How Can the Marines Ever Improve with Vermin Like You?

Naval Base G-5.

At the port.

"I don't know how the government found out about this. I had clearly ordered everyone not to reveal to the government the purpose of Weevil and his mother's visit here."

The Vice Admiral base commander, stood on the shore, gritting his teeth. "It must have been some bastard in the base who leaked the information to curry favor with the higher-ups!"

"Now there are only two Shichibukai left, and this organization that the government has spent a lot of effort building is almost destroyed."

"Even finding a suitable candidate at sea isn't easy these days, so the government certainly won't let Weevil slip through their fingers after learning about this!"

Edward Weevil.

This guy who claims to be Whitebeard's son may not be very famous, but his strength is truly legendary.

"Shut up!"

The naval hero gave a low shout.

He turned to look at his old friend, who was sitting blankly on the shore, gazing at the sea.

Garp took a deep breath, took out a Den Den Mushi, and dialed.

Shortly after, the call was connected.

"Garp? You bastard, your call comes at just the right time!"

A cold voice came from the other end of the phone, "Tell Zephyr to stop that guy from doing anything reckless."

"The Shichibukai are involved in a crucial government plan and cannot simply disappear. Weevil can serve as a prime example."

"What nonsense are you spouting?!"

The already hot-tempered naval hero instantly flew into a rage. "What about those young men who were killed by that damned mother and son? Did they die in vain?"

"They are the future of the Navy!"

"They attacked first, Garp."

The Gorosei said indifferently, "According to the intelligence we have, Weevil and his mother came specifically to accept the invitation to become Shichibukai. If they weren't attacked, why would they have made a move?"

"Isn't it only natural for the navy to fight pirates?"

Garp was practically gritting his teeth. Since when did attacking pirates become something that needed to be condemned?

"In short, this matter is settled. If Zephyr still wants to take on students, we can just select another batch for him; we have as many as he wants."

The Gorosei said indifferently, "Since this mission failed, we will not hold you responsible for the time being."

"But the base commander of G-5 dared to hide this from us. Let him prepare to face a military court."

The Vice Admiral base commander standing to the side was deathly pale, his fists clenched.

The call has ended.

"Damn it!!"

Hero Garp slammed his fist into a nearby pillar, shattering the solid concrete pillar into pieces with a single blow.

Aokiji lowered his eyes and remained silent.

Back in Ohara, it was the innocent civilians who were abandoned; now, are it the insignificant navy personnel who are being abandoned?

"Zephyr ..."

Garp turned to look at his old friend, who had been expressionless and silent since earlier.

He could clearly sense the desolation in his old friend's heart, but at that moment he didn't know how to comfort him.

How can we get him to let go of this?

Zephyr has always been a man bound by his emotions.

Just like when his family was killed by pirates, he gave up fighting on the front lines and instead focused his energy on training new people.

This time, the blow he suffered was probably much greater than the last one.

"Ha ha ha ha!"

Zephyr suddenly burst into laughter.

He took off the pair of gold-rimmed glasses that he always wore on his nose and stood up unsteadily.

"Teacher Zephyr!"

The Vice Admiral base commander tried to help him up, but Zephyr waved him away.

The man staggered away.

"Teacher Zephyr ..."

The base commander stared blankly at his retreating figure.

Why does the back of that man he admires, that Teacher Zephyr whom he takes as his role model, look so desolate?

"... Mr. Garp?"

Aokiji's voice was low and deep. He didn't look up, but just quietly looked at the ants on the ground. "Do something, hurry up and do something."

If we don't do something soon, everything will be beyond repair.

"..."

The naval hero didn't speak; he simply gazed silently at the sea.

What can we do now?

Zephyr walked unsteadily into the base building in a daze.

The two walking towards us were Weevil and his mother.

Weevil was still a little afraid of him and instinctively dodged to the side.

But Miss Bajin, perched on his shoulders, was incredibly arrogant. The old woman, looking at the dejected Zephyr, couldn't help but mock him.

"Even a former Admiral of the Navy couldn't defy the will of the World Government after all!"

"Hahaha! From now on, we're on the same team, so please take care of me!"

Zephyr froze for a moment, but immediately acted as if he hadn't heard anything and continued to stagger forward.

For some reason, Miss Ba Jin suddenly felt a pang of panic and quickly patted her simple-minded son's head, urging, "Weevil! We have to go!"

Having already received a promise from the government to become a new Shichibukai, there's no need for him to stay here any longer.

I have a feeling this guy is going crazy.

Miss Bajin thought to herself as she watched Zephyr's retreating figure.

Zephyr arrived at the hospital room in Gion.

Now that they've returned to the base, Vice Admiral Momousagi has naturally been moved from the ship's ward to the base's deluxe ward.

"Gion ..."

After closing the door, Zephyr slumped to the floor, leaning against the wall and resting his head against it. He stared blankly at the window opposite.

"You once asked me if the Navy's justice was true justice?"

"Actually, I didn't know how to answer at that time."

Gion was really lost back then.

He was captured by that bastard Ian and used as a hostage in a deal with the government, where he learned a lot about the government's dark secrets.

She had actually asked many senior colleagues for advice in secret.

But nothing came of it.

"But, Gion, this time I think I have the answer."

The navy's chief instructor gradually clenched his fist.

Ian's bent Seastone right arm clenched so tightly it cracked.

"Justice does not lie with the Navy, nor with the World Government!"

"They're supposed to be an army protecting the people, a government representing the will of the world, yet they keep compromising with pirates!"

He gritted his teeth, "How can we end this Great Pirate Era while dealing with these insects? How can we defeat a monster like Ian?"

"The world of pirates has undergone tremendous changes, but the World Government and the Navy remain unchanged from eight hundred years ago!"

"The army of justice has become utterly corrupt and has been completely reduced to a tool for the World Government to rule the world!"

Zephyr had never realized this so clearly before.

Whether it's the navy or pirates, there's really no difference to the World Government.

Anyone is the same as long as they can serve them and help them rule the world.

It doesn't matter whether it's good or evil; World Government wants is to maintain its rule over the world.

How could World Government like this possibly defeat someone like Ian?

"Since that's the case!"

Zephyr took a deep breath. "Then let me change all of this!"

Even if he can't completely change everything, at least he can still serve as a spark, bringing a different kind of flame to this world.

Perhaps one day, these tiny sparks will become a prairie fire.

Zephyr's eyes were resolute, and the previous dejection had completely disappeared.

This painful experience, ironically, spurred him to make up his mind.

This strengthened his resolve, which had been shaken by his crushing defeat at Ian's hands.

He finally found something he wanted to do again, and he finally mustered up his courage and strengthened his resolve.

"Zephyr... Teacher..."

A faint sound came from the hospital bed.

Zephyr's resolute gaze was suddenly replaced by surprise, and he quickly leaned closer, "Gion? You're awake?"

Vice Admiral Momousagi, who had been beaten to the brink of death by Ian and had just escaped death, slowly opened her eyes. A little color returned to her pale face, and her voice was very weak as she asked, "Am I still alive?"

"Of course he's still alive!"

Zephyr felt a lump in his throat. "Thank goodness, you're still alive!"

This disciple at least didn't die!

She survived.

That's great, that's really great!

"Teacher Zephyr ..."

Gion turned her head with difficulty to look at Zephyr, her voice so soft it was almost inaudible, "I... I heard what you just said."

"I thought I was dreaming."

Zephyr paused slightly, then raised his hand to wipe his eyes. "How embarrassing! Did you hear my grumbling? Just pretend you didn't hear it, Gion. Just pretend you were dreaming."

"No,"

Gion shook her head gently, trying to speak. "Teacher Zephyr, I... I'll go with you..."

Zephyr's eyes widened. "Gion, what did you say?"

Vice Admiral Momousagi simply smiled slightly. "Senior Kuzan told me to observe more, but now, after observing for so long, I just feel that perhaps it's time to go outside the Navy and take a look."

She had actually been paying attention to the World Government and the Celestial Dragons all along.

To put it simply, every time she noticed what the Celestial Dragons had done, it was a huge blow to her sense of justice.

"... I see?"

Zephyr nodded gently. "You should get some rest. I won't bother you anymore."

With that, he opened the door to the ward and went out.

Outside the door, Aokiji stood leaning against the wall.

Zephyr pulled the door shut, and the master and apprentice met eyes.

"..."

Aokiji said nothing.

Zephyr remained silent.

After a long while.

"Let's wait a bit longer, at least until Gion's injuries have healed."

Aokiji finally spoke, "You can also go to the Science Unit to get your arm replaced, and take me with you while you're at it."

He shook his bare left upper arm. "I'm also planning to ask the doctor to get me a prosthetic arm."

"Kuzan..."

Zephyr pursed his lips, then said seriously, "Or, you and I..."

Aokiji shook his head and said calmly, "Teacher Zephyr, I want to go find someone."

I want to ask him what he was thinking at the time.

Zephyr nodded slightly.

He could sense that even his prized disciple had lost faith in the navy.

Or rather, ever since Ohara, Kuzan has been disillusioned with the Navy. The passionate Kuzan of yesteryear is gone, replaced by the lazy Aokiji.

But now, he's probably ready to change.

A silent undercurrent was already stirring within the navy.

Meanwhile, Ian had already quickly returned to Hachinosu Island.

Before they even reached Hachinosu Island, news of a man named Edward Weevil becoming the new Shichibukai had already spread throughout the seas.

"Hahaha, this is going to be interesting!"

Ian laughed heartily, holding the newspaper. "I really can't wait to see how this unfolds!"

Zephyr's original life trajectory was to betray the Navy after Weevil became Shichibukai.

Now, with his arm severed and his disciple killed, Weevil has become the new Shichibukai.

All three conditions have been met. What will Mr. Zephyr choose next?

Ian was really curious.

It's worth mentioning that Vergo benefited from this incident.

His actions were completely different from those of the naval officers at G-5 who chose to keep secrets, and the World Government truly recognized his loyalty.

Thus, Lieutenant Colonel Vergo transformed into Brigadier General Vergo, saving him at least three or four years of his life.

Although this made his situation in G-5 somewhat delicate—everyone else was being reprimanded by their superiors, but he was the only one promoted—anyone who wasn't a fool could see perfectly well why.

But what harm is there in that?

Loyalty is a fundamental requirement of the World Government for its navy.

As long as the government still believes in his loyalty, Vergo will actually be valued.

Of course, Weevil's becoming a new Shichibukai still caused some ripples on the seas.

"That bastard actually became Shichibukai!"

Whitebeard Pirates gritted Vista teeth, "Shameless enough to call himself the Pops's son! He'll get what's coming to him one day!"

"It doesn't matter,"

Whitebeard didn't care about that at all, "Kurararara! You are my real family!"

He's never had anything going on with any woman, how could he possibly have a biological son?

Onigashima.

"Mwahahaha!"

Uncle Queen had taken some time out of his busy schedule to read the newspaper, laughed heartily, "This kid has actually become a new Shichibukai?"

"I actually feel quite accomplished!"

This kid is their creation!

After Ian returned to Hachinosu Island, he summoned Tesoro.

She showed him the Vampire Fruit.

To everyone's surprise, Tesoro waved his hands repeatedly, "Let's forget it, Lord Ian. This fruit is too precious; it would be a waste to give it to me."

"Don't underestimate yourself, Tesoro,"

Ian smiled and said, "You have great potential."

"It's not that I'm belittling myself, Lord Ian, but I'm just too busy with work every day and simply don't have time to train, so I can't fully unleash the power of this Devil Fruit."

Tesoro said apologetically, "Thank you for your kind offer, but I'm really not suitable."

Is that so?

Ian didn't insist.

With Tesoro being so loyal, what more could he say?

Let's leave this fruit here for now and see if Tesoro will change his mind, or if there will be someone more suitable.

After returning to Hachinosu Island, I rested for more than a month.

Sometime after that.

An explosive news story spread throughout the world.

The Chief Instructor of the Marine Headquarters, former Admiral, Black Arm Zeff, has defected from the Navy!