After receiving Sengoku's orders, Tsuru stood up without hesitation and walked out, leaving only Sengoku and Garp, who had resumed eating.
"You old bastard!"
Sengoku snapped when he saw Garp reclaim his snacks, and his face darkened slightly. "Aren't you worried that the New World might be destroyed?"
"What is there to worry about? If it's destroyed, it's destroyed. It's not like I go there anyway."
Garp said happily, as carefree as ever. "Oh, right, this batch is finished. Do you have more?"
"Wait, where's the entire drawer of snacks?"
"I already finished it! Sengoku, next time, prepare more. The incident isn't over, and I'm already out of snacks."
"You useless bastard... Get out!!"
Sengoku could no longer restrain himself. This entire night, this old guy had been of zero help and even ate all his snacks.
Why was he still here?
Was he planning to finish the last crumbs?
Pointing at the door, Sengoku yelled loudly: "Get out!!!"
"Fine, fine! It's just a few snacks. Why get angry?"
"Out! Get out right now!"
Sengoku's face darkened with fury as he watched Garp grumble as he walked away. Though enraged, he resisted the urge to beat Garp up. Only after Garp finally left did Sengoku calm down slightly.
After muttering, useless bastard under his breath, he stood up.
He walked to the window, hands clasped behind his back, while staring at the sky that was beginning to brighten.
His eyes were filled with complexity and hesitation. No one knew how long he stood there before he finally let out a long sigh and murmured, "Egoistic Justice? This time... How will your justice choose?"
...
"I understand."
"Click… Gacha!"
"Failed?"
Borsalino rubbed his forehead with a troubled expression after Kuzan hung up the call. "What a headache! Looks like we really do need to step in."
"Zephyr-sensei has already reached the last point. We need to hurry, too."
Kuzan sighed slightly. "If the final Endpoint is destroyed, it'll be terrible."
"I know, I'm distressed about it too."
Borsalino sat upright, and for once, his expression turned serious. "Do you want me to go ahead first?"
Hearing that, Kuzan frowned slightly, but after merely a moment of thought, just as he was about to respond, "Admiral Aokiji! Admiral Kizaru!"
A marine ran over to their side. "We've spotted a massive three-masted ship ahead. It seems to be from the West Blue, suspected to be the vessel of the West Blue rebel Lieutenant Ian. Should we open fire? Please instruct!"
Kuzan: "...?!"
Hearing this, Kuza froze. His eyes narrowed slightly. "How lucky. Reduce the speed. Just follow behind them. Don't bother them. Once they land, we will capture them all in one sweep."
"Yes, sir!"
After the marine left, Borsalino squinted at Kuzan but said nothing. Only after lying back down did he speak lazily: "Looks like I can rest a bit longer. I'll leave the rest to you. Call me when you need me."
Kuzan: "..."
Kuzan shot him a glance, nodded, and walked to the bow. Looking at the three-masted ship whose outline was now visible, he murmured: "So you still came... Ian."
…
"Reporting, Zephyr-sensei."
Binz looked at Zephyr, whose chest was wrapped in bandages, with concern. "Everyone has successfully landed on the island."
"I know."
Zephyr, somewhat weak due to injuries, nodded while letting his subordinates bandage him: "What are you standing there for? Get to work!"
"Work?"
Seeing that Zephyr's tone was weak but his expression remained calm, Binz exhaled slowly in relief.
Looking at the last destination behind him, he spoke hesitantly: "Zephyr-sensei, are we really going to blow this place up?"
"Nonsense. Otherwise, why would I be doing all this?"
Zephyr glared at Binz irritably. "If you don't want to do it, then get lost."
"No, no, I didn't mean that."
Binz scratched his head awkwardly, quickly reassuring Zephyr before continuing anxiously: "It's just... There are other villagers on this island. If it gets blown up..."
Although he didn't finish his words, Binz knew that Zephyr-sensei already understood his meaning.
Looking up, he saw Zephyr had fallen silent, and Binz realized... Perhaps Zephyr was also hesitating, but not for long.
"Hmph, hesitating now?"
Zephyr snorted coldly. "As long as we destroy the last Endpoint now, we can eliminate all the pirates in the New World. And you dare to ask me if we should do it? Get it arranged immediately, or get lost!"
"Yes, Zephyr-sensei!"
Hearing this, Binz no longer hesitated. He saluted and immediately turned to act, but just as he was about to go down and give orders,
"Wait!"
Zephyr's voice rang out again.
Binz stopped in his tracks and looked at him in confusion, wondering why Zephyr wanted him to stop now.
Before he could say anything, Zephyr fell silent again.
After scanning the surroundings, he spoke calmly: "Wait a little longer. For the last location, I will detonate it myself! I want to kill those pirates with my own hands."
As soon as those words fell, Binz froze in place, seemingly not expecting Zephyr to give this command.
Still, he nodded and stood quietly beside Zephyr.
Time passed slowly, from dawn to almost noon... as all of Zephyr's injuries had been completely bandaged.
The fleet that had blocked them was no weak force; even Zephyr himself had been injured.
With his bandages complete, Zephyr shook off his black cloak, stood up, and, looking at the sun in the sky, he shook his head in disappointment before speaking to Binz calmly: "It's time to start..."
However, before Zephyr could finish speaking…
"Ah, looks like we caught up!"
A familiar voice suddenly rang out, causing everyone to pause. Even Zephyr stopped in his tracks and looked ahead.
Seeing the familiar figures approaching, both Zephyr and Binz showed a flash of surprise on their faces.
"Ain, Ian, and Enel, what are you doing here?"
Binz asked excitedly. "No, how did you know about this place?"
As for Zephyr... The flash of surprise on his face quickly vanished and turned to a cold expression as he stared at Ian and the others.
"The commotion on the sea made it easy to find you out with a little investigation."
Ian offered a brief explanation, then he looked at Zephyr helplessly. "Instructor Zephyr, you didn't even greet us. Do you know how worried Ain has been about you?"
"Hmph, you bunch of useless fools."
Zephyr didn't answer immediately. Instead, he turned to his subordinates behind him: "You didn't even notice people landing on the shore? Guard this place properly. If anyone else comes in, don't blame me for teaching you a lesson."
"Yes, Zephyr-sensei."