"Um!?"
Zephyr looked over in astonishment, and indeed it was just as Binz had said.
A warship, indistinguishable from Marine warship, sailed towards them, and a man and a woman on the deck waved to them.
The woman was beautiful and poised; she was none other than Admiral, a former candidate for Gion.
The man was handsome and imposing; he was none other than the legendary Godslayer, Luo Wen.
"What are they doing here? Are they here to laugh at this old man?"
Zephyr's expression immediately turned serious, and he muttered to himself in surprise.
This Godslayer is always a controversial figure, making Big News Morgans every week.
Moreover, he is an absolute enemy of the World Government, and the Navy also sees him as a thorn in their side.
This person has repeatedly poached members from within the Navy, which has made things even more troublesome for the Navy.
Wait, is he here to recruit me?
As Zephyr watched the opposing warship draw closer, an idea rose within him uncontrollably.
That's quite possible, from Chief of Staff Tashigi of the East Blue to Admiral Candidate Momomen Gion, and more than 2,000 naval personnel from the G-5 Branch.
This Godslayer has an extreme passion for poaching Marines, so it's only natural that they want to recruit him now.
"However, I will never join any Neo Marines!"
Zephyr snorted coldly; he was determined to stick to his principles.
The Neo Marines also had former Shichibukai, and although they weren't as intolerable as Whitebeard Jr.., they still made him somewhat unhappy.
However, he might be overthinking it; perhaps the two of them have other things on their minds.
As the warship drew closer, Zephyr grew increasingly nervous.
Regardless of their motives, facing a top-tier Four Emperors- level powerhouse alone would undoubtedly increase the pressure on them.
Without waiting for the warships to meet, when the two warships were a hundred meters apart, Luo Wen and Gion leaped into the air and landed in front of Zephyr.
"Sassiburidala, Teacher Zephyr!"
Gion said with a sigh.
The last time I met Zephyr was two years ago.
At that time, she was a promising candidate Admiral in the navy, and Zephyr was a respected teacher in the navy.
During this meeting, she became Admiral in the Neo Marines, which is hostile to the World Government, and Zephyr was forced to leave the Navy.
The two people who should never have left the Navy have left; how can one not feel a sense of loss?
"It's been a long time, Gion."
Zephyr felt the same way.
Both had left for the Navy, Gion had already made a name for himself, while he was just getting started.
After exchanging pleasantries, the two began to discuss their respective experiences.
Luo Wen didn't disturb the two's reminiscing; it would be more convenient for them to catch up later.
He merely glanced at the two apprentices beside Zephyr.
With her long, sea-blue hair, delicate features, and slender figure, coupled with her neat naval uniform, Ain was a truly dashing and beautiful young woman.
Binz, standing tall and straight, looks very energetic.
"Perhaps we can focus our efforts on them later."
Luo Wen thought to himself.
He knew that inviting Zephyr would not be smooth sailing, so starting with Ain and Binz was a good option.
These two were Zephyr's only two remaining students from that incident, and they continued to follow Zephyr afterward. Emotionally speaking, their relationship was almost like that of father and son.
While Luo Wen was sizing up Ain and Binz, the two were also observing him.
"Is this the legendary Godslayer? He's truly extraordinary!"
Ain and Binz glanced cautiously at Luo Wen, and simultaneously sighed in unison.
Even if Luo Wen did nothing, just standing there he exuded the aura of a superior, like a towering mountain.
Unlike the powerful pirates they had encountered before, who were arrogant and domineering, he was more like Fleet Admiral Sengoku, exuding authority without anger and possessing a restrained Haki.
Upon meeting him, Ain and Binz immediately formed a good impression of Luo Wen.
Before long, Gion and Zephyr finished their conversation, and Gion turned the topic to Luo Wen: "This is the Commander-in-Chief of the Neo Marines, and also my superior, Luo Wen."
"Hello, Chief Instructor Zephyr."
Luo Wen extended his hand and said with a warm smile.
He knew that what Zephyr was most proud of was not the title of Admiral in his prime, but the title of chief naval instructor who had trained most of the navy.
"Hello, Luo Wen." Zephyr smiled, looking at Luo Wen with some goodwill, then said self-deprecatingly, "However, I'm no longer the Chief Instructor of the Navy, just a decrepit old man."
"But in the hearts of your countless disciples, you are still that head instructor who earnestly taught them."
Luo Wen didn't respond, but instead praised him back.
That's just how the old man is; he likes to hear something but refuses to listen, and then he likes it even more when the person says it again.
Sure enough, Zephyr's face was beaming with joy, and he felt immense respect.
"Let's not talk about that. You've come all this way, surely not to catch up with this old man?" Zephyr waved his hand modestly and said jokingly, "Or perhaps you want to see this old man make a fool of himself?"
This old man, though quite imposing when he joined the navy, was ultimately nothing more than a stray dog.
At this moment, facing Luo Wen, who was subtly trying to recruit them, they could vent their resentment by speaking to him.
"Of course not, quite the opposite, I deeply sympathize with your plight," Luo Wen said earnestly. "I've come here this time also hoping that Chief Zephyr can join my Neo Marines."
"Just as I thought."
Zephyr looked at Luo Wen with a strange expression.
This guy really has his eye on the Navy; he comes at the slightest sign of trouble.
Keep in mind that he had only been away from the Navy for a day, and many of his disciples who were on missions abroad were unaware of his whereabouts.
Meanwhile, Luo Wen, a world-class expert, had already come to his side, wanting to invite him to join his group.
Putting everything else aside, his attitude alone made him feel favorably towards him.
He really wanted to show Sengoku that he wasn't unwanted; even if the navy didn't care about him, plenty of other people would!
"I appreciate Luo Wen Lowen's kindness, but I have no intention of joining the Neo Marines."
Zephyr smiled apologetically.
One cannot hit a smiling face; Luo Wen had already gone to such lengths to treat people with respect, so he couldn't refuse him.
However, having just been hurt once by the Navy, he didn't want to be hurt again.
"It seems the navy has hurt you quite a bit these days."
Luo Wen didn't take Zephyr's rejection to heart.
It would be strange if Liu Bei had to visit Zhuge Liang three times to persuade him to join his cause, so it would be strange if he could win over Zephyr with just a few words.
"My Neo Marines guarantees that we will never allow pirates to legally plunder in order to increase their strength. Even if we do subdue some pirates, they will not receive any unreasonable privileges."
"My Neo Marines doesn't have any Celestial Dragons privileges. It exists for only one purpose: to protect the land and its people, and to punish evildoers. I also need Beli, not for the World Government's exploitation, nor for the pirates' plunder, but as payment for the hard work of maintaining order."
"Chief Instructor Zephyr, I sincerely invite you to join the Neo Marines, to join a more purely righteous force, and to shape the Neo Marines into the form you envision."
Looking into Zephyr's eyes, Luo Wen spoke sincerely.
Listening to Luo Wen's words, Zephyr was still hesitant, while Binz and Ain were already somewhat longing for it.
The Neo Marines that Luo Wen described was the navy they had longed for when they first joined the military.
"Zephyr- sensei, please join the Neo Marines and help me out. I'm already quite busy lately."
Gion was providing support from the sidelines.
"This..."
Zephyr was already hesitant.
Luo Wen said was almost identical to the power he himself wanted to build.
He didn't want any pirates to taint his team, except for pirates. But Luo Wen already had Moria and Hancock under his command, and he couldn't very well let Luo Wen get rid of them.
Apart from that, Neo Marines was quite to his liking.
Should I join?