One piece: Dark Smoker

In the distance, on a high platform hidden from the cadets' view, a group of instructors stood silently, observing the fight.

Gaji stroked his chin, looking smug.

"Hina did well. As expected of someone who has battled powerful pirates!"

"Still, she got careless at the end. If not for her Logia powers, she might have lost the fight..."

The other instructors gave Gaji disdainful looks but couldn't help quietly acknowledging her skill.

This guy... Is he actually learning to be subtle?

Maybe being a sycophant really can make someone grow up.

Just then, Zephyr stepped forward. Kuzan strolled lazily behind him, watching the cadets with casual curiosity.

Kuzan wasn't there for anything serious—just to enjoy the show.

Zephyr addressed Gaji, "You're wrong. Hina's evasion was executed beautifully."

The other instructors looked confused, except for Kuzan, who seemed to catch on.

Seeing Kuzan's expression, Zephyr chuckled. "Why don't you explain it to them?"

Kuzan nodded.

"Hina didn't use her Logia ability as a reaction to getting hit. She predicted the attack using Observation Haki and transformed preemptively to avoid it."

"Her technique isn't perfect yet—she couldn't evade all of it—but it's already impressive."

This drew parallels for Kuzan to his own experience. During the Marineford War, he had used a similar method to avoid Whitebeard's devastating naginata attack.

"If Hina hones her Observation Haki to a level where she can foresee the future, combined with her Logia ability, she could even retreat unscathed against an admiral someday."

The instructors, now understanding, nodded in agreement. But their gazes turned hostile toward Gaji.

Seriously? This guy not only has a Logia user under him but also a Paramecia who can utilize elemental transformations.

And let's not forget that Smoker guy, who might be even stronger.

Unfair!

Zephyr puffed on the cigar Smoker had given him. It wasn't the best quality—slightly harsh on the throat—but it suited his taste. He wasn't a fan of overly smooth smokes anyway.

"Three months in, and the differences in ability are starting to show. The more capable cadets are ready to learn the Six Powers as a foundation for Haki training."

"How many Devil Fruit users do we have among them?"

Hina's fellow instructor, Onigumo, stepped forward.

"We did a count a few days ago. There are 27 Devil Fruit users among the cadets."

Out of over 200 cadets, 27 were ability users—a remarkable proportion. Even Kaido's crew, striving to build a force of all-Devil Fruit users, couldn't achieve such numbers, even with the help of Smile fruits.

Zephyr nodded in approval.

"Let them know this: from now on, they'll train with you all during the day. At night, they'll join me in the special training hall for personalized instruction."

Hearing the words special training hall and personalized instruction, the instructors visibly flinched.

Kuzan and the two ability-user instructors even felt their knees weaken momentarily.

The group quickly snapped to attention, shouting in unison, "Yes, sir!"

That evening, 27 young cadets stood in the dimly lit training area under the pitiful gaze of their fellow trainees.

Despite knowing the special training would be grueling, most of them were filled with a mix of excitement and nervous anticipation.

Smoker pulled Hina aside, shielding the others behind him.

The so-called training room wasn't a room at all but an open-air field surrounded by tall, imposing walls. Under the glaring lights, the floor and walls shimmered with a cold, metallic sheen.

"Is this... special steel?" Smoker muttered in shock.

He recalled hearing about it from the Science Division. Developed by Vegapunk, this high-strength steel was second only to Seastone in durability.

If he wasn't mistaken, the same material had been used to create the walls and Pacifistas that had held off Whitebeard's forces during the Marineford War.

While Smoker was lost in thought, Zephyr descended dramatically, landing in the center of the training field.

"Welcome, brats..."

The cadets quickly lined up.

"Zephyr-sensei!"

Zephyr wasted no time.

"You are Devil Fruit users, the future pillars of justice! That's why I'll be personally overseeing your training from now on."

"For today's session, we'll begin with your first and most important lesson!"

Zephyr took a step forward, and an overwhelming aura exploded from his presence.

All the cadets froze, their faces paling as though a massive, ancient beast had appeared before them.

Just standing in his presence made their bodies stiffen, their breathing labored, as if a mountain was crushing their shoulders.

This wasn't Conqueror's Haki—this was pure killing intent, honed from years of battle and bloodshed.

"When I teach, I don't waste time with words. Actions speak louder."

"Come at me with the intent to kill!"

Without warning, Zephyr raised his leg and unleashed a ferocious kick.

A massive, azure blade of wind swept across the training ground, covering almost the entire area.

"Are you kidding me?!"

The cadets were shocked.

He really just attacked without any warning?!

Scrambling to react, they each displayed their unique abilities to avoid the attack.

Some transformed into hybrid animal forms, their speed and strength increasing enough to narrowly escape. Others turned their bodies into spheres, bouncing away in all directions to evade the razor-sharp wind.

Three swordsmen, however, had a different reaction.

Their eyes burned with determination. They were disciples of Gion and had faced such wind blades before.

A blade is still a blade. It can be cut!

Sharing a glance, the three charged forward, swords raised.

Their blades clashed against the wind blade with a resounding clang.

The moment their swords met the wind, their faces twisted in shock.

It didn't feel like cutting through air—it was like slamming into a massive warship.

The sheer force shattered their swords instantly and sent them flying backward.

If not for their experience training under Gion and their quick reflexes to release their swords, they would have suffered broken arms. As it was, they were left sprawled on the ground, unable to move.

Smoker and Hina exchanged glances, stunned.

"Is this really the same Zephyr-sensei who sparred with us on the warship?"

"That wind blade… it's beyond anything I could imagine," Hina muttered. "It's not just its size. Tempest Kick is supposed to slice, but Zephyr-sensei's attack carried the force of a sledgehammer. It's terrifying..."

Zephyr burst into laughter.

"Not bad, kids. You managed to dodge. Now, let's take this up a notch and settle it with our fists!"

"But don't worry—I'm not a monster. I won't use Haki against you adorable brats!"

The cadets collectively thought, You don't need Haki to destroy us!

The Zoan users shifted into their most powerful hybrid forms, while the Paramecia users readied themselves, their powers charged.

Even Smoker tensed up, his face serious.

He was nervous. Against someone with such overwhelming physical prowess, even his smoke-based abilities could only do so much.

"Hina, keep your Observation Haki at full focus. Don't let your guard down!"

"Understood!"

The moment the words left her mouth, Zephyr vanished.

In the blink of an eye, he reappeared before an Armadillo Zoan user and delivered a devastating punch that sent him flying dozens of meters. The cadet slammed into the wall and collapsed, unconscious.

Nearby, a Gorilla Zoan user reacted quickly, lunging at Zephyr and locking him in a vice-like chokehold.

Zephyr didn't resist, letting the cadet's massive arms tighten around his neck.

"Hmm, decent strength..."

At that moment, a feline cadet with razor-sharp claws leaped into the air and slashed at Zephyr's chest with all her might.

Her claws connected but left only five faint white marks.

"Impossible!" she exclaimed in disbelief.

Zephyr smirked. "There's nothing impossible about it."

With a twist of his arms, he easily broke free from the gorilla's hold as if untying a loose knot. Then, grabbing the cadet by the arms, he swung him like a flail, slamming him into the feline cadet. Both were knocked out cold on impact.

The remaining cadets gasped audibly.

If the swordsmen underestimated him and suffered for it, these three were simply outclassed.

The trio came from the West Blue, known for their synergy—one specialized in speed, another in strength, and the last in defense. Together, they were formidable.

And yet, they had been defeated in an instant.

Zephyr stood among the fallen, smiling calmly, waiting for the next wave of attacks.

The remaining cadets, however, were paralyzed with fear, their expressions tense as they kept their distance, unsure how to proceed.

"No volunteers?" Zephyr asked, scanning the group. His eyes finally landed on Hina.

"Well then, let's start with you, Hina!" he said with a grin.

.....

Support and Read 60 Advanced Chapters. Ahead of the Rest!

https://[email protected]/Void36

[Replace '@' with 'A' to access Patreon normally]

There is 3 more exciting Fanfics already available on my Patreon page!