One Piece Admiral Silver Fox - Chapter 24
Navy Academy, located behind the headquarters building, covers a vast area. As the name suggests, the Navy Academy is where the Navy nurtures its future pillars. Only highly talented or specially gifted children, along with those who pull some strings, can enter.
Future Admirals Sakazuki, Borsalino, and Kuzan, as well as numerous vice admirals, honed their skills here, highlighting the academy’s significance.
Graduates of this academy, with the right skills and emotional intelligence, generally rise quickly, with the lowest-ranking officers starting as ensigns, practically soaring to the top.
This was why Foxy was so eager to join the Navy. At his age, he had a great chance of being admitted.
Here, he could learn what he wanted without life-threatening risks. After graduation, he would become an officer, effectively taking a shortcut.
Without joining the Navy, he would have to live in constant fear, not knowing how to train effectively, and any unexpected events could cost him his life, wasting time and effort.
The choice between the two paths was obvious to anyone with common sense.
Following Crane and taking in the surroundings, Foxy felt excited. His hardships had not been in vain over the past days, and he needed to seize this opportunity.
His rise would start from this academy.
As they walked past a large training ground, Foxy saw many children around his age training hard, performing extreme exercises that made his teeth ache just by watching.
Among them was a little girl, already showing signs of growing into a beauty, though her training intensity suggested she might be a tough opponent.
While Foxy observed the children, a few glanced back at him but quickly resumed their training, appearing much more composed than he was.
Recollecting himself, Foxy followed Crane into a building. It was an office with windows overlooking the training ground, explaining why the children didn’t slack off—they were being watched.
It was the man he had expected.
Seeing the man behind the desk, Foxy grew excited again.
Black Arm Zephyr, the current admiral, is a man who dedicated his life to justice and the Navy.
He trained many future Navy leaders, and some forums suggested that if Zephyr had wanted to become Fleet Admiral, Sengoku would have had no chance.
But Zephyr, a friend of Sengoku, seemed indifferent to power.
At this moment, Zephyr was in his prime, with both hands intact. His life had been filled with hardships.
He joined the Navy Academy alongside Garp, Sengoku, and Crane. At eighteen, he participated in his first battle. By twenty-eight, he was a master of the Six Powers. By thirty-four, he was a formidable user of Armament Haki, earning the title “Black Arm.”
At thirty-eight, he became an admiral, married the same year, and his son was born at thirty-nine.
But the nightmare had just begun. At forty-two, pirates killed his family, leading him to resign, though Kong, Sengoku, and others persuaded him to stay. Despite his grief, he retained his rank and turned to training recruits.
Although he retired, he never hesitated to assist in major naval operations.
At sixty-five, leading a training ship, pirates attacked, killing many beloved students and costing him his right arm.
At seventy, he had a mechanical arm fitted and formed the Pirate Guerrilla Squad, hunting pirates ruthlessly.
At seventy-three, learning that the pirate who severed his arm had joined the Navy as a Warlord of the Sea, he grew distrustful of the Navy and left, founding the “NEO Navy” to eliminate all pirates.
Eventually, he encountered the destined child, Luffy, and after a battle, Borsalino buried him.
Foxy didn’t know the specifics of these events but understood that Zephyr was a true navy man, more pure-hearted than anyone.
His selfless dedication ensured a seamless transition between the old and new Navy, his contributions rivalling those of Sengoku during his tenure as Fleet Admiral.
Foxy could barely remember Luffy’s adventures from twenty years later, let alone specifics from twenty years earlier. He had to rely on forums and discussions to piece things together, concluding that Zephyr might have already lost his family.
He genuinely felt sympathy for Zephyr, whose lifelong dedication resulted in a tragic end.
From Zephyr’s perspective, his friends Sengoku, Garp, and Crane seemed incompetent, even failing as close friends.
Allowing a pirate who severed his friend’s arm to become a Warlord? Not killing the pirate was bad enough, but rubbing salt in Zephyr’s wounds was unforgivable.
Zephyr’s leaving the Navy signified his loss of hope and reflected his disillusionment with Sengoku and the others.
Anyone would feel disheartened.
This was Zephyr’s perspective. From Sengoku’s viewpoint, it might have been necessary for the Navy to balance powers on the seas.
Or it could have been orders from the Holy Land, causing pain not only to Zephyr but also to Sengoku and others, who might have felt more guilt and sorrow.
Serving in their positions required them to bear such responsibilities.
“Little Crane, you’re here.”
Hearing movement, Zephyr looked up from his documents, smiling at Crane, then glanced at Foxy. He left his desk and moved to a nearby sofa, gesturing for Crane to sit.
“I see those kids on the training ground are working hard.”
Seated, Crane watched the training children outside, noting some sneakily peeking their way and quickly returning to their exercises when Zephyr looked over.
“They have good potential. With proper training, they’ll become the Navy’s future pillars.”
Zephyr smiled, returning his gaze to Crane, pouring her a cup of cold coffee.
“Always cold.”
Crane sipped the coffee, mildly annoyed at Zephyr.
“Haha… I only have cold coffee.”
Behind them, Foxy stood quietly, patiently waiting despite feeling uncomfortable.
About ten minutes later, the conversation finally shifted to him.
“Zephyr, this is Foxy, the one I mentioned.”
Crane introduced Foxy to Zephyr.
“Nice to meet you, Admiral Zephyr.”
Foxy stood straight and saluted, his voice loud and serious.
“Just as Little Crane said, very polite.”
Zephyr nodded.
“Your name is Foxy?”
“Yes, sir.”
Standing straight, Foxy knew Zephyr was asking for formality’s sake but answered honestly.
“How old are you?”
“Fourteen, sir.”
“A Devil Fruit user?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Why do you want to join the Navy?”
“I want to get stronger. I want revenge. I want to eradicate pirates. I want to live well. This is my promise to Abis.”
Foxy repeated what he had told Crane, speaking firmly and decisively.
“Not bad.”
Zephyr didn’t ask more, glancing at Foxy’s closed left eye before turning to Crane.
As close friends, Crane understood Zephyr’s unspoken question.
“I asked Dr. Porter about Foxy’s eye. It can only be restored with a Devil Fruit ability.”
“Alright, I’ll take him as my student.”
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