[Zephyr resigned from the Navy, founded the "Neo Marines," and waged relentless war on pirates throughout the sea by his own methods. In the end, however, he was ultimately killed in a full-scale battle against the Marines.]
[The one who personally ended Zephyr's life was his former student, Admiral Borsalino—Kizaru. That man whose Yasakani no Magatama so often missed its mark somehow became incredibly accurate when targeting Zephyr.
Finally, the Neo Marines were dissolved upon Zephyr's death.]
[Shuzo, who had followed Zephyr, was captured by the Navy and imprisoned in Impel Down. As for Ain and Binz—no one ever saw them again at sea.]
[It's tragic to think that a man who joined the Navy at the age of 14, alongside Garp, Sengoku, and Tsuru, the pillars of the Navy we know today, a man who served as an instructor to all of the current Admirals, ended up leaving the Navy because of this Whitebeard Jr. incident and ultimately became the Navy's enemy.]
[And in the year following his departure from the Navy, he was personally sent to the afterlife by his own disciple, Kizaru, under the direction of Sakazuki, witnessed by nearly all the Vice Admirals of Marine Headquarters.]
[In the end, only Kuzan built him a gravestone and offered Zephyr's favorite drink at his memorial…]
Smoothie: "So interesting—really too interesting. A man who gave nearly his entire life to the Navy, who trained almost the entire backbone of the current Marines…in the end, after decades of service, he was killed by one of his own disciples."
Ulti: "Tsk, even pirates rarely stoop so low as to betray someone who raised them. So the Navy has even less loyalty, huh?"
Whitey Bay: "That old guy who clashed with my father for so many years ends like this, not even killed by a pirate but by the Navy—and by a Marine he personally raised!"
Stussy: "I can't believe something like that happens in the future. My original self who's been with Whitebeard Jr. apparently stirred up quite a ruckus. Arton once said he had hopes for Zephyr, and that Zephyr has an aide, Ain, who might hold a Diary Copy. I hope this doesn't affect how Arton sees me…"
Ain's entire body was trembling uncontrollably. She was so worked up that she didn't even notice she'd bitten her lip to bleeding, or that her palms were pierced by her own fingernails.
"Those guys…they all betrayed Zephyr-sensei? And all for Whitebeard Jr.?"
"Hehe… The Navy and World Government really are untrustworthy. An organization like that doesn't deserve Zephyr-sensei!"
She turned her gaze to Zephyr, who was currently speaking with Binz. Gradually, her anger calmed.
"Pure rage isn't going to solve anything. What matters is making sure Zephyr-sensei never reaches that destiny."
"No matter the cost, I have to prevent that outcome—even if it means becoming one of Arton's people, becoming a pirate!"
"Before that, though, I need to find Arton."
As Ain mulled it over, she glanced back at her Diary Copy, at the Marine women's names in the group chat.
"Gion, Doll, Kujaku… I can't trust them. The ones I can count on are the people Arton said would follow Zephyr-sensei: Binz and Shuzo."
"And Kuzan… He's the one who built Zephyr-sensei's tomb and later got into a scuffle with Vice Admiral Garp, right? Probably on Zephyr's behalf. Perhaps he also left the Marines."
"Admiral Aokiji might be someone I can trust."
Ain narrowed her eyes and fell into deep thought. After a while, she patted her cheeks, regained her usual composure, and walked over to Zephyr.
"For now, I can't afford to leave the Navy. The group chat might still help me find a way to get closer to Arton."
"Before I leave, I have to finish the tasks Zephyr-sensei assigned to me. Too bad I can't tell him about the Diary Copies."
'Zephyr-sensei, I hope you can understand when the time comes for me to go…' Gazing at Zephyr drawing nearer, Ain thought as she walked.
[Hibari]: Zephyr was killed by Admiral Kizaru? And all the Marine Headquarters Vice Admirals witnessed it?
[Tashigi]: So Admiral Akainu was the one leading this? And in the end, only Admiral Aokiji held a funeral for Zephyr?
[Hina]: Hina is astonished—why would the Navy make such a decision?
[Doll]: Hey now, isn't that going too far? Even if Zephyr left the Navy and formed a "Neo Marines," did that really demand dispatching so many people to kill him?
[Sadi]: Honestly, even I think you Marines overdid it.
[Kujaku]: Such a cruel future. After everything Zephyr contributed to the Navy, this ending is downright undeserved!
[Gion]: I refuse to let such a future come to pass. Ain, please trust me—don't act rashly and do something you'll regret.
[Ain]: Don't worry, Vice Admiral Gion. I'm calmer than I've ever been. I won't do anything I'll regret.
Gion frowned as she read Ain's response. Although she wanted Ain to stay calm, something about Ain's unnaturally emotionless tone put her on edge.
"Has Ain already decided to leave the Navy?" Gion murmured to herself, an uneasy feeling gnawing at her.
***
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