A Little Like Whitebeard, Except for the Intelligence

Night fell, the moon bright and the stars few.

After simply bandaging his wounds, Zephyr gazed deeply toward Mary Geoise. No one knew what he was thinking.

"Teacher..."

"Set sail. Return to Marine Headquarters."

Under the worried gazes of the few surviving students, the battered Marine warship set sail once more, heading for Marine Headquarters at Marineford.

Half a month later, news spread through Marine Headquarters that former Marine Admiral Zephyr had been attacked, and only two trainees from the Marine training camp's live-combat assessment had survived.

Inside the Fleet Admiral's office, Sengoku wore a grim expression, countless thoughts running through his mind.

An unknown pirate capable of defeating a former Marine Admiral had suddenly appeared. It was hard for him, as Fleet Admiral of the Marines, not to let his thoughts drift in a darker direction.

"Who is setting this up behind the scenes? The World Government? CP0? Or truly a pirate..."

"Report, Fleet Admiral Sengoku! Admiral Zephyr has arrived!"

"Let him in."

"Yes."

The aide turned and left. A short while later, the instant Zephyr stepped into the office, Sengoku's pupils contracted sharply.

"Your arm was..."

"Cut off by a pirate. He used a glaive like Whitebeard's. Such a young opponent... he gave me exactly the same feeling Whitebeard did in his youth, except for the intelligence."

Hearing that, Sengoku felt considerably relieved. He had truly feared that the most absurd of his many suspicions had become reality.

"Then what will you do now? Having lost an arm, the great name of Black Arm Zephyr will also..."

"What great name? I'm just an old man, left behind by the tides of the era, with one foot already in the grave."

At that moment, a hint of melancholy rose in Sengoku's heart. This was likely what they called a