Zephyr, at this moment, was wearing sunglasses, smoking a cigarette, and dressed in a black tank top, black military trousers, and black boots. He looked exactly like an old ruffian, a complete contrast to the formerly disciplined Zephyr who always stood erect and adhered to the highest Marine code.
Let alone the Gorosei, even Kong and Sengoku, who had known Zephyr for so long, wanted to say, "The person in front of me might be a fake Zephyr."
"Zephyr, you are not the Chief Instructor anymore, nor are you an Admiral. The fact that you are allowed to stand here is already a courtesy." The bald Gorosei with the birthmark on his brow rebuked him. "Now, you simply need to explain your actions."
"What actions did I take? I merely stopped a pirate from usurping a nation," Zephyr retorted without backing down. "Doflamingo has violated the regulations that a Warlord must abide by. His position as a Warlord should be immediately revoked."
The Gorosei's eyelids twitched violently. Damn it, the problem is that we can't remove him! If he were a Warlord without any background, like Teach or Moria, we could remove him however we pleased.
'It seems this will be another matter that is settled with nothing done.' Zephyr snorted, too exasperated to continue the pointless discussion.
Doflamingo's attempted coup seemed straightforward on the surface, but it secretly concealed far too many unspeakable secrets.
"Not only will they not investigate Doflamingo, but they will actually support him in ascending to the throne."
Zephyr recalled the words Alucard had said to him at the Arderay Kingdom ruins. It's hopeless. It's completely hopeless! The Government!
"A man with a reputation in the military second only to Garp, acting in such a manner, do you realize the impact it will have on the Marines?" When Zephyr walked beside Kong, Kong suddenly spoke.
Hearing this, Zephyr turned his head and met Kong's gaze for a long time before sighing internally, 'The Marines... are like this too.'
"I'm leaving."
Two words, but only the word "leaving" was spoken with exceptional heaviness. Sengoku started forward to stop him, urgently saying, "Hey! Wait, Zephyr."
"I am not Zephyr."
Zephyr turned his head halfway. "I am... Z."
With that, Zephyr left. Sengoku started to chase after him, but the Gorosei behind him spoke up. "Stop, Sengoku. We have matters concerning the Reverie to discuss next!"
"Ah..."
Sengoku fiercely clenched his jaw, but his strong sense of Marine duty forced him to stop and turn back.
Back at his home in Marineford, Zephyr stared at the Marine greatcoat hanging on the wall—the mantle he wore during his time as Admiral "Black Arm."
During the early days of the Great Pirate Era, when pirate activities were rampant, Kong had sent a newly made coat identical to the one Zephyr wore as an Admiral to him.
The meaning was clear: he hoped Zephyr would once again assume the mantle of Admiral. Zephyr naturally refused, but not wanting to throw it away, he hung it up as decoration.
Staring at the greatcoat for a long time, Zephyr suddenly took it down, picked up a brush from his desk, and savagely painted a large 'X' over the Marine symbol on the back of the coat, piercing the Seagull emblem. It was as if he was piercing the justice he had upheld for the first half of his life.
Whoosh!
The greatcoat whistled through the air, returning to Zephyr's back after nearly thirty years. However, the emblem was entirely different from three decades ago.
Several days later.
In the first half of the New World, near the waters leading out of Fish-Man Island, Zephyr noticed several large Alucard Pirates warships waiting for him when he entered the area.
"You guys..." Zephyr squinted.
"Hey! Zephyr-san, only I'm here to welcome you this time."
On the ship closest to Zephyr, Stragus stood at the bow, waving continuously. If you didn't know, who could tell that he had almost been killed by Zephyr back when he was under Shiki?
"..."
Zephyr's face was cold, and he remained silent. It was no difficult task for them to find him, as they possessed his Vivre Card.
Swoosh~
Stragus tossed a dark green wine bottle. Zephyr casually caught it. It was his favorite Jerez. "Learning from last time's lesson, I won't need to lower the gangplank this time."
Stragus stood at the bow, gesturing with his hand in an inviting motion toward the inside of the ship. "Welcome, Zephyr-san."
Snap!
Zephyr squeezed his fingers, crushing the neck of the corked bottle, but not a single drop of wine spilled. He spoke contemptuously, "Pirate? Hmph!"
"As long as you can do what you want, what does your identity matter? Are you still clinging to the title of 'Marine Hero'?"
Suddenly, a gust of wind blew past, revealing the new emblem on the back of Zephyr's greatcoat—the Marine symbol with a large 'X' over it—to everyone present.
Stragus's expression froze, then he smiled even wider. "Since you've already made up your mind, isn't that even better? Black Arm Zephyr."
Stragus paused here, then continued, "Ah, no... Hero Z-san."
With that, Stragus took a newspaper from one of his subordinates and threw it like a dart toward Zephyr on his small boat below.
Catching the spinning newspaper, Zephyr looked at the content on the front page: [Z, The Hero Who Saved Dressrosa from the Villain]
Below the headline was a picture of Zephyr battling Doflamingo amidst a sea of fire. He wondered who had the guts to take a photograph in such circumstances.
"..."
Zephyr was speechless. After a long moment of silence, he finally stepped aboard the ship. He probably wouldn't be leaving for quite some time...
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