The atmosphere inside the spacious conference hall instantly turned oppressive.
Many of the Marine officers present glared at the two CP0 agents with murderous intent.
If not for their status as CP0, several of them would have already attacked.
After all, most of those present had been personally trained by their mentor, Zephyr.
Even Sengoku’s face had darkened completely. Staring at the smug-looking Spandine, he roared,
"Spandine, shut your mouth!"
"Marine Headquarters will handle this matter ourselves. It has nothing to do with CP0."
"Get the hell out of Marineford right now!"
"Otherwise, don’t blame me for showing you no mercy—even if it means ignoring the Five Elders themselves!"
His furious roar echoed throughout the conference hall, causing even the tightly shut windows to tremble violently.
The Marine officers couldn’t help but stare in surprise.
This was the first time they had seen the normally calm and level-headed Sengoku lose his temper like this.
At the very least...
When it came to protecting their own, their Fleet Admiral was standing with them.
"Heh, Fleet Admiral Sengoku, you’re as imposing as ever."
Spandine showed no fear whatsoever and continued smiling confidently.
"I’m sure the Five Elders will be delighted to hear those words."
"However..."
"The Five Elders are concerned that Marine Headquarters has delayed this matter for too long."
"If Zephyr takes advantage of that delay and leaves with a large number of Marines, it could throw the seas into chaos."
"I’m sure you understand better than anyone how much influence Zephyr has."
"So..."
"On our way here, we borrowed Marine Headquarters’ authority and summoned Zephyr back here."
"Judging by the time..."
"He should have arrived by now."
"Why don’t we all go settle this together?"
"You bastard!"
Sengoku roared.
His Conqueror’s Haki exploded outward without restraint.
The overwhelming wave of Haki instantly shattered every nearby window.
Spandine’s expression changed as he hastily retreated, immediately going on guard.
Within Marine Headquarters, Sengoku often appeared kind and approachable.
But those who truly knew history understood that "The Buddha" Sengoku had never become Fleet Admiral by being soft-hearted.
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku!"
A Marine burst into the conference room.
"This is bad!"
"Chief Instructor Zephyr has been surrounded by CP0 and a conflict has already broken out!"
Everyone’s expressions changed instantly.
Just as expected—
With CP0 manipulating events behind the scenes, everything had become far more complicated.
"Zephyr!"
A furious roar echoed from the harbor.
Sengoku’s face changed.
He no longer had the time to deal with Spandine and immediately rushed outside.
"Garp!"
"Come with me."
"No matter what happens today, we have to stop Zephyr."
"Even if we have to knock him unconscious, we cannot let him leave Marine Headquarters."
"Otherwise..."
"The consequences will be beyond repair."
"...Understood."
For once, Garp wasn’t smiling.
His face remained grim as he shot Spandine a cold glance before following Sengoku.
The rest of the Marine officers glared murderously at the CP0 agents before rushing after them.
Everyone knew one thing.
As long as Zephyr hadn’t officially defected from the Marines...
Whatever happened today could still be considered an internal Marine dispute.
But if Zephyr left Marine Headquarters...
The Five Elders would finally have an excuse to unleash their blade and force the Marines to hunt down their own former instructor.
At Marineford’s harbor...
Over a thousand Marines had assembled.
More than a hundred CP agents surrounded the area, eyeing Zephyr and Shuzo, who had just stepped ashore, with undisguised glee.
"Teacher Zephyr..."
Binz couldn’t help asking,
"Has our plan been exposed?"
"Otherwise, Fleet Admiral Sengoku wouldn’t have resorted to such underhanded tactics to ambush us."
As one of the few survivors of Weevil’s massacre—and a beloved disciple whom Zephyr had saved with his own life—
Binz had been the first to support Zephyr’s decision to break with the World Government.
He had already prepared himself to sacrifice everything.
Yet before their plan had even begun...
The enemy had already struck first.
"No."
Zephyr’s face remained grim.
"I’ve worked alongside Sengoku for decades."
"He would never stoop to tricks like these."
His appearance had changed completely.
His once-gentle demeanor was gone.
His hair had been dyed purple and styled into sharp spikes, and he now wore black sunglasses.
The transformation made him look far more wild and defiant than before.
His hawk-like gaze swept across everyone present before he spoke in a low voice.
"If I’m not mistaken..."
"It was CP0."
"They impersonated Sengoku and lured us here."
"CP0?"
Shuzo and Binz’s expressions changed.
They understood the implications immediately.
A conflict limited to Marine Headquarters would remain an internal matter.
But once CP0 became involved...
Everything changed.
If they mishandled the situation...
Not only would Marine Headquarters pursue them...
The World Government would also send assassins after them.
Their fate would likely be no different from that of CP9.
"Zephyr."
Sengoku landed on the dock.
Behind him came Garp and a group of senior Marine officers.
Spandine and the other CP0 agents followed without any intention of hiding themselves.
The coldness on Zephyr’s face eased slightly.
However, when his eyes fell upon Spandine, they became icy once more.
"Sengoku."
"I know this wasn’t your doing."
"If you still consider me your old friend..."
"Then answer me one question."
"Who are you choosing?"
"Will you let Weevil walk away..."
"Or will you let me walk away?"
The Marine officers present all stiffened.
This was the very question they had all been avoiding.
They had delayed making a decision because none of them wanted to face the inevitable answer.
After all...
The Five Elders had already decided that Weevil would become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.
That decision was set in stone.
Marine Headquarters was merely responsible for carrying it out.
Even Sengoku’s objections had failed to change the Five Elders’ minds.
Now that Zephyr had forced the issue into the open...
Everyone’s nerves tightened.
Only Spandine and the other CP0 agents wore amused smiles.
This had been their mission from the very beginning.
Force Zephyr to defect from Marine Headquarters.
Weaken the Marines.
Allow the Five Elders greater control over them.
As long as that goal was accomplished...
Their mission would be complete.
However...
Just as that thought crossed their minds—
A voice suddenly rang out from the distance.
"Teacher Zephyr..."
"Weevil isn’t going anywhere."
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