"That's impossible. The Sibia River Archipelago's development can't be faked. Even if it were true, with Zephyr's character, he would never accept that kind of money, and he even approves of that kid."
Sengoku shook his head without hesitation, then frowned deeply. "Could it be that they have another source of income? One even larger than the winery's profits, enough to support Zephyr in maintaining and training ten fleets?"
"Another source of income? Could it be the Grado Family? Impossible. The Grado Family's profits wouldn't be enough to sustain a fleet."
Tsuru shook her head. "And if all their income were going to support Zephyr's fleets, the Grado Family wouldn't even be able to keep running. They're gangsters, not philanthropists, who fund the Marines' maritime defense. As for other possibilities, I can't guess."
"Forget it, let's not dwell on that."
Sengoku sighed again while rubbing his forehead. "What's more important now is resolving the trouble with Zephyr."
"Didn't you try calling him last time? You couldn't get his real intention?"
"Zephyr doesn't trust me anymore, or rather, he doesn't trust the Marines at all."
Sengoku spread his hands helplessly while giving a bitter smile. "These days, whenever I call him, he refuses to answer."
"Stubborn as ever! He used to be such a kind, cheerful man."
Tsuru sighed softly. "It seems this incident really hurt him deeply."
"Hurt him? It hurt me too!"
Sengoku snorted coldly. "Does that old fool even realize how much trou—"
Before Sengoku could finish, a series of knocks sounded at the door.
Sengoku frowned, straightened his posture, and put on a stern expression.
Looking at the Marine officer standing at the door, he said with a blank face, "Come in. What is it?"
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku."
The officer quickly entered, saluted, and handed over a document. "This is the latest intelligence regarding instructor Zephyr, uh, rather, the traitor criminal, Zephyr."
"Intelligence on Zephyr? What's the new information about?"
Sengoku froze, exchanged a glance with Tsuru, then took the file immediately. But as soon as he looked down, his pupils contracted, as if he'd seen something unbelievable.
After murmuring something under his breath, he said, "I already know what Zephyr's planning to do."
Then, raising his voice, he exclaimed loudly: "Has that guy gone insane?!"
...
"Mission complete! Zephyr-sensei, we've already shaken off those marines."
"Good job, Binz."
Hearing his student's words, Zephyr, standing beside him, revealed an icy look in his eyes as he gazed at the island engulfed in blazing flames. He let out a laugh, but it was not as hearty as before; faintly, it even carried a trace of madness.
"Since the Marine Headquarters won't do it, then I will do it myself. I will wipe out every pirate in the New World."
"This plan is truly incredible, Zephyr-sensei. I will always follow you."
Binz's eyes were filled with admiration as he looked at Zephyr. "It's a pity that Ian and Ain didn't get to witness Zephyr-sensei's great plan!"
Yet within those admiring eyes, there seemed to be a trace of worry hidden.
"Zephyr-sensei, you really aren't going to tell those two?"
Zephyr: "..."
Faced with Binz's suggestion, the originally crazed-looking Zephyr fell silent.
A moment later, with a cold voice, he finally said, "If that kid knew, he would definitely come to stop me."
"Ah?! How could Ian ever do such a thing? Would he even dare raise his hand against you, Zephyr-sensei?"
"Hahahaha."
For some reason, seeing Binz's shocked expression made Zephyr laugh, but the madness from earlier was gone; this time, it was a meaningful laugh: "Precisely because it's that kid... I am sure he would raise his hand against me."
"What about Ain then?"
"She's just like you; she wouldn't dare lay a hand on me."
Seeing Binz still wanting to say more, Zephyr waved his hand and said cheerfully, "But if that little girl finds out, then that kid, Ian, will definitely find out too. Better not disturb those two."
Binz: "..."
Then what about me?
Hearing Zephyr's words, Binz's face was filled with dark lines.
Although he followed Zephyr of his own will, hearing how much favoritism Zephyr showed to Ain still made him feel helpless.
Binz looked at Zephyr with resentment. "Zephyr-sensei!"
"You were the one who insisted on following me. I told you to sleep quietly, but you refused. What's the point of saying all this now?"
Zephyr snorted coldly as he looked at Binz. "What? Now you want to leave?"
"No, no!"
Binz immediately straightened his back. "No matter what you do, Zephyr-sensei, I will always follow up."
Right after that, seeing Zephyr about to speak again, Binz hurriedly changed the subject and leaned in with a grin. "Zephyr-sensei, what do you think Ian and the others are doing right now? I wonder if they are worrying about the bounty the Marine Headquarters has put on them."
"Who knows? But I believe that kid wouldn't be troubled by such things."
Zephyr laughed and shook his head, his expression turning both emotional and complicated as he stared at the calm sea before them. "It's just... What will he choose in the end?"
Become a pirate? Or... Abandon his family?
No, that kid definitely wouldn't give up on his family so easily. If he were someone who would give it up, he would've done it long ago."
"Hahahaha!"
As if remembering something, Zephyr burst into laughter. "That kid even wanted to split a marine Admiral in half with a one chop of his axe, how could he possibly be troubled so easily?"
"Split a marine Admiral with a one chop of his axe? Eh? Why didn't I know about that?"
"That was when he had just joined the 315th Branch."
Zephyr crossed his arms, still smiling. "I must admit that Sengoku was right about one thing: that kid's ambition is indeed enormous!"
Binz: "..."
Thinking of cutting down an Admiral right after joining a Branch Base?
Hearing Zephyr's words, Binz was dumbfounded.
He couldn't deny it; that was truly a crazy thought. When he himself first joined Marine Headquarters, the most he thought about was becoming a Rear-Admiral. Yet that guy was already thinking of taking down an Admiral?
"That guy really is insane. No wonder he became so strong!"
Binz sighed from the heart. Then he too looked out toward the sea.
"Zephyr-sensei."
"Hm?"
"What do you think Ian and the others are doing now?"
"Who knows? Maybe they're already fighting marine forces."
Zephyr let out a big, careless laugh before speaking casually. Then his expression hardened into seriousness, his tone turning cold. "Forget about that kid. Let's continue our plan. Head to the next... Endpoint!"