Marine 33rd Branch

As for Cavendish, securing the Tokikake shouldn't be a problem.

However, he was certain.

Zephyr will come to our aid immediately...

Although he believed Cavendish would be able to take over Tokikake and the entire Marine 33rd Branch before Zephyr arrived.

But what good would it do even if we won?

No matter how strong Cavendish, or how great his potential is, at this moment, he is still far from being a match for Zephyr.

This is a veteran Marine Admiral.

If he hadn't lost an arm, if he hadn't been ill, if he hadn't lost the drive he had in his youth.

He will remain, and will continue to be active in this world alongside Garp, Sengoku, and Vice Admiral Tsuru. At the very least, he will participate in the Marineford War.

Only then, like Sengoku and Garp, will he retire.

However, regardless of whether he has lost an arm or is ill, Cavendish is still no match for him.

Moreover, it wasn't just Zephyr who came.

It wasn't just anyone at the Marine Academy.

If it were someone else, they would probably be in a dilemma. The only option would be to let Cavendish retreat with him for the time being.

The most important thing is to protect their first base in North Blue, Marine 1st Branch.

But he...

Tsk tsk!

Moke chuckled strangely, then asked, "Bastille, do you know the exact location of Reiju, Niji, and Yonji from Germa 66?"

Bastille seemed to have been prepared for this.

He immediately replied, "They are currently near Black Rock Island. At their speed, they will arrive at Ten Island of Ten Thousand Snakes, less than thirty nautical miles from our Marine 1st Branch, in a day."

Moke nodded in satisfaction. "I'll handle these three. You just need to manage the branch well."

Bastille, "It's the captain!"

Cavendish, who was smugly marching forward, paused for a moment.

Because suddenly, Moke's voice appeared in his mind. "I have to leave. Proceed as planned. After defeating Tokikake, bring him into the Mirror-World. The people there will naturally accept him as one of their own. The same goes for his deputy, Yukimura. As for the others, you decide what to do."

Cavendish: "It's the captain!"

Follow the rules.

He recruited officers who weren't Devil Fruit users, released some of the eligible pirates and criminals who were imprisoned, established his own 02nd Branch... and then imprisoned all the Marine soldiers in the dungeon.

After giving his orders, Moke transformed into a beam of light and headed towards Island of Ten Thousand Snakes.

"What?"

Meanwhile, Zephyr, who had just entered the North Blue, received a telegram from Yukimura.

His eyes widened in disbelief. "You mean, Cavendish has already infiltrated your Marine 33rd Branch?"

Yukimura nodded firmly. "Professor Zephyr, you have to get there! Otherwise, Vice Admiral Tokikake and I can only try our best to hold him off."

Zephyr's face turned extremely grim.

He truly hadn't expected Cavendish to be so audacious. Not only did he seize Bastille's branch, but just a few days later, he had already entered the North Blue.

This guy actually attacked the Marine 33rd Branch where Tokikake and Yukimura were located again.

His ambition was so great that it truly shocked him.

"Call..."

Zephyr took a deep breath, trying to remain calm. After a moment's thought, he said, "Yukimura, you and Tokikake retreat immediately and hand over Marine 33rd Branch."

"What?" Yukimura exclaimed in surprise.

His face was full of disbelief; for a moment, he even wondered if he had misheard.

This is one of the three major branches in North Blue, are you really going to give it up?

How could we possibly give it away!

If they were to actually give it up, he and Vice Admiral Tokikake would be retreating without a fight. Their reputations Bastille's after joining the pirates.

After all, he's a soldier.

Desertion... an absolute disgrace.

Not to mention Yukimura, even the three people standing next to Zephyr — Ain, Binz, and Shuzo —couldn't help but widen their eyes in disbelief.

His face was filled with disbelief.

If these words hadn't come from their most respected teacher, Zephyr, they probably would have already started cursing, or even started fighting...

Zephyr, however, calmly analyzed. "Yukimura, I'm not telling you and Tokikake to retreat, but to preserve the Navy's strength. After all, I've only just entered the North Blue, and it will take me at least a day and a night to get to your Marine 33rd Branch."

But can you and Tokikake really hold out for that long?

Even if it can be delayed for that long.

However, you cannot stop Cavendish killing people in such a long time. The Navy will suffer heavy losses... Therefore, you have no choice but to retreat temporarily.

Protect the navy's manpower... Then, rendezvous with Dalmatian of the Marine 77th Branch. That way, you can combine the strength of both branches.

Even if Cavendish chase, with the strength of Tokikake and Dalmatian, Cavendish could withstand their attack.

"And I will go directly to Bastille and retake his branch. Then... I will turn back and join you in defeating Cavendish."

"Oh, this..."

Yukimura had by then understood Zephyr's thoughts.

It must be said that Zephyr truly lives up to his reputation as a veteran Admiral and, more importantly, as their mentor. This arrangement was truly appropriate.

However, Yukimura still had some hesitation in his heart.

Because, for a branch commander, regardless of the reason, when facing pirates, the best course of action is to abandon their branch and retreat.

That would be the greatest disgrace of my life.

Although he was only an adjutant, he would still be branded with shame.

Zephyr seemed to see through Yukimura's thoughts and added, "Yukimura, don't forget what we're carrying on our backs. What do temporary grievances matter for the sake of justice?"

As long as the outcome is good... so what if we get criticized?

"When the time comes, you and Tokikake can simply say that I ordered them to retreat."

Yukimura's expression changed repeatedly, because Zephyr meant that he would bear the blame.

That won't do.

Yukimura immediately shook his head. "Teacher Zephyr, I understand. I will explain everything to Vice Admiral Tokikake, and I think he will agree to the retreat."

Zephyr understood what Yukimura meant; he had accepted the order and would also persuade Tokikake.

He nodded in satisfaction.

Unfortunately, the idea was good.

However, it also depends on whether the other party is willing. When Yukimura came to Tokikake and explained everything...

Cavendish had arrived at the gate of Marine 33rd Branch, which was 300 meters away.

He dismounted and slowly walked towards the gate.

Tokikake's expression changed repeatedly. He turned to look at Yukimura: "Retreat? How do you mean retreat? Even if I agree, will this guy just watch us retreat Fudō?"