Marine Headquarters, Marineford.
An enraged figure stormed through the naval headquarters, heading straight for the Fleet Admiral's Office.
Despite it being the solemn grounds of the Marine Headquarters, not a single person stepped forward to stop it; in fact, many high-ranking officers even showed expressions of pity and sorrow.
Because this person is Admiral. Zephyr, a former admiral and chief instructor of the navy, who trained countless elites for the navy.
Whether they are Dove Faction or Hawk Faction, no matter how opposed their positions are, they all treat this man with the same respect.
Because Zephyr can be considered the teacher of the entire navy; most of the high-ranking officers, such as Rear Admiral and Vice Admiral, have received his instruction.
"What a pity, Professor Zephyr."
Hōshō watched Zephyr's figure burst into the Fleet Admiral's Office, a regretful expression on his face.
He knew that it must be the news of Whitebeard Jr.. joining the Shichibukai that had caused Zephyr to storm Marine Headquarters in a rage.
Aside from this, nothing else could have made Zephyr, who had been busy eliminating Devil Fruit pirates for the past few years, return to Marine Headquarters in such anger.
"What a stupid decision to let that guy join the Shichibukai!"
Doberman cursed angrily.
There's nothing more absurd and laughable than a pirate who killed hundreds of elite naval students being recruited as Shichibukai.
He even wanted to crack open the Five Elders' heads to see what kind of paste was inside.
Are their navy really so unworthy of respect?
"What's the point of staying in the Navy like this?" Hōshō looked confused, then said in a daze, "I want to leave, to go with Professor Zephyr."
He knew that Professor Zephyr's visit was a prelude to his departure.
Zephyr will not stay in a Marine that tolerates Whitebeard Jr..
Having received Zephyr's education, he didn't want to stay in that kind of navy.
"Let's wait and see, maybe there's still a chance?"
"Doberman said in a low voice."
Perhaps Fleet Admiral Sengoku can persuade Professor Zephyr, or perhaps Professor Zephyr can convince Fleet Admiral Sengoku?
He still didn't want to leave the navy; he'd been there for so many years and had developed an attachment to it.
Besides, if I leave, I have nowhere to go.
"Let's see how things go, but the chances aren't great."
Hōshō nodded, thinking there was little chance of success.
Meanwhile, many other naval personnel shared the same idea, wanting to see if any unexpected events would occur.
Their gazes, along with those of the other naval personnel, were fixed on Zephyr as he entered Sengoku Admiral Zephyr's Fleet Admiral's Office.
Bang!
Sengoku looked at Zephyr, who slammed the door and stormed in, and a helpless expression appeared on his face.
He knew Zephyr would come, and he knew what Zephyr wanted to do, but he couldn't think of a way to keep him here no matter how hard he tried.
"Why did Sengoku allow Whitebeard Jr.. to join the Shichibukai?!"
Zephyr slammed his fist on the table in front of Sengoku and said angrily.
"Calm down first. I don't want that scoundrel to join the Shichibukai either. This is the Five Elders' decision."
Sengoku stood up and tried to help Zephyr sit down.
Zephyr flung Sengoku's hand away and roared, "How can you expect me to stay calm? That guy chopped off my hand and killed hundreds of my students!"
"Give me a choice: kill him, or I'll leave!"
Zephyr stared intently into Sengoku's eyes and spoke each word carefully.
This was his last chance to Sengoku: kill Weevil, and they could still be good comrades-in-arms like before.
"This..." Sengoku sighed and said weakly, "No, that's the Five Elders' order. Killing him would be a slap in the face to the Five Elders."
He really wanted to grant Zephyr's request and keep Zephyr.
But he couldn't.
The orders of the Five Elders cannot be disobeyed, and the World Government has recently become very displeased with the Navy.
They definitely wouldn't tolerate killing the Shichibukai chosen by the Five Elders.
"In that case, there's no need for me to stay in the navy any longer."
Zephyr revealed an expression of "I knew it," and slammed a resignation letter in front of Sengoku.
He had expected it, but when he actually heard it, he couldn't help but feel disappointed.
His old comrades-in-arms can no longer stand firmly by his side.
"Zephyr, don't rush." Sengoku pressed down on the resignation letter and said in a low voice, "We can't take action against him openly, but I agree to eliminate him secretly."
He genuinely didn't want Zephyr to leave the Navy. He was just a pirate scoundrel; killing him was fine, as long as the Five Elders didn't find out.
"No need to say anything more. If you have to sneak around to kill a pirate, what's the point of being a Marine?" Zephyr shook his head and refused without hesitation.
"I'm already in this situation, can't you even have a little understanding for me?"
Sengoku looked at Zephyr, somewhat angry.
He's already promised to kill Whitebeard Jr.., what more do you want!
If the Five Elders found out about this idea, he, as the Fleet Admiral, would have to be carried away that very night, chair and all, and the Navy would face countless additional troubles.
He believed that he had done everything he could to be benevolent and righteous.
"Sengoku, since it was the World Government's decision to have Whitebeard Jr.. join the Shichibukai, there's no point in killing him."
"You may kill one, but a second and a third vicious pirate will join the Royal Navy and become its allies."
"This kind of navy is completely unfit for the name of justice, and I don't want to stay in it."
Zephyr shook his head and said seriously.
He naturally harbored a deep-seated hatred for Whitebeard Jr.., but that didn't mean he was willing to accept other pirates.
He already harbored considerable dissatisfaction with the system of the Shichibukai.
If the Shichibukai to reform pirates, he would accept it without hesitation.
However, the system of the Shichibukai grants pirates the legal right to plunder and makes them work for the Navy.
This greatly displeased him, Whitebeard Jr.. merely amplified this dissatisfaction to its extreme.
"Completely incapable of bearing the name of justice?"
Sengoku was somewhat dazed after hearing Zephyr's words.
He didn't refute it, nor could he refute it at all; this is the essence of the navy's hypocritical justice.
"Sengoku, I'm leaving now. I will no longer be a member of the navy."
Zephyr ignored Sengoku's deep thoughts and turned to leave.
Before leaving, he seemed to have thought of something again, "The Navy is no longer the righteous Navy it used to be, or perhaps it always has been, and I'm only seeing it clearly now."
"The Navy, under the brutal World Government, is nothing more than pirates disguised as justice. Even if the people within it have good intentions, under the leadership of the World Government, it can only become a false form of justice."
This is his genuine feeling, and also the reality he has witnessed during his many years in the navy.
The Navy ostensibly protects civilians from pirates, but in reality, it helps the Celestial Dragons exploit various countries.
The Buster Call was used most often not to eliminate pirates, but to destroy countries that couldn't Heavenly Tribute.
This kind of navy has completely disappointed him.
After saying these words, Zephyr left the Fleet Admiral's Office without caring what Sengoku might think.
"Is the Navy a sham of justice?"
Sengoku murmured softly, his forehead furrowed into a deep frown.
He didn't stop Zephyr from leaving because he was being talked into questioning his existence.
He wanted to refute it, but couldn't find a single reason; Zephyr was absolutely right.
Sengoku glanced at the flamboyant calligraphy behind him; the five large characters, "[Absolute Justice]," carried a distinctly sarcastic tone.
"What can I do? I'm helpless too!"
The Sengoku sighed deeply.
Caught between the World Government and the Navy, nothing he does works out; he's really in a tough spot.
He longed for the Navy to achieve true justice, but the fact that the Navy was controlled by the World Government was something he couldn't change.
He has tried his best to change the navy, but time is still too short. True justice will have to wait for several more generations.
"Things will get much better once Aokiji becomes Fleet Admiral."
Sengoku silently encouraged himself.
Let's wait and see. With each generation making changes, the navy will eventually get better.
Even now, Sengoku still harbors the idea of escaping.