Marineford, Marine Headquarters.
Countless Marines whispered among themselves in the enormous plaza.
"Hey, did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"Teacher Zephyr betrayed the Marines and joined Rainbow Country!"
"Hey, you're joking, right? How could Teacher Zephyr possibly—"
"I know, but someone saw it with their own eyes. Teacher Zephyr was with Fire Dragon Ye Mu, and word came from the branch too. Teacher Zephyr really did leave the Marines, and he even asked the branch to send over his former Admiral uniform and rank insignia."
"No way... Even Teacher Zephyr... Could the Marines really be about to..."
The soldier did not get to finish his words before being reprimanded, but an atmosphere of pessimism had already spread throughout Marine Headquarters.
Inside the Marine building.
The atmosphere in Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office was equally grim.
All of the Marine high-ranking officers had gathered together.
"Have you still not contacted Zephyr?"
Even though he had received the report from the branch, Sengoku still could not believe that his old friend had betrayed the Marines.
He would rather believe that Zephyr had been threatened by Fire Dragon Ye Mu, which was why he had tried every possible way to contact him.
Not only to confirm the truth, but also to demand an answer.
Because this matter was of great importance, Vice Admiral Tsuru had personally taken charge of it.
At this moment, Tsuru, seventy-four years old, stooped, with white hair and beard, looking like an old grandmother, spoke with a grim expression.
"Unfortunately, Zephyr has completely severed contact with the Marines. Furthermore, according to witnesses at sea, Zephyr did not appear to have been coerced. Instead, he and Fire Dragon Ye Mu seemed to be having a very pleasant conversation."
"Impossible..."
In an instant, Sengoku brought his fist down like a hammer, smashing the