Life Return.
It wasn't one of the standard Rokushiki techniques, yet in form it somewhat resembled Kami-e, though in essence, it was an entirely different beast.
Kami-e was a defensive technique, one that allowed the user to relax and redirect muscle tension to evade attacks. But Life Return(Seimei Kikan) existed on an entirely different tier. If one were to force a comparison, it could be called the superior evolution of Kami-e.
The principle behind it was to channel one's consciousness into any part of the body, thereby achieving absolute control over its functions. That, in its purest sense, was Life Return.
A simple application? Using Life Return to control one's hair, manipulating it as freely as an extra limb. Two known users come to mind: the future Navy Vice Admiral Onigumo, and Kumadori of CP9, the lion-mane-haired agent.
At a more advanced level, Life Return allowed control over one's internal organs. The most basic use was managing the esophagus and digestive tract, enabling vastly improved food absorption and energy efficiency.
The world of One Piece does, to some extent, observe the law of energy conservation, though, naturally, only to an extent.
Powerhouses often possessed astonishing appetites, but their digestive systems weren't limitless. Without consuming massive amounts of food, such explosive strength would be impossible. Yet even with an ocean of food, the body couldn't process it fast enough.
This is where Life Return completes the broken cycle.
It allows a person's physical capacity to endlessly surpass its own limits to grow stronger and stronger, without a stop.
When Zephyr learned that Yoriichi Tsugikuni hadn't been taught Life Return during his time with Garp, he personally stepped in to explain its theory and applications.
Frankly, Zephyr had been shocked.
In his view, Yoriichi had already reached terrifying heights without Life Return. So if he were to master it now, just how much faster would he progress? The thought was enough to make even Zephyr shudder.
During his explanation, Yoriichi listened with unwavering focus. Zephyr even used part of their breakfast time to give a live demonstration of Life Return.
And Yoriichi, with his Transparent World vision, watched Zephyr's performance in minute detail, analyzing every movement and subtle shift in his teacher's body. After pondering for a moment, he tried it himself.
Turns out, this type of ability, manipulating one's body at will wasn't something you could learn just by watching once.
Yoriichi practiced all morning before he finally grasped it. But once he did, something unexpected happened, his appetite didn't explode exponentially as Zephyr had feared. Instead, it grew only slightly, building on his current baseline.
But the benefits Life Return brought him? Far beyond just digestion.
Before this, when Yoriichi pushed himself to the limit using Haki, he could sustain combat for only thirty minutes. Recovery afterward required six to seven grueling hours.
Now, with Life Return?
As long as he had enough food, he needed just one full meal and less than three hours of rest to completely recover his Haki reserves.
His recovery rate had doubled.
For his training, this was nothing short of revolutionary.
That evening, Zephyr returned from the Navy school, planning to share a quiet dinner with Yoriichi. But when he stepped into the kitchen and saw the food stores completely emptied, he froze.
For a split second, he thought they'd been robbed.
Then, a sudden realization struck him. Zephyr hurried to the dojo and sure enough, there was Yoriichi, training at full intensity. His bamboo sword crackled with Haki, every swing accompanied by a sharp sonic boom.
In one corner of the dojo, Zephyr spotted two large sacks of garbage. He didn't need to guess what was inside.
"He learned it… in a single day?"
"This brat, what in the world is he made of?!"
Zephyr stared in silent awe, choosing not to interrupt Yoriichi's training. Instead, he sat down quietly at the doorway, simply watching.
Then he noticed something unusual.
Yoriichi's breathing, as he moved through his sword forms, followed a strange rhythm, labored and intentional. Every inhale and exhale seemed to draw heavily from him, and his face was occasionally contorted with pain.
But still, he never stopped.
That morning, Yoriichi had successfully mastered Life Return. And no sooner had he done so than he began integrating it into his Haki-infused Breathing Style.
It was a remarkable idea and surprisingly effective.
Once he gained conscious control over his organs, channeling Armament Haki through them became far more manageable. His breathing technique grew noticeably smoother, the pain it inflicted now dulled to a tolerable level.
At last, he could perform a full set of Sun Breathing forms using his new method.
With the combined boost of Life Return and his refined breathing technique, Yoriichi couldn't even imagine how far his body could evolve in the future.
"Hoh!"
"Yoriichi, your swordplay is truly exceptional!"
Zephyr finally spoke after watching Yoriichi complete an entire Sun Breathing sequence. Seeing him stop, Zephyr couldn't help but offer sincere praise.
Yoriichi turned and smiled, announcing with pride, "Zephyr-sensei, I've mastered Life Return."
Then, with a sheepish grin, he added, "Apologies… I may have eaten everything in the house."
Zephyr chuckled and waved it off. Not the slightest bit upset.
Compared to losing a few meals, the fact that Yoriichi had mastered Life Return in just a day was far more astonishing, though Zephyr didn't realize it had actually taken him only half a day.
And those sword techniques… Zephyr had spent decades in the Navy, yet never had he seen such a smooth, radiant sword style from any of their swordsmen.
"If the food's gone, we'll just buy more."
"I'm the Navy's Chief Instructor, kid. I won't go broke feeding you."
"But you, coming back for just one day and surprising me again and again…"
"Excellent. Truly excellent. You are, without a doubt, my disciple."
"Hahahahaha!"
After a hearty laugh, Zephyr's expression gradually sobered. He beckoned Yoriichi over. Once the boy stepped closer, Zephyr's tone grew serious.
"Yoriichi, this afternoon the Fleet Admiral called me into his office. He wanted to know more about you."
"He's paying close attention to you."
"There's something I need to discuss with you."
"Of course, the final decision is yours. If you want to go, go. If you don't, then don't. No one will force you either way."
Zephyr's sudden seriousness caught Yoriichi off guard. Sensing the weight of the moment, he realized this likely came at the directive of Fleet Admiral Kong himself. His own expression shifted to one of solemnity. He nodded and said, "Sensei, I'm listening."
"Given your exceptional strength, the Fleet Admiral wants you to enroll in the Naval Academy ahead of schedule."
"Of course, even though you'll be entering now, you'll need to remain in training at the Academy until you come of age."
As Zephyr spoke, he couldn't help furrowing his brows.
Truth be told, this wasn't what he had wanted. He hadn't planned to send Yoriichi into the Naval Academy so soon. There were too many jaded old-timers there, lazy veterans whose bad habits might corrupt someone as young and impressionable as Yoriichi.
Not to mention, Yoriichi was still far too young. Enrollment meant he'd sometimes have to go on practical sea training missions as a cadet, even if not as frequently as those in combat units.
Still, missions at sea were common. After all, there were lessons that books simply couldn't teach. The Navy didn't just train for combat, it trained for life at sea.
When the Academy dispatched students on missions, the leading officers were usually Rear Admirals or Vice Admirals. Only on rare occasions did Zephyr personally lead such missions himself.
The Naval Academy might be called a "school," but in truth, it functioned more like a strike-ready development unit.
The most promising recruits would sail alongside their peers, facing the perils of the sea in real-world missions. It was through these crucibles that they honed their strength.
The Academy was no ivory tower.
Zephyr's greatest concern was Yoriichi's safety.
He trusted himself. He trusted Garp. With either of them around, Yoriichi would be fine.
But those Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals leading the training missions? Zephyr had far less confidence in them.
Every year, more than a few cadets perished in real combat.
Only those who survived rose through the ranks—some were posted to the Four Blues as officers, others stayed in headquarters with bright futures.
The Naval Academy was a place of risk and reward in equal measure.
"The Naval Academy?!"
"I'm really allowed to join?!"
Yoriichi's face lit up.
"Master Zephyr, what's there to consider? Of course I'll join!"
He spoke as if it were the most natural thing in the world, without a hint of hesitation. From what he'd learned from Aokiji, the Naval Academy wasn't merely a school, its cadets held actual military ranks. It was part of the Navy in every practical sense.
And the achievements earned during that time weren't symbolic, they counted. Some might enter the Academy as sergeants and graduate as lieutenant commanders.
The average graduate, after two years, might make it out as a lieutenant if they were lucky. Only the top-tier students ever reached field-grade ranks.
But for someone like Yoriichi, entering at such a young age, even if he started as a mere seaman, his strength and battle merits would accumulate. By the time he graduated at eighteen, he could very well be officer-ranked.
Others would be eighteen with one year of service.
He would be eighteen with six.
They wouldn't even be starting from the same line.
Of course, it wasn't that Yoriichi was obsessed with rank. But for what he intended to accomplish, he needed more than just strength. He needed status, influence, and powerful allies. The Naval Academy was the perfect place to build those connections.
If he wanted to live a life not dictated by others, then beyond strength, rank mattered. And so did relationships.
"Yoriichi…"
"Maybe sleep on it?"
Zephyr frowned, clearly displeased. He knew the boy wanted to grow stronger and that he enjoyed going to sea. Zephyr wasn't trying to hold him back, but he had a much safer path in mind, one that didn't involve such risk.
"Master Zephyr, I've already made up my mind."
"I'm grateful to the Fleet Admiral for the opportunity. I want to join the Naval Academy."
"I know what you're worried about, but this time, I went to sea with Vice Admiral Garp… and I encountered the Roger Pirates."
"You might not believe this, but there were two kids aboard that crew who were about the same age as me."
"Vice Admiral Garp said something that stuck with me: If pirates can sail the seas, why can't the Navy?"
"I've been learning all these combat techniques, but ultimately, they need to be tested on the battlefield. And isn't the battlefield far more meaningful than the training ground?"
Zephyr looked into Yoriichi's youthful face and found himself at a loss for words.
In the end, he couldn't change Yoriichi's mind.
He let out a long sigh, nodded, and said,
"Very well. Starting tomorrow, you'll come with me to the Naval Academy."
"Normally, cadets are required to stay in the dormitories. But considering your age and knowing how lazy those blockheads can be, I'm not comfortable letting you stay with them."
"In the mornings, you'll come with me and attend classes like everyone else. But when your training ends in the evening, you'll return home."
"When cadets go out to sea for training exercises, I'll personally see to it that you're with me."
As he spoke, Zephyr rose to his feet. His voice was filled with concern and care.
Yoriichi, sensing the genuine kindness behind those words, simply offered him a respectful bow.
That evening, the atmosphere during dinner between Zephyr and Yoriichi was heavy. Zephyr was clearly unhappy, but faced with Yoriichi's unshakable resolve, he had no real way to change the boy's decision. All that bottled-up frustration? He mentally dumped it all on Fleet Admiral Kong.
He'd already made up his mind, if anything happened to Yoriichi at the Academy, he was going straight to Kong to settle the score.
To Zephyr, Tsugikuni Yoriichi was the future of the Navy.
The meal ended in an awkward silence. Afterward, the two took a slow walk around the family quarters to digest, then returned home. And there, Zephyr gave Yoriichi a good round of "combat training."
Oddly enough… after that "training," Zephyr's temper had eased quite a bit.
As for Yoriichi, his whole body sore and aching, he stumbled back to his room.
And oddly enough… he slept a little better afterward, too.
The next morning, golden sunlight once again spilled into Yoriichi's room.
But before he even woke up, Zephyr had already marched to his door. Without knocking, he pushed it open and tossed in a bundle of clothes.
Startled awake by the noise, Yoriichi sat up just in time for a brand-new Navy uniform to land in his lap.
"You're wearing that," Zephyr said flatly. "I got it for you this morning."
"You're going to be a Marine now, you can't just wear your own clothes."
"Get yourself together. Eat breakfast, and we'll head out."
With that, Zephyr shut the door.
Still rubbing the sleep from his eyes, Yoriichi held the uniform in his hands. The crisp fabric helped snap him awake. He got up, dressed quickly, washed up, grabbed his sword from his room, and made his way to the dining area.
After breakfast, the two of them left together for the Naval Academy.
The Academy, located at Marine Headquarters, was a place Yoriichi had only visited once and only for a brief look around. To say he knew much about it would be a stretch.
When they arrived, the cadets were already assembled in neat rows, ready to begin their morning drills.
Leading the group was a young Navy officer in training fatigues—he looked to be just over thirty. His uniform bore no visible rank insignia, so it was hard to judge his position. When Yoriichi saw the man, he felt a vague sense of familiarity, as if they'd met before.
Over two hundred cadets were lined up that morning. And among them, Yoriichi spotted a familiar figure.
"Kyros?"
"He didn't go with Kuzan? Ended up joining the Academy instead?"
Yoriichi was surprised to see Kyros among the trainees, and Kyros, in turn, was equally shocked to spot Yoriichi standing beside Zephyr.
Zephyr led Yoriichi up to the assembled cadets, exchanged a few words with the drill instructor, then turned to Yoriichi and said,
"This is Victor, the Academy's kendo instructor. He also oversees physical training for the cadets."
"You two should've met before."
Prompted by Zephyr's words, Yoriichi finally recalled who the young instructor was.
And Victor clearly recognized him too, his eyelid gave a slight twitch.
"Instructor Victor, my name is Tsugikuni Yoriichi. I look forward to learning under you."
Yoriichi greeted him with a calm smile. Victor's face twitched again before he gave a small nod in return.
Zephyr didn't bother to engage further. He clapped Yoriichi on the back and turned to the rest of the cadets.
"This kid's name is Tsugikuni Yoriichi."
"As of today, he's officially one of us."
"He's twelve years old. So, to all you older brothers and sisters out there, look after him, will you?"
"And just to be clear, I mean in daily life."
"As for combat… this kid's the strongest among you."
"So! Anyone not convinced? Step forward!"
"Oh, by the way, he's entering as a Third-Class Seaman."
"But! If any of you can beat him in a duel, doesn't matter what your current rank is—you'll be promoted one grade!"
Zephyr grinned wide, casually stirring the pot and tossing a bloody slab of meat straight into the wolves' den.
In truth, he just wanted to add a bit of "color" to Yoriichi's upcoming life at the Academy.
At first, Yoriichi was taken aback. But then he understood Zephyr's intent.
Wordlessly, he stepped forward, sword in hand, standing before the crowd of cadets with an expression as calm as still water—neither proud nor humble, neither angry nor amused.
He silently acknowledged the claim: "strongest among you."
That posture alone was enough to send a ripple of shock through the assembled trainees.
*********
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