A battered pirate ship sailed slowly across the pitch-black sea. In the dim cabin, only the deep blue glow projected by the Den Den Mushi swayed in the darkness.
Zephyr stared intently at the scene before him. The glaring blue light pierced his eyes like a sword, yet he did not blink.
On the screen, the Five Elders had personally taken action. Several Marine Headquarters vice admirals were mercilessly slaughtered. The Marines controlled by Blackening Magic had vacant eyes, like walking corpses, launching suicidal attacks at the enemy.
"This is too much! Aren't the Marines part of the World Government?"
The emotional Ain clenched her teeth, her pretty face frosty. She could not understand why they were killing one another when they were supposedly on the same side.
Already dissatisfied with the World Government over Weevil becoming a Shichibukai, her opinion of that rotten regime had now fallen to rock bottom.
"Damn it! What does the World Government take us for? Disposable consumables?"
Furious, Binz punched the wooden wall of the cabin, sending splinters flying. Veins bulged on his arm from the force, and his eyes burned with rage.
Zephyr stared silently at the screen for a long time.
The cabin was deathly quiet, save for the faint electrical crackle of the Den Den Mushi.
At last, he let out a long breath, as though it had drained away the last shred of attachment he held for the Marines and the World Government. He raised his head, his gaze incomparably resolute, and declared without hesitation:
"I will establish the NEO Marines and take responsibility for the lives of millions of Marines!"
"A wise decision! We swear to follow you to the death!"
Ain and Binz exchanged a glance before answering in unison, their words ringing with conviction.
Several days later,