"K-Kairo... y-you... why are you here...?"
The moment Hancock saw Kairo leap onto the Kuja ship's deck and stand beside her, her cheeks immediately flushed red.
The cold and domineering Empress from moments ago vanished without a trace, replaced by the shy demeanor of a young woman in love.
Kairo didn't answer.
Instead, he stared solemnly at the Marine training ship ahead.
At this point in time, Zephyr had just lost so many of his trainee Marines.
Given how deeply he hated pirates, if he chose to direct his anger toward the Kuja Pirates, things could become troublesome.
Seeing that Kairo remained silent, Hancock quieted down as well.
The two giant serpents pulling the Kuja ship continued moving forward, rapidly closing the distance to Zephyr's vessel.
"Teacher, didn't you say this country forbids men from entering?"
As the ships drew closer, Ain finally noticed Kairo standing beside Hancock.
"I'm puzzled by that as well."
Zephyr frowned.
"That man... I feel like I've seen him somewhere before."
After a brief pause, he stopped dwelling on it and turned toward the helm.
"Binz, stop the ship."
The warship gradually came to a halt.
The Kuja vessel pulled by the giant serpents also stopped directly before it.
Standing aboard the Kuja ship, Hancock stepped forward.
Her expression turned cold as she looked toward Zephyr and the others on the training ship.
"Boa Hancock."
Zephyr also stepped forward and spoke in a deep voice.
"I am Marine Headquarters instructor Zephyr—"
"I don't care who you are."
Hancock cut him off immediately.
Her voice was icy.
"Tell me why you've come here."
"If it has nothing to do with a summons for the Seven Warlords of the Sea, then leave immediately."
Ain, standing beside Zephyr, instantly became furious at Hancock's attitude.
"How dare you!"
"You're just a pirate! How can you be so arrogant?!"
"Arrogant?"
Hancock tilted her head slightly.
Then she raised her chin proudly and declared in her usual domineering tone,
"Even if I killed every one of you, I would still be forgiven because I'm beautiful."
"Shut up—!"
Ain exploded with rage.
Unable to tolerate Hancock's arrogance any longer, she immediately leaped forward, preparing to attack.
"Ain!"
Zephyr reacted instantly and grabbed her.
"Don't act recklessly."
"You're no match for her right now."
"Hm?"
The moment those words left his mouth, Zephyr's pupils contracted.
His entire body tensed.
Kairo had suddenly leaped from the Kuja ship and landed on the Marine vessel's deck.
Ignoring Zephyr's vigilance and Ain's shock, Kairo's attention immediately fell upon the dozens of Marine corpses lying across the deck.
Although he had already seen the scene through a telescope earlier, witnessing it in person was still deeply unsettling.
At least forty or fifty young Marines lay there.
Some had been decapitated.
Some had been cut cleanly in half.
Not a single body remained intact.
Looking at the youthful faces that would never open their eyes again, Kairo sighed inwardly.
Then he turned toward Zephyr.
"Old man Zephyr."
"You came here because of these soldiers, didn't you?"
Hearing Kairo address him by name, Zephyr turned around and stared at him carefully.
"You are...?"
"A traveler."
Kairo glanced at Zephyr's severed left arm.
"My name is Kairo."
"You're Kairo?!"
Zephyr froze.
Then he looked at Kairo with obvious surprise.
He had thought Kairo looked familiar earlier but couldn't place him.
Now that he'd heard the name, he finally remembered.
Though he had never met Kairo personally, Marine Headquarters still possessed his files and photographs.
Before leaving on this training voyage, Zephyr had heard Garp mention Kairo so many times that he was practically sick of hearing the name.
Before Zephyr could recover from his surprise, Kairo stepped closer and asked seriously,
"Need any help?"
Zephyr's tense posture relaxed instantly.
After a moment of silence, he nodded.
He truly did need help.
Not because of his missing arm.
But because of the young Marines lying dead behind him.
His purpose in coming here had been simple.
He needed supplies that would preserve the bodies long enough to bring them back to Marine Headquarters for burial.
Half an hour later—
With the assistance of Amazon Lily's warriors, all the fallen Marines had been carefully wrapped and prepared.
During that time, Kairo also cleaned and re-bandaged Zephyr's wound.
"Kairo."
Looking at the freshly treated injury, Zephyr forced a bitter smile.
"I never expected to meet you here."
"I'd already heard plenty about you from Garp and had been wondering when we'd finally meet."
"You probably don't know this, but Garp's been dying to drag you back to Marine Headquarters and recruit you."
"Then he'll be disappointed."
Kairo smiled.
"I only want to travel the world."
"That's not a bad way to live."
Zephyr nodded.
"As long as a person carries justice in their heart, they can uphold righteousness even without wearing this uniform."
"I've heard about what you've done in East Blue and North Blue."
"You possess qualities many young people should learn from."
"Oh, right."
"Do you remember Drake?"
Kairo blinked.
"Drake?"
"He resigned a month ago."
Zephyr nodded.
"He said he wanted to become a free traveler like you."
"I could tell he'd already grown disappointed with certain things within the Marines."
"Your influence wasn't the only reason, but it certainly played a part."
Kairo paused, surprised.
"Drake resigned?"
"Yes."
Zephyr nodded again.
"Kairo, do you realize that your actions have already begun influencing a lot of people?"
"The clearest example is Drake."
"And then there are people like Smoker under Garp's watch."
"In my opinion, it's better that you don't join the Marines."
"Once you become part of the system, you'll inevitably be restricted."
"You won't always be able to do what you truly want."
"That's why I support your decision not to join."
"And don't let Garp talk you into it later either."
A faint smile appeared on Zephyr's face.
"Who knows?"
"Maybe one day I'll resign from my position as an instructor and finally do what I truly want to do as well."
Kairo looked at Zephyr with surprise.
He could tell that Zephyr had already begun feeling disillusioned with the Marines.
It wasn't obvious yet.
But from his words, Kairo could clearly sense the first signs of dissatisfaction growing within him.
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