You call this stability?
Hearing Sengoku's words, Zephyr raised his brow, his face darkening as he stared straight at Sengoku. "Are you really implementing the Warlord's policy to its fullest? Sengoku, look me in the eye and tell me, is this stability?"
"As a legal force under the World Government, the Warlords and their crews have their bounties revoked without reason. Furthermore, Marine warships are prohibited from entering territories under a Warlord's control without prior authorization. If our request is denied, we are strictly forbidden from entering their territory."
"What is the World Government trying to do? Where does this put the Marines? Tell me, Sengoku!"
"Calm down, Zephyr. I know you're furious."
Looking at Zephyr, who was growing increasingly angry, Sengoku could only continue to soothe him. "But don't just focus on power. The Warlord also has obligations, and you see, aren't they doing quite well now?"
"You call that pretty well? Have you forgotten what happened in the kingdom of Dressrosa?"
"What happened? I don't know exactly what happened, but there's definitely a terrifying conspiracy!"
Hearing Zephyr's words, a flicker of sadness crossed Sengoku's eyes.
Then, as if nothing had happened, he said: "But look, isn't that guy a pretty good king? Even the citizens of Dressrosa recognize him."
(T/N: Timeline is pretty much around 1512, I guess.)
"I would rather the World Government had fully recruited them than this… The Seven Warlords of the Sea, ridiculous!"
"Those guys aren't easily recruited!"
"So you admit they're not trustworthy!"
Zephyr sneered at Sengoku and continued: "In that case, why not recruit other forces? Independent fighters or strong individuals?"
"This is a policy made by the World Government!"
"..."
That single sentence silenced Zephyr, who was about to say more.
Yes, those words were more than enough. He understood well that no one could defy the World Government's orders, not even the Fleet Admiral himself.
He was only venting his frustration here after everything he had gone through, and after seeing the Warlord policy enforced so thoroughly.
"Feeling calmer now?"
Sengoku sighed. "Although I'm a little frustrated and angry, I have to admit that the World Government's policy is indeed suitable for the current situation in the sea. Look, even though the Warlord has only just been assembled, the sea has been peaceful for so long, hasn't it? Letting pirates fight pirates is a good idea, isn't it?"
"Letting pirates fight pirates? Now I understand what that kid meant by justice."
"Justice? Kid?"
Sengoku froze at Zephyr's unprovoked words. Then, as if remembering something, he spoke directly. "Are you talking about that retired Lieutenant from the 315th Branch of the West Blue? His name is Ian, right? It seems you, like Kuzan, hold him in high regard!"
What kind of kid is he?
He had originally thought he was just an arrogant fellow, but honestly, after hearing Zephyr bring it up, he was a little curious again.
"Since you think so highly of him, why don't you bring him to Marine Headquarters? I could give him the rank of Rear-Admiral. From what you've said, he already understands his own sense of justice?"
"His justice isn't the justice of Marine Headquarters, nor the justice of the World Government."
Zephyr scoffed, shaking his head. "Besides, he's already married. Family is more important to him than so-called justice!"
"Then it seems his sense of justice isn't strong! He'd give up coming to Marine Headquarters so easily."
Sengoku smiled and shook his head. "I really don't understand why you think so highly of him. Never mind, let's not talk about that."
A retired Lieutenant, and one whose justice wasn't strong enough, might have some strength, but he wasn't worthy of the Fleet Admiral's attention.
Sengoku glanced at Zephyr's right hand again. "Your hand is reattached? But it looks like it'll take some time to heal."
"It will indeed take some time to heal."
Zephyr also looked at his hand with a complicated expression and sighed. "I didn't expect it to be reattached. They said it would take at least a year to fully heal."
"A year? Then take a good rest for a year! Stop blaming yourself for that incident; it wasn't your fault."
Hearing that it would take a year to heal, Sengoku breathed a sigh of relief and continued: "I'll grant you a year and a half of leave. During this year and a half, you can rest well in the sanatorium!"
"I came here to ask for leave."
Zephyr said bluntly after hearing Sengoku's words. "As for the sanatorium, forget it."
"Oh, have you decided where to recuperate?"
"Of course."
Zephyr narrowed his eyes slightly. "West Blue, I plan to go to West Blue for recuperation."
"....?"
Sengoku was stunned for a moment, then seemed to understand what Zephyr meant and sighed. "Are you thinking of bringing that kid back? It seems you value him very much! Well, since you've made up your mind, I won't say anything more."
He pulled out a piece of paper from the side, wrote something on it, stamped it, and handed it to Zephyr.
With a solemn tone, he said: "I hope that in a year and a half, I can see the former Black Arm, Zephyr!"
"Black Arm, Zephyr?"
Facing Sengoku's solemnity, Zephyr smiled wryly but nodded. "Thank you, Sengoku!"
Black Arm, Zephyr... Can he ever go back to the way he was before?
After that, without saying anything more, he turned and walked outside.
Suddenly, a voice came from behind him.
A few seconds later, Sengoku, who had fallen silent, sensing Zephyr's complicated feelings, spoke again. "Since that guy doesn't recognize the justice of the Marines, then what is his justice?"
Zephyr, who was about to leave the doorway, paused as if remembering something.
The wry smile on his face vanished, his lips curling slightly in a meaningful smile. He said calmly: "That guy's justice is his own justice. As for the justice of the Marines... He says it's bullshit!"
…
"I'm not!"
Ian, having just stepped onto the dock at the Sibia Village, looked at the anxious-looking Village Chief Martin before him and said solemnly: "Don't worry, I'm not involved with the mafia! How could I, a retired Marine Lieutenant, run into the mafia?"
He wasn't lying. It was clearly the mafia that was involved with him. How could he be involved with the mafia?
After all, he was a big shot in the 315th Branch. How could he lower himself to join some petty mafia?
If Enchi and the others heard this, they'd probably burst out laughing!