"I wonder how Zephyr-sensei will react when he hears the news?" Borsalino pursed his lips, speaking with an air of feigned indifference. "I heard the Government is even considering him as a candidate for the Seven Warlords of the Sea?"
"Indeed. That is their intention," Sakazuki replied, his expression remaining cold and impassive.
"Tsk, tsk... It looks like they want to drive Zephyr-sensei out of the Marines, just like they did with Syrons-san," Borsalino clicked his tongue.
Since his battle with Aeridar years ago, Nielmark Syrons' old and new injuries had flared up simultaneously. Realizing his strength was waning by the day, he chose to resign from the Marines entirely. He didn't even retain his military rank, opting for a complete discharge.
Though Syrons had always maintained that he didn't care about "Golden Ring" Aeridar joining the Seven Warlords, the officers within the Marines were no fools; they knew better than to take those words at face value.
A veteran Marine with such immense experience, even if his combat power had diminished, possessed invaluable knowledge. Had he stayed on as an instructor, he undoubtedly would have raised a generation of elite Marines. This was precisely why Kong, the Commander-in-Chief, had fought so hard to keep men like Zephyr, Garp, and Sengoku in the service.
Unfortunately, Syrons had retired completely, a fact that left countless people feeling a profound sense of regret.
"Enough!"
As if the topic had struck a nerve, Sakazuki shouted in a low, stern voice.
Borsalino shrugged and fell silent, turning his attention back to his tea. Although they shared a student-teacher bond, his relationship with Zephyr was notoriously strained. He had only brought it up out of a lingering, minuscule sense of professional respect.
However, the politics involved were far too taboo. With his slippery, "unclear justice" personality, he had no desire to get more involved than necessary.
After a long silence, Sakazuki looked at Borsalino, his gaze narrowing. "We need to focus our attention on the man known as 'Golden Ring' Aeridar. His intelligence department has been searching for someone recently. It seems to involve the Beasts Pirates. My intuition tells me that something big is about to happen."
Hearing this, Borsalino frowned slightly. "Whether the Chris Pirates and the Beasts Pirates clash or form a closer alliance, the impact on the world will be severe."
"That is why I need you to remain stationed at G-1 for a while longer. Keep a close eye on the movements in the New World. Vergo's strength at G-5 isn't enough to handle a situation of this magnitude alone," Sakazuki said solemnly.
Sakazuki knew full well that to reach the position of Base Commander, especially at the Marines' only stronghold-level base in the New World, Vergo's strength was not to be underestimated. However, compared to the Chris Pirates, who controlled the world's neutral zones, and one of the Yonko like the Beasts Pirates, Vergo was still far outclassed.
"Honestly... and here I thought I'd finally get a few days of rest," Borsalino scratched his head, grumbling under his breath.
With the former Marine Hero and the Fleet Admiral moving to the second line, and Kuzan having left the Marines entirely, Sakazuki's promotion to Fleet Admiral left Borsalino as the only original Admiral on active duty.
He had been holding the line in the New World, acting as a deterrent against the Great Pirates. It was only after the two new Admirals from the Military Draft joined that his pressure eased slightly. He had just returned for a brief vacation, only to be sent back immediately.
"Watch your tongue. We are the Marines of Justice!" Sakazuki's voice took on a sharp, disciplinary edge.
"Yes, yes, yes~" Borsalino replied flippantly, taking a slow sip of his tea in a dismissive manner.
…
The New World. In a certain sea area.
An incomparable, colossal elephant trekked across the ocean. It was so vast it defied description, its legs alone rising hundreds of meters above the sea's surface. From a distance, its back appeared to carry an entire world—forests, rivers, and even towns. It was less an animal and more a wandering 'island.'
No one knew the destination of this giant. It moved across the ocean as if it would never stop, a journey that had already lasted a thousand years and would likely continue until the moment it died.
Zou Island, The Mokomo Dukedom.
"To think I'd run into Zou! The country on the back of an elephant... the home of the Mink Tribe."
Aeridar flew through the air, gazing at the walking colossus and the city perched upon its back. His face was filled with genuine shock and wonder. "The legends say this giant elephant has lived for a thousand years. Truly incredible."
Zou was a phantom island. Because it was constantly in motion within a specific area and was not a landmass, it could not be tracked by a Log Pose. Outsiders rarely, if ever, disturbed this place.
Moreover, given its sheer size, if this elephant ever went on a rampage, it would likely take someone of the caliber of a Marine Admiral or a Yonko to contend with it. Even the likes of Doflamingo or Tesoro might not be able to defeat it; a creature that had lived for a millennium possessed tenacious vitality and incomparable physical power.
Looking at Zunesha's gargantuan form, Aeridar couldn't help but think of one of the Ancient Weapons: Poseidon. Or rather, the current Princess of the Ryugu Kingdom, Shirahoshi.
In the original timeline, Shirahoshi had unconsciously tapped into Poseidon's power, summoning several Sea Kings over five thousand meters in length. Bodies of that scale could cause the very earth to shake with the slightest movement. Very few islands on earth could withstand the havoc such ancient creatures could wreak.
Unless absolutely necessary, Aeridar had no desire to provoke such a primordial force.
He had originally set out for Mariejois to discuss important matters with the Gorosei, but stumbling upon the wandering Zou had changed his plans.
"A giant elephant that has lived for a thousand years, and a country with a millennium of history... there might be a Poneglyph up there. Perhaps even the truth about the Void Century," Aeridar mused, stroking his chin as he followed the elephant's path.
His curiosity was piqued.
BOOM!
Suddenly, Aeridar accelerated. A massive sonic boom echoed as rings of vapor exploded outward, trailing behind him.
Mokomo Dukedom, Kurau City.
The thunderous roar in the sky caused the residents of the city to look up. Countless Minks stared in curiosity at the figure descending from the clouds.
"Is that a bird?"
"No! It looks like a human!"
"Can humans fly?"
"I don't think so. I've never heard of a human flying."
The Mink citizens whispered among themselves, engaging in heated discussion. Cut off from the outside world, many had never left the island, let alone seen a human being.