One Piece: Song of Despair

A new morning dawned the next day, and the main training ground was bustling with activity as the new day began.

Looking at the enthusiastic recruits below, Zephyr couldn’t help but feel satisfied on the platform. Maybe retiring and training these recruits wouldn’t be so bad after all.

“Is everyone here?” Zephyr asked.

“Report, Nokiyoru Kara has not arrived yet,” an officer beside Zephyr replied blankly.

“Oh, if that’s the case, we won’t wait for him. Let’s start training. Today…”

“Report, Nokiyoru has arrived,” a clear voice interrupted.

“Hmm, fall in,” Zephyr said, not angry at being interrupted. He had underestimated Nokiyoru, thinking he wouldn’t be able to get up today. But here he was, ready for training, and this filled Zephyr with both pride and concern.

The others looked at Nokiyoru with mixed expressions. He was disheveled, his face bruised and his body covered in purple welts. Everyone wondered if he had fought with Akainu again last night. All eyes turned to Akainu.

Feeling the stares, Akainu grunted, his face twitching with a hint of malice in his eyes.

“Hey, what happened to you last night? Why do you look so beaten up?” Aokiji stood next to Nokiyoru, looking at him as if he were a criminal. “You didn’t go stealing and get caught, did you?”

“Shut up,” Nokiyoru replied with a dark expression. He was only now realizing that Aokiji had such a mischievous side. “I just overdid it with my training last night.”

“You’re insane…” Aokiji’s expression shifted from suspicion to disbelief.

And so, the days at the academy passed with morning physical training and afternoon sessions on the Six Powers, with Zephyr sometimes explaining Haki. Each day was intense and productive, but while others rested at night, Nokiyoru continued his relentless training. He trained every waking moment, except for meals and a few hours of sleep.

The other recruits began to suspect Nokiyoru had a masochistic streak, especially since he showed up every morning covered in fresh injuries. Aokiji even pestered Nokiyoru for a week, trying to understand why he seemed to enjoy getting beaten up, but eventually gave up under Nokiyoru’s cold glares.

A month passed quickly. It was time for a new instructor. Originally, it was supposed to be Garp’s turn, but he was away chasing Roger’s crew, so Sengoku took over. Zephyr had also gone out to deal with some pirate groups.

During Sengoku’s teachings, Nokiyoru was always attentive and asked questions late into the night if needed. Sengoku grew quite familiar with Nokiyoru, impressed by his dedication and hunger for knowledge.

If Sengoku were asked who left the deepest impression, he would undoubtedly say Nokiyoru. His relentless drive and eagerness to learn astounded Sengoku.

A month flew by, and it was time for Garp again. But with Garp still missing, Zephyr resumed his role.

That night, in their usual spot, two figures clashed powerfully.

“Bam! Bam! Bam!”

Dust flew, the wind roared, and fists connected. Nokiyoru fought at full speed.

“Soru…” Nokiyoru vanished, reappearing behind Zephyr with his fingers poised to strike.

“Shigan…”

“Ha ha… not bad, your speed and Shigan are improving. You haven’t been slacking off. Armament. Straight Punch,” Zephyr responded without turning, raising his right hand, now blackened with Armament Haki, to meet Nokiyoru’s attack.

“Shigan. Armament. Dark Night,” Nokiyoru’s eyes gleamed as his fingers were coated with a thin, invisible layer of Haki, striking forcefully.

“Bam…” Zephyr stood firm while Nokiyoru was sent flying, skidding along the ground.

“Come again,” Zephyr said, vanishing and reappearing before Nokiyoru.

Nokiyoru’s pupils contracted as he barely dodged Zephyr’s attack, then used Soru to vanish, reappearing mid-air using Geppo, looking warily at Zephyr.

After several minutes, Nokiyoru lay on the ground, panting, while Zephyr was only slightly winded, clearly holding back.

“Still only five or six minutes against Sensei,” Nokiyoru muttered, feeling a bitter taste of failure.

“You’ve improved a lot. Your progress in the Six Powers and Haki is impressive. I’m proud of you,” Zephyr said, genuinely pleased with Nokiyoru’s progress.

“Sensei, did you find any news about Shiki?” Nokiyoru asked eagerly. A month ago, he had asked Zephyr to look into Shiki’s whereabouts and his sister Nokishio’s status.

Zephyr hesitated before answering, “I did encounter Shiki, but he was fighting Roger’s crew in the Battle of Edd War. The storm and chaos prevented me from capturing him.”

“I see,” Nokiyoru’s face showed a flicker of disappointment but then resolved. “This must be the famous Edd War. Soon, Roger will become the Pirate King. The story will begin in a few years. I must use this time to strengthen myself, aiming to become a Vice Admiral or even an Admiral, to use the Navy’s resources to find Nokishio.”

“Thank you, Sensei.”

“We don’t need formalities. In a few days, you’ll be going on a training mission to Beast Island. The Navy will hold a competition afterwards. The top ten will graduate, and the top five will earn the rank of Commodore, allowing them to hunt pirates and gain merit. This will be a good opportunity for you to find your sister.”

“Thank you, Sensei. I won’t disappoint you.”

“Good. Aim for the top three in the competition, preferably first place. Though the top five will be rewarded, the first place is always best,” Zephyr advised quickly, his face slightly flushed, feeling he might be bending the rules. But for his beloved disciple, he was willing to make exceptions.

Nokiyoru’s eyes gleamed with determination. “I’ll be the champion.”

“Alright, that’s enough for tonight. Take these days to consolidate your gains. You’ll head to Beast Island for training in about five or six days.”

Watching Zephyr leave, Nokiyoru sat briefly before relaxing at the beach.

Standing quietly on the sand, gazing at the endless stars and sea, listening to the waves, Nokiyoru thought of his sister. He wondered if she was eating well and sleeping well.

“Sigh… maybe a swim will help,” Nokiyoru thought, releasing his Observation Haki to scan the area. Sensing no one around, he jumped into the sea.

Immersed in the ocean, Nokiyoru reflected. He wasn’t afraid of seawater, a fact he discovered recently.

Unlike other Devil Fruit users who lost their strength in seawater, Nokiyoru could use his powers normally underwater. This puzzled him greatly, making him wonder if he had consumed a fake Devil Fruit.

The only explanation he could think of was that his Fruit was unique, possibly because he had consumed it in his previous life. Nokiyoru kept this secret, knowing it could be a powerful trump card.

Without the weakness of seawater, Nokiyoru could use the ocean’s pressure for training, making it a natural training ground.

This advantage could serve as a trump card in critical moments, giving him unexpected benefits in battles at sea.

Nokiyoru chose to keep this ability hidden, not even telling Zephyr. Until the crucial moment, he would pretend to fear seawater and Seastone like other Devil Fruit users.

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