After turning away, Reid let the corner of his mouth lift slightly and murmured, "Zephyr. Zephyr. How long can your justice really last?"
It was only a low mutter, yet his voice carried clearly enough for Kizaru to hear.
"Mr. Reid, saying things like that about our chief instructor is rather dangerous," Kizaru said.
On the surface, he looked indifferent, but it was hard to tell whether he truly did not care or was simply pretending not to. Of course, even if he did care, it would change nothing. There was nothing he could alter.
Or, to be more precise, from the moment Reid stepped onto Marineford, the Navy's justice had already been broken. This had nothing to do with Reid's personality. It was simply because Reid was a pirate, and now, he was an Emperor of the Sea.
Beyond simple amusement, this was one of Reid's main purposes in coming here. He had had his eye on Zephyr for far too long.
In the world of One Piece, there were very few people who could truly be called teachers anymore. Hawkeye, Ban, Rayleigh, and Kaido. Among them, only Rayleigh and Zephyr were capable of providing systematic instruction.
Yet Zephyr's understanding of the Marines, no, of justice itself, was deeply rooted. Changing him would never be easy.
Difficult did not mean impossible.
While Zephyr stood there teaching his students about justice, the greatest pirate on the seas watched their training from the very plaza of Marine Headquarters.
Were you not shaken at all? Reid believed Zephyr had always been like this.
If Zephyr could convince himself that Reid was merely the king of an allied nation, then he would not be Zephyr.
When Kizaru led Reid and the others into the Marine cafeteria, the entire hall fell into complete silence.
Chopsticks froze in midair. Spoons clattered into bowls. Even the chef's spatula stiffened in his hand.
"Oh, everyone, no need to be nervous," Kizaru waved lazily. "This is a distinguished guest from an allied nation."
Reid smiled as he walked up to the ordering counter. "I heard the Marines' fried pork cutlets are excellent?"
The chef broke out in a cold sweat. "Y yes! I will prepare a special deluxe portion for you immediately!"
At that moment.
Bang!
The door to Sengoku's office was thrown open.
"Fleet Admiral!" The messenger was drenched in sweat. "Sir! Admiral Kizaru brought Reid to the cafeteria!"
Sengoku crushed the documents in his hand into a tight ball. "Who let you in?!"
The messenger swallowed. "Uh… you said earlier that any movement involving Reid should be reported immediately…"
Sengoku took a deep breath.
He thought he was prepared. Until he saw Reid heading toward the training grounds earlier.
That overwhelming sense of helplessness washed over him in an instant.
His plans were not merely disrupted. They were completely dismantled.
Reid becoming the king of an allied nation likely had the greatest impact on Zephyr. It was not as catastrophic as Whitebeard's appearance, but it was still a massive shock.
"How ironic," Sengoku muttered.
Garp stuffed rice crackers into his mouth like a madman, pretending not to hear anything. Akainu stared at the word "Justice" on the wall, fists clenched so tightly that sharp cracking sounds echoed.
"Kuzan!" Sengoku suddenly shouted.
Aokiji's eye mask slid down to the bridge of his nose. "Huh? I just finished night duty yesterday…"
"You go," Sengoku said decisively.
Aokiji sighed. "…What a pain."
If Reid ran into Kuzan, would things still go so smoothly?
The Cafeteria
Reid slowly wiped his mouth and casually tossed the napkin onto the table. The Marines' fried pork cutlet was indeed quite good, but compared to that, he enjoyed the unease in the eyes of the surrounding Marines even more.
"I'm full," he said lazily, stretching as blood mist curled around his fingertips. "Let's go, Admiral Kizaru. It is time to head to Mary Geoise."
Kizaru raised an eyebrow. "Oh? Had enough fun already?"
"The objective has been achieved. Why stay longer?" Reid stood up with a smile. His voice was neither loud nor soft, just enough for everyone in the cafeteria to hear clearly. "After all," he added, casting a meaningful glance toward the training grounds, "some seeds need to be watered regularly."
The Marines exchanged looks. A few quick thinkers had already slipped away quietly to report what they had seen.
When Reid and his group strolled leisurely back toward the harbor, Aokiji was leaning against a Navy battleship, dozing off.
"Yo, Kuzan!" Reid's eyes lit up as he waved enthusiastically. "Can I water them twice?"
"…Are you here to send me off?" Aokiji lifted his eyelids lazily. "Fleet Admiral Sengoku told me to escort you to Mary Geoise."
"That's perfect!" Reid clapped his hands. "We can chat along the way. I heard you have been thinking about resigning lately?"
Aokiji frowned. "No. Who told you that?"
"When you have thoughts like that, you must consider the interests of our allied nations. We really do need your combat strength."
Just then, a commotion erupted from the direction of Marineford.
Sengoku arrived at high speed with a squad of Marines, his expression extremely grim.
"Reid!" Sengoku's voice boomed like thunder. "What did you mean by what you said earlier? Are you trying to shake our justice?"
Reid turned around, his blood mist cloak fluttering gently in the wind. "Hmm? Which part? I am not sure."
Sengoku struggled to keep his emotions in check. He had not wanted to come out personally, but seeing the scene before him, he knew that if he did not step in, the foundation would soon be completely dug out. He stopped pretending.
"Stop playing dumb!"
"Oh my," Reid spread his hands. "I was only telling the truth."
Then his voice suddenly rose, because he had spotted Zephyr approaching. After that, his tone dropped again, steady and clear, making sure everyone could hear.
"Just like Zephyr teaches his students. Pirates are pirates, right?"
Zephyr's pupils contracted sharply.
Reid took a step back, a bright smile on his face. "Then, see you at Mary Geoise?"
With that, he turned gracefully and boarded the ship.
Sengoku looked at Zephyr's stiff back. The purple-haired instructor's fists were clenched white, veins bulging at his knuckles. The entire harbor fell silent, with only the sound of waves striking the shore.
"Zephyr…" Sengoku stepped forward.
Zephyr did not turn around. He simply raised one hand to signal that he was fine. "No need to say more," he said hoarsely but with unwavering firmness. "Justice is justice. It will not change because of a pirate's words."
Sengoku opened his mouth, then sighed. "Go get some rest. Training is over for today."
"No need," Zephyr suddenly turned around. "Especially at a time like this, we must make the students understand." His gaze swept over the recruits who had been secretly watching. "Justice has never been an easy road."
The recruits straightened instinctively.
Watching his old friend's stubborn resolve, Sengoku suddenly smiled. "You are still the same as ever." He patted Zephyr on the shoulder. "Come on. I have a good bottle in my office."
Zephyr frowned. "But it is still working hours."
"Just have a drink with me," Sengoku interrupted. "After all," he glanced toward the distant Blue Maria Jackson, "if we are going to deal with that bastard in the future, we need clear heads."
Zephyr was silent for a moment, then finally nodded. "…One drink."
As the two of them turned and walked away, no one noticed that, in the shadows at the edge of the harbor, Reid's blood mist clone quietly dispersed, leaving behind only a faint, almost imperceptible chuckle.