Chapter 43 · The Request
"So, have you thought it over?"
"..."
Hearing Zephyr's question, Eiger narrowed his eyes.
He had to admit—the conditions Zephyr offered were incredibly tempting.
Not only would Zephyr advertise for them, he would even bring the Hero of the Navy in as well.
Those two old men weren't just anyone—their status in Navy Headquarters was second only to the Fleet Admiral.
With their endorsements, the Sibia River Islands' green grape wine would practically sell itself throughout the entire Navy.
And the promise of one request from the Chief Instructor himself—
That was worth even more.
Never mind the fact that in the future, Zephyr would end up hunted by his own students after being declared a criminal. That only happened because he tried to wipe out the New World entirely.
If Zephyr hadn't attempted to destroy the New World, he would have remained the Chief Instructor who trained countless elites—still one of the most respected figures in Navy history.
Even when he later founded the NEO Marines to take revenge on pirates, the real Navy could only grit their teeth and let him be.
His influence was… immense.
Setting aside his strength, Zephyr's authority within the Navy was surpassed only by the Fleet Admiral.
And in terms of actual influence?
For many soldiers, the name "Teacher Zephyr" carried more weight than even the highest command.
Eiger weighed it all silently.
Zephyr watched him with a gentle smile, already expecting victory.
Then Eiger smiled back.
Zephyr saw the smile and sighed in relief—just about to speak—
—but Eiger's expression abruptly shifted.
His smile vanished.
"I refuse."
"You agreed—wait, what? What did you just say?"
Zephyr froze mid-sentence, completely stunned.
"Refuse?! You actually refused?! Why?!"
"No reason."
Eiger waved dismissively, face impassive.
"I just want to stay with my wife. If there's nothing else, I'm going to train."
Zephyr's face darkened the moment he heard Eiger's blunt refusal.
"To stay with your wife?!"
If annoyance could be weaponized, Zephyr would've launched it point-blank.
It was just a short trip! It's not like he asked the brat to leave forever!
Honestly, if his right hand had fully healed—and if Eiger weren't the type who could train under the sun endlessly—Zephyr would have already punched him into the horizon.
But seeing Eiger really turning around and walking away, the corner of Zephyr's mouth twitched. He hurriedly shouted—
"Wait, wait—everything is negotiable! You can't possibly expect a sick old man to travel so far by himself!"
Eiger didn't even look back.
He continued strolling toward the back mountain, single-handed axe resting on his shoulder.
Forced to escalate, Zephyr shouted again—
"Your Armament Haki is already at the coating stage!
Old man here can give you Garp's Armament Haki training method! Garp's armament coating is on an entirely different level!"
Eiger paused.
Zephyr's eyes lit up.
But the very next second—
Eiger resumed walking.
Zephyr: "..."
This brat!!!
"What the hell do you want?!"
Zephyr's face turned pitch-black.
"Fine! How about Armament Haki emission training? I can give you that too!"
Then, switching tactics, he softened his voice, playing the emotional card—
"Old man here treats you pretty well, doesn't he?
You really have the heart to let a disabled man run around alone…?
Come on, tell me—what do you want?"
Eiger stopped.
Turned around.
And said sincerely—
"Of course. I'm very grateful for your training."
"..."
Zephyr's mouth twitched.
"Then say it. What else do you want?"
"Besides what you already offered…" Eiger didn't hesitate.
"I want your two students—Ain and Binz—to agree to one request from me."
"???"
That was it?
Zephyr blinked, confused.
Ain and Binz weren't as strong as Eiger. Asking them instead of him made no sense.
If Eiger really needed something, going through their teacher would be easier.
Those two would never disobey his orders.
Even so—
as a proper teacher, Zephyr couldn't make decisions for his students.
"This…" Zephyr hesitated. "I am their teacher, but I can't decide for—"
Before he could finish, a calm voice drifted over.
"I can agree to it.
As long as you accept this mission, Binz and I will each promise you one request—as long as it doesn't violate justice."
A troubled voice followed immediately after—
"Hey hey hey! Ain! Why are you agreeing for me too?! What if this guy makes me run naked on the ship?!"
"..."
Everyone turned.
Ain and Binz were walking over—Ain calm and beautiful as always, Binz visibly panicking.
Eiger pressed a hand to his forehead.
No one wants to see you naked, idiot.
Zephyr also froze, expression complicated.
"Ain, Binz… you two…"
"Teacher Zephyr, this is my decision."
Ain shook her head slightly, then looked at Eiger.
"Well? Will you agree now?"
"Okay, okay!"
Binz threw up his hands, resigned.
"I'll also grant you one request that doesn't violate justice. Just—please don't make me run naked."
But as they waited for Eiger's answer—
"Not enough."
Eiger still didn't agree.
"..." ×3
The three stared at him, frowning.
Then Eiger spoke:
"This mission will be centered around me.
You two will also follow my orders."
Ain frowned.
Binz immediately exploded—
"Hey hey hey! Aren't you taking this too far?! You're a retired Marine! Ain and I are already Headquarters colonels! And you want us to listen to you?!"
But before Eiger could respond—
"I agree."
Ain cut in.
"..."
Binz went stiff.
Even Eiger and Zephyr widened their eyes.
"Ain?! You just agreed like that? He's retired! And you're agreeing to take orders from him?!"
"Yes. I agree."
Ain said calmly.
Then turned to Eiger.
"Is that enough?"
"..."
Eiger stared at her for a moment, then smiled.
"Of course. So—when do we depart? Tomorrow? I need to make some preparations."
"That works."
Ain nodded, visibly satisfied now that he finally accepted.
Then she turned to Zephyr.
"Teacher, I'll go prepare."
She walked off, leaving Zephyr staring after her, stroking his chin.
"…Why does Ain agree to everything?"
Binz muttered miserably.
"And why does she keep agreeing on my behalf…"
Before he could finish, bonk!
Zephyr hammered his fist onto Binz's head.
"Enough whining. Go get ready."
Then he narrowed his eyes at Eiger.
"Brat.
What request are you planning to make Ain accept?"
"Not just Ain.
You, Binz, and Ain."
"I know. So what's the request?"
"What request?"
What else could it be?
He'd only ever had one request in mind—
NEO Marines.
Eiger ignored Zephyr's meaningful stare, his face blooming with a bright, sunny smile.
"I haven't decided yet!"
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