When Dante answered the Den Den Mushi and saw the snail transform to wear a Marine seagull cap, complete with an afro and a commanding glare, he knew exactly who was calling.
The current Fleet Admiral, Sengoku!
Dante quickly ordered the bath technicians to leave and close the door behind them.
Before he could even speak, Sengoku's authoritative voice rang out. "Marine 16th Branch, Dante!"
Without waiting for a response, Sengoku paused briefly before cutting straight to the point. "Is Zephyr over there with you?"
"Yes sir." Dante raised an eyebrow. He had already guessed why the Fleet Admiral would personally call a lowly branch captain. Marine HQ's official judgment for Zephyr had likely arrived. He answered directly without concealment. "What are your orders?"
"I've received Zephyr's resignation letter." The snail mimicking Sengoku's face showed a conflicted expression before turning dead serious. "I am now officially issuing the World Government's ruling regarding the Marine Chief Instructor, Zephyr."
"First, though Zephyr has committed an unforgivable crime, considering his lifelong contributions, Marine Headquarters permits him to resign voluntarily."
"Second, Zephyr is strictly prohibited from revealing any secrets regarding Marine HQ or the World Government. He must comply with this until death."
"Third, Marine HQ orders the Neo Marines to disband immediately. Should they refuse, Marine HQ will officially place all members on the wanted list."
"Fourth..."
When it came to the fourth condition, the snail paused again, its eyes revealing a flicker of deep conflict within himself.
Sengoku continued in a grave tone, heavier than before. "From this day forward, Zephyr is forbidden from entering the Grand Line. No matter the circumstances, without direct orders from the World Government and Marine HQ, he cannot set foot in the Grand Line again. If discovered, he will be arrested by the World Government and immediately executed!"
And that wasn't all. After pronouncing the execution order, Sengoku finally seemed unable to contain his personal emotions and shouted loudly, "Tell your teacher: if I find he has set foot in the Grand Line, I will personally pass judgment. He will remain quietly in the East Blue for the rest of his life and die peacefully there!"
The Neo Marines, who had remained silent during the call, were instantly filled with rage. They all glared viciously at the Den Den Mushi in Dante's hand.
They couldn't believe the World Government would issue such an insulting order.
Step into the Grand Line and face immediate execution? Zephyr had dedicated most of his life to Marine HQ. Yet, not only had his enemy been appointed as a Shichibukai, but now, in retirement, he had to suffer this humiliation?
And they claimed he had committed an unforgivable crime? If the World Government hadn't made a mess of justice, why would Zephyr have formed the Neo Marines in the first place?
Before they could vent their fury at the snail, Zephyr's sharp command cut through the tension. "Calm down!"
Looking at his students, Zephyr smiled and gave a slight shake of his head. In a soft voice filled with mixed feelings, he said, "This isn't bad either. I don't want to return to that terrible place anyway."
He glanced at the snail in Dante's hand. "Don't trouble this old friend of mine. Tell him I'll stay here quietly... and die here."
With that, he closed his eyes and lay back against the edge of the bath. His complicated expression vanished instantly, replaced by casual leisure. "This place is much more comfortable. Though it would have been better if the massage had been a bit rougher. I'll have to mention that later."
--**--**
Seeing their teacher's reaction, Ain and the others eyes flashed with deep sorrow, but they said nothing. Respecting Zephyr's choice, they lay back down as well.
It truly was a terrible place, and they wouldn't want to return either.
As for Dante, he perfectly understood Zephyr's decision. Though a few extra conditions had been tacked on, it basically satisfied his aims. As for the restriction against entering the Grand Line... Dante simply ignored it.
So what? If they sneaked in, could the World Government actually find out?
Dante nodded with a cheerful smile. "I'll pass that along to Zephyr-sensei," he said smoothly. "If there's nothing else..."
"Why are you so impatient?" Sengoku interrupted, the snail's expression reddening. "I heard you're quite the negotiator. Every Marine who calls says you understand how the world works. What's the matter? You don't like getting a call from the Fleet Admiral?"
"Not at all!" Dante quickly forced a laugh. "I'm honored and terrified, a humble branch captain receiving a call from the Fleet Admiral himself. I'm so delighted I don't know what to say. I was just afraid of taking up your valuable time."
In truth, he had no desire to leave the East Blue or seek promotion. With the former Overlord gone, he couldn't even secure funding like before. Why waste his breath?
"Honored? I don't see you as the timid type," Sengoku scoffed. "Assaulting Celestial Dragon guards, entertaining female pirates in the East Blue, and now disregarding branch regulations to interfere in Zephyr's affairs in the New World..."
"Um..." Dante hesitated. "I was on leave!"
"Leave?" the snail drawled. "Then that's an abuse of power, using a Marine warship for personal reasons during private time!"
How did that count as unauthorized use? If his actions counted, what about a certain Marine Hero who spent every vacation piloting his dog-head warship back to his hometown? Wasn't that taking public assets for private use?
Dante raised an eyebrow, realizing the Fleet Admiral had an ulterior motive. "Fleet Admiral, what else is there? Please, just say it."
"It's nothing much. I just wanted to ask why you rejected the invitation to the Marine Officer Training Camp. It's a great opportunity. Don't you want to advance your career?"
Dante fell silent.
He had already guessed what the old man wanted, of course, and had prepared his response. Heaving a heavy sigh, he said, "I don't think I'm qualified yet."
"You brat, stop being modest," Sengoku countered. "Kuzan thinks highly of you. If you weren't qualified, why would he favor you?"
"That, I don't know." Dante scratched his head with a conflicted look. Hesitating, he dropped his voice to a furtive whisper. "Maybe... maybe I bribed him!"
Sengoku's face reddened completely.
How could a branch captain really admit to bribing a Marine Admiral straight to the Fleet Admiral's face?
===============
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