"Sakazuki."
Hearing that, Xia Luo raised an eyebrow slightly and looked toward the door.
A dark-skinned young man with a stern expression walked in.
He wore a hat that shadowed his eyes beneath its brim. A sword was strapped to his back, and his tall frame filled out the slightly open collar, revealing his solid chest muscles.
Xia Luo turned and said, "Borsalino, you both came from the North Blue. You know each other, right?"
Borsalino nodded. "Yeah, you could say that. We served in different branches, but we've met a few times."
"He's a troublesome fellow, just like you. Also, he's not easy to get along with. He wears that sour face all day, like everyone owes him hundreds of millions."
Borsalino chuckled. "Of course, I mean he's hard for you to get along with. As for this old man, I get along with anyone, because I never easily offend people."
Xia Luo said meaningfully, "By not easily offending people, you mean being vague and noncommittal in everything you say and do?"
"Oh? Xia Luo, I didn't expect you to understand me so well. Not bad, not bad."
Just then, Sakazuki passed by them and snorted coldly.
"What vague and noncommittal? He's clearly just playing dumb and muddling through his days!"
It had to be said, Sakazuki's assessment of Borsalino hit the nail on the head.
That also showed that the two of them were no strangers to each other.
Borsalino shouted, "Slander! He's slandering me!"
"What's wrong with leaving work when it's time to leave work?"
However, neither Xia Luo nor Sakazuki paid him any attention.
As time passed, news of Zephyr's family being murdered quickly spread throughout headquarters, instantly causing a huge uproar.
Countless people were filled with righteous indignation, cursing pirates and declaring that not a single pirate was any good, that all pirates should be killed, and so on.
There was also another piece of news: Zephyr had been deeply shaken by the accidental deaths of his family and intended to resign as an admiral, perhaps even leave the Marines altogether.
With those two pieces of news combined, headquarters became like a powder keg that had been set alight. Discussions broke out everywhere, and some people even went to ask Steel Bone Kong, Sengoku, and the others.
As for Garp, he had gone to sea several months ago. He had first headed to the New World to pursue the Roger Pirates, only to be shaken off after circling around for a while. Unable to find any trace of the Roger Pirates, he had then returned to the East Blue for a vacation and had yet to come back.
Marine Fleet Admiral's office.
Steel Bone Kong smoked furiously, feeling as though his head was about to split open.
A month ago, he had been delighted about the Marine Elite Training Camp. Its very first class had already produced so many outstanding recruits, including three monstrous Logia users.
Yet less than half a month later, this had happened to Zephyr. Just who had leaked Zephyr's family information?!
The family information of an admiral was Marine classified information!
Ordinary people could never know it!
And Zephyr, too—why had he suddenly decided to resign? Because of that bastard Garp, they had already been short one admiral. Now Zephyr wanted to resign as well. Wouldn't that leave Sengoku as the only admiral?
The mighty Marines, with only a single admiral holding the fort—wouldn't that make them a laughingstock? This was utter nonsense!
Steel Bone Kong kept rubbing his temples. Zephyr's situation was giving him a tremendous headache. If it was not handled properly, it would cause extremely severe repercussions. He would never allow that!
The Marines had only reached their current state through his painstaking efforts. He did not want to see all his hard work go to waste.
"The first thing to do now is find out exactly how the intelligence was leaked. Such important information somehow fell into the hands of a pirate, and that pirate just happened to be Zephyr's enemy..."
Too many coincidences meant it was no coincidence at all. It had to be a deliberate scheme.
Steel Bone Kong had every reason to suspect that someone was deliberately targeting Zephyr.
Based on the intelligence currently available, Steel Bone Kong had a faint suspicion, but he did not dare confirm it. He was extremely uneasy now. If his suspicion proved true, this would become a major problem. He might even have to clean up someone else's mess in the end!
"No matter what, we must give Zephyr a reasonable explanation. Then we need to find a way to steady him. We absolutely cannot let him leave the Marines."
Steel Bone Kong stroked his chin and thought for a moment before saying, "Since he's so disheartened right now, why not have him serve as the chief instructor of the Elite Training Camp?"
"We have to give him something to do, keep him busy, and let him slowly emerge from his grief. Maybe one day he'll come around. Besides, I don't have much time to teach students myself."
"Right, and we can keep his admiral position reserved for him. That way, the Marines will still publicly have two admirals, minimizing the negative impact of this incident. Perfect!"
Having thought of a solution, Steel Bone Kong immediately set off for Zephyr's home. The top priority was to get Zephyr to accept the position of chief instructor of the Elite Training Camp. As long as he agreed, everything else could be discussed.
Before long,
Steel Bone Kong arrived at Zephyr's door. He stepped forward and knocked, but Tsuru was the one who answered.
Seeing him, Tsuru said in surprise, "Fleet Admiral Kong, what brings you here? Please, come in."
"Tsuru, you're here too. I had nothing much to do today, so I came to see Zephyr." After greeting her, Steel Bone Kong entered the house.
The moment he stepped inside, he smelled a strong scent of alcohol. Turning his head, he saw Zephyr sitting on the floor with his back against the corner wall, unshaven and utterly dejected, surrounded by scattered empty bottles.
Sengoku stood nearby, trying to stop Zephyr. Upon seeing Steel Bone Kong, he immediately said, "Fleet Admiral Kong, you're here. Please help persuade Zephyr. He's been drinking for days straight. If he keeps going, I'm afraid something will happen."
"Zephyr, drink less. Drinking too much is bad for your health. You wouldn't want your wife and child to worry, would you?" Steel Bone Kong urged.
Upon hearing Steel Bone Kong's voice, the emptiness in Zephyr's eyes gradually focused. He looked up at Steel Bone Kong, his voice hoarse.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, how is the investigation going? What exactly happened? Why did he know where my hometown was? And where is that damned bastard now?" The more Zephyr spoke, the more agitated he became. His eyes reddened, and tears streamed uncontrollably down his face.
Steel Bone Kong said solemnly, "We're still investigating. I'm sure there will be results soon. Don't worry, I will definitely give you a satisfactory answer!"
Zephyr wore a bleak expression. "Heh, it's been half a month and you still haven't found anything. Fleet Admiral Kong, will I even live to hear your answer?"
"You will! You definitely will, trust me! Within three days, I will absolutely give you an answer. No matter who it is, I will not let them off!" Steel Bone Kong said again.
Zephyr forced out a faint smile. "Then I'll have to trouble you, Fleet Admiral. I'll wait for your good news."
"Actually, there's something else I came to discuss with you..." Steel Bone Kong hesitated.
"Please, go ahead."
Zephyr had been personally cultivated by Steel Bone Kong, so he had to show him some consideration.
"I want you to serve as the chief instructor of the Elite Training Camp, and I will keep your admiral position for you. Everything will remain as it was, including your benefits. I hope you'll give it serious thought."
"Zephyr, you are the idol of countless Marines, the standard-bearer of the Marines. If you leave, what will happen to them? What will they think? The Marines cannot do without you, and neither can the Elite Training Camp!"
"Sengoku, Tsuru, help me persuade him properly as well. Why resign when everything is fine? I absolutely will not agree to it!"
Before you continue