In the East Blue, as Zephyr and his disciples sailed in on their warship, they were immediately intercepted by a Ninja Unit from the Land of Light.
After confirming Zephyr's identity and purpose, the Jonin who had intercepted him reported the news up the chain through Den Den Mushi. It eventually reached Kizaru.
Kizaru's reply was to ask them to wait a little while. He would be there soon.
On Zephyr's warship, he faced a three-man ninja squad led by a Jonin from the Sarutobi Clan. All three were tight-lipped, their expressions so calm they seemed almost cold. Zephyr showed remarkable patience.
From their behavior and bearing, he could tell that all three ninjas from the Land of Light were excellent warriors. The crisp, disciplined air and bloodlust unique to soldiers proved it.
"Are you all elites from the Land of Light?" While they waited for Kizaru, Zephyr broke the silence.
The Sarutobi Jonin leading the squad replied modestly, "We're not elites, just a regular patrol unit from the Land of Light."
"With so few people patrolling such a crucial stretch of the border, you must be quite capable," Zephyr said, drawing his own conclusion.
"In the Land of Light, we're more accustomed to elite combat teams made up of small numbers. Rather than sending large numbers of young people with little training—or even those with no talent for combat—onto the battlefield, we select truly capable ninjas by concentrating our resources. That way, we can reduce unnecessary casualties. It's always been our tradition and our way of thinking." As a member of the Sarutobi Clan, the Jonin remained composed and respectful before Zephyr, a Marine Admiral. His words even carried a hint of pride he himself didn't seem to notice.
That pride had nothing to do with himself or his