The entire land of Marineford was devastated, and wounded Marine Soldiers patrolled constantly along the way.
The ground was covered in cracks and craters, presenting a desolate and empty sight.
Only a few scattered structures had been erected... Clearly, Marineford could no longer serve as Marineford.
They needed to find another location... The sun set, waves crashed against the shore, and beautiful spray scattered.
A silver-haired man, bare-chested and wearing a "Justice" coat, sat by the reef, a cigar dangling from his mouth, emitting thick smoke.
He saw the Marines' grim expressions, and many civilians stood numbly, their eyes blank, in front of their homes destroyed by the war, some even sobbing uncontrollably.
This Marineford War was a disaster that cost them relatives, friends, lovers, and homes.
—Hoo!!
Smoker gritted his teeth, clenching his fists tightly, the veins bulging on the back of his hands.
Suddenly, a cold hand landed on Smoker's shoulder, and Aokiji slowly sat down next to him.
"Arara, Smoker, your mood seems quite poor."
Aokiji pulled out a bottle of liquor and said with a sigh,
"This is the favorite liquor of Teacher Zephyr and me, would you like to try it?!"
Smoker turned his head slightly.
"Sherry?!"
Aokiji smiled faintly and handed it over.
"This is... the most Haki-filled liquor!!"
Smoker took it, opened his mouth, and chugged it down, "glug glug."
"Kuzan, tell me, if I became stronger, would I be able to prevent this kind of thing from happening!"
Smoker's face turned crimson, but his eyes grew increasingly confused.
Compared to fighting pirates, he believed that protecting civilians and the Marine was a far more important aspect of Justice.
His eyes flashed with deep sorrow and anger, grieving for the suffering of the civilians and hating his own lack of strength.
Aokiji glanced at him, patting his shoulder comfortingly.
"Don't overthink it, you've already done well... I saw everything you did!"
"Work hard to become stronger. You... will find your own Justice."
This was indeed true; Smoker might not have qualified for top-tier battles, but his performance across the battlefield was no weaker than that of most Vice Admirals.
It could be said that, in terms of strength, Smoker was fully qualified for the position of Vice Admiral.
Achieving such a massive rank leap in just one week was undoubtedly astonishing.
It was certain that Smoker's future started at least at Vice Admiral, and even Admiral was not impossible!
"What is Fleet Admiral Sengoku doing?!"
Smoker changed the subject.
"Post-war pensions, comforting the wounded, temporary housing for the public, the relocation of Marineford, and the ever-increasing number of pirates... one matter after another is keeping him completely overwhelmed."
Aokiji spread his hands helplessly.
"That's why I say being a Fleet Admiral is a job no human should do!!"
"Uh!"
Smoker was stunned. "Did the World Government not provide any support?!"
"The World Government?!"
Aokiji's expression was somewhat disdainful.
"Those old men are still recovering from their injuries, and they're blaming us Marines for not even being able to capture a brat who lost his power... Do you expect them to take the money they provide for the Celestial Dragons' entertainment and use it to fund the Marine?!"
Hearing this, Smoker fell silent.
Military funding has always been, without a doubt, the biggest problem hindering the Marine's development.
All the Marine's military expenses come from the World Government's allocation, which also means that all Marine actions are subject to the government's orders.
This situation has persisted for hundreds of years, which is the main reason why the Marine high command, despite their clear dislike for the Five Elder Stars and the Celestial Dragons, dare not turn against the World Government...
On the turbulent sea surface, a massive steel battleship, swallowing large amounts of seawater, sailed toward Marineford.
A broad, imposing figure stood at the bow of the ship.
His vibrant purple short hair fluttered wildly in the roaring sea wind, and the pitch-black characters for "Justice" on his wide, heavy white cloak danced like a mad dragon!
Beside him was a beautiful woman with wavy, sea-blue long hair, wearing a blue cloak and black high heels.
And a tall man carrying a long sword on his back.
"Who... is that?!"
"He looks so powerful."
The new Marine Soldiers discussed amongst themselves; he clearly looked like a big shot, yet they had no recollection of him.
Just then, figures rapidly rushed in from all directions.
They held sabers, wore military uniforms, and stood solemnly on both sides of the road, their expressions murderous.
Gazing at the figure, solid as a mountain, their eyes revealed indescribable admiration and excitement.
"Teacher Zephyr!!"
Onigumo, Doberman, Yamakaji... Zephyr's gaze swept over their familiar faces one by one, and a hearty smile appeared at the corner of his mouth.
"I didn't expect you all to still remember this old man after so many years."
"Teacher Zephyr, you jest. As your students, we will never forget those wonderful training days!"
Yamakaji's expression was full of emotion, but when he mentioned "wonderful," the corners of everyone else's mouths twitched.
"Teacher Zephyr, may we ask the reason for your visit to Marineford...?"
Even the usually cold and ruthless Onigumo cracked an awkward smile, his voice unusually gentle.
If Garp was the spiritual totem of the Marine Soldiers, then Zephyr was the spiritual pillar of the entire Marine's core strength.
It could be said that this man, relying on his own strength, single-handedly pieced together the Marine's "Golden Age"!
"This old man has something to discuss with Sengoku."
Zephyr chatted casually with the Vice Admirals, and they soon arrived at the temporarily constructed Fleet Admiral's office.
"Damn Garp, you stole this old man's senbei again."
"What does it matter? You can't finish it anyway."
... Zephyr pushed the door open.
Bang!!
A wooden chair flew straight toward him. Zephyr paused, shattered the chair with a punch, and stared blankly at the scene inside the room.
Sengoku rolled up his sleeves, revealing his muscular arms, and strode forward toward Garp.
"You bastard, what kind of people have you taught? And you're still eating my senbei? I hope you choke on it!!"
Garp was backed into a corner, tightly protecting the senbei in his hand, his entire face flushed red.
"What does that have to do with this old man? Clearly, your plan was too weak to stop this old man's grandson!... I think you shouldn't be called the 'Tactical Genius' anymore; call yourself the 'Tactical Idiot' instead!"
Sengoku: "Damn it, fight me 1v1 if you dare."
Garp: "Who's afraid of who? With those weak, flabby fists of yours?!"
Sengoku: "Don't force me to slap you in front of Tsuru!"
Garp: "Don't come crying and begging for mercy later."
The two burly men were red-faced as they yelled insults at each other.
—Ahem!!
Beside the only intact desk, Staff Officer Tsuru lightly coughed.
"The two of you... what kind of behavior is this?"
Tsuru had spoken, and the enraged Sengoku and Garp immediately fell silent, shrinking their heads and, after glaring at each other, sat "obediently" in their seats.
On the other side, Ain and Binz were dumbfounded; these extremely crude people were actually their second and third most admired idols.
In an instant, their world collapsed!!
"Ahem, Zephyr?!"
The two fighting men only noticed Zephyr at the doorway now, and they couldn't help but look bewildered.