Zephyr's heart sank.
He knew what Roy had discovered.
The news of the Heavenly Tribute is top secret; the transportation route and timing are known only to high-ranking naval officers and a small number of people in the World Government.
He personally led the escort to prevent any accidents.
But unexpectedly, the accident happened so quickly.
Roy.
Zephyr's voice turned cold.
"I don't care what you're doing here, leave now."
I can pretend nothing happened.
"Pretend nothing happened?"
"Mr. Zephyr, are you threatening me or begging me?"
Zephyr's expression turned even uglier.
I'm not threatening you, I'm giving you a chance.
"You don't want a full-scale war with the navy, do you?"
Roy paused for a second, then shook his head.
"Mr. Zephyr, you're right, I really don't want a full-scale war with the Navy."
Zephyr breathed a slight sigh of relief.
"But--"
Roy changed the subject, a smile playing on his lips.
"I'm quite interested in the things on this ship."
As soon as he finished speaking, Roy's Telekinesis suddenly erupted, and an invisible force poured down from his body, enveloping the entire fleet!
The weapons in the recruits' hands began to tremble, the cannons involuntarily shifted, and some even knelt on the deck, panting heavily.
Zephyr's expression changed drastically.
Roy! How dare you!
"Mr. Zephyr, please calm down."
Roy raised his right hand, his five fingers slightly curled.
"I just want to see what it is that warrants your personal escort, a former Marine Admiral."
His Telekinesis probed into the cabin of the World Government ship and precisely enveloped a piece of gold.
The gold flew out of the cabin, through the hatch, across the deck, and into the air before landing steadily in Roy's hand.
He tossed the gold nugget in his hand; the sunlight shone on it, reflecting a dazzling light.
" Heavenly Tribute."
Roy's voice wasn't loud, but everyone could hear it clearly.
"So it was Heavenly Tribute."
Zephyr's heart sank to the bottom.
It's over.
Zephyr stared at the gleaming gold nugget in Roy's hand, only one thought in his mind—
This is troublesome.
This is a big problem.
Heavenly Tribute is the lifeblood of the World Government and the economic foundation for maintaining the entire ruling system.
If it gets stolen from him, not only would the head instructor be in trouble, but even the Sengoku wouldn't be able to take the blame.
" Roy," Zephyr's voice was low, as if he were trying to suppress something, "Do you know what you're doing?"
Roy put the gold nugget into his storage bag, looked down at Zephyr, and remained relaxed.
"Of course I know. I'm taking Heavenly Tribute."
"You--"
"Mr. Zephyr, please don't be angry."
Roy interrupted him.
"I'm just curious, just how much of the people's wealth has the World Government plundered?"
Roy pointed to the World Government's ship.
"Let me see it, and I'll leave."
"How about it?"
Facing Roy's mocking gaze, Zephyr gritted his teeth, veins bulging on his forehead.
He knew Roy was talking nonsense.
This kid never intended to leave in the first place; all that talk about "taking a look" is just nonsense.
But he cannot back down.
Behind him are new recruits, Heavenly Tribute, and the source of the navy's funding for the next few years.
If he withdraws, how will he explain it to the Sengoku period?
How do I explain this to the Five Elders?
Roy.
Zephyr clenched his fists, veins bulging on his arms.
I'm saying this one last time—leave now.
Roy looked at him, his smile unchanged.
What if I don't?
Zephyr did not answer.
His body suddenly swelled, and Armament Haki covered his hands.
"All recruits, listen up!"
Zephyr's voice, like a booming bell, echoed throughout the entire fleet.
"Protect the transport ship! Do not retreat a single step!"
"Yes!!!"
The recruits responded in unison, their faces pale, but none of them flinched.
They are the best trainees in this naval Training Camp.
Today is their graduation exam.
On the Ark Maxim, Roy looked down at the naval recruits who were standing ready for battle and nodded slightly.
"It actually looks quite convincing."
He turned around and looked at his companions behind him.
Yamato, who had been holding back for a long time, slung his spiked club over his shoulder, his eyes gleaming. " Roy! Can we fight now?"
Savi cracked his wrists, the joints making a series of popping sounds.
Jesus Burgess clasped his fists together, and the power of the Strong-Strong Fruit surged within him.
Enel floated in mid-air, his golden staff held horizontally in front of him, while Thundercloud surged overhead.
Pea squatted in the corner, clutching a few seeds in her hand, her little face tense but her eyes determined.
Kazami's hand rested on the hilt of his sword, his face expressionless, but his body was already leaning slightly forward.
Baal carried the iron ingot and smiled naively.
Lafitte, Van Augur, Charon stood in the back row, silent but focused.
All eyes were on Roy, waiting for his order.
Roy glanced around, a smile playing on his lips.
Remember—don't kill them.
He paused, his gaze falling on Zephyr.
"That old man is nicknamed ' The Admiral Who Doesn't Kill.' If you kill his men, we'll be in the wrong."
"Certainly--"
He looked at Yamato, Savi, Jesus Burgess.
"If he accidentally kills you, I won't be able to avenge you."
Yamato grinned. "Don't worry! He can't kill me!"
Savi clenched his fist. "Captain, we know what we're doing."
Jesus Burgess laughed heartily, "Even if he wanted to kill us, he'd have to catch up first!"
Roy nodded and raised his right hand.
"Go."
As soon as the words were spoken, everyone on the Ark Maxim moved simultaneously!
Yamato dashed off the ship, his spiked club whistling through the air, and slammed down on Zephyr's head!
" Thunder Bagua!"
Savi followed closely behind, instantly activating his Giant Ape form. His ten-meter-tall body resembled a small mountain, and his right fist, imbued with terrifying power, slammed towards Zephyr's side!
Jesus Burgess flanked from another direction, unleashing the full power of his Strong-Strong Fruit and punching Zephyr in the back!
The three worked together seamlessly, attacking simultaneously from three directions and cutting off all of Zephyr's escape routes.
A hint of seriousness flashed in Zephyr's eyes.
These three kids are all troublemakers.
boom--!!!
Yamato's spiked club collided with Zephyr's fist, exploding into a blinding burst of sparks.
Savi's fist slammed in from the side, but Zephyr covered his left arm with Armament Haki and took the punch head-on.
Jesus Burgess's fist slammed into his back with a dull thud.
Three forces acted on Zephyr simultaneously, causing his body to suddenly sink, the deck beneath his feet to crack instantly, and the entire warship to shake.
But Zephyr did not fall.
He gritted his teeth, and with a sudden burst of strength in his arms, he knocked all three of them back at the same time!
"Good lad!" he roared, "Again!"
Yamato's eyes lit up even more. "That's more like it!"
The three charged forward again and engaged Zephyr in battle.
At the same time, other cadres also began to confront their rivals.
Enel floated in mid-air, Thundercloud rolled, and bolts of lightning struck the new naval recruits.
But he controlled the intensity—each bolt of lightning was just enough to incapacitate his opponent, not to kill them.
"Hahaha! My lightning is not something you can withstand!"
With a flick of his Pea, Pea scattered the seeds onto the deck. With a clap of his hands, countless vines sprouted wildly from the cracks in the deck, entangled the hands and feet of the new recruits.
"Gotcha!"