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"This is Kuzan... I have a report to make."
"Teacher Zephyr led the training ship into the New World, intending to intercept Don Chinjao of the Thunder God Pirates' Second Division to recover Borsalino's Glint-Glint Fruit. They encountered a monster. The recruits were slaughtered... only Ain and Binz survived. Yes."
"Recruit him as a Warlord? That's impossible..."
"Edward Weevil killed the most promising students of this generation and severed Teacher Zephyr's arm!!"
Even with Aokiji's normally stoic temperament, he couldn't stomach the World Government's mercenary proposal. To them, even a sworn enemy could be pardoned if it served their interests? Could they truly set aside such blood-soaked hatred for a bit of leverage?
His low, frustrated growl echoed across the deck of the silent ship. Zephyr, sitting nearby, didn't even bother to listen.
Successive heartbreaks had driven Zephyr to abandon his rank as Admiral years ago to become the Chief Instructor. It had driven Aokiji to take an extended leave of absence to wander the seas and see the world for what it truly was. The way Garp's death was handled—denied the honor he was due—had already planted seeds of doubt regarding "Justice" in the hearts of many Marines.
Now, with Zephyr mangled and his students dead, the World Government's first thought wasn't to comfort a legend, but to recruit the monster who did it. They wanted to turn this "Whitebeard Jr." into their own tool. It was enough to make anyone's blood run cold.
..............
The battered warship drifted across the waves, carrying only four souls: Zephyr, Aokiji, and the two young survivors. Zephyr, Binz, and Ain were shells of their former selves, their spirits crushed into ash by the tragedy.
Aokiji sighed, stowing his Transponder Snail after finishing the report. He had told the Government everything—except for the arrival of the Thunder Emperor.
It wasn't an accidental omission. Aokiji was beginning to think for himself. Garp's death had taught him to question whether the Government's decisions were actually right, whether they truly aligned with justice, and if not... whether he could achieve justice in his own way.
Arthur would eventually lead the Thunder God Pirates in an assault on Mary Geoise. The collision of those two titans would turn the world upside down. Aokiji needed to see it from the inside.
"Teacher Zephyr," Aokiji said, pulling a bottle of Jerez (Sherry) from his pack and handing it to his mentor. It was the drink Zephyr loved most. "Are you interested in doing something big with me?"
"Hmm?" Zephyr slowly raised his head. His eyes were a roadmap of burst capillaries, his face haggard and aged. He took the bottle, swallowed a few heavy gulps, and spoke in a raspy, hollow voice. "Of Sakazuki, Borsalino, and you... you were always the calmest. The one with his own thoughts. What kind of 'big thing'?"
"Ten years ago, when Arthur first escaped Impel Down and reached Sabaody, we met," Aokiji started, his voice level. "He asked me: 'If the justice the Marines insist upon ever makes you feel lost, where will you go?'"
"At the time, I thought it was just a psychological tactic to shake my resolve. I told him that if I ever became lost, I would find my own justice. I never imagined that day would actually come."
Aokiji looked Zephyr in the eye. "Teacher, I want to join the Thunder God Pirates."
The air in the cabin seemed to vanish. The bottle in Zephyr's hand froze mid-air. Even the traumatized Ain and Binz looked up in absolute shock.
A Marine Admiral joining the most notorious pirate crew in the world? It was a thunderclap in a clear sky. Marines and pirates were mortal enemies by definition—it was a matter of fundamental position. Even if family members were on opposite sides, they fought to the death. Garp had watched Ace die right in front of him, held down by Sengoku to keep his grief from turning into treason. That was the path they chose.
And now, Aokiji wanted to cross that line?
"You've always been a deep thinker. I cannot dictate your path," Zephyr said after a long silence. "But I have one question: do you truly know what you are doing?"
"I know exactly what I am doing, and I will walk this path without hesitation. Mr. Garp is my example. The Navy has made me lose my way—I'm going to find the real meaning of Justice." Aokiji stood and bowed deeply to Zephyr. "Teacher... I need your help!!"
Zephyr, Ain, and Binz felt their breath hitch. The idea was madness.
"Arthur is preparing to ignite a war that will consume the world," Aokiji continued. "The World Government is rotting from the roots, and they lack the courage to cut out the cancer. People are becoming disillusioned. Between the Revolutionary Army's ideals and Arthur's power, the world is in chaos. Where is 'Justice' in all of this?"
"Teacher, help me!"
..............
"Let me go! I want my Mama!!"
High above Raijin Island, Edward Weevil struggled uselessly in Arthur's grip. Despite the immense strain, his stamina was bottomless—he had been thrashing for hours without showing a hint of fatigue.
"SHUT UP," Arthur commanded coldly as they descended toward the Thunder God Temple.
Nearly a dozen Division Captains were already gathered there. Among them was Sai, who had officially taken over the Second Division from his grandfather. Seeing his grandfather's killer, Sai's eyes turned blood-red, and his grip on his naginata trembled with suppressed fury.
"Captain, who is this?" Shiryu asked, puffing on his cigar.
"The monster who killed Chinjao. 'Whitebeard Jr.,' Edward Weevil," Arthur said, holding Weevil down with one hand.
"Shiryu, you've been complaining about a lack of competition. I've found you a partner. His strength is the real deal." Arthur scanned the faces of his captains: Shiryu, Sai, Hancock, Vasco Shot, Catarina Devon, Pizarro, Foxy, and Vander Decken.
"From this day forward, Edward Weevil is the whetstone for every Captain in the Thunder God Pirates!!"
"Before we launch our full-scale invasion of the World Government, I don't want any of you being weak enough to die in the first exchange. Weevil is the standard I'm setting for you. At the very least, you must be able to survive his assault."
Arthur looked out over his territory, a manic glint in his eyes. "A peaceful, boring world lacks excitement. I'll be the one to light the fuse. Let's turn the world upside down..."
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