17 Z

After putting the box in the system inventory, Alden went in the town. He roamed around for a bit as it was still not time for their meeting. After some time he went back to the restaurant they went earlier. He didn't found Garp there. So he sat on a table to wait. While waiting for Garp he ordered a tea.

After some time he heard a loud laugh, and he didn't need to guess whose laugh it was. He came with another man with purple hair.

When Alden looked at him he already guessed the name of the man, Admiral Z. But as he remembered, this was the time when he already lost his wife and son to the pirates and resigned from being Admiral. He was given a position of training instructor at Marinford. From the memories, Alden found that before he started being instructor, he wanted to go some place to cool down his mind. He went to few islands in East blue and this island was supposed to be one of them.

Alden went to them and first greeted Garp and then looked towards Z.

He felt very closeness towards Z. He politely greeted him and called him "Admiral Z".

Z looked at the kid in front of him and gave smile, sad smile though, and said," I am not Admiral any more.

Alden showed confused look and said: " 2 years ago, I read in news about you with your photograph, there they mentioned you as Admiral."

He again showed confused look," why did you stop being Admiral?"

Z looked towards the sea, his eyes were filled with sadness. Alden felt guilt by reminding him those painful memories.

Z again looked at Alden and said, " Because I prioritized my marine duties before my family which was mistake. And I realized that very late."

Z: " Kid remember one thing, your family and friends should be your main priority. Do not neglect them and protect them with your life."

Garp suddenly laughed and said to Z: " Z, this kid is very talented, at the age of 8 years he can already use observation haki and armament haki, at beginner level though. And he is already at novice level of sword mastary."

Z again looked at Alden with surprise and asked him to show armament haki. Alden used armament haki on his one hand. Then he asked Alden to show his sword arts. Alden used his sword to show his sword arts.

Z was surprised to see that his sword mastery is not only at novice level but atleast mid stage of novice level. He could see that Alden was using observation haki to refine his sword art.

Then he checked his muscles and found then well developed.

He asked Alden, "Who taught you swordsmanship?"

Alden replied: "My father."

Z asked about his father, Alden replied: " He is Ex-Marine Captain. "

Then Garp told Z about incident about Alden's parents. Z again looked at Alden and asked, "Kid, do you want to learn from me?"

Alden thought about it and said, " I would love to learn from you but I won't join Marines, atleast not for now. I don't want to join marines when my strength is weak and only to become pawns of superiors. I don't want to become like my parents who are in this condition due to the mistake of their superiors."

Z could feel confidence in his voice. He sat on a chair and put his arm on his chin. After thinking for few moments, he said, " Garp, I guess I will have to extend my leave for few more years."

He looked at Alden, " So kid whats your name?"

"Fernando D Alden"

Z smiled, a gentle smile, " So Alden, do you want to learn from me before you decide to join Marine."

Alden happily agreed. Though he had memories of Z, learning from original would be far better.

Z said: " This island is pretty good. I will train you on this island."

Alden thought that it would be better if Z doesn't train him at his home. He didn't want to reveal anything about Ope Ope no Mi to him because it is very sensitive devil fruit. And it can be very dangerous if it is leaked.

Garp said: " Z, you can go to his home at Loguetown."

But Alden said, "I will train here on this island only. I will be distracted while training if I stay at home."

"But I want to go home and tell my father about it before we start training."

And thus Z said he could go home and come back in 15 days. His training would start after 15 days.