The sea wind howled.
The Navy, which had suffered devastating losses in the Summit War, received another piece of terrible news today.
Former Marine Admiral Zephyr had defected with a large number of Marine soldiers and equipment because his ideals no longer aligned with those of the Navy.
Marineford, still undergoing repairs.
When the news arrived, everyone was incredulous.
Yet there was no denying that Marineford, the island hailed as the world's greatest fortress, was once again shrouded in dark clouds.
Clearly, he knew that the World Government and the Navy had wronged Zephyr.
Sengoku, who should have retired in the original timeline, still occupied the position of Fleet Admiral because the Navy had failed to achieve its expected victory in the Summit War, and his presence was needed to maintain internal stability afterward.
Confused expressions appeared on the faces of most Marines.
The smoke-filled conference room's doors were suddenly thrown open.
"Impossible! Teacher Zephyr could never cooperate with pirates. This must be a coincidence.
"Furthermore, according to our confirmed intelligence, when Golden Lion attacked Fush Island, we discovered traces of Teacher Zephyr in the waters along the edge of Fush Island!"
Bang!
The solid wooden table shattered instantly.
"Could Teacher Zephyr really have betrayed justice and joined forces with pirates?"
And now, such a man had led his last batch of students out of the Navy and become pirates.
The Marine colonel who had just burst in to report the news was drenched in sweat as he faced the oppressive questioning of so many high-ranking officers.
When a stack of photographs was produced, all the Marines who had just defended Zephyr fell silent.
After all, a former admiral who had once represented the Navy's justice had defected to sea.
The glow of the cigarette flickered on and off.
Chief