Seeing Zephyr's serious expression, Lin Yuan smiled, while Ain and Binz beside him dared not breathe, because Lin Yuan's next words would also affect their fate.
"The first condition is that Mr. Zephyr's injuries, ailments, and arm must be healed. Join us, and we'll restore your health, even bringing you back to your peak condition."
Lin Yuan wasn't lying, because using the Time-Time Fruit and Pure Gold could indeed restore a person to their peak condition, and Naguri had benefited from this.
As for Zephyr's arm, with Kureha there, once Lin Yuan finds two more people, they can naturally help Zephyr cultivate and reattach a new arm.
Upon hearing this, Zephyr didn't react much, but Ain and Binz exclaimed in surprise, their eyes gleaming.
"Secondly, I can guarantee that your students will all have their own lives from now on, and won't have to accompany you on your life-or-death journey. And you've seen those spaceships, too."
"If you really need to, you can command a portion of the fleet to attack the pirates; that would be much more efficient than what you're doing."
Zephyr finally reacted, glancing at Ain and Binz, the two most outstanding students by his side, while the others were simply students who willingly stayed with him.
Zephyr knew very well that following him meant no future, and his students knew it too.
What Lin Yuan said did indeed move him. As for those flying fleets, Zephyr was tempted, but there weren't many of them.
"Sigh, you're right, I am indeed tempted, and there's really no future with me."
"Teacher! We all volunteered!"
Tears welled in Ain and Binz's eyes. They were both taught by Zephyr, and they had no family; they had all been killed by pirates.
Therefore, Zephyr was not only their teacher, but also like a father to them.
"Alas, I have wronged you all these years!"
"Ahem, um, should I mention the third condition?"
"Hmph, although I'm already tempted, I still need to see for myself what your territory is really like. As for the third condition, let me mention it while I'm at it!"
Knowing that Zephyr was interested, Lin Yuan smiled, though he hesitated for a moment before finally speaking up.
"Hahaha, you're quite the old fox. I can't fulfill the third condition right now, but I can explain it to you!"
Zephyr and the other two looked at Lin Yuan with some doubt. What did he mean by "not until"? How could that be used as a condition?
"Ahem, don't look at me like that, and don't get agitated!"
"Hmph, you're so long-winded, hurry up and say it!"
"Sigh, look how impatient you are. Fine, I'll tell you then. I know of a Devil Fruit called the Paramecia Time-Time Fruit!"
"It's somewhat similar to Ain's ability, but also different. It's the ability to travel through time and space; someone once traveled to the future."
What! You're telling the truth?!
Zephyr suddenly stood up, trembling with excitement. He couldn't help but grab Lin Yuan's shoulders with both hands, but one of his arms was made of Seastone. If Lin Yuan hadn't been physically strong, he might have been crushed by the grip.
With a slight shudder, Lin Yuan broke free from Zephyr's restraints and continued speaking with a hint of annoyance.
"You old codger, do you want to keep listening? I'm not saying anything more!"
"Ahem, please, please speak! Please speak!"
At this moment, Zephyr's tone was even somewhat humble, but he seemed to see a glimmer of hope.
Lin Yuan didn't pay too much attention to it and continued speaking.
" Zephyr, you should have heard of someone, Kozuki Oden, and his wife Kozuki Toki, possesses the Time-Time Fruit ability."
"If we can find this fruit, it might be possible to travel back in time and save your wife and children, but it will take time!"
Zephyr's eyes instantly welled up with tears, and tears of regret streamed down his aged face.
"Really? You're not kidding me, I really miss them! But is it really possible to find that fruit? Can I see it before I die?"
Lin Yuan patted Zephyr on the shoulder to comfort him.
"Don't worry, once we get back, I'll have people search the whole world. We'll definitely find you. As for your life, with me here, I can make sure you live to be two hundred years old or even longer."
With Pure Gold in hand, Lin Yuan was brimming with confidence. He refused to believe that it would take a hundred years to find it, and even if it were eaten, he could get it back.
Actually, Lin Yuan had something else he didn't say: his Time-Time Fruit should also be able to do that, but Lin Yuan just hadn't explored that area.
Lin Yuan is currently focused on developing attack methods; he can try them out if needed in the future.
"Okay, I promise you. If you can do it, my life is yours. Even if I can't, as long as Ain and the others have a good future, I can go down and call them sooner."
Although he didn't know whether Lin Yuan was telling the truth or not, Zephyr wanted to take the gamble. After all, his life only took a turn after his wife's tragic death, which was also a lifelong pain for him.
"Don't worry, I mean what I say!"
After saying that, Lin Yuan placed his hand on Zephyr's shoulder and activated the Time-Time Fruit ability, instantly causing a surge of energy to appear on Zephyr's body.
To the astonishment of Ain and Binz, Zephyr's aged body seemed to radiate new vitality, making him look decades younger, and his white hair returned to its original purple color.
He casually took out a ring and tossed it to Zephyr.
"Put it on and never take it off; this will give you more time to wait!"
"This is!"
Zephyr did not refuse. The moment he put on the ring, he felt his body freeze in place by a special energy.
His extensive knowledge quickly led him to a conclusion, and he stared at Lin Yuan with a look of utter astonishment.
"Hehe, you know that's good. I'll keep two of them in the future because of you!"
Thank you!
"Haha, then you'll have to put in a lot of effort from now on, my Aerospace Battleship Grand Marshal!"
"Haha, you little rascal, this Aerospace Battleship Grand Marshal is quite Haki! I agree! But I still need to go and see what the situation is like in the territory you're in charge of."
Although he readily accepted Lin Yuan's invitation, Zephyr also had his own principles. He didn't know Lin Yuan very well, and if the other party was an evil person, then even if it meant seeing his wife and children sooner, he would not help the wicked.
"Alright, let's go then. But Grand Fleet Admiral Zephyr, is there anything else you need to bring? We'll take everything with us at once, so we don't have to make another trip."
"Okay, let's go to my territory first. My men and some supplies are there."
Ain pointed Lin Yuan in a direction, and then Lin Yuan led the speedboats into the air, flying rapidly towards Zephyr's territory under the astonished gazes of the crowd.
They arrived after half a day, and at Zephyr's request, all the guerrilla fighters quickly organized the supplies.
Lin Yuan didn't mind, and instead took the time to find out about Naguri and his group's battle situation.
"Hello, this is Lin Yuan. How are things going over there?"