That familiar white hair, that iconic large tobacco pipe, and that unmistakable, easy smile. In an instant, a flood of memories from years spent with this old man surged into his heart.
"Master Rowan... it really... it's really him..."
Zephyr murmured softly. At this moment, the murderous aura on his face had completely vanished, replaced by a profound tenderness. As his lips trembled, two lines of hot tears drifted unnoticed from beneath his sunglasses.
More than ten years! It had been over a decade!
This was the man he respected most, the senior whose status in his heart was utterly irreplaceable. He hadn't seen him in person for over ten years. The longing had always been there, but Zephyr was so burdened by official duties that he could never carve out the time to visit the Old Man.
Though he heard the Old Man's voice frequently over the Den Den Mushi, what was a voice compared to the man himself?
Zephyr knew that in terms of raw power, he couldn't match that monster Garp; in terms of strategy, he wasn't the equal of the "Resourceful General" Sengoku; and in terms of cunning, he lagged behind Tsuru. But he was also one of the "exceptionally brilliant students" the Old Man always praised!
If there was anyone in the world Zephyr could still open his heart to and show his vulnerability to after the catastrophe seven years ago, it was Rowan!
"Quick! Binz, notify the helmsman! Change course and proceed toward that small boat at full speed!" Clutching his telescope with trembling hands, his voice shaking with excitement, Zephyr gave the order.
"Yes! Master Zephyr!"
Though confused by his teacher's extreme reaction, Binz offered a crisp salute and executed the command without hesitation. To Binz, Master Zephyr was everything; he would follow any order, even if it meant certain death, without a single doubt.
After Binz left, Zephyr raised the telescope again, his heart swelling with an indescribable agitation. Finally, after all this time, he was seeing the Old Man again. He wished he had wings to fly straight to that tiny boat.
The Admiral-class warship was incredibly fast. Racing at full power, it closed the distance in just over ten minutes. The docking bay at the hull opened, and Rowan's small sailboat easily drifted inside.
Stepping onto the warship's inner deck, Rowan's eyes bypassed the receiving marines and immediately locked onto the striking figure of Zephyr in the crowd. The kid had actually run all the way down to welcome him.
Meeting Rowan face-to-face, the seventy-year-old Zephyr suddenly looked like a child, appearing somewhat fidgety and at a loss for words. Seeing this, Rowan exhaled a puff of smoke and chuckled.
"Zephyr-boy, it's been so many years. Have you still not fixed that little habit of getting nervous?"
Compared to the boisterous Garp or the calm, meticulous Sengoku, Zephyr had always been the one prone to tension in Rowan's memory. Although the habit had improved with age, Zephyr's composure was still easily shaken during major events.
Looking at the Rowan who was exactly as he remembered, Zephyr rubbed the back of his head sheepishly, sounding almost aggrieved. "Master Rowan, how can you say that? I'm long past being that green brat who just joined the Marines!"
Standing behind him, Ain and Binz watched with wide-eyed shock. In all the time they had followed Master Zephyr, they had never seen him appear so flustered and uncertain.
Was this ordinary-looking old man truly the legendary Marine Godfather Rowan whom Master Zephyr spoke of so often? He doesn't look like much.
The green-haired youth beside him, however, had eyes so sharp they looked like they could cut steel—he clearly wasn't simple. As for the grinning Luffy, he was completely dismissed by their initial assessment.
"Hahahaha!" Rowan laughed heartily. With a light tap of his foot, he leaped onto the deck before Zephyr and pulled him into a warm, enthusiastic embrace.
"Little guy, long time no see."
Rowan patted Zephyr's broad back and sighed with emotion. When he had left the headquarters, Zephyr had been in his prime. Even during their last brief meeting years ago, he was still a man of great vigor. Now, seeing him again, his student was covered in the marks of time.
"Long time no see, Master Rowan!" Hearing the emotion in the Old Man's voice, Zephyr finally lost his composure, and tears began to stream down his face.
Behind them, Ain and Binz felt tears pricking their own eyes. Seeing the normally iron-willed Zephyr drop his guard and show such a soft side made them genuinely happy for him. Master Zephyr had carried far too much weight these past years.
Since he was a child, Zephyr had idolized heroes. When he first joined the Marines, he had heard of Vice Admiral Rowan's upright and honorable conduct. Rowan's selfless guidance of those around him and his inspiring rise to power made him the perfect civilian hero in Zephyr's eyes.
Thus, shortly after joining, Zephyr had sought him out and become his disciple. Rowan's dedicated teaching and meticulous care across all aspects of his life had made him the most respected figure in Zephyr's heart. To Zephyr, Rowan wasn't his father by blood, but his reverence for the man was deeper than that for any parent.
"Alright now, Zephyr-boy. Stop the crying. You're a grown man—if your students see you blubbering like this, where will you hide that old face of yours?" Rowan wiped the tears from Zephyr's eyes like an old father, teasing him with a smile.
"Hmph, let them try!" Zephyr snorted with a touch of playful pride.
His decision to retain his rank and remain as Chief Instructor at the headquarters was partially influenced by Rowan. Back then, Rowan had only the strength of a Vice Admiral, yet he had trained so many brilliant students. Now, Zephyr's own strength was a step above what the Old Man's had been; he wanted to continue that legacy and burn his own life to light the way for the Marines' future.
When he had told the Old Man of his choice years ago, the Old Man had praised him for doing well. He hadn't failed those expectations, delivering a steady stream of elite talent to the Navy. Most of the officers currently serving in the headquarters were Zephyr's students.
"Master, what brings you to the Grand Line?" Zephyr asked curiously after wiping his eyes.
"To Marine Headquarters, of course. It's been so long since I've been back, I want to see what's changed," Rowan replied with a smile.
"Returning to Headquarters?" Joy instantly flooded Zephyr's face. He asked eagerly, "Master, how long do you plan to stay this time? My current class is almost finished with their training—this time, let me be the one to keep you company!"
Heehee, this time, let's see Sengoku and Garp try to snatch him away from me.
Under Zephyr's expectant gaze, Rowan raised his pipe and shook his head. "This time, I don't plan on leaving again."
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