At that, Kuzan gave Loa a long look, as if to say...
Do you really have no idea why? You don't know why Zephyr chose to leave now?
Seeing Kuzan's expression, Loa fell silent for a moment, then shook his head with a rueful smile.
"Sorry. I wasn't thinking straight."
It was easier to see things clearly from the outside.
The most important reason Zephyr had chosen to leave now—even setting aside the Elite Camp—was Loa.
Loa had given Zephyr the courage to go. Because of him, Zephyr knew that even if he left, the people in the Elite Camp would be all right.
And he knew Loa was someone he could count on.
Even if Zephyr said nothing, Loa would take up the Elite Camp's banner and protect his companions until graduation.
Trust wasn't always something that could be explained.
Zephyr had never considered the possibility that Loa might abandon his companions on a whim. They hadn't known each other long, but in Zephyr's eyes, Loa probably ranked even above Momonga and Kuzan when it came to trust.
Realizing this, Loa raised a hand toward Kuzan. "Teacher Kuzan, did you bring a Den Den Mushi?"
Phew.
Seeing that Loa wasn't about to cause trouble, Kuzan let out a long breath and handed him a Den Den Mushi. "Keep it short. Once your confinement is over, you'll have plenty to do."
Marine Headquarters, Science Unit compound.
In a brightly lit medical room, Vegapunk put on gloves with his assistant's help and addressed Zephyr, who lay on the operating table. "Mr. Zephyr, I'll give you a local anesthetic first to improve the surgery's chances of success."
"No need!" Zephyr took one last drag on his cigar, then removed it with his intact left hand and tossed it into the trash. He