Chapter 98: Black Wrist Ze Method (First Update)

After a day of busyness, the instant Lu Lang stepped into the bedroom, he collapsed onto the bed. Exhaustion and pain nearly made him faint. If not for the urgent need to resolve the branch base issue as soon as possible, he would not have rushed his subordinates like this. Instead, after the battle, he would have rested and recovered his body thoroughly before returning to the base to report.

Just today, when meeting Sengoku, his deathly pale complexion had led Sengoku to mistakenly assume he lacked strength.

After lying there for an unknown period, once he had recovered some strength, Lu Lang struggled to the bathroom for a shower, then sank into a deep sleep.

By the time he had fully recovered, three days had passed.

During this interval, Sengoku had sent no messages, suggesting he still could not overcome the barrier in his heart.

Yet Lu Lang was not overly anxious, for if Sengoku had disagreed, he would have rejected the proposal three days earlier rather than hesitating.

In these three days, however, there were indeed some positive developments. For example, Kibi and Zoro had been noticed by Bogart, Cap's aide, who wished to take them under his special training.

Lu Lang was not entirely clear on the details, but he knew it was a splendid opportunity for both.

Although Bogart had scant appearances in the original narrative, he had transformed Kibi from an iron junk into a headquarters colonel within two years, proving his capabilities.

With Kibi now possessing a solid foundation and undergoing Bogart's rigorous training, his accomplishments would undoubtedly exceed those in the original story.

Regarding Zoro, while it was uncertain how much Bogart could impart, aspiring to be the world's premier swordsman required absorbing the best from all schools of swordsmanship to fortify one's own.

Thus, no matter the extent of Bogart's teachings, they would be entirely beneficial for Zoro.

As for any hidden intentions from Cap, Lu Lang paid little heed.

If these two subordinates who had accompanied him from the East Blue proved unreliable, then what authority would he have to compel the Marines stationed at the branch base to obey his commands?

Apart from these two, Nami had remained in the base for the first two days to nurse Lu Lang back to health. Once he had stabilized, she began frequenting the library within the base.

Since leaving the East Blue, Nami had always felt her knowledge and experience, including in navigation, to be woefully inadequate. Thus, she intended to supplement her understanding of common knowledge and Grand Line navigation techniques during their stay in Marineford.

Concerning their individual plans, Lu Lang saw no reason to interfere, as he himself had matters to learn: the Marines' Rokushiki.

Upon Bogart's arrival, he had briefly mentioned it, assuming Bogart had forgotten. However, that very morning, Cap dispatched a messenger to inform him that the Rokushiki instructor he required had been located. Lu Lang was to report to the third training ground that morning and was particularly cautioned not to be tardy.

This remark ignited Lu Lang's curiosity about the instructor.

An instructor capable of prompting Cap to issue such a reminder must hold considerable stature. Yet as a newcomer, it was improbable that he would be instructed by a renowned figure?

With this anticipation, after hastily consuming breakfast, Lu Lang, accompanied by little Donna, set off for the third training ground indicated by Cap.

Upon arriving at the training ground, he beheld the upright figure in the center and was momentarily stunned.

Indeed, just that morning he had pondered if it might be a great master teaching him, and his intuition had proven correct.

Purple short-cropped hair, a right arm replaced by a mechanical appendage embedded with sea stone, and the flowing black cloak—these were unmistakable hallmarks of the legendary former Admiral, now Chief Instructor of the Three Admirals: Zefa's Black Blade Zefa.

Yet, according to Lu Lang's understanding, this man had forsaken the path of establishment, instead leading his disciples Ilan and Binz in a hunt for pirates across the seas.

How then could Cap summon this deity to instruct him?

It was an unparalleled honor!

"Admiral Zefa!"

Recognizing Zefa, Lu Lang hastened forward and rendered a crisp military salute.

"You are Lu Lang?"

Zefa offered a faint nod and queried with evident skepticism, "You appear so frail, yet you defeated Tuqi. Though he was not my pupil, his prowess is not insignificant."

"Tuqi underestimated his rival."

Lu Lang refrained from offering excuses of luck, as modesty in Zefa's estimation bordered on weakness.

Cap's invitation stemmed from Cap's own stature.

Whether Zefa would instruct Lu Lang with utmost dedication hinged on Lu Lang's own conduct.

Just as the Marines' Rokushiki could differ vastly depending on whether taught seriously or superficially, so too would the outcome here.

"You are quite clear about that!"

Lu Lang's observation recalled to Zefa the tragic event seven years ago, when he had underestimated a certain pirate, leading to the annihilation of an entire ship of trainees and his own grievous injury.

This Tuqi had likewise, by underestimating Lu Lang, entangled himself in peril.

"I heard that in the East Blue, you systematically exterminate pirates, leaving none alive, and even before Roger's execution platform, you massacred over five hundred gang members. Is this accurate?"

Zefa inquired abruptly.

"Yes!" Lu Lang affirmed with a nod.

"Then do you consider all pirates deserving of death?" Zefa pressed on.

Frankly, when Cap had approached him about teaching Lu Lang Rokushiki, Zefa had declined.

Only after Cap detailed Lu Lang's exploits did Zefa's interest stir.

Through subsequent investigation, he learned that Lu Lang mirrored his own philosophy of unrelenting hostility toward pirates, prompting his journey here.

Otherwise, with his current power and position, even Cap's name would not have compelled him.

Lu Lang hesitated, pondering Zefa's history, then shook his head and nodded, replying, "It depends on Admiral Zefa: to what end do you aspire?"

"Proceed," Zefa urged curiously.

"If your sole objective is the extermination of pirates, then these individuals are unquestionably deserving of their fate."

"But should you seek to conclude the age of piracy, slaughter alone proves ineffective."

"Your decisive and ruthless methods may terrify those whose convictions falter, driven merely by the era's tides to become pirates."

"Yet ambitious figures would not capitulate merely because some have perished under your harsh tactics."

"Indeed, they hold beliefs that are extraordinarily resolute—more unyielding than our own faith in justice."

Lu Lang articulated his insights with measured eloquence.

Whether this would endear him to Zefa depended on whether Zefa would be swayed by his words.

"Then, how do you view the Seven Warlords?"

Zefa reflected deeply, then fixed his gaze on Lu Lang and inquired.