Chapter 197: Investigation
If things continued developing like this, the situation would become difficult to handle.
Zephyr's strength had indeed declined with age, but he was still no ordinary man.
According to the original course of history, when Zephyr encountered Edward Weevil, his students were slaughtered until only Ain and Binz survived, and even Zephyr himself lost an arm.
No matter how Edward Weevil had done it, one thing was clear.
He had succeeded.
It was like the saying often heard during competitions: friendship first, competition second.
In reality, it was usually the opposite.
Competition came first.
And Edward Weevil, no matter what method he used, had defeated Zephyr.
That point alone was enough for Axel to take seriously.
"I've changed my mind," Axel said.
Zephyr looked at him in confusion.
"Why the sudden change? Are you planning to help me organize this Marine training?"
It was precisely because Zephyr understood this student that he found it strange.
In his memory, Axel was not the type to willingly involve himself in trouble. Whenever something troublesome came up, this brat's usual style was to shrug it off and slip away.
As for asking for Axel's help, Zephyr had not truly placed much hope in it. He had only brought it up because Sengoku had suggested it. In truth, whether Axel agreed or not, Zephyr had already intended to continue the training.
That was why he had seemed so indifferent when Axel refused earlier.
"When I said I changed my mind, I didn't mean I'd help you plan the Marine training."
Axel looked toward the training ground.
"The problem that needs to be solved for this training isn't on your side. The key lies with the World Government."
"But didn't you just say you couldn't help because of the World Government?" Zephyr grew even more confused. "Why are you suddenly planning to start with them?"
Axel had just refused because of the World Government.
Now he wanted to provoke them directly?
Zephyr suddenly felt like the brat was messing with him.
No matter how he thought about it, he could not understand Axel's approach.
For the Marines, arresting pirates for training purposes was completely legal. Rather than dealing with the thankless trouble of handling the World Government, it would be better to focus on how to train the recruits properly.
With Axel's intelligence, it was impossible for him not to know that.
That was why, when Axel said he had changed his mind, Zephyr naturally assumed he meant he would assist with the training itself.
Besides, this was only recruit training.
Zephyr believed that with his own strength, even without sufficient intelligence, he could handle most unexpected situations.
What he did not know was that this exact way of thinking was why Axel had changed his mind.
"It's not like words can't be taken back," Axel said casually. "A change in mood is enough to change a decision."
His attitude was so light that Zephyr could not tell whether he was being sincere.
But that was not the main point.
"What do you intend to do?"
Zephyr had already made up his mind.
If Axel planned to do something dangerous, then as his teacher, he would oppose him no matter what.
"Investigate first."
"What do you mean?"
"Exactly what I said."
Axel's tone became calmer.
"No matter how the World Government tries to cover it up, the real reason definitely isn't the Seven Warlords. That much is certain."
Zephyr frowned.
"If it really were because of the Seven Warlords, then they only needed to provide information on pirates outside the Seven Warlords' influence. There would be no need for this kind of vague refusal."
Axel looked at him.
"So aren't you curious? What exactly is the World Government worried about? What are they trying to hide?"
The Grand Line was vast beyond measure.
Among the Seven Warlords, Crocodile, Doflamingo, Boa Hancock, and Gekko Moria had their own spheres of influence. Kuma, Mihawk, and Jinbe, however, had not carved out fixed territories in the same way.
Even if one generously counted each Warlord's influence as equal to a nation, it still would not be enough to obstruct Zephyr's recruit training across the seas.
Therefore, the so-called balance of the Seven Warlords system was merely a deception from the World Government.
There had to be another reason.
As for what that reason was, Axel originally had no interest in it.
But since he had already spoken, he could not bring himself to lose face by immediately changing his mind again.
So now he had to pretend he was very interested.
"You mean we should investigate the World Government's motive first, then decide on a countermeasure?" Zephyr asked sternly.
From the World Government forbidding this Marine operation and Sengoku being gagged on the matter, it was obvious that this was no small issue.
If Axel investigated it, the consequences would not be small either.
Danger would almost certainly follow.
"But I think it's better if you don't get involved," Zephyr said. "Training can be done anywhere. You could even coordinate with Impel Down and arrange simulated training."
Axel suddenly closed his eyes.
A moment later, he opened them.
His voice rose slightly, carrying a trace of amusement.
"But isn't this more interesting?"
Zephyr stared at him.
He stared hard, as if trying to see something else hidden behind those words.
After a while, Zephyr shook his head.
Those eyes, that expression, that casual posture, none of it had changed.
During Axel's training period, Zephyr had tried more than once to correct his lazy attitude and his habit of speaking nonsense. But for some reason, Axel still liked saying strange things.
This time was no different.
Zephyr saw through Axel's true intention.
He wanted to help.
Even though it would have been perfectly fine to admit that, he insisted on dressing it up as his own curiosity.
"You brat," Zephyr said, "are you a tsundere?"
"Cough, cough, cough!"
Axel choked violently, startled by Zephyr's words.
Since when had this old man's tongue become so sharp?
Was this still the somewhat rigid Zephyr he knew?
From their conversation just now, it really did sound a little like that.
But to hide his true purpose, Axel quickly changed the subject.
He could not exactly say that he simply did not want things to follow the original course.
Edward Weevil's strength had never truly been shown clearly in the anime. Axel did not know how strong he actually was.
But since he had defeated Zephyr and had been described as possessing the strength of a young Whitebeard, he was definitely not simple.
Rather than letting Zephyr face him as history intended, it was better to change things first.
To stir the flow of history away from its original path.
Axel shifted the topic.
"Where is the designated assessment location? What are the conditions of the surrounding seas? Has anything happened there recently? You should have that information, right? I don't believe for a second that you didn't investigate beforehand."
Zephyr paused briefly.
"You brat, you really know how to order people around. I do have the information, but it's quite ordinary. There's nothing special in it."
"If you're too stupid to see anything, just say so. Don't beat around the bush with 'nothing special.'"
Axel smiled with open contempt.
Zephyr suppressed the urge to punch him.
He really was Garp's grandson.
Just as infuriating as that old man.
After holding back his temper, Zephyr finally squeezed out a sentence.
"It seems that besides Borsalino, I've found another person I don't get along with."
"Don't lump me together with that perverted monkey. I'm nothing like him."
"Fortunately, Borsalino didn't hear that," Zephyr said. "Otherwise, I can't guarantee he wouldn't lose his temper with you."
Then his expression eased a little.
"But hearing you say that does make me feel much better."
Zephyr also had his own moments of schadenfreude.
Seeing Kizaru get mocked even more severely than himself made his mood improve.
After saying that, he turned and went to find the documents.
.....
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