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'"Of course not." Roy replied to Zephyr's question, his voice firm and unwavering.
'A Devil Fruit User? I'm no Devil Fruit User!'
'Old man, don't spout nonsense!'
"This is my natural talent, Admiral Zephyr," He said calmly, without changing his expression. "I was born with an exceptionally keen perception. I can sense certain things in the natural environment, such as moisture in the air, as well as invisible fluctuations within it.'
As he said this, Smoker, standing to the side, revealed a subtle expression.
He had previously received the same explanation from Roy and had even tried to follow his lead in learning the Shockwave Fist, attempting to perceive the so-called 'invisible fluctuation'.
Unfortunately, he hadn't managed to learn anything at all.
"Fluctuations?"
Clearly, Zephyr was no different at this moment.
This former Admiral, who had devoted his entire life to mastering physical techniques and Haki, furrowed his brows, seemingly deep in thought.
But upon seeing this, Roy did not feel the slightest bit of panic.
Because he knew very well that as his Enhancement Ability continued to grow stronger and the variety of his abilities increased in the future, even if he tried his best to conceal them, things that set him apart from ordinary people would inevitably begin to show.
Doubts like the ones he was facing would certainly not arise from Zephyr alone.
That was why Roy had already made his preparations.
It was better to reveal certain things from the very beginning than to pretend to be a completely ordinary person and then have others discover something amiss.
This was also the reason he hadn't concealed the 'Shockwave Fist' when he faced Smoker earlier.
As for whether Zephyr would believe him...
"I see."
That was inevitable.
"To possess such a talent… truly remarkable."
At that moment, Zephyr voiced his admiration.
That's right.
After a brief moment of surprise, he no longer doubted Roy's words.
And Roy understood the reason for that very well.
"Ivankov can shatter rocks just by throwing a flirtatious wink."
"Miss Goldenweek can control people's minds and actions through paint and drawings, and can even use it to strengthen objects, something even more miraculous than his Enhancement Abilities."
"The Mink race is born with the ability to manipulate static electricity, as well as their unique 'Moonlight Lion' form."
"One of the Yonko, 'Big Mom,' was able to kill the legendary hero of the Giant race when she was still a child, and her body was terrifyingly strong even without being coated in Haki."
"Not to mention the countless other special races, almost every one of them possesses unique abilities of their own."
That was the reason.
In this world of pirates, upon these seas where the strong gathered in droves, geniuses with "special talents" were simply too numerous to count.
And the role Roy was playing at this moment was merely one among them.
So for someone like Zephyr, whose experience was vast and whose perspective was broad, there was little reason to doubt it. After all, when you really thought about it, wasn't Zephyr himself, someone who had become an Admiral, also a "monster"?
Naturally, the only real issue was…
The "talent" Roy had displayed this time was special even among this generation of sea-faring prodigies.
So special that it was enough to make even Zephyr marvel.
"Your physical strength and vitality are so impressive that they seem almost superhuman. Add that to your talent, and I wonder if you might be descended from a special race."
The former Marine Admiral was already letting his imagination run wild at this moment.
"Being able to sense fluctuations in the air and create this unique Shockwave Fist means you possess exceptional combat instincts and talent for physical techniques."
"You said you could sense the moisture in the air. That's the key to Fish-Man Karate, the technique used by the Fish-Man race. That means you have the potential to learn it."
"Oh, right. In Wano Country, there's supposedly a style called the 'Foxfire Style', which enables you to cut flames from the air with a blade. It also requires an extremely fine perception of the surroundings, you have talent in that area as well."
"And there's more…"
Murmuring to himself about the various special physical techniques he knew of, he looked towards Roy.
"Monster-like physique and vitality, innate perception, and a talent for learning and developing all kinds of physical techniques, and not even a Devil Fruit user."
"Perfect. Absolutely perfect."
Zephyr murmured to himself, his expression growing even more solemn.
Then, the admiral fixed Roy with a blazing gaze and spoke slowly and deliberately.
"Roy, come and become my disciple."
The moment those words fell, the entire training field fell silent.
'Disciple?'
Hearing Zephyr's words, Roy was momentarily stunned. "Admiral Zephyr, wasn't Vice Admiral Biros already arranging for me to train under you?"
Smoker frowned, equally puzzled.
But at that moment, an unprecedented look of shock flashed across Binz's face.
He stared at Zephyr in disbelief, as if trying to confirm whether what he had just heard was real.
Zephyr's next words proved Binz's suspicions to be correct.
"No, that's not what I mean."
He looked at Roy.
"I have indeed taught many students in my life, and they are all pupils I'm proud of. But unfortunately, up to now, no one has truly inherited my mantle, not even the most outstanding among them. Sakazuki, Kuzan, Borsalino… none of them qualify."
"However, Roy Amos… you have that kind of talent."
He stretched out his hand and broke into a bold, hearty grin.
"So, I want you to leave the Marine Detention Unit and come with me. I'll teach you seriously, and then we'll go and hunt down those pirates together!"
When he spoke of pirates, a calm yet utterly chilling coldness flashed through his eyes.
At this point, aside from Binz, who seemed to have known this all along… Roy and Smoker were both completely dumbfounded.
Especially Smoker. By now, he fully understood. The "disciple" Zephyr was talking about was not one of the many students he taught as an instructor.
It was a true inheritor, someone who would carry on his power and his entire military combat lineage.
That was a completely different concept.
After all, Zephyr's standing within the Marines could fairly be described as "students spread across the world."
The Fleet Admiral and the Marine Hero were his old friends. The Three Admirals were his students, and almost all of the Marines' most elite Vice Admirals had trained under him at one point.
It could be said that unless Zephyr betrayed the Marines, Roy, as his true disciple, would inevitably inherit all of these connections in the future.
But would "Black Arm" Zephyr betray the Marines?
Smoker wouldn't even consider such a possibility; if that ever happened, he'd chew up the cigar on his chest and swallow it whole.
So at this moment, even he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.
"Roy really has insane luck…"
Yet just as Smoker was thinking this…
"…"
Roy, who had heard Zephyr's words, was also frowning.
After a brief pause, he asked, "Admiral Zephyr… when you say I have talent, do you mean my body?"
From Zephyr's earlier reaction, it wasn't hard for him to guess.
"That's right." Zephyr nodded without hesitation.
"The true essence of the physical techniques I created can only be trained by someone with a monster-like body and vitality. And your talent may very well allow your future achievements to surpass mine."
He looked at Roy, his words carrying the deepest expectations.
"When that day comes, you will become the symbol of Justice on these seas."
(End of Chapter)