Zephyr was a heroic figure tinged with tragedy. After the death of his family, he resigned from his position as Admiral and became a Marine instructor, pouring all his energy into training the next generation of Marine talent. From the three Admirals—Akainu, Aokiji, and Kizaru—to Vice Admirals like Tina, Smoker, Onigumo, and Momonga, Zephyr trained an incredible number of Marine officers.
The officers he trained were even referred to as the "Golden Age of the Marines," and these exceptional students were the pride of Zephyr's life.
But in the original story, Zephyr's arm would later be cut off by Weevil, who would also kill all of his students. Even the loss of his arm could not break Zephyr's spirit; he still believed in the justice of the Marines and sought revenge for his students.
However, the actions of the World Government completely shattered his faith. In a move that utterly disregarded Zephyr's history and honor, they recruited Weevil to become one of the Seven Warlords. One could only imagine the desolation Zephyr must have felt at that moment. This event caused a drastic change in his personality, and he decided to go his own way, forming the Neo Marines as "Z." In the end, he was killed by his own student, Kizaru, bringing a close to his tragic life.
Of course, these were events from the original story. Now that Weevil had become Bege's "brother," it was highly likely that these events would not occur.
But Bege believed that even without Weevil, another person or another event would eventually cause Zephyr to completely lose faith in the Marines and the World Government.
Therefore, the invitation he was extending now was not for the Zephyr of today, but for the Zephyr who would one day leave the Marines. Perhaps that version of Zephyr would be willing to join his crew.
"As a former Admiral who has been with the Marines for forty or fifty years, you must have seen the many flaws and the ugliness that exist behind the scenes of the World Government and the Marines," Bege said coolly.
Zephyr's brow furrowed. In a deep voice, he asked, "What are you trying to say?"
"The World Government is thoroughly corrupt. Behind the scenes, it is a cesspool of filth and unbearable darkness. Those World Nobles, those high-ranking officials, are more disgusting and more evil than the most wicked pirates on the seas. And the Celestial Dragons who rule them are the biggest cancer in this world. You should know about the darkness that lies beneath the Holy Land, Mariejois."
Zephyr's eyes narrowed. He remained silent, which was a clear sign that he knew of the darkness in Mariejois.
"The seat of the World Government, the symbol of the highest power in the world. It is beautiful and prosperous on the outside, but its interior is the epitome of ugliness. There is no evil in this world that can compare to the Holy Land. The state of Mariejois represents the state of the World Government itself," Bege mocked, his voice growing more and more agitated.
"Beneath that justice lies absolute evil and darkness. Admiral Zephyr, this kind of justice, this kind of World Government... it can't be what you hoped for."
"Shut up, Demon Dragon. A pirate like you dares to discuss justice with me?" Zephyr's sinister eyes stared at Bege, and a terrifying aura erupted from him, stirring the sea into a frenzy of massive waves.
Bege roared with laughter. "I am no paragon of justice, nor do I have your fervent belief in it. But I can tell you this: the territories under my command are far cleaner than anything run by your World Government. Go and see my islands. See what they were like under the Fear Pirates, and then see what they are like now."
"Admiral Zephyr, your justice is simply unworkable within the World Government. You may be a former Admiral who trained the three current Admirals and numerous other officers, but I'm telling you, if it serves their interests, the World Government wouldn't hesitate to abandon you, a Marine hero who has contributed so much to them."
"Come with me. I can accommodate your justice and give you all the freedom you need," Bege said, extending his hand in a sincere invitation.
"Nonsense!"
Zephyr's face grew even darker. In an instant, he shot into the air, his face contorted with rage as he charged at Bege, his black-clad fist hurtling forward with all its might.
Bege instantly drew his sword. The clash of fist and blade, the sound of steel striking steel, shook the heavens. Streaks of dark lightning instantly filled the space for dozens of meters around them. The violent shockwave swept outwards, pushing even the Sky God back and stirring up monstrous waves on the sea.
Morton was thrown back several hundred meters by the waves, and he stared in horror at the two figures in the air, enveloped in black lightning.
"So this is a battle between the world's top fighters."
In mid-air, Bege used all his strength to block Zephyr's punch. The terrifying force of the blow made his right arm ache. If he hadn't hardened the space behind him, he might have been sent flying by that single punch.
As a master of physical combat, Zephyr possessed the same fearsome power as Garp.
"Admiral Zephyr, I'm not talking nonsense. Please, see the darkness and the true face of the World Government for what they are," Bege said gravely.
A sharp glint flashed in Zephyr's eyes again. He put all his strength into his body and, with a single punch, sent Bege flying. The hardened space behind Bege instantly shattered, and he was thrown back dozens of meters.
He stomped his feet in the air, the hardened space beneath them cracking as he retreated several more steps before finally coming to a stop.
Zephyr looked down at Bege, his immense and powerful aura pressing down on him. He said in a low voice, "The World Government certainly has its flaws, but it's not for a criminal pirate like you to judge. The World Government has its own system of self-correction. Given time, it can cleanse itself of the cancer within."
"Pfft, hahahaha... Admiral Zephyr, you're really just deceiving yourself. As long as the Celestial Dragons exist, as long as Mariejois stands, the World Government will never change. It will only grow more and more rotten and corrupt, until it becomes the greatest evil in the world. The justice you all champion is the World Government's greatest shield. Justice protects the greed and sins of the Celestial Dragons and the World Nobles. Hahaha, how laughable! How pathetic!" Bege couldn't help but laugh mockingly.
"Justice is never laughable!"
Zephyr's entire body trembled, the flames of rage burning in his heart, his eyes filled with a chilling coldness. His body seemed to grow stronger, and in an instant, it turned completely black, with fine streaks of black lightning crackling across its surface.
Justice was the belief he had dedicated his entire life to. In the struggle against evil pirates, countless people had given their efforts and their lives for it.
Justice was the blood-soaked honor of the Marines, an honor they would defend to the death. As an old Marine, he would not tolerate anyone showing contempt for or defiling justice.
"Such powerful pressure." Bege's pupils contracted. He knew Zephyr was getting serious.
A cold smile spread across his lips. He drew the Fire Cloud Sword, and an equally terrifying and ferocious aura erupted from his body, a bloody haze beginning to form around him.
"There are certainly people in the Marines who deserve respect. You, Sengoku, Garp... I acknowledge your justice. But under the command of the World Government, the justice of the Marines is nothing more than a shield for the world's greatest cancer," Bege said gravely.
"Justice will not be insulted!" Zephyr roared. He kicked off the air, transforming into a thick bolt of black lightning as he shot toward Bege.
Bege leaped up as well, becoming a streak of crimson lightning.
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