Although the applause felt unfamiliar, Diarmuid didn't hesitate.
He walked in confidently.
Looking around, he saw a group of people wearing Marine uniforms and Justice coats just like him.
Their ages varied slightly, but most were young.
The oldest looked about twenty.
There weren't many of them.
Just over twenty people.
But every one of them could be considered among the most talented of the Marine's younger generation.
With just one glance, Diarmuid recognized several faces.
Among them were future elite Marine Vice Admirals:
Momonga, Strawberry, and Onigumo.
Right now, judging from their shoulder ranks, they were only Lieutenant Colonels.
Slightly higher than Diarmuid.
Besides them, two other figures surprised him.
The future Admiral candidates:
Gion (Momousagi) and Tokikake (Chaton).
As for the others—
Either their appearances changed too much later on, or they simply never reached the same level of fame.
Diarmuid couldn't recognize them.
The Sixth Training Class really is full of talent, he thought.
Following Zephyr's gesture, Diarmuid walked to the podium.
He stood straight and saluted everyone.
"Go ahead," Zephyr said gently.
"Introduce yourself."
"Understood!" Diarmuid responded.
He then looked toward the class and spoke clearly:
"Rodriguez Diarmuid. Formerly a Colonel stationed at Marine Branch 113 in the North Blue, now a Major of Marine Headquarters. I look forward to working with all of you."
As soon as he finished speaking, the Marine elites seated below immediately broke into applause again.
Overall, their demeanor was excellent.
None of them carried Kuzan's lazy attitude.
Every one of them sat upright with straight backs and proper posture, looking very much like the future pillars of the Navy.
"Once class ends, you can all get to know each other," Zephyr said.
"Diarmuid, sit over there."
He pointed toward an empty seat below.
It happened to be right beside Momonga.
Diarmuid didn't hesitate. After acknowledging the instruction, he walked over and sat down.
Momonga seemed very friendly. He nodded with a smile and whispered:
"Please take care of me in the future, Major Diarmuid."
"Likewise," Diarmuid replied with a smile.
This wasn't elementary school, so Zephyr didn't bother with unnecessary formalities. He quickly moved straight into the lesson.
"Although we have a new student today, the sixth class has only just begun recently."
"Diarmuid, if you don't understand anything later, come ask me after class."
"I'll continue from where we left off."
Diarmuid nodded without objection.
At the same time, he realized that although he had arrived late due to hospitalization, the sixth Officer Training Class had only just started not long ago.
"Now then," Zephyr continued.
"Today's topic."
"In the previous class, we discussed the different categories into which strength can broadly be divided."
"Today we'll talk about a technique system unique to the Marines."
"You may call it the Six Powers."
"The Six Powers are not some mysterious or extraordinary force like many of you might think."
"In fact, when Marine experts developed this systematic martial technique together, the goal wasn't to increase combat power directly."
"Rather, it was meant to build a solid foundation."
Zephyr spoke calmly and clearly.
Diarmuid quickly became absorbed in the explanation.
Even though he had missed earlier lessons, he soon gained a solid understanding of the Six Powers.
Simply put—
The Six Powers weren't originally created to be a new source of overwhelming strength.
They were techniques meant to develop the human body.
Shave.
Moonwalk.
Finger Pistol.
Tempest Kick.
Paper Art.
Iron Body.
Each technique allowed the user to surpass ordinary human limitations in a particular aspect.
Mastering all six meant breaking through the normal limits of the human body in nearly every area.
At the same time, it pushed the body's potential to a deeper level.
"So compared with abilities like Haki, the Six Powers are not a higher-level power," Zephyr concluded.
"If anything, they might be considered somewhat lower."
After a brief pause, he continued:
"But that doesn't mean you should underestimate them."
"As I said earlier, everyone sitting here possesses the potential to become strong."
"And there are several ways to open the door to that strength."
"The first is something we've already discussed—Devil Fruits."
"Even an ordinary person can gain tremendous power quickly after eating a powerful Devil Fruit."
"But as you all know, power always comes with a price."
"Devil Fruit abilities are not obtained through effort or sacrifice, and the drawback is that users become hated by the sea."
"You will have to decide for yourselves in the future whether to become ability users."
"I will not advise you either way."
"As for the Six Powers…"
"These are different."
"They require no price beyond your own effort."
"If you train hard, they can become the key that opens the gate to strength."
"And once you master them…"
"You may then have the qualifications to pursue even greater power."
"Teacher Zephyr!"
A student suddenly raised her hand.
Diarmuid turned to look.
It was the most beautiful person in the entire sixth class.
Gion, the future Momousagi.
"Gion," Zephyr said.
"What is your question?"
"Yes, Teacher."
"If one masters the Six Powers, how beneficial are they to swordsmanship?"
Inside the training camp, there was no strict requirement forcing everyone to follow the same path.
This place existed to develop potential.
Some graduates became Devil Fruit masters like Borsalino, Sakazuki, and Kuzan.
Others became great swordsmen like Gion.
Still others specialized in martial arts.
So Zephyr wasn't surprised by her question.
He smiled and nodded.
"Of course there are benefits."
"The Six Powers develop your control over your body and unlock your potential."
"They allow you to surpass your natural limits."
"That is why I call them a foundational power."
"Mastering the Six Powers will benefit any path you pursue in the future."
"Swordsmanship, martial arts, Devil Fruit abilities—any of them."
At that moment, Diarmuid spoke up.
"Does that apply to Haki as well?"
Zephyr's eyes lit up with appreciation.
"That's an excellent question."
"From my experience, the Six Powers provide an excellent foundation for mastering Haki in the future."
Currently, there were two top-tier Haki masters within the Marines.
One was the legendary Marine Hero Monkey D. Garp.
The other was Admiral Zephyr, known as Black Arm Zephyr.
However, Garp's teaching ability was famously terrible.
He had raised the leader of the Revolutionary Army.
And even trained a future great pirate.
Compared to that embarrassment, Zephyr was far more authoritative as an instructor.
So when he said this—
The students all grew serious.
As Marine elites, they understood something very clearly.
No matter what path they chose—
Swordsmanship, Devil Fruits, or anything else—
Haki was essential.
If the Six Powers could help them master Haki in the future, then it was something they absolutely needed to learn well.
Several other students asked questions afterward, and Zephyr answered them patiently.
Overall, the atmosphere in the training camp was very harmonious.
After finishing the Q&A session, Zephyr continued:
"Since there are no further questions, we will now discuss the training methods of the Six Powers."
He began explaining in detail the methods for practicing:
Shave.
Paper Art.
Moonwalk.
Tempest Kick.
Finger Pistol.
Iron Body.
His patience and teaching talent were obvious.
Perhaps stepping down from his Admiral position had truly been the right choice.
Under his guidance, the future Marines would grow stronger.
Classes here didn't follow strict schedules.
Zephyr simply taught as needed.
If there was a lot of material, class lasted longer.
If not, it ended earlier.
"Alright, that's enough for today."
"Go back and practice what you've learned."
"The next lesson will be in one month."
"If you have missions, go complete them quickly."
"You are trainees, but you are still Marines."
Diarmuid was slightly surprised.
It seemed the training camp wasn't yet a fully structured academy.
And that was true.
In its early days, the Officer Training Camp was rather rough in structure.
Only later, when Zephyr fully stepped away from frontline duty, would it evolve into a proper military academy.
By the later years of the Great Pirate Era, the academy would train recruits from the ground up.
Students like Ain from a later generation would even train directly under Zephyr in field exercises.
But the people currently sitting in this classroom?
Every one of them already had combat experience.
Diarmuid himself had even fought Golden Lion Shiki.
After dismissing the class, Zephyr turned to Diarmuid.
"Diarmuid, spend some time getting to know your classmates."
"Later, come to my office."
"I'll arrange your dormitory."
"If you have any questions, think them through first and ask me then."
"Yes, Admiral!"
Zephyr smiled.
"Here, you can call me Teacher."
Diarmuid grinned.
"Understood… Teacher."
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