At the canal port in Nakor City.
Mina watched the retreating figure of Blackbeard Teach, then turned and asked, "Captain, you're just going to let him leave?"
"The power of the Tremor-Tremor Fruit is simply too great. I don't want the home and authority I painstakingly built to be rendered useless," Aeridar glanced at Mina, then curled his lip.
The Tremor-Tremor Fruit's ability is rumored to be able to destroy the world, and that's no exaggeration. Especially when two monsters with such terrifying power clash, the entire Brady Island where the Clifford Kingdom is located would likely be split into pieces.
Even if it didn't split, damaging the island's crust and turning the environment into one prone to frequent earthquakes would scare away anyone from settling here. Wouldn't that render Aeridar's years of effort meaningless?
Unless Aeridar and Enel were to ambush him out at sea, but since both of them are Devil Fruit users, fighting at sea would risk them falling into the ocean and drowning.
He couldn't sacrifice a life for a life. The cost of taking down Blackbeard was too high, a price Aeridar was not yet willing to pay.
"Captain, Big Mom has sent an invitation to her tea party. She requests your attendance," Mina suddenly said, holding out an invitation card bearing the Big Mom Pirates' emblem to Aeridar.
"A tea party, again." Aeridar took the invitation with two fingers, asking with a slight smile, "What's the occasion this time?"
"Jinbe and the Sun Pirates have joined the Big Mom Pirates, and Fish-Man Island has gained Big Mom's protection. Also, Aladine, the First Mate of the Sun Pirates, is engaged to Praline," Mina's beautiful large eyes curved into crescents as she smiled. "This tea party is the wedding date for Aladine and Praline!"
"Is that so? Praline is quite a decent girl," Aeridar raised an eyebrow, a memory of the half-mermaid girl floating in his mind.
After a pause, Aeridar smiled. "That's somewhat interesting. I'll attend when the time comes."
…
Marineford, Marine Headquarters Fortress.
"Did you hear?"
"Hear what?"
"You haven't heard? Fleet Admiral Sakazuki is thinking of relocating the Marine Headquarters!"
"What? No way!"
"I heard it circulating from the Staff Office. Fleet Admiral Sakazuki wants to demonstrate his resolve to crush the pirates in the New World, so he's apparently planning to swap the Headquarters with the G-1 Branch at the entrance to the New World!"
"You're kidding?! That's too drastic! The World Military Draft just started, and our fighting strength hasn't been fully replenished yet!"
"Who knows? Even if it's true, it should only happen after the World Military Draft is over!"
"..."
Around a corner of the stairs, two Marine captains were smoking, puffing out clouds as they chatted leisurely.
Zephyr was walking up the stairs and happened to overhear their conversation. His brows furrowed instantly, and the Marine with him, Ain, was secretly astonished.
Moving the Marine Headquarters into the New World? That was too extreme. Could it really be true?
"Chief Instructor!"
The two chatting Marine captains were startled when they saw Zephyr approaching. They quickly stamped out their cigarettes and respectfully saluted.
Zephyr nodded, walking straight past without asking any questions.
"How unusual. I can't believe we saw Chief Instructor Zephyr back here!"
"I know! Even during the Paramount War, Chief Instructor Zephyr was away in the New World and wasn't stationed here at Headquarters!"
Seeing Zephyr leave, the two young captains began to whisper to each other again.
Just then, Zephyr and Ain arrived at the door to the Fleet Admiral's office, which was wide open.
"Ain, you wait outside," Zephyr instructed.
"Yes, Zephyr-sensei!" Ain replied.
So, Zephyr walked in alone.
"Captain Hina reports eliminating a group of pirates near Saint Poplar Island, sinking one of their pirate ships. It's been confirmed that this group was responsible for the attack on the Oria Kingdom!" A middle-aged captain in a Justice coat was reporting to Sakazuki, who was studying a map.
"Well done."
Sakazuki turned around, a cigar clenched in his teeth, his face devoid of emotion. "Have Captain Hina come to Headquarters to finalize the handover for this mission. Her rank can be raised by one level."
"Yes, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki!"
The middle-aged captain stood at attention, but his expression revealed a hint of envy. To be promoted to the rank of Commodore at such a young age... he was nearly forty and still a mere Commander. There was simply no comparison!
At that moment, Sakazuki, having turned around, saw Zephyr walking into the office and waved his hand. "You may leave now."
"Yes, sir!"
The middle-aged captain answered, turning to leave. He was surprised to see Zephyr behind him, quickly saluting. "Chief Instructor Zephyr!"
"You're dismissed."
Zephyr nodded, waving him away.
"Yes, sir!"
A meeting between the current Fleet Admiral and a former Admiral must be about something important. The middle-aged captain dared not linger and quickly left, making sure to close the door behind him.
In an instant, only Sakazuki and Zephyr remained in the office.
"You, the Fleet Admiral, personally sent a wire summoning me. Are you trying to pull rank on me, Sakazuki?" Zephyr asked, his tone unfriendly.
"Look at this."
Sakazuki acted as if he hadn't heard Zephyr's disrespectful tone. He turned and pulled a file from the pile of documents on the Fleet Admiral's desk and handed it to Zephyr.
Zephyr frowned slightly, took the file, and opened it to read.
"This is..."
An expression of shock appeared on Zephyr's face, which quickly morphed into intense joy, though the trace of hatred in his eyes was still clearly visible.
But after a few seconds, Zephyr's joyful expression changed. His face turned somewhat green, and hatred transformed into burning fury in his eyes. His chest heaved violently, showing he was barely suppressing a towering rage.
"Is… this… their… decision?"
Zephyr struggled to contain his anger, looking at Sakazuki and asking word by agonizing word.
"It's not the first time they've done something like this," Sakazuki exhaled a cloud of smoke, which obscured his face.
"Hehe... I should have realized this sooner!"
Zephyr gave the file in his hand a deep look, then crumpled it into a ball and threw it onto the floor.
"Absolute Justice must still rely on them," Sakazuki said flatly.
"Hmph... Justice?"
Zephyr sneered, looking at Sakazuki's face with contempt. "The existence of the Celestial Dragons is the greatest mockery of 'Justice'!"
"Zephyr-sensei! Watch your words!"
Sakazuki's eyes narrowed, and he spoke in a deep voice.
"A person will never consider the thoughts of a tool!" Zephyr raised the giant Smasher weapon attached to his right arm and clenched his fist.
Immediately, Zephyr turned directly, pushed the door open, and left the room.
"Ain! We're leaving!"
Sakazuki didn't stop him. He merely took a deep drag from his cigar and let out a large plume of smoke.
Gradually, the room became shrouded in smoke, and Sakazuki's figure grew indistinct.
"Zephyr-sensei..."
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