As he spoke, Zephyr looked at everyone still smiling at him, completely ignoring his words.
Taking a deep breath, he didn't hesitate further. He waved at Binz, who had been stunned since earlier, grinning as he was about to speak.
"Zephyr-sensei! Zephyr-sensei!"
One subordinate ran over in a panic. "The Marines, they're here! They've already sealed off the coast! And two admirals have arrived as well!"
"...?!"
The Marines were here?
Two Admirals?
As soon as those words fell, Zephyr's fleet became instantly chaotic.
As for Ian and the others, they didn't seem surprised at all. Enel had already sensed the Marines' fleet approaching the moment they drew near.
"Everyone, calm down."
Seeing the chaos, Zephyr shouted loudly, then let out a bold laugh.
"Hahaha, they came, huh? They actually sent two Admirals? Sengoku really thinks highly of me! Unfortunately..."
His eyes flashed slightly, and his expression turned calm. "I'm going home."
He waved at Binz again. "Why are you still standing there? Hurry and prepare. For my former students..."
He took a deep breath. "Let's prepare a farewell gift!"
...
On the other side,
"Report! All wanted criminals are on the island! The West Blue's rebel Lieutenant Ian, the South Blue's Tyrant Kuma, the Headquarters traitor Zephyr..."
When he reached Zephyr's name, the marine's voice hesitated, but after a moment, he continued firmly: "Headquarters traitor Zephyr, traitor Ain, and traitor Binz, all have been fully surrounded! Please give the order!"
"They've been surrounded already?"
Hearing this, Borsalino stretched lazily and spoke in a laid-back tone: "They're all troublesome folks. Aiya, so scary."
"Not only that, Garp's grandson and a logia Devil Fruit user are also there."
Kuzan, hands in pockets, said expressionlessly. "Though... The Devil Child isn't here."
"Maybe taking care of her child!"
Kuzan: "..."
Although that might actually be the reason, Kuzan couldn't stop his mouth from twitching when he heard it.
But he quickly returned to normal, speaking calmly: "Tell the men to stay alert. Don't underestimate them."
"Should we begin the attack now?"
Just as Borsalino asked, Kuzan didn't answer immediately. Instead, he frowned, looked up at the sun overhead, and fell silent.
Time slowly passed. Though everyone was tense inside, seeing Kuzan silent, none dared disturb him.
No one knew how long it had been, or whether they were imagining it, but when the surrounding heat seemed to dissipate just a little…
"It's time."
Kuzan lowered his head again, expression unchanged as he looked at the group. "Noon has passed. Begin the attack. Capture all criminals. Their life and death situation..."
He paused slightly, his tone turning cold.
"Do. Not. Matter."
As soon as those words fell, every marine's expression hardened, and they stared ahead seriously.
"Understood!"
Even Borsalino put away his usual laziness. Behind his sunglasses, his eyes flashed slightly as he murmured, "So it's starting? How scary."
Then, without any hesitation, he transformed into a yellow streak of light and shot forward.
"Did we catch up?"
Meanwhile, at Marine Headquarters, in the Fleet Admiral's office, Sengoku, who hadn't slept all night and had been waiting since last night, had a serious expression. His eyes behind the glasses flickered constantly.
That kid still brought his troops to support them?
What would Zephyr choose next?
To give up, or to continue?
If he continues, what will that kid choose?
Help Zephyr fight the marines, or assist the marines to prevent the New World from being destroyed?
Thinking of this, Sengoku stood up, picked up the half-pack of rice crackers on the desk, walked to the window, bathed in the refracted sunlight, put one rice cracker in his mouth with his right hand, took a bite, and muttered: "Feelings, or justice... I really look forward to it!"
...
"Kuma!"
"Don't worry, Mr. Ian."
"Remember to be gentle."
Ian reminded Kuma once more, then he looked at Ain, who seemed about to say something, and said, "You go back first. Don't worry, I'll bring Instructor Zephyr back."
"Mm, I trust you."
Facing Ian's words, Ain hesitated for no moment, then firmly nodded and looked at Ian while smiling: "You too, I'll be waiting for you at home."
With that, she turned around without hesitation.
Then she looked at Kuma beside her and nodded, and Kuma, without hesitation, took off his gloves and, with a solemn expression, patted Ain's shoulder.
This time, he specifically controlled the force.
The moment he patted Ain's shoulder, she was instantly wrapped in a transparent bear paw and flew off toward the West Blue.
After Ain left, everyone let out a heavy sigh of relief. There was no denying it, Kuma's ability was very useful. Now they didn't need to worry about Ain.
As for the others, Ian exchanged a glance with Zephyr.
Seeing Zephyr shake his head, Ian understood his plan and didn't say more. He glanced at the heavily injured people and said to Kuma: "I'll leave them to you, Kuma!"
"It's no trouble, Mr. Ian!"
"And you guys..."
Ignoring Kuma, who had already gone to escort the wounded, Ian turned to Ace. "What about you? Going back directly? The upcoming battle will be extremely dangerous!"
"Mr. Ian, are you joking?"
Ace lowered his hat, grinned brightly, and said: "With such an interesting scene, how could I leave so easily?"
"Suit yourself! If there's still time..."
Ian shook his head with a smile, but before he could finish, suddenly, as if sensing something, Ian, Enel, and Zephyr all turned sharply toward the shore.
When a yellow flash rushed toward them, Ian and Zephyr's expressions tightened.
"Forget it, you won't escape even if you try. Don't die here, or I won't be able to explain it to your grandfather."
The words had barely left his mouth when, in the blink of an eye, Ian rushed to Kuma's side, twisted his waist, and without hesitation swung his axe through the air.
Bang!
A figure appeared instantly.
It was... One of the three Admirals, Kizaru!
Kizaru lifted his leg, colliding heavily with the divine axe, Rhitta. In an instant, a terrifying shockwave exploded between them, radiating outward and stirring up a strong wind, lifting sand and stones.
"Ah, the Marine Headquarters really underestimated you, rebel Lieutenant Ian."
Hands on his hips while lifting his foot against the golden axe, Kizaru's strange mouth opened slightly: "So scary!"
"Thanks for the compliment!"
Ian smiled without retreating, then he shouted to Kuma, who had paused behind him: "Continue!"
With that, Kuma glanced at Kizaru, pushed up his glasses, treated Kizaru as a mere obstacle, and continued.