CHAPTER 271: NEW FRIENDS
Brett had persuaded Zephyr. Initially, this seemed an impossibly difficult task. Tesoro had mocked the attempt. Even Brett hadn't possessed absolute confidence. Yet actual practice proved surprisingly manageable.
Perhaps I underestimated Zephyr's willingness to change, Brett thought. After abandoning the World Government and betraying the Navy, this man had thoroughly discarded naval justice. Now he upheld his own justice.
To Navy Zephyr, Brett was a criminal enemy. But to NEO Navy Zephyr, circumstances differed entirely. Having chosen opposition to the Navy, viewing matters through naval perspective became impossible.
This Zephyr proved more open-minded than Brett anticipated.
"Come, Zephyr—let's return to Fish-Man Island and properly discuss cooperation," Brett accelerated their descent.
While Brett joyfully returned with Zephyr's group, at Sabaody Archipelago:
"...That's the situation, Sengoku," Kizaru spoke helplessly to the Fleet Admiral via transponder snail. "Not that we were negligent—Brett simply proved overwhelmingly powerful."
His tone turned somewhat wistful. "Truly, this world has grown strange. How can someone be so strong?"
At Navy Headquarters, Fleet Admiral Sengoku found himself equally speechless. Zephyr establishing connections with Brett was an unimaginable development.
"Having despaired of justice, Zephyr has fallen," Vice Admiral Tsuru sighed from within the office, awaiting news alongside Sengoku. "The Zephyr I knew never compromised with evil."
"..." Sengoku remained silent. Regardless of circumstances, Zephyr was his comrade of decades, one of his closest lifelong friends. Watching his friend choose divergent paths, standing against the Navy—regret and pain consumed him.
"In any case, this complicates matters considerably," Vice Admiral Tsuru maintained her characteristic calm. She was the Navy's brain—regardless of situation or enemy, she analyzed with cold rationality. Even with decades-long companions becoming adversaries, she examined the situation objectively.
"Brett was already the World Government's most terrifying enemy. With Zephyr joining him, I struggle to imagine future developments."
Zephyr's danger lay not in strength but in his intimate knowledge of government and Navy operations. This man had served as the government's pillar for decades. He understood countless insider secrets.
If such a man joined forces with Brett's terrifying power, predicting their potential damage to the World Government became impossible.
"Leave this headache to the Five Elders," Fleet Admiral Sengoku sighed, reaching for his transponder snail.
In Mariejois, the Five Elders had likewise succumbed to fury.
"That bastard Brett!" Saint Warcury's voice rose sharply. "Why is he everywhere?! Why must this bastard meddle in everything?!"
Every troublesome matter connected to this bastard!
"We must eliminate Brett quickly! The longer delays continue, the more problematic he becomes, the harder elimination grows!" Saint Ju Peter spoke gravely.
Brett alone proved sufficiently troublesome. Yet increasingly powerful forces gathered around him. Setting aside the Whitebeard Pirates' longstanding alliance with Fish-Man Island—first came Tesoro, then the Heptagon Alliance, now even Zephyr had been recruited.
"Contact Kaido. Whatever it takes, convince him to oppose Brett with us!"
"And Wang Zhi—have CP0 accelerate operations. That man should soon join the Shichibukai!"
The World Government's Brett Elimination Plan activated completely. This enormous entity would now direct its spear toward Fish-Man Island, prioritizing Brett's destruction.
Beyond this, whether New World pirate emperors or Revolutionary Army activities across the Four Seas—all would be temporarily ignored. Their singular focus: dealing with Brett.
---
At Fish-Man Island:
"This is Fish-Man Island?" Zephyr's students gazed around in wonder after Brett openly escorted them through the kingdom's gates. Being seen mattered little.
"Just like in the movie! A fantastically beautiful dreamlike nation!"
Though that previously-released film was undoubtedly ideological propaganda, Navy personnel had watched anyway. During Fish-Man Island's honeymoon period with the World Government, the Five Elders hadn't objected. Why would Navy personnel consciously boycott?
Brett brought Zephyr to Immigration Bureau headquarters, directing subordinates to escort Zephyr's students to rest while he and Zephyr entered his office. They began discussing future arrangements.
"So Zephyr, what are your plans?" Brett asked.
Zephyr obviously wouldn't remain on Fish-Man Island permanently—not even establishing headquarters here like Tesoro seemed likely.
"I'm heading to the New World to organize an army," Zephyr said seriously. "Originally, I intended simply eliminating all New World pirates, ending this Great Pirate Era!"
Ambitious dreams indeed.
"But now, you've forced me to acknowledge that the World Government caused this chaotic era. For decades past, I've been complicit."
Zephyr's expression filled with shame. Perhaps his heart had recognized this truth long ago, yet he'd refused acknowledgment—refused admitting that decades of diligent pirate pursuit hadn't improved the era but worsened it.
Now, having betrayed the government, nothing remained unacknowledgeable.
"I'm glad you've reached this understanding," Brett smiled. "As friends then, Fish-Man Island can provide financial and munitions support for your new military organization."
"Brett!" Zephyr was genuinely shocked. The wealth required for organizing military forces wasn't trivial.
"Naturally, I have requirements," Brett continued.
"Please speak," Zephyr nodded slightly. Complete charitable gifting would've been difficult to accept.
"My requirement is simple: having decided to oppose the government, please don't abandon this halfway," Brett spoke seriously. "Fight alongside us until the end—until the World Government's complete destruction, establishing new just and free world order."
Zephyr's pupils dilated instantly. This man possessed such spirit and determination!
In that moment, Zephyr confirmed: so long as his target remained the World Government, this man before him was his most steadfast partner!
"Of course!" For the first time, Zephyr smiled genuinely at Brett. "I was about to say exactly that—if you try retreating midway, I won't forgive you!"
"Naturally," Brett smiled as well.
"By the way, Zephyr—care to meet a new friend? I believe we could form a tripartite alliance."
"Tripartite alliance?" Zephyr frowned. Brett had another hidden ally?
"Who?" he asked.
"Someone you should be quite familiar with, I think."