Chapter 28: The Black Arm's Decision
"What... is this?" Zephyr grunted, his fist still hovering in that strange, immovable space. He had encountered countless bizarre Devil Fruit abilities on the seas, but nothing like this—an intangible, absolute gap.
"It's infinity," Satoru explained calmly. "The space between us is, for all intents and purposes, infinite. But I suppose that's not a helpful explanation."
Indeed, the concept was lost on Zephyr, a man whose world was built on tangible force and hardened will. Philosophy had no place in a brawl.
"To put it simply," Satoru continued, "as long as I will it, Instructor Zephyr, you will never be able to touch me. Unless, of course, you wield Conqueror's Haki. And not just possess it—you must be able to infuse it, to wrap your attacks in its essence."
The fight had de-escalated into a lesson. Zephyr withdrew his fist, the rubble still clinging to his Haki-coated frame.
"You're telling me," Zephyr said, a hint of awe in his gruff voice, "that you're basically untouchable? That's... unnatural."
He tried to imagine it: a warrior who mastered his legendary physical arts, coupled with this absolute defense. An entity that could strike at will but never be struck. It defied the fundamental logic of combat. Yet, here it was, real before him.
As for the Conqueror's Haki weakness, Zephyr mentally filed it away. The number of people in the world capable of that advanced application could be counted on two hands. By the time Satoru faced such an opponent, his own strength would be monstrous. Besides, Zephyr knew another truth: Armament Haki, cultivated to its absolute zenith, could challenge even Conqueror's Infusion. That was how he, a non-Conqueror user, had earned his title and seat among the Admirals.
The more he looked at Satoru, the more a fierce, paternal pride swelled in Zephyr's chest. He saw the future—a Marine standing inviolate on the battlefield, pirates breaking their blades and spirits against an unseen wall. But he also saw the danger. A power this potent, if not backed by overwhelming personal strength, would make the boy a target for every ambitious monster on the sea.
From his vantage point, Sengoku's mind raced down a different path. No historical records of his kind... A dark theory formed. Perhaps such beings had existed, long ago. And perhaps their very existence, their defiance of natural law, had led to their total eradication. Satoru might be the last fragment of a lost lineage. It was a grim, logical conclusion for a Fleet Admiral.
"Boy," Zephyr's voice cut through the silence, firm and decisive. "I accept you. Will you have me as your teacher?"
He stepped closer, intending to seal the agreement with a clap on the shoulder. His hand stopped mid-air, blocked by Infinity.
"Hah! Still keeping your guard up, I see." Zephyr chuckled, not offended.
"For now, yes," Satoru said, and deactivated the technique.
"Really? Let's see." Zephyr's hand came down again, this time landing solidly on Satoru's shoulder.
Thump. Thump. THUMP.
The friendly pats, fueled by Zephyr's excitement and immense strength, quickly turned from congratulatory to painful. Satoru felt his shoulder bone protest.
"Instructor Zephyr," he said hastily, reactivating Infinity. The next pat met empty air.
"Huh?" Zephyr blinked.
"If you keep patting, my shoulder will dislocate," Satoru stated flatly.
"Ah! My apologies!" Zephyr laughed, genuinely embarrassed. "Got carried away. The strength just... leaks out sometimes. Now, about my question. Will you be my apprentice?"
"I will."
The answer was immediate, without a second's hesitation.
"HAHAHA! Excellent!" Zephyr's roar of laughter shook the training ground. "You are my first official apprentice! You must surpass Sakazuki and the others in the future, you hear me? Or this old man's reputation will be mud!"
He'd never taken on a personal disciple before, not even the current Admirals. If his one and only apprentice couldn't stand among the best, the shame would be eternal.
"Don't worry, Master," Satoru said, his tone not boasting, simply stating a fact. "I will be the strongest."
Hearing that absolute confidence, Zephyr's own belief solidified. Even if Satoru couldn't overpower Sakazuki's magma or Kuzan's ice offensively, their attacks would mean nothing to him. The natural disasters others feared would be mere background scenery for this boy.
"Good! Then come with me. I'll get you settled. You'll attend the Naval Academy for standard studies. But after hours... your real training begins with me."
His expression turned stern, the legendary instructor surfacing. "To grow at the speed you're capable of, you'll endure far more than any ordinary recruit."
"I understand. But Master, I will also need dedicated time each day to train and refine my innate abilities."
"Granted," Zephyr agreed without hesitation.
It was a notable concession. The man known as "Black Arm" had built his legacy on physical mastery, often viewing over-reliance on Devil Fruits with disdain—he thought of Borsalino's sometimes-lazy reliance on his light powers. But Satoru's power was different. It wasn't a crutch; it was the foundation of his being, his core weapon. Honing it was paramount.
In the regimen Zephyr would design, the time allotted for Satoru to explore the depths of his Limitless technique would undoubtedly eclipse even the brutal physical conditioning. The Navy's newest monster had found his forge, and the blacksmith was ready to hammer him into a legend.
(End of Chapter)
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