After witnessing Zephyr entrust Roy with the legendary gauntlets he once wielded, Ain and Binz regarded Roy with greater seriousness and curiosity. They understood that this gesture signified Zephyr's acknowledgment of Roy's exceptional strength.
However, Zephyr offered no further explanation at that moment.
He turned his gaze to Ain, who stood beside him. "Ain, what information were you about to report?"
Hearing Zephyr's question, Ain quickly remembered her task and replied, "Sensei, I've discovered traces of that man."
"I've submitted the report to Shuzo and instructed him to forward it directly to Headquarters. Here's the relevant information."
As she spoke, Roy noticed Zephyr's fist clench tightly.
"That man…"
He could hear the bone-chilling, marrow-deep hatred in Sensei's voice. Sensei was usually strict, but he rarely lost his composure to anger.
Roy didn't need an explanation to guess who Ain was referring to.
At that moment, Ain handed over the information.
Zephyr took it and, with a practiced flick of his left hand, opened it.
He didn't try to hide it from Roy, who immediately saw the photograph on the page.
It depicted a tall, grotesquely obese man covered in numerous surgical scars. He had a crescent-shaped mustache beneath his nose, golden braids hanging down his back, and he held a naginata.
Beside him stood a short, extravagantly dressed old woman wearing sunglasses.
The photograph wasn't particularly clear.
Yet, Roy instantly recognized the man.
"Whitebeard Jr.," the pirate who had attacked Zephyr's recruitment ship years ago, resulting in Zephyr losing his arm.
At that time, he hadn't yet earned the nickname "Whitebeard Jr." He was just a powerful, nameless pirate.
As far as Roy knew, Zephyr and his disciples had never given up searching for him over the years, yet they had never found any trace of him.
The Shuzo that Ain mentioned was one of Zephyr's disciples. A former disciple of Zephyr's, he is now a Marine Headquarters Commodore and took over Zephyr's position as instructor at the recruit training camp after his retirement.
"This photograph was taken by chance by a Fish-Man who was fishing on an island."
At that moment, Ain clenched her teeth and her body began to tremble violently.
Even after all these years, she could vividly remember the day her comrades were slaughtered before her eyes. The moment she saw the photo, she knew beyond a doubt that he was the man.
"Where's that island? We're going there right now!" Zephyr declared without hesitation, his voice firm and decisive.
His typically serious and responsible demeanor led him to abandon the Three-Forces Military Exercise, demonstrating his unwavering obsession with the pirate.
However, Ain shook her head. "I've already investigated. The photo was taken a long time ago, and they're no longer on the island.
"I searched the surrounding islands for a month but found no trace of them."
"But Sensei, at least we can now confirm that he's active at sea again," she added softly.
Indeed, for those seeking vengeance, merely knowing their enemy still existed was enough to fuel their resolve.
"Hm, I understand," Zephyr replied, exhaling deeply to steady himself.
"Continue monitoring that sea area. Report any sightings to me immediately."
"And me too."
Before he could finish speaking, a voice cut in from the side.
Zephyr turned to see Roy's calm face.
"What's up, Zephyr-Sensei?" Roy asked, tucking his boxing gloves into his pocket as he looked at Zephyr.
He grinned. "After you capture that guy, you'll need someone to escort him back, right?" He reached up and tugged at the "Marine Detention Unit" insignia on his collar. "So, I thought I should lend a hand, too. Zephyr-Sensei, you wouldn't deny your disciple a chance to earn some military merit, would you?"
Although Roy wasn't certain about Edward Weevil's exact location or capabilities, he deeply appreciated Zephyr's guidance and care. He couldn't bear to watch Zephyr suffer the same tragic fate.
"Therefore, he had to do what needed to be done."
Besides, Roy knew all too well that Whitebeard Jr. was no ordinary pirate.
According to Roy, the original story claimed that this man had the strength of a young Whitebeard—a claim that bordered on the absurd.
If that were the only issue, it might be manageable.
The real problem was that, according to the source material, he was remarkably dim-witted.
The true puppet master pulling his strings was the diminutive old woman at his side.
Roy knew this seemingly unremarkable figure, overlooked even by Zephyr and the others, was actually Buckingham Stussy, one of the Rocks Pirates' officers from forty years ago.
Every member of the Rocks Pirates was clearly someone to be feared.
Naturally, he couldn't tell Zephyr any of this.
So...
"You brat, meddling in things that aren't your concern."
Hearing this, Zephyr grinned and shook his head. "This old man hasn't sunk so low that I need your help wiping out pirates!"
Despite his words, Zephyr didn't reject Roy's suggestion.
Meanwhile, Ain, who had overheard the conversation, looked at Roy with even greater approval.
"Just as Binz said," she thought, "Junior Brother Roy is a Marine of great loyalty and righteousness who despises wickedness as if it were his sworn enemy!"
Just as she was about to speak again...
Dong! Dong! Dong!
A massive, solemn bell began tolling, its reverberating sound echoing throughout Marineford.
The four disciples exchanged grave glances, and their expressions turned solemn immediately.
In Marineford, such a bell could only come from one place—the Oris Bell in the square.
The Oris Bell, a symbol of the Marine Headquarters and justice itself, was almost never rung under normal circumstances.
Yet now, it rang six times.
All four understood the significance of the bell.
They had received the news not long ago.
The Three-Forces Military Exercise would soon commence, but the exact date was uncertain because the exercise grounds were still under construction.
Once the grounds were finished and tested, the exercise would begin the following day, leaving no time for further preparation.
They were told, "Thorough preparation in advance is itself part of the Martial Exercise evaluation."
Rumor had it that this idea originated with Marine Great Staff Officer Vice-Admiral Tsuru.
The ringing of the bell confirmed it:
Tomorrow marks the start of the Three-Forces Military Exercise!
(End of Chapter)
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