A meeting of the Shichibukai had little to do with Luo Ye, and he wasn't interested in the politics behind it.
Instead, he figured it was better to head to the training camp and check on Luffy's progress.
Ace and Sabo didn't hesitate to follow Luo Ye's plan after hearing it.
Although they couldn't escape Luo Ye's demanding regimen in the end, they were more than happy to show off in front of Luffy now.
After all, Luffy was still stuck in the training phase at the Marine Headquarters' elite training camp, focusing on mastering basic combat control and Haki.
Meanwhile, the two of them had already advanced enough to accompany Luo Ye on real missions to hunt down pirates across the seas.
Once their strength matured further, they wouldn't need to follow Luo Ye around—they could command their own units and lead their own missions.
It was still uncertain whether Luffy would even be allowed out of the training camp by then.
Just as they were approaching the entrance to the camp, a Marine rushed up to Luo Ye in a flustered state.
"Admiral Silver Eagle! There's been an incident at the training camp!"
"Someone causing trouble?" Luo Ye blinked in mild surprise.
The Marine Headquarters' training camp was under the supervision of Zephyr—formerly Admiral Z, and a man whose power was legendary despite being dubbed the "Do Not Kill Admiral."
Even after stepping down from his admiral position, Zephyr remained a formidable force.
With his presence overseeing the camp, who in their right mind would cause trouble?
Luo Ye narrowed his eyes. He suddenly thought of one likely suspect.
"What's the name of the troublemaker?" he asked, his voice tinged with suspicion.
"Monkey D. Luffy," the sailor reported quickly. "Apparently, he's Vice Admiral Garp's grandson."
Luo Ye sighed. He glanced behind him at Ace and Sabo.
The brothers didn't even flinch—there was no shock in their expressions.
Clearly, they were all too used to Luffy's antics, though they didn't expect him to still be stirring things up at Marineford's elite camp.
Frankly, if there came a day Luffy didn't cause chaos, Luo Ye might worry something had gone seriously wrong.
"What happened? Why's he acting up this time?"
The sailor hesitated, then replied awkwardly.
"He said his strength is already 'more than enough,' and he's demanding to leave Headquarters and head to the New World to catch pirates. He claims, and I quote, 'If Colonel Ace and Colonel Sabo can go, then why can't I?'"
The marine clearly recognized the two colonels walking just behind Luo Ye—heroes of several recent missions.
Ace and Sabo didn't get offended. In fact, they both chuckled.
Though Luffy had arrived at the Headquarters before them, they'd risen quickly through the ranks, attaining the rank of colonel and earning the right to go on missions with Luo Ye.
Luffy, on the other hand, had barely scratched the surface of serious combat training, and was already throwing tantrums about being left behind.
Zephyr, who was infamous for his rigid standards and strict moral code, had likely decided that Luffy needed another hard lesson.
Ace and Sabo had received more than a few of Zephyr's punishing fists themselves back during their time at the training camp.
Luo Ye gave the brothers a sideways glance.
No doubt Luffy had been provoked by seeing the two of them already in the field.
Now he was itching to prove himself and catch up.
But Zephyr wasn't the kind of man to yield to impulse—especially not when it involved throwing a half-trained recruit into the fire of the New World.
"Let's go," Luo Ye said, shaking his head. "We'd better see what kind of mess Luffy's made now."
The brothers followed eagerly, laughing along the way.
Neither of them wanted to miss the spectacle of Luffy getting put in his place.
As soon as Luo Ye's group stepped into the camp grounds, a furious voice echoed through the area.
"Old man! I said I'm strong enough to leave Marineford! Why do you keep stopping me?!"
It was Luffy—red-faced, fuming, and shouting as loud as ever.
He believed wholeheartedly that he'd grown strong enough to leave the protective shell of Headquarters.
But Zephyr wasn't having any of it.
Did Luffy think Zephyr didn't know how Ace and Sabo had already joined real battles under Luo Ye?
Of course he did.
But none of that changed the fact that Luffy wasn't ready.
To Zephyr, excuses didn't matter. Strength was the only currency he dealt in.
And sending an unprepared Marine into the New World wasn't just reckless—it was dangerous and, in his view, unforgivable.
Zephyr scowled, his voice calm but sharp.
"You're this weak, and you say you're ready to leave Marineford on your own?"
Then he sneered.
"Who do you think you are? Luo Ye?"
Back when Zephyr had trained the likes of Sakazuki, Kuzan, and Borsalino, he thought he'd seen the pinnacle of talent.
That was before he met Luo Ye.
Luo Ye wasn't just gifted—he was exceptional beyond anything Zephyr had encountered.
He was the only recruit Zephyr had ever allowed to leave the training camp of his own accord.
Zephyr hadn't even known what more he could teach the kid.
Better to let him test his mettle directly against the pirates than keep him confined.
After all, if anyone could survive the New World, it was Luo Ye.
Luo Ye didn't react to the mention. He was used to Zephyr invoking his name to drive others harder.
Ace and Sabo, however, exchanged grins.
They remembered well how often Zephyr would invoke Luo Ye's name to crush the arrogance of hot-headed recruits.
Some even thought they could challenge Luo Ye just because they'd heard the rumors of him standing toe-to-toe with Admiral Aokiji.
Those poor fools never knew what hit them.
"Sabo," Ace whispered with a mischievous glint in his eye, "how long do you think Luffy's going to last against Zephyr?"
Glancing at their little brother, Sabo smirked.
"Mr. Zephyr never goes easy on anyone. I'd say Luffy's in for a proper thrashing."
The brothers exchanged a silent laugh.
They weren't cruel—they loved their brother—but they also knew he needed this.
Luo Ye overheard and shook his head, unable to hide his amusement.
Those two always enjoyed watching Luffy get humbled.
At that moment, Zephyr cracked his knuckles and grinned fiercely.
"If you're so eager to leave Marineford," he said to Luffy, "then I'll give you a chance. Beat me in a fight, and I'll approve your departure."