Black Arm Zephyr's Surgery

Marineford.

Document printing room.

"Lord Kizaru... you're a rare guest indeed..."

Captain Allison Gale, who was in charge of the printing room, rubbed his eyes several times before he could confirm the identity of the tall man in front of him.

It wasn't that Captain Gale didn't recognize the famous Admiral Kizaru Borsalino, but rather that it was highly unusual for this man to appear in a place like the document printing room.

If Gale remembered correctly, this was the first time Admiral Kizaru had appeared here during the four or five years he had been in charge of the printing room.

"Oh, so the Marine Headquarters really does have a place like this?"

Kizaru scratched his old face with his fingers, looking like he'd discovered something amazing. "Wow~"

Gail was speechless.

Marine Headquarters has a document printing room... how novel!

In the entire Marine Headquarters, who hasn't printed documents here besides you?

On what occasion, when are the generals not here to print documents, work reports, or battle summaries for meetings or task assignments?

Surely only you, the notoriously Salted Fish Admiral Borsalino, have never prepared these things before?

Of course, Gale wouldn't dare say such a thing to Kizaru.

Don't let the man's nonchalant appearance fool you; he's a genuine top-tier fighter in the world!

Even if he openly slacked off, the Fleet Admiral couldn't do anything about it, let alone a lowly clerk like himself.

Kizaru looked left and right, fiddling with the machine here and there, tapping on it with his knuckles, like a curious child.

Finally, he pulled a Den Den Mushi) from his pocket, which was decorated with a naval emblem and a smaller penguin emblem.

Gail recognized this Den Den Mushi).

This is the Military Affairs Communicator PX-1 Den Den Mushi) introduced by the Marine Headquarters; every officer of the rank of major and above is issued one.

Gale was only a captain, not high enough in rank to have seen it.

In reality, only a few people knew that this so-called procurement plan for the PX-1 military communication system was actually a promise made by Fleet Admiral Sengoku to the Big Bird Consortium during the Loguetown War in order to stop the broadcast and negotiate peace with Shanks.

It's just a procurement project worth one billion Beli, which is nothing to the wealthy Marine Headquarters.

However, these Den Den Mushi) are now becoming increasingly popular among high-ranking military officers.

Following the example set by their superiors, many junior officers and even soldiers began purchasing these Den Den Mushi) at their own expense.

Gale initially thought the rumors might be a bit exaggerated, but now that he saw Admiral Kizaru, known for his laziness, actually applying a protective film to this Den Den Mushi, he couldn't help but become curious.

Is it really that useful?

Should I use this month's salary to buy one?

Before Gale could make a decision, Kizaru had already bent down:

Could you please print out this information for me? Thanks!

"Yes, Lord Kizaru!"

Gail quickly bowed and respectfully accepted the Den Den Mushi.

"Den Den Mushi that can display documents? That's amazing!"

After casually offering a compliment, Gale imitated Kizaru's demonstration, carefully swiping the screen with his finger and typing on a typewriter.

Until the 2020s, the Japan civil service system had not yet phased out fax machines, so expecting the Marine Headquarters to evolve from a small Mobile Den Den Mushi to a paperless office was basically impossible.

They lack the motivation.

Except for the Fleet Admiral Sengoku!

Unfortunately, the Sengoku was, after all, a stubborn old man, and he had not yet realized what he had missed.

Kizaru picked up the freshly printed document, which was six centimeters thick, and a smile appeared on his face without any attempt to hide it.

"Speaking of which... Lord Kizaru, in the last two months, the frequency and size of documents that our superiors have been sending to print have been increasing. Do you know what's going on?"

After finishing the nearly 150,000-word report, Gale was drenched in sweat. He couldn't help but think about the unusual things that had been happening at headquarters lately, "Could it be... could it be that another major war is about to break out?"

"Oh dear, this is a high-level secret, you'd better not ask about it."

Kizaru shook his head, clutched the thick stack of documents, and left with a beaming expression.

Blue blue blue~

Not long after Kizaru left, the landline phone in the printing room rang.

Gale Den Den Mushi, and the authoritative voice of Fleet Admiral Sengoku rang out. "Captain Gale!"

"Yes, Fleet Admiral!"

Gale was taken aback, never expecting that the highest-ranking officer in the Marine Headquarters would call a mere captain like himself, and he was immediately filled with a great sense of honor.

There was almost a hissing sound coming from the other end of the phone.

The sound was strange, like the sound of a book being rubbed against the ground.

With a gurgling sound, it seemed as if something had been swallowed by the Fleet Admiral Sengoku.

Gale was very puzzled, but soon, the Den Den Mushi brought up the voice of Fleet Admiral Sengoku again.

"Hiccup~ Hey Captain Gale, have you ever heard the saying, 'Green mountains and clear waters are invaluable assets'?"

"Ah... this... it seems... maybe..." Gale stammered.

"Remember this: environmental protection is extremely important to our world, and our Marine Headquarters must set an example!" Sengoku emphasized.

"Yes!"

Although he knew the Fleet Admiral couldn't see him, Gale still gave a serious military salute to the Den Den Mushi, "I will definitely educate the department members not to randomly identify trash!"

"It's not just about such superficial environmental protection measures!"

Sengoku stated in an unquestionable tone, "I hereby order you to use environmentally friendly materials such as carrot juice, vegetable fiber, butter, and honey to produce printing paper and ink, effective immediately. This is a matter of great importance concerning the reputation of the navy, and it must be implemented as soon as possible!"

"That's rare, Borsalino, you seem quite pleased?"

"Yo~ Sakazuki, what's up? Did they take care of those brats from the West Blue?"

"Yes, including all those scum who've gathered together."

"You're still the same old you, so cruel to newcomers—you're really stingy!"

As both Admirals and Logia Devil Fruit Users, Kizaru and Akainu share a deep bond.

They were not only fellow villagers who enlisted in the army in the same year, but also classmates in the same class. Although they had very different personalities, they had a very deep personal relationship.

Four years later, Sengoku retired, Kuzan fled, Fujitora disobeyed orders, Ryokugyu was outwardly compliant but inwardly defiant, and the Five Elders openly despised and showed no respect. Only Kizaru, though still carefree, stood by Akainu's side without complaint when Akainu needed support the most.

Even now, Kizaru is one of the few people who can make Akainu relax his tense nerves and crack a few jokes.

"That..."

Kizaru glanced at the pile of documents in Akainu's arms and shrugged. "I advise you to go see the Fleet Admiral later. He's probably... a bit full right now..."

Akainu paused for a moment, then gave his old classmate a look that said, "So you're not exactly a kind soul after all." He continued, "In that case, Borsalino, why don't you come with me to see the teacher? Kuzan seems to have gone there quite early this morning."

"Teacher?"

Kizaru was stunned for a moment, and Zephyr a burly, purple-haired middle-aged man involuntarily flashed into his mind— Black Arm Zephyr!

On a sunny afternoon, in a classroom brimming with youthful energy, the young-faced Akainu is diligently taking notes, while the equally young Kizaru...

He lay lazily on his desk, like a Salted Fish.

Bang!

Suddenly, a huge Riot Games landed less than a centimeter in front of Kizaru's nose, and the iron desk instantly deformed.

"Borsalino, if you sleep in my class again, I'll hang you on the flagpole!"

"Dig within, dig within..."

Kizaru mumbled a few words in a half-awake state, turned over, and tried to fall asleep again.

Duang!

This time, Riot Games imbued with Armament Haki, transforming into Black Arm, landed directly on his head.

A moment later, Kizaru, with a large bump on his head, was hanging from the flagpole, flailing his limbs incessantly. "You old bastard, put me down—put me down—damn it, I'll kill you one day!"

On the playground, the students all burst into laughter, and the purple-haired middle-aged man also laughed and shouted, "Kill me? Borsalino, you'd never be able to do that even in thirty years!"

"What an annoying old man..."

Shaking his head, Kizaru banished those distant memories from his mind.

It was only then that he realized he had unknowingly followed Akainu to Marineford Hospital.

This is a hospital specifically for providing medical services to wounded naval soldiers, and it also has certain connections with Vegapunk's laboratory.

To his surprise, besides Kuzan Kuzan quietly reading in the corner, Vice Admiral Garp, Vice Admiral Tsuru, and even Fleet Admiral Sengoku, whom he had just met, were also there.

"Our navy's hospitals are terrible!"

Garp munched on handfuls of beef jerky, clearly dissatisfied with the shabby hospital. "Sengoku, let me tell you, I had physiotherapy at a hospital before, that's what you call medical service..."

Sengoku nodded perfunctorily.

Physiotherapy?

How could a monster like you need something like that?!

Sengoku thought that Garp must have been secretly training recently and had developed some kind of physical ailment, which was why he thought of going for physical therapy.

Suddenly, a familiar, sleazy yellow figure appeared in their field of vision.

Sengoku raised his head and glared fiercely at Kizaru.

Seeing his boss's fiery glare, even Kizaru, with his thick skin, couldn't help but give an awkward yet polite smile.

Fortunately, it was Sengoku who couldn't hold back the next second.

Because Akainu, carrying a huge stack of documents, walked straight toward Sengoku: "Fleet Admiral, it's perfect that you're here. I was just about to go to your office to look for you."

Looking at the hefty stack of documents, Sengoku's eye twitched. "Sakazuki, today is Zephyr's Admiral day. Can't we avoid discussing official business in the hospital?"

Akainu insisted, "But, Fleet Admiral, next month is the annual spring conscription. If you can't pass the relevant plan in time, conscription work in various regions will be affected. This is a major event concerning the future of the Navy!"

Sengoku sighed and had no choice but to take the document, "Alright, let this old man take a look."

That's why Sakazuki is such a detestable guy!

Sengoku glanced at the corner of the waiting room.

In contrast, Kuzan, who was quietly reading the book, looked so adorable!

He casually flipped through two pages of the conscription plan when the operating room bell rang like heavenly music. Sengoku quickly stuffed the document into his pocket.

"Sakazuki, don't worry, I'll read your proposal carefully later."