"I didn't expect anyone would still ask about this."
Facing Smoker, who was staring at him with a blank expression, Zephyr fell silent. Letting out a heavy breath, he asked, "Do you really want to know?"
"Cut the pointless talk!" Smoker waved his hand impatiently, keeping his eyes fixed on his former instructor. "I finally got this opportunity and made Dante agree to my request."
"Where did he even hear about it?" Zephyr couldn't help but clench his teeth in frustration.
Knowing was one thing, but telling Smoker? Wasn't he afraid of drawing the World Government's attention? But then again...
Looking at Smoker's serious expression, he could tell the young captain genuinely needed to know. Helpless, Zephyr exhaled wearily. "You're still as stubborn as ever. For a Marine, not knowing... might actually be a blessing."
He paused for a moment. "Fine. Since you want to know, and I've already left Marine HQ anyway, I'll tell you."
Zephyr looked up, his tone grave. "Do you know why Garp was given the title Hero of the Marines?"
"He saved the Celestial Dragons and stopped the Rocks Pirates' conspiracy."
"That's exactly right. But do you know why the Celestial Dragons and the Rocks Pirates appeared there in the first place?"
"..."
"Because of a so-called 'routine guard duty'. Atleast, that's what was told to us. While I didn't go there personally, I had to calm down Garp from attacking Mary Geoise afterwards and some of his crazy plans. You think his Dragon courageous for Revolutionary Army? Couple of the ideas Garp mentioned could've thrown the whole world into chaos and Garp had power and charisma to do it! Garp would've somehow pulled Roger and Whitebeard into his crusade. Focusing back to the God Valley." Zephyr's voice carried a note of deep lament, but his eyes held suppressed fury. "Back then, there was a kingdom on God Valley. It was a trap set for Rocks pirates by kidnapping one of their members, I can't think of any other reason for kidnapping someone from Rocks crew, if I remember right. Then for reason I don't know Roger pirates came along too. But that wasn't all, it was also a hunting game. Which wasn't mentioned to Marines. That's right, it wasn't a member nation..."
As Zephyr's low voice slowly recounted the history, Smoker sat completely stunned, as if he had truly been transported to the God Valley Incident.
The Rocks Pirates, the Roger Pirates, the Marines! Celestial Dragons, Holy Knights, and the Gorosei! A covered-up hunting game...
The 'routine guard duty' was actually making sure the slaves didn't escape. That terrible truth made Smoker's hand tremble uncontrollably. His eyes widened in absolute disbelief.
At this moment, he understood why Vice Admiral Garp had cut him off back then. He understood why Dante wouldn't tell him no matter how much he asked. He also understood why the World Government had erased that incident entirely.
So that was how it all happened.
Smoker felt as if the justice in his heart had suddenly shattered. He stared blankly ahead, his whole body numb.
"That's how it was." Looking at Smoker, whose stubborn defiance had been replaced by a hollow stare, Zephyr exhaled heavily. "That's also why the World Government and the Marines had to erase that incident. It was a disgrace. They thought they were just protecting the Celestial Dragons, but they had no idea what the Celestial Dragons were actually doing. After all, conducting such a hunting game and destroying a non-member nation like this... that's something only pirates would do, and can only be done by pirates. So all the casualties were blamed on Roger and Rocks."
"Pirates..." Hearing those words, Smoker kept his head bowed, a trace of bitter self-mockery appearing on his face.
No wonder Dante had said what he did.
He raised his head, fighting to suppress the fury threatening to boil over. "So what exactly is Marine Justice? Please tell me, Zephyr-sensei."
"This truth... is hard to take, isn't it?"
Zephyr looked at him with profound melancholy. "That's why I've always taught you not to care too much about Marine HQ's justice, and why I never interfere with your own justice, as long as you don't forget the justice in your own heart."
"...Hard to accept?" Smoker let out a derisive scoff and took a fierce drag on his cigar. He stood up abruptly, though he was still reining in his anger. "If I didn't know the truth, I'd be even worse off."
Having found his answer, he turned to leave.
Seeing his expression, Zephyr hurriedly shouted, "Don't do anything reckless! The World Government isn't to be underestimated!"
"Nonsense, of course I know that. I'm just a Marine Captain. I can't even change Marine HQ, let alone the World Government." Smoker raised an eyebrow, his tone irritable. "Am I that stupid, Zephyr-sensei?"
"I'm just afraid you might rush back to Marine HQ and cause trouble on impulse. You have a history of that." Zephyr forced a laugh, letting out another sigh. He looked at him with genuine emotion. "You've really grown up, Smoker."
"I don't take that as a compliment." Smoker looked at him speechlessly before scoffing in disdain. "I've always hated those bastards. Now I just... hate them even more."
"Hahaha, that group really is irritating. That's why Garp ended up the way he did."
"Don't worry, I'm not that stupid." Smoker fell silent for a moment. "I won't tell anyone about what happened today. After I walk out that door, I'll lock this memory away in my mind, firmly sealed."
He turned back toward the exit. But when he reached the doorway, his footsteps paused.
He said faintly, "Zephyr-sensei, Dante was right about one thing... this world is completely rotten."
With those words, he opened the door and walked outside without looking back.
Zephyr was left stunned. After a moment, he smiled helplessly and let out a deep sigh. "That's right, this world really is completely rotten."
But it was also terrifyingly rotten. So rotten that people didn't know what to do. Zephyr's eyes flickered slightly as he recalled the Marine 16th Branch Academy he had seen last night. He muttered, "What are you trying to do, Dante?"
--**--**
Outside, Smoker's expression hardened as he stood beyond the doorway. After taking another hard drag on his cigar, he muttered self-deprecatingly, "As expected... I'm a joke."
Just as he finished speaking, a familiar, highly irritating voice came from the side.
Smoker turned his head. Sure enough, Dante was standing right beside him. "When did you get here?" Smoker asked irritated.
"Just got here. What's up? Don't worry, I definitely didn't see your sentimental side just now!"
"I... forget it." Smoker's mouth twitched. He gave a bitter smile and muttered , "Maybe I should have listened to you and not asked."
He flicked his ash angrily and took a deep breath. "How did you know about it?"
"Know? Know what?" Dante looked at him in total innocence. "I have no idea!"
At this point, he was still pretending? Smoker's eyelid twitched. He scoffed, planning to ignore him and just walk away.
But Dante's voice rang out again. "Wait!"
Smoker turned his head, furrowing his brows. "What now?"
Dante offered a faint, genuine smile. "Want to take a tour of my turf with Zephyr-sensei?"
===============
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