Sengoku stared at the fresh intelligence report, a migraine already throbbing behind his temples. His hands tightened around the paper of their own accord, crumpling the edges as he spoke in a low, resigned growl.
"Zephyr..."
One End Point had already been successfully destroyed.
With one gone, he knew the World Government would no longer tolerate Zephyr's actions.
Sengoku had fought to buy his old friend a little more time, hoping he could be persuaded to stand down. But if Zephyr refused to return, the only option left was... elimination.
But...
Who to send?
If words failed, who had the resolve to do what was necessary? This was the source of Sengoku's headache. He knew, with painful clarity, that if Zephyr truly could not be stopped, the greatest mercy would be to send him off personally.
Deep down, he knew...
That was the most likely outcome.
They had been friends for decades, he knew the stubborn nature of his old comrade better than anyone.
Sengoku removed his frog-shaped glasses, pinching the bridge of his nose in melancholy. When he slid them back on, the hesitation in his eyes had been replaced by steel. He turned to the Marine standing nearby and issued his command.
"Notify Vice Admiral Garp and Admiral Borsalino. They are to retrieve Chief Instructor Zephyr and all members of the Neo Marines immediately. Especially Zephyr... If they refuse..."
He let out a long, shuddering sigh and closed his eyes. His clenched fists trembled slightly at his sides. "Permission granted to... execute on sight."
The Marine's froze in shock. Yet, after only a second's hesitation, he snapped to attention and saluted.
"Yes, sir!"
The order was agonizing, but it had to be carried out.
Just as the soldier turned to leave, Fleet Admiral Sengoku hesitated. "Wait!"
"Sir?"
The Marine turned back, confused.
"Notify Kuzan as well." Sengoku rubbed his forehead and huffed coldly. "Does that brat think I don't know what he's up to? Since he's already out there, he might as well deal with the Zephyr situation while he's at it!"
'Trying to run away at a time like this? Keep dreaming.'
--**--**
Meanwhile.
Having secured the Dyna Stones and successfully detonated it to destroy the first End Point, the Neo Marines had already set a course for their next target.
As the ship cut slowly through the waves, Zephyr stood at the bow. The determination in his eyes seemed to fracture, revealing a trace of complex emotion as he stared silently at the sea.
Off to the side, however...
"Feeling sentimental, Zephyr-sensei?"
Kuzan, who had been leisurely hitching a ride, hadn't changed a bit. From the moment he boarded, he had maintained an air of utter relaxation, acting as if he were truly just there for a vacation.
He whistled, resting his head behind his hands, not bothering to look at his former teacher standing at the bow. "Truly worthy of the man once called the No-Kill Admiral."
"That is all in the past," Zephyr replied. He suppressed the conflict in his gaze, his voice hardening with renewed resolve. "The day pirates slaughtered my family and my students, the 'No-Kill Admiral' died with them."
He paused for a moment before speaking again. "And you? Are you planning to stop me?"
"No, just suddenly felt like having a chat with you," Kuzan whistled again. "Besides, wasn't it already settled that someone else is coming to handle that?"
"Is that so? Speaking of which, it really has been a long time since I've seen that brat." Zephyr sighed deeply, his eyes fixed on the horizon. "Do you think he will actually show up?"
"I'd bet on it," Kuzan smirked, a hint of gloating in his voice. "Captain Ain paid quite a heavy price, after all."
"Hmph! That bastard... to think he's fallen so low," Zephyr grumbled, though there was no real heat in it. "If he really dares to show his face in front of me, I will have to beat him up Ain's behalf."
"Need a hand with that?"
"No need! Disciplining one's own student is a teacher's duty. It's just..." Zephyr turned, his eyes narrowing as he stared expressionlessly at the younger man. "Why do I get the feeling you can't wait to watch me beat that brat? What exactly is your objective?"
"You guessed right." Kuzan didn't bother to deny it. He nodded and whistled casually. "I'm definitely interested in the show."
"Do you have a grudge against the kid?"
"I do."
"What kind of grudge?"
"You'll understand once you get to the East Blue."
"The East Blue?" Zephyr frowned, studying Kuzan. He fell silent for a moment before turning back to the sea. "If it's a trivial matter, I hope you can... for my sake... let it slide."
Kuzan fell silent. He sighed. 'Zephyr-sensei is still the same as always.'
Even in these final days, he was trying to look out for his students. 'However...'
Kuzan didn't know exactly what that brat planned to do, but perhaps he really had a way to stop Zephyr from walking that final path?
Thinking of this, Kuzan stretched lazily. "I'd certainly do it for you, Zephyr-sensei. But I'm afraid your reputation won't carry much weight with him."
He turned his head to look at his old teacher. "Perhaps you really should go to the East Blue, Zephyr-sensei. Go see what that brat has actually done. Once you're there, you could even visit Romance Dawn to relax. Oh, right."
His eyes narrowed into a playful smile. "If you go, remember to drop Vice Admiral Garp's name. He has a VIP membership, you'll get a discount."
"..."
Zephyr fell silent again. A faint smile touched his lips as he gazed ahead. "Romance Dawn in the East Blue? Garp goes there too? Judging by your tone, it sounds interesting. If I get the chance, I'll go take a look."
As he spoke, the outline of an island grew larger on the horizon. His expression sobered, his tone turning icy.
"The next End Point is approaching. If you don't intend to stop me, stay out of the way. But if you try to interfere, I won't hold back! Admiral Kuzan!"
Kuzan remained lying down, making no move to stand. "Please, be my guest."
*Puru puru~ Puru puru~*
The Den Den Mushi suddenly rang.
Kuzan answered it with a languid drawl. "Hello? Who is this? Oh... oh. Apologies. Please inform Fleet Admiral Sengoku that I'm currently in the East Blue, so I likely won't make it in time."
Zephyr's corner of his mouth twitched as he watched. 'This brat actually dares to lie to Marine Headquarters right in front of me? Is he not afraid of Sengoku making him write reports until he dies?'
"I've received critical intelligence that needs my urgent attention. The Devil Child has indeed appeared in the East Blue." Ignoring Zephyr's exasperated stare, Kuzan's expression feigned seriousness as he spoke into the receiver. "I really can't make it-"
He didn't get to finish the sentence.
A Neo Marine soldier sprinted over, reporting urgently, "Supreme Commander Zephyr! A warship has appeared off the coast. Observations suggest it is a small vessel from a Four Seas Branch."
Instantly, Kuzan froze.
His expression sharpened, and he barked into the Den Den Mushi, "Actually, I can make it! Tell the Fleet Admiral I'm engaging the target immediately!"
Marine HQ Den Den Mushi said in confusion, "Huh?"
Zephyr also looked confused.
The surrounding soldiers looked at Admiral Kuzan with bewildered expressions.
'This Marine Admiral... is being a bit shameless, isn't he?'
"This is my sworn duty as a Marine Admiral! I have to follow the commands from Fleet Admiral!" Kuzan nodded solemnly to no one in particular. "That's it then, bye-bye!"
He slammed the receiver down, stood up leisurely, and turned to Zephyr with a gloating grin. "I thought Dante would wait until the very end to show up. I didn't expect him to be so fast. Please rest assured, Zephyr-sensei, I definitely won't disturb you two. I'm just going down to get some snacks!"
Zephyr was speechless, but he chose to ignore the man's antics. He turned his attention to the approaching island and the small Marine warship that had indeed appeared in his line of sight. He frowned slightly. "Has Dante really... come?"
He huffed coldly, the complexity in his voice vanishing instantly. He rolled up his sleeves, his aura turning frigid.
"Let's go! Let me see if the student I was once so proud of truly has the ability to stop me!"
'Dante... just how much have you grown? And how far have you fallen?'
===============
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