Chapter 25: A Teacher's Eye
"Hmm... is that the only drawback?" Garp asked, picking his nose thoughtfully. It was the first he'd heard of this specific limitation. But was it even a real weakness?
In their world, no ability was perfect. Everything had a counter. Yet, neither Sengoku nor Garp felt that a vulnerability to Conqueror's Haki was a significant flaw.
"If that's truly the case," Sengoku said, his expression grave, "then your ability is still extraordinarily formidable."
Those who wielded Conqueror's Haki were rare. Those who could refine it to the level of 'infusion' or 'emission'—true Conqueror's Haki Infusion—were rarer still. In the entire Navy, as far as Sengoku knew, only he and Garp had truly mastered that advanced application. Even the Admirals might possess the latent Conqueror's spirit, but wielding it as a weapon was a different matter.
"Karp," Sengoku said, a rare note of approval in his voice, "you may have finally done something decent for the Navy."
Like Garp, Sengoku saw Admiral potential blazing in Satoru. The number of Admirals was traditionally three, but history wasn't set in stone. In the Navy's 800-year history, there had been eras with four. Satoru could be the key to ushering in a new golden age, a fourth pillar of absolute justice to terrify the rising pirate tide.
"If my duties weren't so crushing, I'd take you as my personal student," Sengoku admitted, looking at Satoru with undisguised satisfaction. The boy was pleasing in every aspect—his bearing, his calm, the unique, almost noble aura that emanated from him, accentuated by those pale blue eyes. A traitorous thought crossed Sengoku's mind: if Satoru stood among the Celestial Dragons, the uninitiated would mistake him for a World Noble.
"This is my grandson," Garp declared, possessive and proud. "If anyone's teaching him, it's me. Not your turn."
He did plan to train Satoru personally. Bringing him to Sengoku was partly for official induction, but mostly to show off. Look at the stellar grandson I have. You don't have one.
Sengoku did have a son, whom Garp had met. The boy had been decent-looking, perhaps better than Dragon, but lacked Dragon's formidable drive and power. More importantly, he'd been a Marine, a contemporary of Dragon, and the two had been close due to their fathers' friendship.
And then Dragon left... and took Sengoku's son with him into the Revolutionary Army.
This was the unspoken wound. It was why the initial Navy response to the Revolutionaries had been... hesitant. How could Sengoku move decisively against an organization his own son had joined? Because of this, Sengoku's resentment toward Garp ran deep. Your son corrupted mine.
Garp, knowing the score, had thrown himself into his work these past years, a form of silent penance for the "good son" he'd raised.
"You... forget it. Don't even start," Sengoku said, his gaze shifting from Satoru to Garp and filling with open disgust.
He'd seen Garp's "parenting" turn one prodigy away from the Navy. He couldn't risk it happening again. The Navy couldn't afford another such loss.
"Sengoku, don't say that," Garp grumbled, a flicker of genuine frustration in his eyes. "I trained Dragon to be the finest Marine! Him leaving... that was his own choice. I never saw it coming."
"Hmph! It was your teaching that was flawed!" Sengoku shot back, old bitterness rising. "If Dragon were my son, we'd have had a fourth Admiral years ago!"
By the time Dragon left, his power was already at Admiral level. His presence would have significantly bolstered the Marines' strength.
"Tch. You're just jealous my son turned out better than yours," Garp retorted, a smug grin spreading across his face.
It was the wrong thing to say.
Satoru saw the vein throbbing on Sengoku's temple. The Fleet Admiral's composure shattered.
"GET OUT! GET OUT OF MY OFFICE, YOU OAF!"
The roar was so loud it probably rattled windows across half of Marineford.
"Alright, alright, no need to shout. I'm not deaf," Garp said, waving a hand dismissively.
That was the final straw.
With a speed belying his age and rank, Sengoku lunged forward, grabbed Garp by the front of his already-torn jacket, and hurled him bodily through the large office window.
CRASH!
Glass rained down onto the plaza below.
Satoru watched, impassive, as Garp's laughing form tumbled through the air before landing with a familiar, ground-shaking thud. The Marines walking below barely glanced up. This was apparently a normal Tuesday.
Sengoku took a deep, steadying breath, smoothing his admiral's coat. He seemed to remember Satoru was still there.
"My apologies for the... display," Sengoku said, his voice returning to its usual authoritative calm. "You are, I assume, accustomed to his... character."
"Very," Satoru replied.
"Good. In that case, I have a proposal. I believe you should be trained by Vice Admiral Zephyr. When it comes to instruction and forging raw talent into a weapon for justice, he is superior to both myself and that... that man outside."
Zephyr. The "Black Arm" Zephyr. Former Admiral, legendary instructor. A master of Armament Haki whose skill was said to rival even Garp's. He didn't possess Conqueror's Haki, but his expertise in the other forms was peerless.
Satoru considered it. A teacher of that caliber... it was an ideal opportunity.
"No problem," Satoru agreed. "I accept."
(End of Chapter)
✨If you're enjoying this story, consider supporting me on Patreon —
Patreon.com/TofuChan
💕Patreon members get early access to chapters, bonus content, and voting power on future ideas.💕
Every bit of support helps me write more and faster. Thank you so much for reading! 🥰
Bonus Chapter For Every 50 Power Stones
Lets hit the goal of 100 Patreon Members now for 5 Extra Chapters 💕
We are at 102 members right now.
Donate me Stoness!!!