"What a mess. That old Zephyr hates pirates even more because of his disappointment in the Marines."
Page One's voice trembled with disbelief. "It's crazy. He used to be a Marine Admiral, and he carries countless Marine secrets. Now that he's turned his back on them, the Marines won't spare him… and neither will anyone else."
"So what do we do, boss?" Page One asked cautiously.
Kaito's eyes narrowed as a sharp glint flashed through them. "Don't worry about it. Do what you need to do. I'll meet Zephyr myself."
Kaito let out a quiet sigh. Zephyr defecting, Aokiji and Akainu's clash for the Fleet Admiral's position, and the Marines forcing the timeline off its rails… everything was spiraling. Kaito rubbed his temple.
"Once I deal with Zephyr, I need to handle the Big Mom Pirates before things get worse. No more delays."
He sent Page One off and vanished instantly, deciding to handle this personally. He didn't need anyone else stumbling onto the secrets of the three magma Endpoints scattered across the New World. If they found out, some might start developing dangerous ambitions.
---
Marine Headquarters
Inside the Marine Headquarters conference hall, the air felt heavy and suffocating. High-ranking officers filled the room, sitting silently while Fleet Admiral Sengoku addressed them.
"You all know about Zephyr. There's no need for me to repeat it. Kizaru has already gone to stop him. Many of you were once his students."
Sengoku's gaze swept over the room, tired and sorrowful. "If you want to go, then go. At least accompany him on his final journey."
Aokiji frowned. "Marshal Sengoku, why? Even if Teacher Zephyr really became a pirate, you don't have to kill him."
"If that was all he had become, we wouldn't. But he's lost control. His goal now is to destroy the entire New World."
Gasps spread across the room. Sengoku continued with a grim expression. "Pirates, civilians, everything. Tsuru and I have confirmed it. This isn't speculation."
"That's impossible… Teacher Zephyr would never…" Aokiji muttered, stunned.
"The meeting is over. Those who wish to go may follow Aokiji."
As the officers stood to leave, Sengoku's shoulders slumped, more white hair appearing at his temples.
---
New World – Volcano Island
On a volcanic island spewing smoke into the sky, Zephyr stood tall with his purple hair flowing behind him. His loyal students followed him without hesitation.
"Mr. Z, everything is prepared," Ain reported as she approached.
"Good. Let's go," Zephyr replied, a hardened smile on his aged face.
They headed toward their ship. Moments after they left, the volcano erupted behind them, spraying blazing magma toward the heavens. The sky turned crimson while the sea roared, boiling and rising in towering waves.
Zephyr threw his head back and laughed wildly. "The first one is done. Only two more Endpoints left. Once they're detonated, every pirate in the New World will die. The world will finally know peace!"
Ain and the others exchanged uneasy looks. The man they knew as their teacher… wasn't quite the same anymore. Still, they followed him. They always had.
High above them, Kaito watched silently, eyes shadowed with conflict.
He respected Zephyr's legacy… but destroying the New World wasn't something he could allow. This wasn't justice. It wasn't even revenge. It was despair turned into madness.
"Is this what happens when a good man is pushed too far?" Kaito murmured.
"Fine. I'll let him breathe a little longer. But if the Marines don't intervene before he reaches the third Endpoint, I'll stop him myself."
A surge of golden light flashed below as a new figure appeared above Zephyr's ship.
Kizaru.
---
Kizaru hovered lazily in the air, looking down at his former mentor.
"Zephyr-san, Marshal Sengoku has ordered me to bring you back. Please reconsider and return to Marine Headquarters."
"Don't try to fool me!" Zephyr shouted. "If you're here to drag this old man back, then you'll have to fight me. If not, get lost."
Kizaru frowned. It was rare to see him take anything seriously, but now his expression hardened.
"Good luck, Zephyr-san."
His body dissolved into golden light and vanished.
---
Above the Clouds
Kizaru reappeared in front of Kaito.
"What are you doing here?" he asked warily.
"What do you think?" Kaito answered calmly. "You're watching Teacher Zephyr. So am I."
"You knew about the Endpoints?" Kizaru's eyes widened. "That information is top-secret. Only Admirals and higher know it."
"People know more than you think," Kaito replied. "And maybe Sengoku shouldn't have forced Zephyr into this corner."
The shock on Kizaru's face deepened. He didn't wait another second. His light flickered, and he shot back toward Marine Headquarters to report the breach.
Kaito shrugged. "Am I really that frightening?"
He continued trailing Zephyr from the sky.
---
A week passed.
Hot Spring Town
In a peaceful town known for its hot springs, Kaito strolled casually through the streets, munching on local snacks as if the fate of the New World wasn't hanging in the balance.
He'd been here for days, waiting. The last Endpoint was hidden beneath this town. Zephyr would come soon.
Along the way, Kaito spotted a few familiar faces poorly disguised with sunglasses and bandages. Their attempts were almost laughable.
Kaito grinned and clapped a hand on the man's shoulder.
"Yo, Aokiji. What brings you here?"
Aokiji's lips twitched violently. Of all the people he expected to bump into, Kaito was the last one he wanted. Inside his head he screamed in frustration.
____
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