Ginny lowered her head deeply, wishing she could melt into the ground and disappear.
Fortunately, Zephyr did not comment on her earlier outburst.
He simply stood at the front, briefly explaining the day's training arrangements before preparing to dismiss the cadets.
Just then, hurried footsteps echoed across the training ground.
A Navy officer rushed in, breathless and flustered.
It was Rear Admiral Babus, the same man who had once escorted Lloyd back to Marine Headquarters.
Even before reaching Zephyr, Babus shouted urgently.
"Admiral Zephyr! Vice Admiral Garp has encountered the Whitebeard Pirates at sea. They are already engaged in battle. Fleet Admiral Kong has ordered you to provide immediate support!"
"What?" Zephyr exclaimed.
In a blur, he appeared directly in front of Babus, his expression tense.
"Why did Garp go out alone? Where is Sengoku?"
Babus barely had time to steady his breathing before answering.
"Vice Admiral Garp was heading to East Blue to visit relatives. His escort was minimal. Admiral Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru are currently on assignment elsewhere. Fleet Admiral Kong couldn't reach you through normal channels, so he sent me personally."
Zephyr's face darkened further.
He knew all too well how dangerous the Whitebeard Pirates were.
Since the fall of Rocks D. Xebec, Edward Newgate's crew had grown rapidly, expanding both in numbers and influence.
They were already showing the signs of an emperor-level force.
And Newgate himself was no ordinary pirate.
As a former core member of the Rocks Pirates, his strength was monstrous.
Garp had truly stepped into a dangerous situation.
There was no time to hesitate.
Zephyr asked immediately, "Are the warships ready?"
"Yes," Babus replied without delay.
"Fleet Admiral Kong has already assembled them. The fleet is waiting at the port."
Zephyr nodded, but his concern remained heavy.
Rocks' death had not weakened piracy, it had fractured it into countless powerful factions.
These independent crews were even harder to suppress.
The Navy was stretched thin.
Even with Kong's preparations, Zephyr knew the available combat power would be limited.
His priority would be simple, bring Garp back alive, no matter the cost.
Behind him, the cadets were visibly shaken.
Some were long-time admirers of Garp, and the urge to follow was clear in their eyes.
Still, they understood the truth.
With their current strength, joining that battlefield would mean death.
Gion clenched her fists.
Because of Tsuru, she had a close relationship with Garp.
She was already preparing to step forward, but someone moved faster.
"Zephyr sensei, let me go with you."
Zephyr turned around.
Lloyd had already stepped out of the formation, his expression calm and unreadable.
Akainu and Kuma followed closely beside him.
The one who had spoken was Lloyd.
Kizaru hesitated briefly, then sighed and casually walked out as well, positioning himself behind the others.
Once Lloyd moved, Lucia did not hesitate even for a second.
Despite being a new student, she stepped out from the female cadets immediately, even faster than Ginny and Gion.
Seven figures stood before Zephyr, representing the strongest combat potential of their generation.
A relieved smile briefly appeared on Zephyr's face, but he quickly shook his head.
"No. You are the future of the Navy. This is not an ordinary pirate crew. I cannot take you with me."
Akainu stepped forward.
His shoulders glowed red, thick smoke rolling from his body as magma-like heat distorted the air around him.
His clenched fist trembled with resolve.
"Zephyr sensei, I am a Marine. Justice comes before life. Please allow me to go."
Lloyd remained silent for a moment before speaking.
His voice was steady.
"Zephyr sensei, this is a large-scale battle. Logia users like us are most effective in this kind of warfare. And Kuma's ability alone changes the battlefield entirely."
His eyes flickered with calculation rather than passion.
He was not driven by loyalty to Garp.
He simply recognized an opportunity.
A real battlefield against legends was the best measure of his progress.
Zephyr hesitated.
Lloyd was right.
Logia abilities were strategic weapons.
That was precisely why the Navy valued them so highly.
Ginny and Gion were already proficient in Armament Haki.
Lucia's Mythical Zoan made her a rare combat asset.
And Kuma's Paw-Paw Fruit provided both mobility and emergency extraction.
The more Zephyr considered it, the clearer the answer became.
Finally, he raised his hand decisively.
"You seven, move to the port immediately."
Lloyd allowed a faint smile.
"Zephyr sensei, you're forgetting something."
Zephyr blinked, then nodded.
"Right. Kuma."
Kuma stepped forward without hesitation.
He raised his hands.
One by one, six sharp popping sounds echoed as Lloyd and the others vanished.
After sending them off, Kuma activated his ability on himself.
Because Garp's exact position was unknown, he could only send them to the port.
---
The sea near the border between East Blue and the Calm Belt was engulfed in chaos.
Cannon fire roared endlessly.
Several pirate ships surrounded a Navy warship, raining cannonballs upon it.
Marine officers fought desperately, using brute force and Haki to deflect incoming fire and keep the vessel afloat.
Pirates had already boarded the ship, clashing violently with Marine forces.
Meanwhile, Garp had already charged onto the Whitebeard Pirates' main ship, the Moby Dick, alone.
It was a reckless decision.
Whitebeard stood firm, towering like a mountain.
He grinned widely, his massive teeth gleaming under the moonlight.
"Gurararara, Garp. You're as impulsive as ever. You challenge my crew so casually. Do you think I'm Roger?"
Garp's uniform was in tatters.
He wiped his nose with his thumb and snorted.
"Any difference? Whitebeard. You're going to prison first."
Whitebeard's smile faded slightly.
"You still don't understand the situation. You think you can take me today?" His voice boomed.
"I'll show the Navy the true strength of my family."
A samurai-clad man standing nearby stepped forward, gripping two swords.
"Whitey, stop wasting time. Let me handle him."
Whitebeard raised one arm, stopping him calmly.
"Not yet, Oden. You're not ready for him."
Whitebeard looked up as the moon rose higher in the sky, laughter rumbling from his chest.
"Night's falling. I should finish this quickly. My sons are waiting for their banquet. Gurararara!"