facing him.
"Admiral Zanka… is terrifyingly strong…"
With that, he promptly fainted.
"Vice Admiral Kuzan!"
"Quick, get him to the infirmary!"
"Hurry!"
Even the guards nearby were stunned.
It had only been a sparring match.
Yet someone had been pushed to complete exhaustion.