One Piece: Transmigrated with Yoriichi Tsugikuni's Template

Sakazuki stood before Zephyr, watching as the old admiral slowly reached out and placed his hand on the white Devil Fruit. A proud smile crept across Sakazuki's face.

As one of Zephyr's many graduates, Sakazuki couldn't help feeling a bit smug that he could finally do something to help his old teacher. Zephyr's status within the Navy was unparalleled. Nearly every prominent Marine of his generation had trained under him.

Zephyr was a pure man. Ever since his family was killed, he had poured his heart into building the Marine Academy. Usually, even grateful students like Sakazuki had no chance to repay him. There was simply nothing they could do to help.

But now, Sakazuki thought, maybe he was the first in years who actually could.

"Yes, it's definitely a Devil Fruit," Zephyr murmured.

"A Logia-type, the Smoke-Smoke Fruit."

He gently rubbed the swirling white fruit nestled in the small golden chest and nodded in confirmation.

A seasoned veteran like Zephyr had seen more Devil Fruits than most could name. He may not be able to recite the entire Devil Fruit Encyclopedia from memory, but he certainly recognized the rare Logia types.

The moment he laid eyes on the fruit, Zephyr had identified it.

Yet after confirming its nature, Zephyr gave a small sigh, shook his head, and closed the lid of the treasure chest. With a slight push, he returned the Devil Fruit to Sakazuki.

Sakazuki blinked, surprised. "Teacher Zephyr, is something wrong with this Devil Fruit?"

Zephyr didn't answer right away. Instead, he stood and walked to the sofa, brewed some fresh tea, and placed a cup on the table. He gestured for Sakazuki to join him.

Seeing the gesture, Sakazuki walked over and carefully sat down, barely letting himself sink into the seat. He held the cup with both hands, sitting upright in a respectful posture.

"Relax a little, Sakazuki. You're always so serious," Zephyr chuckled. "We're just having a chat."

"There's nothing wrong with the Devil Fruit. It really is the Logia-type Smoke-Smoke Fruit. It's just not the ideal one I had in mind."

Zephyr paused, then continued.

"Sakazuki, since it's you, I won't hide anything. This Devil Fruit isn't for me."

"I asked you to keep an eye out for a Logia because I wanted to prepare it for my student, Yoriichi."

A smile appeared on Zephyr's face as he spoke, as if he were thinking of something that made him genuinely happy.

The moment he heard the name, Sakazuki's pupils contracted slightly. His expression shifted with surprise.

He'd heard of that name. These days, who hadn't? It rang across the Navy and even the world.

"Captain Tsugikuni Yoriichi, right? The young Marine who fought alongside Aokiji and repelled Golden Lion Shiki?"

Zephyr nodded with a pleased expression.

But Sakazuki's confusion only deepened. "Teacher Zephyr, I thought Yoriichi was a powerful swordsman."

"Why would you suddenly want to find a Logia-type Devil Fruit for him?"

"Did he ask for one after witnessing Aokiji's power? Is he looking for a shortcut?"

Zephyr shook his head. "No. This was my idea."

"Yoriichi has no clue."

"I just want to be prepared. A backup plan."

"If his Haki training goes smoothly and he becomes an exceptional swordsman, then the Devil Fruit won't matter."

"But if things don't go as planned, having a Logia-type fruit could push his strength to a whole new level."

"Reaching the top with Haki alone is extremely difficult. I have faith in him, but he might not be another Garp."

"This sea holds many secrets, and Devil Fruits can free people from their physical limits."

Zephyr took a sip of tea, then continued.

"Even though the Smoke-Smoke Fruit is a Logia, it offers too little benefit to someone like Yoriichi."

"Who knows how strong he'll become in the future, but one thing is certain."

"For him, eating this fruit might do more harm than good."

Sakazuki nodded slightly, understanding.

He knew the Smoke-Smoke Fruit. It didn't possess overwhelming destructive power. If Yoriichi could really sever Shiki's arm as reported, then his current strength was already terrifying. The fruit wouldn't help someone like him.

Logia abilities came with elementalization, but also weaknesses like Seastone and seawater. For someone like Yoriichi, the drawbacks might outweigh the advantages.

"I see. In that case, this fruit really wouldn't boost his power meaningfully."

"I understand, Teacher Zephyr. I'll continue searching for a stronger Logia-type fruit."

"I promise, I won't let you down."

With that, Sakazuki stood and gave Zephyr a formal bow. Then he turned to leave.

Zephyr noticed he was leaving the fruit behind and quickly called out, "Don't forget your Devil Fruit."

But Sakazuki didn't reach for it. He simply turned back and smiled.

"Teacher Zephyr, I'll leave the Smoke-Smoke Fruit with you."

"I believe you'll make good use of it."

"Excuse me. I'll be going now."

He opened the office door and disappeared from sight.

Sakazuki was a serious man, driven by a strong sense of collective honor. To him, anything that could strengthen the Navy, even at personal cost, was worth it.

A Logia-type Devil Fruit, worth hundreds of millions and nearly impossible to find, and he gave it away without a second thought.

"That kid..." Zephyr stared at the door and chuckled, shaking his head.

At that very moment, while Zephyr was planning a Devil Fruit future for Yoriichi, a piece of earth-shattering news was being delivered across the world by News Coo birds.

"The Roger Pirates have reached the Final Island, completing the world voyage and conquering the Grand Line!"

Admiral Sengoku, stationed at Lodestar Island, was stunned upon reading the headline.

He knew it. Roger had reached the very place the World Government had long tried to bury.

No one knew exactly what was on that island, but Sengoku could already tell. The World Government was about to act.

Sure enough, not long after the news of Roger's arrival at the Final Island spread, the World Government moved quickly.

Through the mouthpiece of the Navy, they officially declared Gol D. Roger the Pirate King. It was a calculated move to stir resentment and fear.

They wanted to paint Roger as a monstrous, unforgivable demon. Someone to be feared. Someone to be hated.

After all, what self-respecting pirate would accept a king ruling over them?

More importantly, the title Pirate King was a siren's call for countless ambitious pirates.

Why do pirates set sail? For wealth, fame, and power.

And what title could be more seductive than Pirate King?

Thanks to the help of countless jealous pirates, the Navy quickly got wind of Roger's location.

The New World may have been too chaotic for the Navy to track targets efficiently, but pirates? They were experts at that.

When Sengoku received the coordinates of Roger's fleet, he realized something important.

They were heading straight for Lodestar Island.

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