"It's asthma... and heart failure..."
Faced with Rayleigh's question, Zephyr shook his head dejectedly.
"I... have never been a particularly talented person."
Compared to my outstanding students, I am just an ordinary person who works harder.
In my youth, I always took the lead in pursuing my dreams and upholding justice.
That's why I became Admiral at the age of thirty-eight.
But..."
Zephyr sighed softly.
"However, my hard training over the years has made me truly believe that my physique is comparable to Garp and Sengoku."
Bearing the title of Black Arm Zephyr, I thought I was just like my colleagues, an indestructible hero!
But as it turns out, my skills, through hard work, have reached the same level as theirs.
But my body is still just that of a mortal.
Then, after I learned that my wife and children had been killed by cunning pirates...
I..."
At this point, Zephyr was genuinely in pain. He shook his head with a bitter expression, then pulled out a cheap bottle of beer from behind him and took a big gulp.
After putting down the bottle, Zephyr looked at the expectant crowd and continued helplessly.
"I had a heart attack..."
As soon as he finished speaking, Zephyr covered his face with his left hand.
"Although I possessed monstrous strength at the age of thirty-eight, the process of acquiring this strength exhausted my potential and damaged my body."
My heart had been acting up for a while, and that problem suddenly surfaced when I was triggered.
Myocardial infarction... Oh, it's such a deadly disease. After experiencing endless pain... the loss of my wife and children, I also lost the ability to become Admiral.
Even after receiving treatment from military doctors, my health has declined.
Fortunately, although I can't sustain a fight for more than half a day after my illness, I still have a considerable foundation of strength and combat experience.
Therefore, I withdrew from frontline operations, only taking action a few times when the navy needed me most.
Even so, I... was diagnosed with heart failure 21 years after my heart attack, which is 6 years ago.
After my heart failure, I completely gave up my job Admiral and focused my attention on educating students.
Even so, I still cannot find peace!
Four and a half years ago, my ship was suddenly attacked by the Donquixote Family near the Navy's G.5 branch.
Logically speaking, even though heart failure prevents me from using even half my strength, I should still be able to block Doflamingo's attacks.
Logically speaking, my students... they could be protected by me!
But to my utter surprise, at that very moment, I developed another illness!
Asthma!
According to the doctor, my illness isn't purely asthma; it's a complication of heart failure, meaning my lungs are aging and degenerating along with my heart.
In short, in that instant, I lost the ability to breathe.
Relying on the technique of Seimei Kikan, I forced myself to breathe through my pores, but the consequence was that I lost the right to defeat Doflamingo, because breathing through pores is far less efficient than breathing through the lungs.
And just like that, that Doflamingo ordered his men to kill my students one by one right in front of me!
Just as he was about to strike the last two, I forcibly mustered all my strength, but due to insufficient energy, although I blocked the attack, my Armament Haki failed me, and my wrist was severed by those omnipresent... sharp lines!
At this point, Zephyr's expression turned extremely fierce, and he glared menacingly at Gawain.
He continued speaking.
"Fortunately, after my hand was severed, the Navy's G5 branch dispatched their base staff very quickly. At that time, Vergo, that outstanding young man, had only been in the Navy for six years."
I remember he was a lieutenant colonel at the time, and after his warship arrived, I finally had a chance to catch my breath.
Because my student reported my symptoms when reporting to a nearby base before he died.
So, Vergo not only brought me cardiac medication, but he also brought me asthma medication.
And so, I briefly regained my strength and then captured Doflamingo!!!
At this point, Zephyr pointed at Gawain, his face full of hatred, and continued.
"You heard right, Saint Gawain!"
I caught him back then!
However, I eventually let him go because after I caught him, he said something in a Joker manner that I will never forget!
He said...
The so-called justice of not killing is nothing more than a form of self-satisfaction for the victors!
He said I was a hypocrite!
His actions were simply an attempt to prove to me that my so-called justice of not killing, as Admiral upholding the principle of non-violence, could be completely shattered by a terrible day!
And as expected, I was defeated by him!
Looking at the corpses of my disciples who had died tragically all around me, I completely lost control of my emotions!
I'm going to kill him on the spot!
But then he showed me what real pain was!
Because he then told me that he was Celestial Dragon, or at least he used to be!!!
Just then, Zephyr reached out and gently tapped Gawain's chest.
"That's why I immediately declined your invitation when I first received Sakazuki's invitation call."
That's the reason!
Celestial Dragon, hehe...
Donquixote, haha!
But no matter what, I really can't kill him, because if I do, even Vergo, who saved my life, and his G.5 branch will be implicated!
Although Doflamingo and his father had voluntarily withdrawn from the Celestial Dragon long ago.
However, Mary Geoise still has quite a few Donquixote Family, including your friend Saint Gawain, who is also Doflamingo's uncle!
Donquixote Saint Mjosgard!
As soon as he finished speaking, Zephyr gritted his teeth.
"Before that, I always thought that my principle of not killing was a noble and benevolent act."
I've always believed that not killing is far more difficult than killing!
But I forgot that when I choose to forgive every evil person, I am actually doing something that hurts other innocent people!
Having never experienced the suffering of others, what right do I have to force them to accept my hypocritical compassion based on my so-called principle of non-killing?
And when I became one of the innocent victims, when I personally experienced that kind of pain, yet for various reasons I was unable to kill my enemy to exact revenge...
I finally understand what it feels like to stop many people from seeking revenge and to preach my principle of not killing!
Back then, I stood in front of countless people, using my own words of justice to hope and demand that they put down their hatred.
But after experiencing it firsthand, I truly understand that letting go of hatred is itself an injustice!!!
Zephyr roared out the last sentence, took a deep breath, then raised his right hand and sighed softly.
"That's enough for now. Although I don't mind sharing my painful past with you, talking about those things just makes me too tired!"
Where's that mechanical genius on your ship? Let him see my right hand. I wonder when my mechanical hand will be delivered.
Have him show it to me. If he can understand Vegapunk's invention, then have him make me a temporary hand.
This is still a bit inconvenient..."
After speaking, Zephyr looked at Gawain, waiting for Gawain answer.
And Gawain...
Slightly stunned, he suddenly realized that Zephyr's story was somewhat similar to another story!
It's a story about a group of superheroes who adhered to a no-kill policy throughout their lives, only to be ultimately defeated by a villain named the Joker.
Those superheroes belong to the Justice League, and that Joker's name is Joker!
Thinking of this, Gawain suddenly remembered something else.
He thought of certain stories from the theatrical version where Zephyr appeared.
Koby once asked Garp why Zephyr called himself Z after forming the Neo Marines.
The answer to this question is revealed at the end of the theatrical version.
At the end of the movie, a young Zephyr, dressed in a superhero costume, saves an innocent girl!
Even as a child, Zephyr saw himself as a superhero!
Thinking about it this way, Gawain finally connected the dots!
He finally understood why the person who severed Zephyr's right hand and made Zephyr abandon his principle of not killing was Doflamingo, one of the Shichibukai —it could only be Doflamingo!
Because the story of Zephyr and Doflamingo is Oda's way of paying homage to the story of superheroes and the Joker!
The only person who can defeat a superhero who upholds the principle of not killing... is the Joker, isn't he?
Seeing that Gawain was deep in thought, Gion gently put her arm around Gawain.
"Sir, Professor Zephyr is waiting for your response!"
"Oh?"
Upon hearing this, Gawain quickly snapped out of his reverie, nodded slightly, and then spoke to Zephyr.
"Don't worry, Professor Zephyr, Franky's expertise in mechanics is in no way inferior to Vegapunk's!"
As soon as he finished speaking, Gawain looked into the distance. At that moment, Franky was swinging his pompadour and jogging towards Gawain.
"Giao!"
My lord, I'm here! Haha!
"What happened? What's wrong?!"
As he spoke, Franky stopped outside the crowd, and at the same time, Gawain waved to him.
"Franky, this is Mr. Zephyr, who just boarded the ship. Take a look at his right hand."
The device in his hand was left behind by Vegapunk. You should study it... cough cough.
"You come and fix Professor Zephyr's hands, and while you're at it, also install a mechanical hand!"
"Okay!!!"
Upon hearing Gawain's words, Franky immediately became excited. He grabbed Zephyr, who was now even more regretful, and rushed towards his laboratory.
After they left, only Ain and Binz remained, standing there looking aggrieved and being scrutinized by the big shots.
They were both extremely nervous, heads bowed, constantly muttering to themselves in worry.
"Research... research..."
Are teachers going to be investigated again?
How terrifying!!!
Hearing the voices of the two young men, Gawain clapped his hands with a smile.
"What's so scary? Haha, it's just being studied. Even I get studied from time to time these days!"
Enough of that, let's talk about the two of you, let me see..."
Gawain pondered for a moment, then glanced at Ace not far away and nodded.
"You two are younger than Ace and Isuka, so join the Iron Eagle Group with them."
"I hope that you two, on whom Teacher Zephyr has placed such high hopes, will one day become outstanding Iron Eagle Swordsmen who can carry the Dark Bird into flight!"
At this point, Gawain couldn't help but look at his own flag. In the former Great Qin Empire, the Black Ice Terrace and the Iron Eagle Swordsmen were the two pillars that supported Qin as it rose to become the Great Qin Empire!
But today...
He also hopes that the outstanding young people he recruits can become a future he can truly rely on!
Gawain waved to the crowd.
"One of them is a user of the Return-Return Fruit, which allows him to rewind objects and people by several years, depending on the user's physical abilities."
This ability is truly amazing. For example, if Rayleigh were to encounter Ain a few times, he could revert to being in his twenties or thirties!
The only downside is that if Ain is defeated to the point of exhaustion, or even killed, the person who was knocked back will return to their original state.
"Ha ha!"
Hearing Gawain's words, Rayleigh shook his head heavily.
"Then let's forget about it. Although I really want to regain my former glory, I ultimately don't want to create another weakness for myself!"
"If I could make this little girl younger, she would immediately become a target for my future enemies!"
After speaking, Rayleigh nodded slightly to Ain was instantly surprised upon hearing Rayleigh words.
She looked at Rayleigh in disbelief.
"You... you're saying the exact same thing as Professor Zephyr!"
I want to restore my teacher's youth, but she disagrees!
"Um."
Gawain gently patted Ain's shoulder.
"That's because you're too weak, Ain. Your strength isn't enough to protect Teacher Zephyr and our time together!"
If your strength reaches the level of Admiral or one of the Four Emperors, then we will let you bring us youth, because the youth you bring will no longer be a weakness, but an advantage.
The prerequisite is that you can't be easily defeated!
After saying that, Gawain released Ain's shoulder and patted the pink-haired Binz instead.
"This is Binz, Devil Fruit User, who can make plants grow rapidly and under his control!"
"Why?!!"
The moment Gawain finished speaking, Jinbe, who was not far away, immediately became excited. Jinbe patted his belly and said with a smile.
"This ability is really great, haha. Lucci has been complaining to me lately that his men are having a lot of trouble because of my tree-stealing.
Pshaw, it's just a few trees, I didn't steal anyone!
In short, sir, I'll take care of Binz under my wing.
I will take him to replenish the trees in the ship's forest. By the way, I will also study with him whether we can try planting a Treasure Tree Adam on our ship!
Franky also complained that ship repair materials were becoming increasingly scarce, and that we had almost bought out Treasure Tree Adam on the market.
If we could try to grow the Treasure Tree Adam, wouldn't the problem of shipbuilding materials be solved?
After saying that, Jinbe excitedly pulled Binz away and led him towards the distant forest.
Watching Jinbe and Binz's retreating figures, Gawain patted Gion's hand.
"Gion, Ain is just like you, both a marine and a girl."
In terms of training, Coach Zephyr can take care of everything, but in terms of daily life, you'll need to take care of her the way you would with Iska.
Okay~.
Gion responded to Gawain's words with a smile, then, while taking Ain's hand, she deliberately turned away from Hancock and teased him.
"I'm definitely much better at taking care of kids than some woman with a romantic mindset."
"The adults really understand us, hehe..."
"Rabbit!!!"
Gion had Gion finished speaking than Hancock exploded, as expected.
So, after only holding hands with Gion for a short while, Ain's mouth dropped open and her eyes widened as she watched her mentor and military idol, Vice Gion Vice Admiral, get into a fight with the legendary Pirate Empress...
In the end, it was the one who showed Ain the ship...
Ultimately, Isuka is someone Gawain doesn't need to worry about.
So if an elder is lazy and unreliable enough, the young people they educate will most likely be forced to grow up quickly...