One Piece: Start with Zanpakutō

"One is a pass to Impel Down."

"The other is an exemption warrant."

"Zephyr-sensei personally went to Marshal Sengoku and requested these for you."

Borsalino handed the pass and the exemption order over to Rosen.

"With these two things, even if Zephyr-sensei's reckless plans end up turning Impel Down upside down, you, my dear junior, will not be held accountable or punished in any way."

"To be honest, although Zephyr-sensei is always so strict and occasionally stubborn, when it comes to you… he truly has nothing to reproach."

"Unlike me—your poor senior—who always ends up being scolded."

As he spoke, Borsalino glanced at Zephyr.

Although their relationship had long been strained and full of conflict, he could not deny that Zephyr was indeed a good teacher.

"Teacher Zephyr…"

Rosen took the pass and exemption order, then looked up at Zephyr.

Just from these two slim notebooks, he could sense a teacher's deep, selfless affection—a kind of profound, pure care, without a trace of impurity.

In order to nurture Rosen and ensure no hidden dangers remained, Zephyr had racked his brain, sparing no effort.

"I'm sending you to clash with the most vicious pirates on these seas," Zephyr said, turning his back to Rosen. His voice was stubborn and heavy. "Not merely to shape you into another navy Admiral."

"An Admiral?"

Rosen turned his gaze toward the vast sea ahead—toward Impel Down.

They were almost there.

After completing this lesson and leaving Impel Down, that should be about enough.

Having personally experienced the synergy between the Haki Core and the Rokugan Rebirth (Six-Organ Rebirth), and seeing firsthand how swiftly his Haki and physical skills had advanced, Rosen no longer doubted he would reach the rank of Admiral.

The only difference lay in the length of time.

If he remained at the Naval Academy, not fighting, not training, merely eating and sleeping well, then handing over his Haki to the Haki Core and his physical skills to the Rokugan Rebirth (Six-Organ Rebirth), in about three to five years, he would rival the current Admirals in both Haki and physique alone.

But if he added real combat atop that foundation, the time needed to attain Admiral-level strength would surely shorten by three to five times.

Impel Down, Level 6?

Those so-called monsters erased from history?

In Rosen's eyes, they were nothing more than experience packs.

Their sole purpose: to help him ascend to Admiral at lightning speed.

…

Impel Down was not far from Marine Headquarters. Furthermore, the Marine Warship possessed its own deterrent power and was recognized by Sea Kings as part of the sea itself, so they would not attack.

Soon enough—

A massive structure loomed into view before Rosen and the others.

From afar, Impel Down resembled a giant Sea King squatting upon the ocean. Its entrance was like the gaping maw of that sea monster, ferocious, dark, waiting to devour any pirate daring enough to approach.

"We're here."

"My junior."

"This is the entrance to Impel Down."

Borsalino was the first to step off the warship.

"You'd better brace yourself."

"From what I know of Zephyr-sensei, he went through all this trouble to secure you an Impel pass and an exemption warrant. I reckon he intends to keep you here for quite some time…"

"…until you grow into a height that satisfies even him."

As he spoke, he strolled forward leisurely.

"To what kind of height?"

Rosen asked with mild curiosity.

He, too, was curious how high Zephyr's standards—or perhaps demands—stood.

"According to Zephyr-sensei's style…" Borsalino pinched his chin thoughtfully, then pointed forward. "Let's say… comparable to the Emperor's right-hand man! But not just any vice-captain—he will only let you leave when your strength surpasses the likes of all Four Emperors' deputies… except perhaps that monster Benn Beckman."

"Is that so… Teacher Zephyr?"

Borsalino turned and looked at Zephyr.

"That's merely your wishful standard, Borsalino."

Zephyr scoffed coldly. Then his gaze turned sharp as a blade, locking onto Rosen.

"For Rosen…"

"Only the level of an Admiral candidate will do."

Those few words struck like thunder.

"You're as merciless as ever, Teacher Zephyr…"

Borsalino's expression shifted subtly, then he shook his head slowly.

He had long known Zephyr was strict, but still underestimated just how far it went.

An Admiral candidate?

That was no mere vice-captain of an Emperor's crew—it was a power level able to subdue every deputy on the sea and pin them to the ground, sparing only Benn Beckman.

In Borsalino's estimation, even with Rosen's monstrous talent, by Zephyr's standards he would be confined in Impel Down for at least a full year.

"What's wrong?"

"Do you lack confidence in yourself?"

"Or do you, like Borsalino here, think my demands are too severe?"

Seeing Rosen remain silent, Zephyr could not help but speak, his voice heavy.

"No."

"I simply set a small goal for myself."

Rosen shook his head lightly. Then, as if stating the most mundane truth in the world, he declared calmly.

"Within one year—I'll become an Admiral."

The moment these words fell—

Both Zephyr and Borsalino were thunderstruck.

Between "Admiral candidate" and "Admiral," there was merely a two-character difference. But in terms of true power, they were worlds apart.

Much like the difference between Benn Beckman and the other so-called Emperor deputies—the gap was a chasm.

As the two of them reeled from Rosen's "small goal," several prison guards who had been waiting outside Impel Down finally approached in greeting.

"I am the warden of Impel Down."

"Shiryu."

"My apologies, Instructor Zephyr and Vice Admiral Kizaru. Due to certain special circumstances, Director Magellan is unable to personally receive you. I beg your understanding."

A beige coat draped over his shoulders, black military uniform underneath, a sword at his waist, and a towering figure over three meters tall—

It was Shiryu of the Rain.

Rosen looked at Shiryu calmly.

The future second-in-command of Blackbeard's crew was, at this moment, still the warden of Impel Down—not yet imprisoned by Magellan for indiscriminately killing prisoners and colleagues alike.

"It's fine."

"I'm merely an escort."

Borsalino's tone was casual as always.

"It's no matter."

"After all, we're the ones imposing on you."

Zephyr, too, spoke calmly.

He clearly already knew Magellan's situation, and whether he came or not, it meant little to Zephyr.

Instead, he turned to Rosen.

"Take out your pass."

To walk freely in Impel Down, one must at least hold the rank of Admiral candidate.

Of course—

There was a single exception.

That was Garp.

"Director Magellan has already ordered that I fully cooperate with your visit."

"If I may ask…"

"How exactly do you wish me to cooperate?"

Shiryu glanced at the pass in Rosen's hand. Only after confirming its authenticity did he finally speak.

"Please take us to Level 6."

"Furthermore…"

"No matter what you see or hear today, Mr. Warden… please keep it to yourself. This is top secret under Marine Headquarters."

Zephyr's gaze pierced directly into Shiryu's eyes, his words measured and forceful.

"…I understand."

Shiryu glanced at Zephyr and Borsalino, then turned his eyes to Rosen and quietly examined him.

There were not many visitors this time. Yet one was a former Admiral, and one was a future Admiral, flanking Rosen from front and rear. 

Thinking back on what Borsalino had said earlier, a chill crawled up Shiryu's spine.

An Admiral candidate—here merely as an escort.

And Zephyr?

Apparently the same.

Could it be…

All of this was merely for Rosen?

So much force, so much precaution—just to escort this youth?

"Judging by his uniform, he's a student of the Naval Academy…"

"Who in the world is this kid?"

"For him alone… they've mobilized both a former Admiral and an Admiral candidate as escorts?"

The more Shiryu thought about it, the more shocked he felt—and at the same time, an inexplicable curiosity toward Rosen surged in his heart, burning ever brighter.

...

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