"No matter what, your pursuit has gone a bit too far. Even if they beat you and send you to the hospital, there won't be any consequences for them. Do you understand?" Zefa said.
"I understand, Teacher Zefa. Even if she beats me, takes off her shoes to step on my face, or even forces me to lick her feet, I'll have no regrets whatsoever."
What reassured Akira somewhat was that the attitudes toward relationships between men and women in this world were quite open.
In his previous life, behavior like his would've landed him in jail long ago.
Zefa listened calmly at first, but as he heard more, something felt off. He gave Akira a strange look, "I hope you truly understand."
"See you tonight, Teacher Zefa~"
After seeing Zefa off, Akira found a secluded corner to practice the Moon Walk.
At 5:30, just after the dinner rush, he quickly took care of his own meal.
As for the dorm, he didn't dare return just yet—there was definitely a group of "flower protectors" guarding the door.
At 6:00, the four arrived on time in the forest behind Training Ground No. 3.
"The reason I called you three here tonight is because you're all geniuses."
Zefa spoke earnestly: "Geniuses shouldn't be treated the same as ordinary people. That would only bury your talents. From now on, meet here every night at 6:00. I'll personally train you."
Upon hearing this, the three were overjoyed.
To have a former Marine Admiral give them special training was an incredible opportunity.
"The others in the Elite Camp, without mastering the Moon Walk first, would only harm themselves by learning the new Rokushiki techniques."
"You're different. Tina and Akira, you two have already mastered the Moon Walk, and Smoker's almost there. You're fully capable of moving on to the next Rokushiki technique."
"Since ancient times, the 'Moon Walk' and 'Soru' have been inseparable. Both lead to the same goal. Next, I'll teach you the techniques of Soru."
The three stood rigidly, afraid of missing a single word.
Zefa glanced at Smoker: "You, just listen for now but don't practice. Later, come with me to the forest to master the Moon Walk first."
"Yes." Smoker nodded.
Zefa continued: "Both rely on leg strength for acceleration. The only difference is that the Moon Walk requires stepping on air with enough speed to generate a shockwave, allowing you to fly. Soru, on the other hand, involves rapidly stomping the ground dozens of times in a second, using the recoil to increase speed…"
Having mastered the peak-level Moon Walk, Akira found these concepts easy to grasp.
Even without the system's guidance this time, he quickly mastered Soru.
Meanwhile, Smoker and Tina were still struggling to get started.
Zefa was quite satisfied—this kid was indeed a genius.
But soon, Akira discovered a fatal flaw: this beginner-level Soru couldn't turn!
In combat, mistiming this would mean running straight into an opponent's blade!
As the three practiced, sudden hurried footsteps approached, accompanied by fragments of conversation reaching Akira's ears.
"Faster, a little faster! If we arrive sooner, we might still save some people!"
"Those damned beasts! How dare they!"
Zefa furrowed his brow and stepped forward to block one of them.
"Z-Zefa… Admiral Zefa!"
The middle-aged Marine was startled and quickly saluted.
"What's happening? And I'm not an Admiral anymore," Zefa said.
"We received a report that a powerful pirate crew is massacring a village. We're ordered to pursue and eliminate them. Before this, they've already slaughtered ten villages."
"Pirates again, as expected." Zefa's face showed undisguised hatred.
"As long as those scumbags exist, who knows how many more families will be destroyed? Pirates like them shouldn't exist!"
"Teacher Zefa…"
Tina looked at Zefa worriedly. The usually kind and gentle Zefa now seemed like a completely different person.
In the moonlight, his expression was almost ferocious.
"You three, go back first." Zefa turned to Akira and the others, then to the Marine: "I'm going with you!"
"Huh?!" The Marine was stunned, then overjoyed. "Please, follow me!"
Despite the pirates' brutality, with the legendary Black Arm Zefa joining, victory was assured. They'd definitely save more villagers.
Watching the two walk away, Akira was lost in thought.
The system's voice echoed at that moment:
[New Life Choice Unlocked.]
[Option 1: Obey Zefa's orders, return to the dorm. Reward: Paramecia-type Corrosion Fruit.]
[Option 2: Desire and combat—stay to defeat Smoker or ask Tina for her worn stockings. Reward: Randomly upgrade one existing ability to its limit.]
[Option 3: Volunteer to follow Teacher Zefa to eliminate the pirates. Reward: Unlock the System Shop.]
After a brief hesitation, Akira called out to Zefa, "Teacher Zefa."
Option 1 was out—if he was going to eat a Devil Fruit, it had to be top-tier, or not at all.
Though Option 2's reward was tempting, he wasn't sure he could beat Smoker yet.
Asking Tina for her worn stockings was outright suicidal—he could already imagine being hunted down.
Compared to Options 1 and 2, Option 3 was far more enticing. He was eager to see what the System Shop would offer.
"What is it?" Zefa asked sternly.
"Can I come with you, Teacher Zefa?" Akira pleaded.
"Why?" Zefa's expression turned serious. "Give me a reason. Battles like this are too dangerous for you."
"Because I want to fight alongside you, Teacher Zefa. Besides, you said it yourself—geniuses shouldn't be treated like ordinary people. I think this will be a great trial."
"You little brat…" Zefa's heart was both touched and conflicted.
Eliminating pirates had nothing to do with Akira.
In his view, the only reason the boy wanted to join was because he didn't trust him.
Was he being underestimated?
It seemed his years away from the Admiral position had made many Marines forget he was once called Black Arm.
At 58, his combat strength remained unaffected.
"Fine, if you want to come, come. This will indeed be a good trial."
Zefa's tall figure strode toward the harbor, his voice brimming with confidence: "You two come too. No one dares harm my students under my watch!"
"Yes, Teacher Zefa!" The three replied in unison, joy flashing in their eyes.