Chapter 50: The Beginning of a Year’s Cultivation

Loguetown, Navy Residence, Hospital. On a white bed, a frail young man lay in deep slumber. His chiseled face was tinged with pallor, though his breathing was steady. His entire body was wrapped in white bandages like a mummy, heavy with the scent of medicine.

“Damn it, that bastard Roger.” At the bedside, Zephyr’s face was dark and stormy, his presence like a volcano on the brink of eruption, his mood foul. “Half a month—he’s been in a coma, lying in bed for half a month. If anything happens to Night, I’ll hunt down that bastard to the ends of the earth.”

“Zephyr, calm down. With Xuan Ye’s recovery ability, he’ll be fine,” Sengoku adjusted his glasses, a look of puzzlement on his face.

“Sengoku, how can you expect me to be calm? My most beloved disciple has been in bed for half a month!” Zephyr’s expression was iron, rage blazing in his eyes.

“Teacher Zephyr, I believe Night will be all right. He’s always recovered quickly,” Aokiji interjected—truthfully, this was the first time he had ever seen Xuan Ye in such a wretched state.

“He deserves it. Who told him to overestimate himself and go after Gol D. Roger?” It was Akainu’s mocking voice, legs crossed in schadenfreude, eyes slanted with contempt at the form on the bed.

“Akainu, say that again.” Zephyr turned, his tone glacial, his gaze flat and unreadable as it fell on Akainu.

Akainu stiffened, his whole body prickling with unease under Zephyr’s dangerous eyes.

“Akainu, leave.” Sengoku’s expression changed as he pointed to the door, giving Akainu a meaningful look. He feared that Akainu would push Zephyr too far—someone really could get killed.

“Tch…” With feigned indifference, Akainu got up, but his steps were unusually quick, and in moments he had vanished at the door.

“My, my… that was close.” Kizaru, his sly face creased with relief, secretly wiped sweat for Akainu.

“Screech, screech…” A golden monkey scratched its ears in agitation.

“Little Gold, the Rear Admiral will be fine.” Pacas tried to calm the restless golden creature, but worry flickered in his eyes.

“Karp went after that bastard Roger. I’m sure we’ll hear something soon.” Sengoku mused aloud, still puzzled. “From what I know of Roger, he wouldn’t use such force on a whim.”

“Hmph, a pirate is still a pirate, especially the Pirate King. If anything happens to Night, I’ll make them pay.” Zephyr’s anger was unquenchable, his teeth clenched.

“What was it all for?” Sengoku rubbed his forehead, desperately searching for answers.

If not for waiting for Xuan Ye to wake and clarify Roger’s intentions, Sengoku and the others would have already returned to Marineford—after all, pirates still roamed the seas.

The next day, at dawn, a shaft of sunlight pierced the curtains, falling across a serene face.

His brows twitched. Eyes, dark as ink, opened—first confused, then sharp with an unfathomable luster.

He sat up and bent forward, turning to survey his surroundings in silence.

Footsteps, the sound of a door opening—one man and one monkey entered.

“Screech, screech… He’s awake, he’s awake!” the golden monkey cried, bounding joyfully to the bedside, golden pupils wide.

“Rear Admiral, you’re finally awake!” Pacas’s voice trembled with excitement.

“How long was I asleep?” Xuan Ye smiled faintly, stroking the monkey’s little head.

“Screech… Many, many days.”

“Many, many days?” Xuan Ye was taken aback, watching the monkey’s antics in confusion.

“Rear Admiral, it’s been half a month,” Pacas replied.

“That long? And where is this?”

“Loguetown.”

Xuan Ye nodded, then asked, “Where are my teacher and the others?”

“They went after the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger,” Pacas continued.

“They haven’t returned to Marineford?” Xuan Ye threw off the covers, stood, and tore off his bandages, revealing a robust physique.

“No. If you hadn’t woken up today, Admiral Sengoku would have headed back,” Pacas answered, handing Xuan Ye a fresh set of clothes from the rack.

“Looks like they want to understand Roger’s motives.” As he dressed, Xuan Ye pondered.

Watching Xuan Ye deep in thought, Pacas hesitated, then said, “Rear Admiral, while you were unconscious, Kizaru, Akainu, and Aokiji were all promoted to rear admiral.”

“Is that so?” Xuan Ye’s response was calm, only a faint smile on his lips.

“Grr… grr…”

“Come on, let’s get some food. My stomach is protesting.” Stretching, Xuan Ye’s mouth twitched, a hint of an unusual smile appearing.

At dusk that evening, behind Loguetown, the sounds of battle rang out.

“Ice Blade!” With a bone-chilling cold, the earth split as Aokiji spun, striking down with great force.

“Flaming Blade!” With a sweep of his left hand, fire flickered—a longsword entwined with golden runes and flames burst from the ground.

Clash! Metal rang, ice and fire collided, cracks snaking across the earth. A shockwave tore through the surface, surging outward.

“Freeze Time!” Mist billowed as shards of ice coalesced, rushing at the figure wreathed in flames.

“Aokiji, you’re too slow with that move.” Amid the fire, a blurry figure smiled. “Armament—Million Degrees—Golden Crow Claw.”

Boom! Sand and stone flew, storms erupted, chaos reigned.

Red and white figures tangled in the dusk, locked in endless combat.

“Screech, screech…” In the distance, the monkey squinted contentedly, munching on a banana.

Thud, thud—a figure charged over the horizon.

“Rear Admiral, Rear Admiral Aokiji! Admiral Sengoku is looking for you!” Pacas drew near with Moonwalk, his gaze hot as he watched the battling figures.

A violent explosion. Xuan Ye, bare-chested, his right cheek bruised, the flames around him suddenly vanished.

“Understood. Let’s call it a day.” Turning, Xuan Ye rubbed his face in response.

“You really don’t hold back.” Aokiji’s left eye was bruised, his mouth twisted in a hoarse grimace, full of complaint.

Xuan Ye rolled his eyes and walked toward Pacas.

A few minutes later, the office was crowded with people.

Sitting quietly in his chair, Xuan Ye took a sip of tea and let out a breath.

“Kid, how did you run into Roger half a month ago?” Sengoku sat behind his desk, staring at Xuan Ye.

“Uh, I ran into him when I went out for noodles with Little Gold. I tailed him all day, but he noticed me,” Xuan Ye replied calmly, rubbing his swollen right cheek.

“And then?” Garp’s eyes widened with interest.

“Come on, I’m a Navy officer and he’s a pirate—of course I tried to catch him.” Dropping his hand, Xuan Ye gave Garp a look as if he were an idiot. The meaning was clear.

“Bold,” Garp said awkwardly, his mouth twisting, uncertain if it was praise or scorn.

“Heh, so how does it feel?” Zephyr teased, sipping his tea. He was no longer anxious, now that Xuan Ye was awake—and seemingly stronger than before.

“Terrifying is the only word for it.” Xuan Ye shuddered inwardly, though no one could guess at his true thoughts.

“Sorry to worry you, Teacher.” At last, he looked at Zephyr with gratitude.

“As long as you’re safe, that’s all that matters.” Zephyr shook his head, a smile ever-present on his face.

“Hmph, such a golden opportunity and he got away. Some people really are incompetent.” Akainu’s veiled jab was thick with disdain, making everyone frown.

“Here we go again,” Kizaru and the others all looked at Xuan Ye. Predictably, these two would usually argue at times like this.

But this time, they were all wrong.

Xuan Ye only glanced indifferently at Akainu before turning to Sengoku. “Admiral Sengoku, I’d like to set out alone for some training.”

“Hm?” The others were puzzled.

“My strength is too low. Whether it was Whitebeard or Gol D. Roger, both defeated me with a single blow. I have to redeem this shame.” Xuan Ye’s jaw clenched, his spirit unyielding.

“One year. No more than a year,” Sengoku decided after a moment’s thought.

“Agreed.”

“Teacher, please let Teacher’s wife know not to worry.”

“Take care of yourself out there,” Zephyr replied, nodding instead of objecting.

“I will.”

....................................