Once docked at Sabaody, Zephyr sat alone in the captain's cabin and rang a Den-Den Mushi. A prodigy under twenty with Admiral-class power… it sat uneasy in his gut.
"Moshi moshi. Zephyr? What is it?"
At Marineford, Commander-in-Chief Kong lounged behind his desk, a cigar clamped in his teeth.
"Commander, our warship engaged the Lion Pirates. We've captured their crew."
"Good. They were just raised in the meeting. I didn't expect you to run into them so soon—well done."
Zephyr didn't bask in the praise. "Kong, there's something important to report."
Kong's easy look sharpened. Zephyr usually said "Commander." When he switched to "Kong," it meant business. The cigar stilled between Kong's fingers.
"What is it?"
"It wasn't us who destroyed the Lion Pirates," Zephyr said after a beat.
"Oh?" Kong's brows rose. "Then who?"
"A youth—not yet twenty." Zephyr relayed the events: the Sea King, the stroll between two ships, the casual gesture—and an entire pirate crew obliterated. Even Kong, steady as bedrock, went silent a moment.
"To crush a pirate ship bare-handed… to wipe out a crew like it was nothing—that's Admiral-level, at least. A Devil Fruit user?" he asked, calm returning to his tone.
"Conservatively, Admiral tier," Zephyr said. "Ability unknown. I've probed for days with no result. He claims he isn't a Devil Fruit user."
"Not a Devil Fruit user?" Kong's eyes narrowed. "You mean he did it on pure strength? That's… impossible. Is he lying?"
"I thought so too. But he showed no tells," Zephyr replied. "My read is that he's telling the truth."
Kong trusted Zephyr's eye for people. His face hardened.
"If he isn't a Fruit user, that is troublesome."
If the boy had a Devil Fruit, at least there would be known counters—water, seastone, and a defined ability to study. But a non-Fruit monster at Admiral level, under twenty? For the first time, worry crept into Kong's voice.
"Zephyr, keep that young man—at any cost. He must join the Marines. If he becomes a pirate, the consequences will be disastrous."
Zephyr glanced at the nearly shouting Den-Den Mushi and sighed. "He already refused."
Kong went quiet—then exhaled a plume of smoke. "Tell me everything."
"Yeah," Zephyr said quietly. "He refused."
"Was the rank too low?" Steel Bone Kong asked at once. "If Vice Admiral won't do, promote him directly to Vice Admiral."
"Vice Admiral won't do either," Zephyr admitted with a weary smile.
Kong's jaw tightened. "Then make it Admiral."
Zephyr sighed. "I offered Admiral. He still refused."
Bang!Kong's fist slammed into his desk, leaving a cratered knuckle print.
"Ungrateful brat! Vice Admiral isn't enough, Admiral isn't enough—what next, does he want my chair?!"