While Luo Wen was enjoying himself, the Marine Headquarters was about to undergo a dramatic change.
All because Edward Weevil, the Whitebeard Jr., became one of the Shichibukai.
This matter, which had been decided long ago but repeatedly delayed Sengoku, was finally implemented without any escalation.
The Marine Headquarters didn't even send Zephyr this news; he only learned about Edward Weevil joining the Shichibukai through Morgans' newspaper.
Upon receiving the news, Zephyr immediately abandoned his hunt for Devil Fruit user pirates and rushed back to Marine Headquarters.
On a warship.
"Edward Weevil!"
Zephyr clutched the portrait of Edward Weevil, his eyes bloodshot.
The burly man with a fierce and ferocious face in the portrait was his lifelong enemy.
After his family was wiped out, he devoted all his energy to training fresh blood for the navy.
However, the vicious pirate depicted in the portrait attacked the navy's training ship.
His right arm was severed, leaving only two of the hundreds of students who had accompanied him.
Just looking at the portrait, he felt a deep-seated hatred, wishing he could kill this damned pirate immediately.
Why did Sengoku want him to join the Shichibukai?
Zephyr slammed his fist on the railing and said angrily.
He never imagined that the bastard pirate who cut off his arm, the vicious pirate who killed hundreds of elite Navy training camp students, would be the same person he knew.
He actually became Shichibukai, and an object of cooperation and courtship by the Navy.
What does his lost arm matter!
What do those dead students matter!
What does the justice he's upheld for so many years even mean?
Zephyr found it laughable; being betrayed was never a pleasant feeling, let alone being betrayed by the Navy, which he had always protected.
He wanted to go back and reason with the Sengoku period; he wanted to go back and fight the Sengoku!
He wanted to tell the Sengoku that he was just old, not dead!
"Teacher, calm down. This was probably not what Fleet Admiral Sengoku meant."
Ain patted Zephyr's back to help him catch his breath.
As one of the surviving students from that time, she could best understand how devastating this would be for Zephyr.
Anyone who knew that a guy who killed hundreds of their students and cut off their arm was recruited by their trusted boss would be furious.
This is completely disregarding their humanity.
That being said, she still had to consider Zephyr's health.
At your age, it's best not to get too angry.
"I know this isn't what the Sengoku meant, but I just want to have a word with him."
Zephyr's condition improved slightly.
He understood the Sengoku and knew that this was most likely what the higher-ups meant.
But this is something he can never forgive, no matter what.
The Navy has no shame whatsoever; they can even recruit a vicious pirate like Whitebeard Jr.., with whom they have a deep-seated grudge.
This isn't strengthening our forces; it's digging our own grave!
He couldn't stay in that navy any longer, but before leaving, he wanted to give Sengoku a good reminder.
"This time, I'll probably be leaving the Navy."
Zephyr told Ain and Binz that he needed to prepare them mentally.
"Teacher, we're with you!"
Without any hesitation, the two spoke firmly.
"No need, you two stay in the navy and get your pay..."
Zephyr was interrupted by the two before he could finish speaking.
"Teacher, have you forgotten? We were there with you back then. Even if we weren't with you, we wouldn't have stayed in the Navy."
Ain and Binz spoke together.
Whitebeard Jr.. is not only Zephyr's enemy, but also their enemy!
"Then you can come with me."
Zephyr said no more and agreed to let the two of them follow.
He still thought it would be better to keep the two men in the navy, but he also knew that their attitude was firm.
Why must Whitebeard Jr.. be made to join the Shichibukai?
He would have turned a blind eye to this if it were anyone else.
Feeling exhausted, Zephyr waved to the two of them and said, "You two go and rest first. Let me have some peace and quiet."
"..."
Ain and Binz exchanged a glance, as if they wanted to say something.
Seeing that Zephyr was exhausted, he had no choice but to leave.
At this time, it might be good to leave him alone.
The two silently retreated back into the cabin, not forgetting to recall the rest of the navy as well.
In the blink of an eye, only one figure remained on the deck, leaning against the railing and gazing at the sea.
"Edward Weevil!"
"Whitebeard Jr.!"
Zephyr kept repeating that unforgettable name to himself.
He stood at the bow of the warship, his mechanical right hand slapping the railing of the ship repeatedly, seemingly out of control.
The railings were slammed shut, and the vibrations even reached the deck.
If this warship weren't of such high specifications, its railings would probably be scrap metal by now.
Even so, the steel railings bent and deformed under Zephyr's suppressed rage as he pounded on them.
I've leaned against every railing, but no one understands my feelings upon this ascent!
This was originally a reflection of Xin Qiji's grief over the fall of his country and the incompetence of the emperor.
However, this approach is quite fitting for Zephyr at this moment.
Only Zephyr himself knew how heartbroken he was at that moment.