As everyone suspected, all their actions were under Zephyr’s watchful eye, with Sengoku alongside him. Watching the screen, Sengoku nodded.
“Is this the Foxy that Tsuru mentioned?”
“Yes,” Zephyr confirmed.
“Not bad.”
“Indeed, but his foundation is too weak,” Zephyr rarely smiled, showing he was somewhat satisfied with Foxy. Then, looking at Sengoku, he asked, “Why are you here?”
“Nothing much, just passing by.”
“Isn’t Fleet Admiral Kong indirectly making you handle Navy affairs? How do you have time to wander around?”
Zephyr was sceptical.
“That’s precisely why I needed some fresh air.”
Rubbing his forehead, Sengoku smiled wryly and sighed, “Honestly, you’re more suited for the job.”
“I don’t want to discuss this. If you have nothing else, you can leave. Don’t interrupt my training with these kids.”
Waving his hand, Zephyr wasn’t in the mood for Sengoku’s attempts to drag him into a conversation.
“Alright.”
Feeling helpless, Sengoku eventually left, albeit not very happy.
The sun was high and exceptionally hot. By midday, Foxy and the others were utterly exhausted but had finally reached the mountaintop.
“Everyone stand up.”
Looking at the group sprawled out on the ground, Zephyr’s face darkened.
Trembling, Foxy gritted his teeth and stood up. His legs shook, and his shoulders throbbed with pain.
Berry Good stood up but almost fell over again. Foxy quickly helped him up, nearly falling himself.
“Thanks.”
With Foxy’s help, Berry Good steadied himself and looked at him gratefully.
“It’s nothing, we’re friends.”
Drenched in sweat, Foxy smiled, though it was more of a grimace from the pain.
The others were in similar states.
“Stand straight. Can’t handle this little bit of pain? How will you uphold justice and fight pirates in the future?”
Zephyr circled them, his face stern. “Some trainees were one minute late, so now the entire group will roll down to the bottom and climb back up. You have 20 minutes.”
The place they stood on was a hilltop, about 700 meters from top to bottom. The side was a sloping hill, and rolling down recklessly could be deadly.
The slope wasn’t very steep, but looking at it made their livers quiver.
“Demonstrate for them.”
There were other Marines on the hill, constructing a lookout tower. A rear admiral, clearly prepared, was called over by Zephyr.
“Yes, sir!”
The rear admiral walked to the slope, curled up with his hands around his head, and rolled down like a ball. His speed increased, and soon he was out of sight.
Everyone’s mouths hung open, their faces pale.
“Zephyr-sensei, we’ll die,” Shion stammered, his legs shaking even more.
Others looked at Zephyr with blue lips, hoping he was joking.
“I told you when you joined the Navy academy that training could be deadly. Your only goal is to survive.”
This time, Zephyr smiled, but it was more terrifying than when he was stern. “And a reminder, keep your hands around your head to protect it, or you might become the 31st, 32nd, or 33rd trainee to die here.”
“What? Over thirty people have died here?”
Everyone’s faces changed in unison.
“You’re not the first, and you won’t be the last. Good luck. Now roll.”
Zephyr’s face turned cold as if he would personally throw them down.
“Damn it, it’s your fault we’re late,” the group, Kata Konbo and a few others, glared at Drake, Foxy, Berry Good, and Hina.
Indeed, Foxy, Berry Good, and Hina were late. Drake had helped Foxy and the others, so he was also late.
Drake, a Zoan-type Devil Fruit user, had the physical strength of several adults, even at thirteen.
Seeing the hostility directed at him, Foxy sighed internally.
Sure enough, kids are kids. They were smiling at him for giving them water just a moment ago, and now they were glaring.
Given their aloofness and fierce appearance, Foxy had thought his biggest enemies would be Gasparde and Shuzo. Instead, it was the others.
Foxy decided not to invest emotionally in those who turned against him so quickly. They lacked the spirit of respect and helpfulness and were destined to be minor characters in life.
“Zephyr-sensei, the ones who were late were me and Hina. Hina is a girl and should be excused; Drake and Berry Good were late because they helped me. This has nothing to do with the others.”
Foxy didn’t want to be a hero, but he had to make a stand.
Zephyr squinted at Foxy, who met his gaze despite his sweaty palms and racing heart.
“You want to stand out?”
Zephyr could easily see through Foxy’s intentions, but he didn’t mind. On the contrary, he appreciated it. After all, young people should have the spirit and drive to improve.
Foxy felt a chill but mustered the courage to meet Zephyr’s gaze. “A man must know when to stand his ground. I’ve already died twice before coming here.”
With a fierce look, Foxy finished speaking, then wrapped his arms around his head and rolled down the hill without hesitation.
Everyone was stunned, including Zephyr.
He hadn’t expected Foxy to be so determined. Recalling what Tsuru had said, he realised this child’s mental wounds might be beyond healing.
His whole village was wiped out; he almost died at the hands of pirates, lost his left eye, and nearly died again on the warship. Dying twice wasn’t an exaggeration.
“Damn it, what’s the big deal?”
Foxy’s words sparked Gasparde’s competitive spirit. He wrapped his hands around his head and rolled down the hill.
“Sounds thrilling.”
Shuzo followed suit.
People are easily influenced. Once one person acts, others quickly follow, forgetting their fears.
“If Foxy isn’t afraid, why should I be?”
Drake’s face hardened. He had strong regenerative abilities, so why be afraid?
Even Berry Good gritted his teeth and followed. Hina was about to roll down but was stopped by Zephyr, who picked her up like a kitten.
“Zephyr-sensei, why are you stopping me?”
Hina was filled with righteous indignation, looking at Zephyr in confusion.
“Like Foxy said, you’re a girl. Stay put.”
Without waiting for Hina to protest, Zephyr turned to the stunned Katakomb and the others. “What’s wrong? Afraid of looking more cowardly than a girl?”
“To hell with it.”
“I won’t be a coward.”
Zephyr’s words ignited everyone’s spirit. Eyes red with determination, they rolled down the hill.
As they tumbled, they all regretted it, crying out in fear.
Foxy was no exception.
Foxy’s daring move was based on a 50% certainty that Zephyr wouldn’t let them die. These kids had connections to Navy officers. If Zephyr didn’t want to teach them, he could expel them instead of killing them.
The other half of his certainty was that it really could be deadly.
In times of silence, you either explode or perish.
Foxy chose to explode.
For revenge, for avoiding future dangers, for a life of ease, for strength to boast, for cosmetic surgery—what couldn’t he be ruthless about?
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