A symbol of justice.
When Zephyr spoke those words, their weight was clear. But what kind of person could become a symbol of justice?
There was no need to say it out loud, at the very least, they should be an Admiral, and perhaps even...
"Fleet Admiral?"
Smoker felt both solemn and conflicted at that moment.
"In Instructor Zephyr's eyes… does Roy really have talent of that level?"
Exhaling a cloud of smoke, he looked at his friend, feeling a pang of sadness.
Then he saw Roy waggling his eyebrows at him.
"Bro, didn't you train under Admiral Zephyr before? What does he mean by 'true essence'? Is it impressive or what?"
What irritated Smoker was that, despite knowing Roy for years, he could still understand exactly what those eyebrow movements meant.
"..."
He clenched his cigarette, unable to utter a single word for quite a while.
'Is this kind of guy going to become Fleet Admiral someday?
Then the Marines are really done for. No... the whole sea is done for.' Smoker muttered inwardly and felt puzzled.
After all, he had trained in Rokushiki under Zephyr, as had countless other Marines. Smoker believed he had done pretty well, making rapid progress in Rokushiki.
Yet he had never once heard Zephyr or any of the superiors mention anything about a 'true essence.'
"What a stingy bastard, won't even reveal that much?" Meanwhile, Roy, having not received a useful answer from Smoker, silently added another mark against him in his mental ledger.
Then he turned to look at Zephyr.
Under the widened eyes of Smoker and Binz, he spoke softly.
"I'm sorry, Admiral Zephyr, but I don't want to leave the Marine Detention Unit."
Becoming Zephyr's disciple and learning his true physical techniques was, of course, an extremely tempting prospect at first.
But for Roy, the Enhancement Ability was undoubtedly everything.
He was fine with physical techniques; naturally, it would be great if he could learn them. He also longed to grow stronger.
However, if this meant giving up the unique 'safety' and 'stability' of the Marine Detention Unit, as well as its 'Devil Fruit acquisition channels'...
Then Roy would, of course, refuse.
"Why!?"
At that moment, Binz also found this unacceptable.
As one of Zephyr's closest disciples, he had a vague understanding of the so-called 'essence of Rokushiki.' He also knew that Zephyr had been searching for a suitable successor for a very long time.
"Lieutenant Commander Roy, you should think this through carefully before answering..."
But just as Binz was about to speak, Zephyr gently raised a hand to stop him.
The former Admiral then looked at Roy; he also wanted to know the reason for his refusal.
"If you're worried about whether Vice Admiral Biros would agree, I'll speak to him personally. If you're reluctant to part with your current subordinates and companions, I can have them all transferred over."
"If you want a higher position, I'll recommend you to Sengoku in the future. With your talent and ability, you'll definitely become an Admiral within twenty years."
He spoke in a low voice, having thought through every possible reason.
But clearly...
"That's not the reason, Admiral Zephyr." Roy shook his head.
Naturally, he also knew that now was not the time to say things like: "I need Devil Fruit abilities, so the Marine Detention Unit is my home," or "Could you arrange for me to train at Impel Down?"
After giving it a moment's thought, he began his performance in a righteous and upright tone.
"I'm not leaving... for the sake of the Marine Detention Unit itself!"
He looked at Zephyr.
"You should be well aware of the Marine Detention Unit's position within the Marines. It's true that the atmosphere within the unit is anything but lazy."
"But I believe that, after criminals are captured, escorting them back to face the judgment of Justice is the most crucial step of all."
His voice rang out with conviction.
"Only through fair judgment under justice and the law can Justice truly be manifested."
As he spoke, Roy felt his words flowing more and more smoothly.
"That's why I want to stay in the Marine Detention Unit. And sooner or later, I will step into a Warden-class officer position within the Marine Detention Unit, and use my own way to change its current situation, this is far more valuable than simply capturing criminals, or pursuing my own power and status!"
As his words fell, the scene instantly went silent. Binz looked at Roy in disbelief, mixed with a hint of respect.
He hadn't expected Roy to harbor such ambitions.
He had just witnessed Roy's strength, yet someone like him was actually willing to stay in a low-status department with slow promotions, all for the sake of reforming the Marine Detention Unit.
For a moment, Binz felt that his earlier attitude toward Roy had been far too rash.
"…"
Smoker, too, felt a slight tremor in his heart, though it was mixed with a strange sense of dissonance and it was mainly because whenever he thought of Roy gulping down cola, it was hard for him to connect Roy's lofty words with his usual behavior.
But the most important reaction was Zephyr's.
At this moment, the former Marine admiral's expression visibly shifted.
Because Roy's words had truly struck straight into his heart.
One had to know that Zephyr's life was naturally great and legendary, yet it could also be described as tragic. His wife and children were killed by pirates. His disciples were killed by pirates. Even his arm was severed by pirates.
And yet, despite fighting countless battles throughout his life, Zephyr had never personally killed a single pirate.
Because of this, in addition to "Black Arm," he also carried another nickname…
"Zephyr the Non-Killer."
The reason he did not kill was naturally not because he didn't hate pirates.
Rather, just as Roy had said…
Zephyr firmly believed that evil must pass through the judgment of law to truly manifest Justice. Killing pirates with sheer power was nothing more than fighting violence with violence.
And so now, Roy's words had undoubtedly pierced his heart.
Roy's declaration that he was willing to give up power and status to ensure that evil would face judgment moved him deeply.
"That old man Biros really picked up a treasure." He sighed inwardly.
Then he looked at Roy, whose eyes were filled with "determination."
"Good kid… I underestimated you." He let out a sigh, but his resolve was already made.
"Since that's the case, I'll change my mind as well. You can remain in the Marine Detention Unit. I won't force you to join my subordinates."
"In the future, I can also recommend you to Sengoku to become a Warden-class officer of the Marine Detention Unit. What do you think of that?"
He spoke in a deep voice.
For a moment, even Roy was genuinely surprised.
Just how eager was this old man for him to cooperate this much?
But after only a brief moment of surprise, Roy quickly recovered.
"If that's the case, then I'm willing to become your disciple."
At this point, what more was there to say?
If you're taking a master then you're taking a master.
(End of Chapter)
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