Marineford, at the Marine Headquarters hospital
Zephyr lay on the soft hospital bed with a rosy complexion, several thick white bandages wrapped around his forehead.
Standing by his bedside was Senga, who looked embarrassed, along with the others who had come to visit Zephyr. Kalifa and Ain stood on either side of Senga Sengoku and the others stood opposite him.
Even Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru came to this hospital room.
Normally, Kizaru would never get involved in visiting a sick person, but this time the person he was visiting was different—it was his most, most, most beloved teacher, Zephyr!
How could he be absent from a time like this?
Since Zephyr doesn't seem to be seriously injured, we might as well take this opportunity to give him a proper "consolation"!
Kizaru reached out and patted the Zephyr covering Zephyr, offering a look he believed to be one of deep sorrow as he asked Zephyr's question.
"Oh dear, Professor Zephyr, are you alright? You really are something, fighting with Brother Senga at your age! That's too dangerous! You're a treasure of the Navy!"
These words, combined with Kizaru's rhythmic and expressive tone, were particularly striking.
Everyone present twitched at the Kakuzu of their mouths. Kizaru was very concerned about Zephyr's health because of his behavior.
But anyone who knows the relationship between Kizaru and Zephyr knows that this guy is definitely trying to annoy Zephyr.
As expected, Zephyr's expression darkened upon receiving Kizaru's "concern." He glanced at Kizaru and said coldly,
"Borsalino, do you think I can't tell you're being sarcastic? You probably just want me to retire in the hospital, don't you?"
"Professor Zephyr, what you said really hurt me. Everyone knows I respect you the most!"
"Heh, if you really respect me, shut your mouth now and go cool off somewhere else!"
"Okay!"
Upon hearing the teacher's kind greeting, Kizaru immediately pulled out a pair of nail clippers from his pocket and went to a corner to trim his nails.
Zephyr rolled his eyes; he was at his wits' end with this guy.
In fact, Zephyr and Kizaru's relationship isn't as bad as it seems; there's a bit of a love-hate dynamic between them.
At the end of the movie, when Kizaru unleashed the Yasakani no Magatama, a flash could be clearly seen on his sunglasses. Perhaps even Kizaru, who always seemed indifferent to everyone, had tears welling up in his eyes at that moment.
Was there a sense of bittersweet helplessness in that cry of "Goodbye, Professor Zephyr"?
After seeing Kizaru off, Zephyr looked at Senga. Although he was hospitalized thanks to Senga, there was no anger in his eyes when he looked at Senga; instead, there was only admiration.
So when Ain saw Ain pouting and pinching Senga's waist, Zephyr immediately spoke up to help Senga out of the predicament.
"Ain, stop pinching him. This time, I'm the one who wants Senga to fight me. It has nothing to do with him."
Zephyr didn't know was that Ain hadn't used any force; she was just putting on a show to avoid Zephyr blaming Senga. Given her feelings for Senga, how could she possibly bear to hurt Senga?
As expected, Ain immediately stopped what she was doing after hearing Zephyr's words, and even subtly rubbed Senga's waist.
However, how could her little tricks escape Zephyr's eyes?
Zephyr smiled helplessly. He knew Ain's feelings for Senga, so he didn't say anything.
Senga felt a little embarrassed. After defeating Zephyr with the Destructive Armament, he immediately wanted to Ishichikahime Zephyr to help him recover.
Unexpectedly, Zephyr refused after learning of his intentions, and the reason for his refusal was quite bizarre.
Zephyr said he hadn't had such a satisfying fight in a long time. This little injury was nothing to a man; it would be better if it left a scar!
That way, he can proudly point to the scar on his forehead and tell others, "This is the scar left by my favorite student, Uchiha Senga!"
To be honest, when Senga heard Zephyr's reason, she really suspected that Zephyr had broken his head.
Moreover, Zephyr was already stubborn, and now that he had eaten the Ox-King Fruit, he was even more stubborn to the extreme. He was determined not to let Senga treat him.
However, Zephyr later paid the price for this, because when Sengoku arrived and saw the condition on his forehead, he immediately called medical personnel carrying a stretcher for Zephyr.
In the end, Zephyr, still cursing and swearing, was carried onto a stretcher by a group of medical staff and taken directly to the hospital, where he is now being "publicly executed" by the crowd.
The scar he was so worried about probably can't be saved even with the doctor's treatment. In fact, after the bandages are removed, the skin at the wound site might become smoother than before!
This proves the saying, "Those who do evil will not live long!"
Although Zephyr said he didn't mind, Senga still apologized again. He couldn't help it; he was a respectful and exemplary young man!
Senga looked at Zephyr on the hospital bed and said,
"Professor Zephyr, no matter what, this is all my fault. You should rest here for a few days."
"Hehe, I'm very pleased with the strength you've displayed, but I don't like what you said. I'm completely convinced of my defeat. Even without those strange and unusual abilities, the sheer strength of your Haki is already unparalleled in the world!"
After saying this, Kizaru was trimming his nails in the corner, suddenly sneezed. He rubbed his nose and mumbled something.
"Ah, yes, yes, yes!"
Akainu and Aokiji glanced at Kizaru simultaneously, knowing that Kizaru would definitely be unhappy.
They looked away, glanced at each other again, and then nodded silently in acknowledgment, as if some of the previous unpleasantness had dissipated.
Sengoku was pleased to see the harmonious atmosphere in the ward and couldn't help but mention it.
"Alright, alright, this was all just a misunderstanding. How about we all have dinner together here tonight? It'll be a way to celebrate Senga's promotion to Admiral!"
Before Sengoku could even finish speaking and his excitement had subsided, he noticed Zephyr staring intently at him. He stroked his beard and asked, somewhat puzzled,
"What's wrong, Zephyr? Why are you looking at me like that?"
Zephyr sneered. He had no feelings towards Senga, but he had a lot of feelings towards Sengoku.
In his opinion, if it weren't for that old bastard Sengoku meddling, would he be lying in the hospital like this now? And being sarcastic and malicious by that guy Borsalino, and now you're coming out to play the good guy?
Dream on!
Thinking of this, Zephyr smiled and looked at Sengoku, saying...
"Sengoku, how about we have a battle after I'm discharged from the hospital? I really need to learn from you how to develop my Devil Fruit ability, what do you think?"
"Ahem, I suddenly remembered I have something to take care of. You guys eat first, don't worry about me!"