At this moment.
In the waters not far from End Point, a fleet of Marine warships cut through the waves.
A heavy, suffocating atmosphere shrouded the convoy.
On the deck...
Save for a certain Vice Admiral who had been happily crunching on rice crackers since their departure, every Marine and officer stood in solemn silence, their gazes fixed on the horizon.
For them, the stakes were impossibly high.
Success was one thing. But if they failed... they would have to personally send Zephyr on his final journey.
He was the revered Chief Instructor of the Marine Academy, the man who had raised a generation of soldiers. How could their hearts not be heavy? How could they not feel... grief?
The vast majority of the Marines present had been his students. From the moment they first enlisted, it was Zephyr who had guided them, step by step. He taught them how to fight, how to capture pirates, and how to uphold justice.
Even if their definition of justice differed from his, or from the absolute doctrine of Marine Headquarters, Zephyr had never rejected them. He acknowledged their paths.
He believed that as long as they didn't betray their conscience or cross their own moral lines, their justice was valid. He often told them there was no need to adhere to his own "No-Kill" code, sometimes even mocking himself, wondering aloud if his way had ever been right.
If it was right, after all, why had he ended up like this?
He had been their lighthouse.
And yet, today, they were here to capture him. Perhaps even... to kill him.
Even Borsalino, a man who usually treated duty with the enthusiasm of a sloth, stood in silence. He watched the sea, his usual nail-trimming kit nowhere in sight.
However.
Glancing at Garp, who was still chewing loudly beside him, Borsalino's mouth twitched. He sighed, his voice carrying its signature drawl. "Hey~. As expected of Vice Admiral Garp. You're certainly... enjoying yourself."
"Bwahahaha! It's not bad! Want some?"
"Sorry, but I'm really not in the mood." Seeing that Garp remained entirely unaffected, Borsalino sighed again and slumped onto a nearby crate. "I've been worked to the bone lately. Vegapunk suddenly vanished, and the World Government chewed me out for it. I finally get a moment to relax, and then I get sent out for this."
He rubbed his forehead theatrically.
"Why can't they give me a break. Where's Kuzan? Why didn't they send him?"
"That brat? He bolted long ago! Didn't even ask for leave, just ran off!"
"How cunning~." Borsalino shrugged helplessly. Watching Garp fish out another bag of snacks, he raised an eyebrow. "You're so relaxed, Vice Admiral Garp. Could it be you've already figured out a way to bring Zephyr-sensei back?"
"Nope!"
"Is that so? Then aren't you worried you'll have to be the one to end him?"
"Can't be helped if it comes to that."
"You really are surprisingly calm."
"Bwahahaha! You'll be like this too when you get to my age," Garp laughed, crumbs flying. "You get used to it. Besides, maybe we can actually talk Zephyr down. You never know."
"That would certainly be a miracle worth waiting for~."
Just as Borsalino offered a helpless shrug and prepared to follow Garp's example by finding a comfortable spot to nap...
A Marine soldier sprinted over, breathless. "Admiral Borsalino! Vice Admiral Garp! Admiral Kuzan has been spotted ahead! He's... running on the sea!"
Kuzan?
Didn't he run away? Why was he here?
Borsalino and Garp froze. Just as they turned to demand an explanation-
"Ara~? Everyone is here?"
A familiar, lazy voice drifted from the side.
Kuzan had somehow already climbed aboard. He signaled a soldier to bring him a deck chair and collapsed into it immediately.
He stretched his long limbs with a groan. "Running back and forth is exhausting. Looks like I need to buy a new bicycle."
"Bwahahaha!" Garp roared with laughter upon seeing him. "What are you doing here, you brat?"
"Hey~. I heard you ran all the way to the East Blue just to slack off," Borsalino said, his tone dripping with sarcasm. "How did you get here so fast? Did you eat the Glint-Glint Fruit too and run back at light speed?"
"I hadn't reached the East Blue yet. I was nearby, got the order, and came back."
"As expected of Admiral Kuzan. So serious, so responsible," Borsalino drawled, not believing a word of it. He nodded, feigning admiration. "Well, since you're here, maybe the three of us really can convince Zephyr-sensei to return."
"Oh, Zephyr-sensei?" Kuzan rested his head behind his hands, staring up at the sky. "No need to go over there. The mission's already done."
"..."
Mission done?
How?
Everyone froze, staring at Kuzan in confusion. Even Garp stopped chewing.
"Done? You finished it? Then where is he? Why isn't he with you?" Borsalino frowned, scanning the horizon before fixing a sharp gaze on his colleague. His tone dropped, becoming grave. "Don't tell me... you sent him on his final journey already? That was too fast."
"No. Zephyr-sensei quit. Said he's old and wants to retire." Ignoring the heavy silence of the officers and soldiers around him, Kuzan fished a crumpled letter out of his coat, something that sneaky brat had snapped a photo of and forwarded to him. "This is the resignation letter he asked me to give to the Fleet Admiral. Oh, and... he's heading to the East Blue to live out his golden years."
"Bwahahaha! That brat... ah, I mean, that old fossil finally thought it through?" Garp snapped back to reality, happily diving back into his snacks. "That's good! Retirement is good. Honestly, I want to retire too!"
"My, my. I was hoping he'd work a few more years," Kuzan nodded solemnly. "But when Zephyr-sensei wants to retire, who can stop him?"
"..."
Are these two serious? Garp actually bought that?
Borsalino's mouth twitched. He looked between the two, then snatched the letter from Kuzan's hand.
[Resignation Letter]
It was indeed labeled as such, but the handwriting... anyone could tell at a glance that Zephyr didn't write this chicken scratch. Borsalino looked at the straight faces of his colleagues and sighed, slipping back into his slow cadence. "Ah? Is that really so~? Then where is Zephyr-sensei right now?"
"Don't worry, he should be quite comfortable," Kuzan yawned. "His student is taking *very* good care of him."
As if on cue-
"Admiral Borsalino! Admiral Kuzan! Vice Admiral Garp!" The same soldier rushed back, his expression contorted in confusion. "Two warships spotted ahead! One of them appears to be from the Four Blues Branch! And... and on the mast..."
"And what? Four Blues Branch? Why are they here?" Borsalino paused, glancing at the guilty expressions on Garp and Kuzan's faces. He realized immediately that he was the only one out of the loop. "So that's the student who's taking 'good care' of him? How curious. I have to see this."
He stood up and sauntered to the railing.
He looked up.
Instantly, he went silent. He blinked. He looked again. Then he turned his head slowly to Kuzan.
"This... is what you call 'taking good care'?"
"Relax. That kid is a bit... unconventional, but I trust he'll look after the old man. Borsalino, I know you have doubts, but please don't question my judgment."
"I'm not questioning you, it's just..." Borsalino hesitated. "I suspect my eyesight might be failing me. Why don't you come look?"
"I've been watching the whole time." Kuzan yawned but stood up anyway, walking to the rail. "What could possibly be wro-"
Kuzan stopped.
"..."
He fell silent too.
He blinked, rubbed his eyes, and stared at the Four Blues Branch warship.
Specifically, at Zephyr, who was currently hoisted up and dangling from the rigging like a caught fish.
'What the hell is going on?'
--**--**
"Damn brat! Put me down right now! Either kill me or get lost!"
"Zephyr-sensei, just endure it a little longer. I'll let you down when we reach the East Blue!"
"We have to go all the way to the East Blue?! Do you plan to let the entire ocean laugh at me?" Zephyr's face was red with rage as he glared down at Dante. "You little bastard, you're doing this on purpose because of what happened earlier, aren't you?!"
"What? Me? How could I be so petty?" Dante shook his head vigorously, his face the picture of righteous concern. "I'm doing this for your own good! If you don't lose a little prestige in front of the Marines, how will the World Government and Headquarters let you resign peacefully?"
"I never wanted to resign! Either kill me or don't stop me!"
"Just enjoy the breeze and cool off. No need to be so dramatic." Dante waved his hand dismissively and turned to walk away. "I have things to do. I won't disturb your view!"
"You brat! You have the guts to walk away? Hey! Hey! Don't you dare leave! If you walk away now, I'm telling you, I will never approve of you and Ain!" Zephyr roared at Dante's retreating back, then pivoted his fury to his student. "Ain! Ain, put me down!"
"I... I'm sorry, Zephyr-sensei!" Ain hesitated, looking torn, before bowing apologetically. "Dante promised he'd let you down in the East Blue. He said you were just being impulsive and would regret it once you calmed down. If we get to the East Blue and you still insist on this path... then I will respect your decision and follow you to the end!"
She bowed deeply again. "Forgive me, Sensei! I-I-I need to go watch Dante! I won't let him hurt you!"
"You... you traitorous girl! Why are you running away too?" Zephyr watched in disbelief as Ain bolted. "You won't listen to your teacher, but you listen to that damn brat? He's going to bully you to death, you hear me?! The only thing I regret is not beating that kid to death earlier! Put me down!"
No matter how loud Zephyr shouted, Ain was gone.
Realizing that truly no one was going to help him, Zephyr's face reddened further, and he let out a long, defeated sigh. He looked up.
Then he saw them.
Several Marine warships, not far away.
His eye twitched.
Standing on the deck of the lead ship were three familiar figures. One of them, mouth full of snacks, was waving at him enthusiastically.
Instantly, Zephyr's eyes turned red with humiliation. He tilted his head back, tears streaming horizontally from his eyes into the wind.
"DAMN BRAT! I WILL NEVER AGREE TO YOU AND AIN!"
--**--**
"He's still got plenty of energy. Don't worry, Zephyr-sensei is fine," Dante said, glancing at the worried, hesitant Ain. He turned to Violet. "How is it going with Mock?"
Violet looked at him with a strange expression before nodding. "Robin just called. She said that, per your instructions, Captain Mock has set sail."
--**--**
Meanwhile.
At the entrance of the Grand Line, in the waters near Whisky Peak.
On the deck of a massive pirate ship.
The Overlord of the East Blue, Mock, stood at the bow, arms crossed, his expression grave and his eyes cold as he stared at the horizon.
At this moment, the aura of a Overlord was on full display.
He took a deep breath and roared at the ocean.
"Grand Line, I have arrived! I, Hargon D. Mock, am the man who will become the King of the Pirates!"
The roar seemed to shake the very seas. Nearby pirate crews who had just entered the Grand Line began to tremble, staring in disbelief at the imposing figure.
The Legend of the East Blue. The Overlord with a bounty of 1.3 billion berries... was he officially starting his conquest? He declared he would be Pirate King?
But he wasn't finished.
Mock, having announced his ambition, slapped his forehead as if remembering a grocery list. He shouted again, "Oh, right! I'm also going to find Laugh Tale, uncover the Will of D, and research the True History! Uncover Void Century! That's right! I'm going to do all of it!"
Terror swept through the waters of Whisky Peak.
The surrounding pirates shuddered violently.
'This guy... is insane!'
'He's publicly declaring he'll do everything the World Government forbids? No wonder he's worth 1.3 billion!'
Even the two figures standing behind Mock were hugging each other, trembling as they stared at the man in the golden mane cape.
"Mohji... what do we do? Weren't we looking for Captain Buggy?"
"How am I supposed to know?"
The two exchanged a look, then tilted their heads back in despair.
'This guy has a death wish!'
Captain Buggy, save us!'
Just as they were whispering their prayers, Mock, having completed his script, turned around and grinned at his new crewmates.
"Aren't you two going to say something?"
"We-We..." Stared down by the 'Overlord,' Mohji and Cabaji forced their hands into the air, feigning ecstatic loyalty.
"As expected of our Captain! The East Blue Overlord, Hargon D. Mock!"
Their cheering faces, however, looked remarkably like they were attending a funeral.
===============
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