One Piece: Adopting Sakazuki and Taking Douglas Bullet as My Godson

Chapter 22: The Youthful Zephyr

"So the Marine residential zone isn't just for families, huh? Seems like the Navy's pretty relaxed in this regard!"

As they arrived in the residential district behind Marineford, it felt more like a self-sufficient town than part of a military base. The only difference? There were no nobles—just ordinary families.

The moment they stepped in, Sakazuki spotted a towering, three-meter-tall man with violet hair clutching a bouquet of flowers, clearly nervous and fidgety like a boy about to confess his feelings.

"Woohoo~! Didn't expect that to be Vice Admiral Zephyr!"

Dragon instantly recognized him, letting go of Sakazuki's shoulder and clasping both hands to his cheeks in mock excitement, straightening up like a drama queen. Even more exaggerated, he began twisting his body like he'd just stumbled upon some juicy gossip.

Sakazuki looked on awkwardly, trying to put distance between himself and this walking embarrassment. Like father, like son—Dragon's brain seemed just as scrambled as Garp's.

"Ahem… Let's keep moving. We don't want to interrupt Zephyr's love confession, heh."

Dragging Sakazuki along, Dragon explained while taking a detour:

"The Marine family district was originally built so officers could focus on their duties without worrying about their loved ones. If they fell in battle, their families would be cared for by the Navy for life. It was both an incentive for the rank and file, and a gesture of goodwill.

"Now it houses the wives and children of officers, and over time, it became a prime recruiting ground for future Marines. I'm actually one of them! There are also lots of single girls here! It's like a small kingdom—only everyone's a potential soldier."

And a fair number of orphans, too…

Dragon didn't say the last part aloud. Even in one of the world's safest places, safety was often reserved for the women and children. The men—the Marines—lived with their lives tied to the battlefield.

Kids with both parents fared better, but single-parent households were common here… The Navy would provide for them, yes—but not everything.

Dragon shook his head and continued.

"That guy back there? Just promoted—Vice Admiral Zephyr. A real man's man. Even my dad gets along great with him. They often eat and chat together."

"As for the girl he's confessing to, rumor has it she's the daughter of a fallen officer from his hometown—his childhood friend and guide, even."

Sakazuki nodded thoughtfully.

"Childhood friends, huh… Zephyr's lucky."

His voice grew distant. Uncontrollable emotion surfaced in his expression.

He too had a childhood friend once. But she died right before his eyes when he was thirteen—he'd been the one to bury her with his own hands.

He thought he'd buried the pain with her after three years. But seeing this scene brought the memories surging back.

Dragon, sensing his friend's sorrow, said nothing. He simply kept walking by Sakazuki's side through the lively streets.

He'd heard from his father that Master Ross was a truly kind man. On Ross's ship, aside from his own family and guards, everyone else was an orphan with nowhere to go. Some had lost their homes to pirates. Some came from broken families. Others were rescued from slavery.

Sakazuki probably had a joyful past. And the happier it was, the more painful the loss.

"Brother, tonight we drink until we drop! Don't worry, you've got three days to get used to things here. If need be, I'll ask Aunt Tsuru to get you a day off!"

Drinking was the only comfort Dragon could think of.

But Sakazuki simply shook his head.

"It's fine. Just old memories. I'm really happy now—being by Master Ross's side, walking toward my dream. There's no point clinging to the pain of the past.

"Besides, death is a daily occurrence on the sea. If I delay getting stronger by even a day, it could cost dozens—maybe hundreds—of lives. Entire families shattered, all because I wasn't ready.

"Don't you think so, Dragon?"

"Uhh… Isn't that a bit much?"

Dragon was at a loss. He didn't have a dream yet—he just wanted to see the real world. Compared to Sakazuki's ideals and sense of duty, he couldn't quite relate.

That unwavering conviction—the clarity between imagination and reality—Dragon didn't yet possess.

Sakazuki smiled faintly, not pushing the conversation further. He understood Dragon's position. The guy still lived in a greenhouse.

But one day, he would face the storm. And maybe, when that day came, they would no longer just be friends—but comrades.

---

Meanwhile, on the other side of the district…

A 35-year-old, bashful Zephyr waited for the girl he'd been longing to confess to.

Gone was the fierce warrior of the battlefield, the bold commander of the fleet. In his place stood an awkward young man with a bouquet of white lilies, nervously trying to find the right words.

The girl was beautiful, exuding a rustic charm as she stood there with a gentle smile, waiting for the childhood hero who once protected her to speak.

After all, heroes don't run from love.

Looking at her, Zephyr remembered that day long ago—when he'd vowed to become the hero "Z."

Back then, she was just a teary-eyed little girl clutching a stuffed toy, crying after a fall. He had stood before her like a true hero, chasing away the bullies and declaring for the first time:

"I am the hero of justice—Z!!"

Now he was a true hero. A vice admiral. And she—graceful and elegant—stood before him once more.

"Shirley… these are for you. I… hope…"

He scratched his cheek nervously and offered the bouquet.

Before he could finish, Shirley took the flowers with delight, stood on tiptoe, and kissed him square on the lips.

"I accept!"

Not far away, two old friends quietly watched the scene unfold.

As Zephyr embraced the girl, Garp chomped on his senbei and sighed.

"Zephyr finally found love, huh… So, Sengoku—when are you gonna confess to little Tsuru?"

"Me? Forget it. My ideals don't allow for love. That'd be irresponsible."

"Damn it! You're still spouting that nonsense?!"

Thwack!

Garp smacked Sengoku on the head. Sengoku just silently took it.

Garp let out a deep sigh and muttered bitterly:

"If I knew it'd end like this, I wouldn't have let you have her in the first place…"