"Master Zephyr—Weevil's not going anywhere!"
A sharp voice rang out from the distance.
Everyone on the dock froze.
Even Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral, wouldn't dare say something like that at a moment this tense.
To say it now?
It could only mean one thing: pushing Zephyr to betray the Navy.
The Marines' faces turned grim.
Only the CP0 agents, Spandine among them, smiled wider.
This was exactly what they wanted.
If Zephyr defected now, they could force Sengoku's hand—turn this into a public execution of justice.
—
As chaotic thoughts raced through everyone's minds, they turned toward the voice.
And when they saw who it was, their pupils shrank.
—
"Ain… what did you just say?" Binz shouted, face pale with fury.
"Have you lost your mind? We only survived Weevil's slaughter because Master Zephyr gave up his arm! And now you side with our enemy?"
—
He'd always believed Ain, who had also survived, would stand with them.
But now?
He couldn't accept it.
—
"Binz, shut up." Zephyr raised a hand to stop him.
His expression shifted, then deflated like a balloon.
He looked at Ain, voice cold.
—
"Ain, as your teacher, I respect your choice. But tell me—why? Did I do something wrong?"
—
"No, Master. I just… I just feel this world is unjust. That justice has been shamed."
—
Her voice echoed across the dock.
By the end, she couldn't keep it low.
Several Marine officers flinched, guilt flashing across their faces.
If they had a choice, they'd stand with Zephyr.
But did they?
—
Sensing the shift, Spandine's grin widened.
He stepped forward.
—
"Heh… Zephyr, don't forget. The Navy is just the World Government's tool—meant to carry out the Five Elders' will."
"And in that regard, your student has more clarity than you."
—
"Recruit Ain, please repeat what you just said. Tell your teacher—who can't leave?"
—
All eyes turned to Ain.
Even Sengoku and Garp looked anxious.
One wrong word now, and everything could collapse.
—
Ain, breathless from running, had only received Binz's message on the way back.
She hadn't had time to talk to anyone.
Now, seeing the tension, she realized she'd misspoken.
—
"No, Master Zephyr—you misunderstood!" she said quickly.
"Weevil really can't leave. I mean it—he literally can't."
—
Can't leave?
Everyone blinked.
The first time, it sounded like defiance.
But the second time—with that emphasis?
Only a fool wouldn't catch the meaning.
—
Especially when they remembered who had gone to invite Weevil:
Luoyu.
The unpredictable new Admiral.
Everyone's heart skipped a beat.
What did he do this time?
—
Spandine's smile faltered.
He snapped:
—
"Recruit Ain, what nonsense are you spouting? Weevil is the Five Elders' chosen Warlord. Of course he's not going anywhere."
"You went with that arrogant rookie to invite him. So where is Weevil now?"
—
Everyone turned toward the docked warship.
And when they saw what was being carried off—
Their eyes widened in shock.
—
Now they understood why Ain kept saying Weevil couldn't leave.
How could someone without legs walk away?
—
On a stretcher lay a bandaged figure, wrapped like a mummy.
Both legs—gone.
—
Everyone was stunned.
Just moments ago, Spandine had boasted that Weevil was the new Warlord.
The one who slaughtered Marines.
The one who took Zephyr's arm.
—
And now?
He'd arrived at Marineford—
Carried in.
—
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!" Miss Bakkin wailed, hobbling forward on a cane, also wrapped in bandages.
"My son is just a child! He was only joking with that new Admiral, and now look at him!"
"This violates the agreement between the Warlords and the Government! If you don't give us justice, who will respect the Warlords again?"
—
Spandine snapped out of it first.
—
"So this is the new Admiral?" he roared. "You dare attack someone chosen by the Five Elders? You've trampled the Warlord system!"
"If you don't give us an explanation today, don't blame us for what comes next!"
—
"Oh?" Luoyu leapt down from the warship, took a swig from his gourd, and said lazily:
—
"So it's you again—the fake CP0 guy."
"You just said it yourself—I'm new. I don't know the rules."
"When I got to Urs Island, I hadn't even shown the invitation yet. He attacked me first."
"So technically, I hit him before he became a Warlord."
"And besides—everyone saw it. He's just a kid. I never laid a hand on him."
"How could I have hit him?"
—
"I can vouch for Admiral Luoyu," Vice Admiral Momonga stepped forward.
"Weevil went berserk and attacked. Admiral Luoyu never moved."
"If Weevil's like this now… he probably tripped."
—