CHAPTER 264 THE REBELLIOUS ZEPHYR
Zephyr led his students away from Pangaea Castle without looking back. Zero watched their departing figures silently. Beside him stood Naval Hero Garp, also observing.
"Garp, I believe you should speak with Zephyr, convince him to calm down," Zero said evenly before turning back toward the Castle.
Garp didn't even turn his head. He kept watching his old friend's receding silhouette. That figure seemed desolate and fragile—something Garp had never witnessed before.
Previously, Zephyr's bearing always radiated confidence. His spine remained perpetually straight, always confronting enemies with the proudest, most assured demeanor. Yet now his posture seemed unable to straighten, weighed down by something invisible.
"Zephyr—" Garp called quietly.
He watched as Zephyr grew distant, ever more distant. As the old man neared the edge of his vision, Garp saw it—Zephyr's spine straightened again. His hand moved through his hair, combing it back.
Within the Castle:
"Zephyr has departed," Zero reported to the Five Elders.
"Hmph, he may have left physically, but discontent still festers within him," Saint Warcury scoffed.
"Don't say such things. After all, Zephyr has fought for the government as a naval officer for decades," Saint Ju Peter smiled. "We'll simply need to properly console him afterward."
"Always the actor," Saint Saturn laughed.
"Isn't that precisely why we're concerned? We worry he might act rashly in his anger," Saint Ju Peter's smile remained unchanged. "Zephyr's arm is severed, he suffers from chronic asthma, yet his strength remains considerable. He commands enormous influence within the Navy."
Saint Nusjunodded lightly. "Inform Sengoku to keep watch on Zephyr. Prevent him from doing anything foolish."
"Understood."
On the open sea, a military vessel raced forward. Zephyr stood at the bow, arms crossed, gazing silently at the turbulent waves.
"Teacher Zephyr!" Behind him, a student clenched his fists, grinding his teeth. "Will we just accept this? Allow Weevil to become Shichibukai?!"
Those who died in that attack were their comrades. Companions they'd trained, laughed, and suffered alongside—their closest brothers.
"Accept it?" Zephyr didn't turn around. "How could we possibly accept this?"
Every person on deck tensed simultaneously, hearing the sound of clashing steel in their most respected teacher's voice.
"We've been betrayed by justice itself," Zephyr said, his back to his students. "I was a fool. I should have realized this long ago. Starting with that bastard Brett."
Wasn't Brett the same? He'd killed Navy personnel yet received government forgiveness. Shouldn't it have become obvious then?
To the government, justice held no value.
"Teacher Zephyr..." Ain stumbled forward hesitantly. She sensed something profound approaching—words that would overturn their entire world.
"What do you mean?"
Zephyr suddenly turned. All his students witnessed it—tears streamed down the steel-like man's face, blurring his features. Yet within that blur, his resolute eyes remained crystal clear.
"The World Government Navy Headquarters no longer represents justice. From now on, I seek true justice."
"Will you come with me?"
---
Several hours later, Navy Headquarters:
"Still no word from Zephyr?" Fleet Admiral Sengoku's expression was grim, his forehead beaded with sweat.
The military vessel carrying Zephyr and his students—which should have returned from Mariejois to Marineford long ago—had gone silent. Since departing from the Red Line's underwater base, it had vanished into the sea without trace, as if all aboard had simply evaporated.
Yet Sengoku knew almost no one could make Zephyr disappear without sending any message.
Except himself.
"Nothing," Vice Admiral Tsuru answered, shaking her head as she entered. "The government just contacted me, ordering me to monitor him."
Sengoku sighed heavily.
"It appears we're too late."
"That man has likely chosen the path we most dreaded," Vice Admiral Tsuru sighed as well.
"..." Sengoku fell silent.
After a long pause, he finally spoke. "Zephyr was always the most reserved among us. When his internal volcano erupts, it becomes most difficult to contain."
"So, Sengoku," Vice Admiral Tsuru asked, "what do we do now?"
"What else, Tsuru? Now even you hesitate?" Sengoku managed a strained smile. He rubbed his hair in frustration. "I'm at just as much of a loss."
Days later, following the new Shichibukai announcement that had rippled worldwide, an even more explosive report left the entire world nearly speechless.
Black Arm Zephyr, former Marine Admiral, current chief instructor of Marine Headquarters, the man who personally cultivated nearly every current pillar of the Navy—had defected.
"This can't possibly be true! Is this actually real news?!"
"Zephyr? The actual Black Arm Zephyr?! A man like that actually betrayed the Marines?! Who could believe such a thing?!"
The entire ocean erupted in discussion. A former Marine Admiral—a government high-ranking officer of that caliber—defecting was unprecedented.
Everyone debated: what had Zephyr experienced to choose betrayal? What circumstances had driven him to this?
Theories proliferated wildly.
"That damn Zephyr!" In Pangaea Castle, the Five Elders—previously indifferent to Zephyr—now burned with fury. "Doesn't that bastard understand the government's current situation?! For opposing Brett, slight sacrifices were necessary!"
"Zero! Find that man's location! Eliminate him in minimum time!"
Officer defection of this magnitude already damaged government credibility. If resolution took too long, how would the seas view the World Government? Unable to handle pirate emperors was one thing, but unable to eliminate a single defector?
"Understood," Zero agreed, though his heart carried some resignation. Dealing with the Revolutionary Army, infiltrating Fish-Man Island, now pursuing Zephyr. CP0 wasn't omnipotent.
On Fish-Man Island:
Brett lowered the newspaper, his lips curving upward.
He felt grateful to the World Government. Zephyr's defection happened ahead of schedule.
So then... couldn't he perhaps...
****
60+advance chapters at patreon.com/Eatinpieces