Zephyr, Take Enel With You!

Summer of 1513 in the Sea Circle Calendar.

The afternoon sun in Marineford was so intense it made people sleepy. In the Vice Admiral's office, there were piles of documents half a person's height, the pages rustling in the sea breeze.

Not again?

Ron, clutching a logistics report, leaned back in his chair, his face full of helplessness.

"How come this lieutenant Vice Admiral gets involved in so many things the more he does?"

Luo sat at the opposite table, head down checking the application documents for leading an independent team, without even looking up. "Master, you only spent a total of seven days in the office last month."

Seven days isn't enough?

Vergo looked up from behind the pile of documents, his face expressionless, and added, "I wrote almost all of last month's brigade report."

Ron glanced at the two men and cleared his throat. "Can't you two show some respect for your superior?"

"Then please sign this supply form first."

"... Give it to me."

After signing the report, Ron turned to the next one.

"Hey, the number of Adventure Group registrations has gone up again?"

"Um."

Vergo nodded.

"Several trade routes that were blocked by pirates a while ago have reopened."

"Not bad, at least the work wasn't in vain."

Luo handed over another list.

"We've also found something in Caesar's shipping records. The navy has raided several underground trading points in the past few days, and the seized smuggled raw materials are still being inventoried."

Ron turned two pages.

"If only I had forced Caesar to keep two more sets of accounts."

He had just finished muttering to himself when the dedicated Den Den Mushi on the corner of the table suddenly rang.

Vergo immediately put down his pen.

This is a dedicated line for the New World's secret intelligence network; they rarely call directly here.

"Vice Admiral Ron! There's new information from Onigashima!"

"Explain."

"Those suspicious ships that were discovered earlier have been confirmed to be connected to the Beasts Pirates!"

"Some people are also infiltrating the first half of the Grand Line in batches, specifically to acquire ocean current data and Eternal Pose near Impel Down."

"Some are even inquiring about the rules governing the opening of the Gate of Justice!"

Luo put down his pen.

"Even the Gate of Justice is starting to inquire?"

Vergo frowned.

"It seems Kaido really intends to break out of prison."

"Pretty close."

Ron unfolded the nautical chart.

"This time, it's no joke."

"That's Impel Down! How dare he?!"

That's why I said he was brave.

Ron pointed to the nautical chart.

"The Gate of Justice, the Calm Belt, Magellan —none of them are just for show."

"But when has Kaido ever been reasonable?"

"Do we need reinforcements?" Vergo asked.

"Yes, but don't block the prison gates with warships."

"If a fight really breaks out there, the prisoners inside might actually thank us."

Law suddenly asked, "What if Kaido just barges in from the sky?"

Ron smiled.

"Then let him get past me first."

He put away the nautical chart.

"Let's go borrow a boat from that old man from the Sengoku."

In the Fleet Admiral's Office, Sengoku was frowning as he looked at the warship dispatch schedule when the door was rudely pushed open.

"Old man, lend me a few boats."

What are you doing?

"Go out on patrol."

Sengoku suddenly looked up, sized him up for three seconds, and asked in a suspicious tone, "You? Voluntarily went on patrol???"

What kind of look is that?

"I thought you were here to ask for another vacation!"

Ron handed over the intelligence.

Sengoku turned two pages, and his face instantly darkened.

Where are you planning to go?

"Let's circle around the outer routes first. If we run into Kaido, we can have a go at this 'Strongest Creature'."

"Ron!"

Sengoku slammed his fist on the table. "That's Kaido! Don't mistake a sea patrol for a duel!"

"I know, I don't plan to demolish Impel Down."

"Your tone makes me uneasy in the slightest!"

Ron smiled. "I'll keep the battlefield on the perimeter so you and Magellan can have some peace of mind."

"Ordinary warships should keep their distance; soldiers don't need to force their way in."

Sengoku stared at him for a few seconds.

"Three warships, is that enough?"

"That's enough, too many people will only get in the way."

Sengoku picked up a pen and signed his name on the transfer order.

"Remember, report any sightings of Kaido immediately. Don't let the battle escalate to the vicinity of Impel Down!"

"Rest assured."

"And another thing! Don't throw your Den Den Mushi aside just because you see a strong person!"

Ron had already reached the door when his voice drifted in. "Don't worry, old man, I'm very proactive in answering the phone!"

Sengoku looked at the closed door, took a deep breath, and shook his head helplessly. "That kid always says the same thing..."

At the main Port, a training ship was loading supplies, and dozens of young Marines were working hard, their brows covered in sweat.

"Hurry up!"

Zephyr stood beside the diving board, his voice booming, "This is a real-world combat training trip to the New World, not a sightseeing tour!"

Binz ran over with his luggage on his back, almost bumping into Marine carrying a suitcase.

Ain clutched the roster, head bowed, calling out names one by one, beads of sweat glistening on her forehead.

Ron, leading Law and Vergo by, smiled and raised his hand to greet them, "Professor Zephyr!"

"Ron?"

Zephyr turned around, his brows relaxing slightly.

"Aren't you supposed to be so busy you barely have time to breathe? You still have time to stroll around the Port?"

"I was ordered to go on patrol. Are you taking the students to New World?"

"We can't spend our whole lives hitting wooden stakes on the training field."

Zephyr patted the side of the boat.

"Let them see real pirates, so they won't be unable to even hold a gun properly after graduation."

"That's true."

Ron glanced at Ain and Binz, who were busy at work.

"Oh, right, teacher."

"Um?"

How about I add someone to your contacts?

"Who?"

Enel.

Zephyr was stunned. "That kid's already Rear Admiral, why bring him along?"

"Ever since we captured a Shichibukai, everyone's started slacking off on the training field."

Ron said in a serious tone, "It's a good opportunity to go to sea with you, set an example for the Recruits, and also teach him a lesson about his arrogance."

Zephyr pondered for two seconds and thought it made a lot of sense.

"Alright, let him come on the ship."

"If we really encounter pirates, at least we can open the eyes of these kids."

After saying that, he roared towards the training area, his voice echoing across the dock. "Enel! Get over here!"

Several Recruits nearby were so startled that their hands trembled, and they almost dropped the wooden crate into the sea.

A moment later, a flash of lightning appeared in the distance.

Sizzle--

Enel emerged from the lightning and immediately stood at attention upon seeing Zephyr: "Zephyr! Rear Admiral Enel reporting for duty!"

Luo suppressed a laugh and slowly added, "You arrived quite quickly, Rear Admiral General."

"What's it to you, kid!"

Enel glared at him.

Zephyr coughed.

Enel instantly composed himself, even gripping his Golden Staff ramrod straight.

The deck of the training ship suddenly became lively.

"Rear Admiral Enel?!"

When Ain saw who it was, her eyes lit up.

Binz's eyes widened. "Do you want to come out to sea with us?"

A group of Recruits swarmed around, chattering amongst themselves.

"I heard you single-handedly captured the Shichibukai, Hanafuda!"

"Rear Admiral General, are you really going to release the Thunderbird?!"

"Can you show us?"

Enel grew increasingly smug, hands on his hips, and burst into laughter. "Hahaha! Finally, someone who knows their stuff! A mere Hanafuda isn't even good enough to warm me up!"

"At that moment, I raised my hand—"

Bang!

Zephyr punched him on the forehead.

"You're here to lead Recruits as a role model, not to brag!"

Enel clutched his head, his eyes wide with shock. "Master! I'm Rear Admiral now, for goodness' sake!"

"So what if Rear Admiral? I've beaten up more than one Admiral back in the day!"

Enel's lips twitched, and he swallowed the rest of his sentence.

Several Recruits were trying so hard not to laugh that their faces turned bright red.

Binz nudged Ain with his elbow and whispered, "So even Rear Admiral can get beaten up..."

Ain quickly tugged at him, signaling him to shut up.

Luo leaned against the railing, laughing so hard he was slapping his knees.

"Yay haha..."

Enel still wanted to save face.

"Stand still!"

"Yes!"

Before setting sail, Ron called Enel to the stern.

"You're really going to throw me into a group of students?"

Enel rubbed his head.

"I still have tasks to complete!"

"I've already had Vergo adjust it for you."

"Keep a close eye on things this time."

"What are you staring at?"

Ron nodded toward Zephyr.

"Teacher, and what about that boatload of students?"

Enel was stunned.

"Zephyr is a former Admiral, who can hurt him?"

"He's a former Admiral, not someone who's immune to injury."

Ron looked at him.

"Don't interfere with the Recruits ' fights; let them practice on their own."

"Only step in if you encounter an enemy they can't handle."

Enel's smile vanished.

"Clear."

"Besides."

Ron patted him on the shoulder.

"Bring back the same number of people you sent."

Enel grinned.

"Hahaha! Don't worry! With me here, who dares to touch them?"

"That would be best."

Ron glanced at his head.

"There are fewer people here when I come back. I'm not like Professor Zephyr, who can just knock once and be done with it."

"... knew!"

Shortly afterward, several warships departed from the main Port.

Zephyr's training ship turned first and headed towards the New World.

Meanwhile, Ron led a patrol formation of three warships straight to the waters surrounding Impel Down.

The two teams quickly separated.

Standing on the deck, Luo looked back at the gradually shrinking silhouette of the training ship and suddenly asked, "Master, did you really only send Enel to follow Teacher Zephyr because he was too free?"

"What, doesn't it look like it?"

"I suspect you're hiding something from us."

Ron smiled but didn't reply.

Vergo walked over with the flight path map in his hand.

"The outer patrol points have been confirmed. Which area should we check first?"

Ron pointed to a body of water where the ocean currents met.

"Go here first."

"Upon arrival, the three ships were inspected separately."

"Report if you spot the Beasts Pirates; don't engage them yet."

Vergo nodded.

"Clear."

Ron looked up at the distant sea.

"I hope Kaido doesn't make my trip a waste."