Chapter 211: The Changed Plan
At the top of Marineford, voices sounded from within a traditional office that had nearly become one of the fortress's iconic landmarks.
"Zephyr, how did you resolve this matter?"
The speaker was none other than Sengoku, known as the Strategist.
But this time, even his wisdom had failed to provide an answer.
Even for him, changing a decision made by the World Government was difficult.
"It wasn't me," Zephyr said flatly. "It was my student."
His tone was calm, but the faint curve at the corner of his lips betrayed his mood.
He was pleased.
And proud.
Although Zephyr had not mentioned Axel's name, how could Sengoku not know?
In Marineford, any warship that set sail had to file a report before departure, and those reports would eventually be presented to him.
So that brat had gone to sea to handle this matter.
"I really don't know how that kid Axel did it," Sengoku said quietly.
He had discussed the issue with the World Government several times, but every suggestion had been rejected.
"If I had been the one to teach him back then and properly guide his way of doing things, he would probably be a good Marine by now."
At first, Zephyr had been rather pleased.
After all, a student's success brought honor to the teacher.
But what did Sengoku mean by adding that last sentence?
Wasn't that the same as saying he had not taught Axel properly?
"Let you teach him?" Zephyr snorted. "I expect he would've become as timid and hesitant as you."
Sengoku's brows twitched.
Zephyr continued without mercy.
"Nowadays, the Marines even have to swallow their pride when a recruit training ground is occupied. Intelligence is cut off, the Marines have no autonomy, and there are even Marines committing evil under the banner of justice."
His voice darkened slightly.
"The Marines are no longer pure. Truly, what a fine Marine force you've trained."
Sengoku was so angry at Zephyr's words that he nearly spat blood.
The pen clenched tightly in his hand slipped from his fingers and fell onto the desk.
It was one thing to blame him for the earlier points.
But blaming him for scum appearing among the Marines too?
Did Zephyr think he was running a garbage collection center?
He did not remember ever teaching his subordinates to do such things.
Besides, weren't most Marines trained by Zephyr?
That said, after reflecting on Zephyr's words, Sengoku also felt there was some truth to them.
Ever since the Great Pirate Era began, the Marines had been unable to effectively govern the lower branches.
Corrupt Marines were appearing everywhere.
And that was precisely what he wanted to change, yet felt powerless to solve.
Sengoku let out a sigh, picked up his pen again, and turned his gaze back to the documents in front of him.
He hoped work could shift his attention and calm his restless mind.
"Zephyr, you are indeed better at teaching than I am," Sengoku said. "So where do you think Axel should be assigned?"
At that question, Zephyr covered his forehead.
A trace of anxiety appeared on his stern face as a headache began to build.
"With that kid's current ability, he is fully capable of commanding a branch," Zephyr said. "But you saw the results last time."
He frowned.
"His bloodthirsty methods gave the surrounding pirates the impression that the Marines had adopted an extermination policy. That created a chain reaction."
Not only did Marine casualties increase in other areas, the efficiency of capturing pirates dropped sharply as well.
Fortunately, the impact was still limited to nearby islands and had not spread further.
But it had to be contained before it grew.
This was also the reason Axel had been transferred away from San Faldo.
Furthermore, the Celestial Dragon incident had already passed.
At this point, almost no Celestial Dragon would continue pursuing something that happened so long ago.
After all, even among the Celestial Dragons, there were grudges between different families.
Moreover, the true mastermind had not even been caught yet.
Why would they keep focusing on other matters?
"How about keeping him at Marineford and dispatching him on missions when needed?" Zephyr suggested. "That way, we can supervise him, and his combat strength can still serve justice."
Sengoku rejected it without even thinking.
"No, no. Have you forgotten what Garp did back then?"
Zephyr paused.
Sengoku's expression grew increasingly grave.
"I expect that kid won't be much different. His level of absurdity might even surpass Garp's. If we keep him here, there will be even more trouble."
Hearing Sengoku say that, Zephyr also drew in a sharp breath.
In his early years, the trouble Garp caused had been no less than Axel's.
Even after so much time had passed, remembering those days still made Zephyr shudder.
"But even so, didn't Garp pull through?" Zephyr said. "He's considered an excellent Marine now."
"Don't pin your hopes on that kid," Sengoku said. "Garp was purely lucky. Even then, look at how much trouble he caused us."
He rubbed his temples.
"Back then, it was Fleet Admiral Kong who had the headache. This time, it'll probably be me."
Just thinking of how Fleet Admiral Kong had suffered because of Garp made Sengoku feel as if he were about to walk the same road.
No.
Perhaps it would be worse.
To prevent that from happening, they had to start correcting Axel's behavior now.
And this task naturally fell to Zephyr.
"Zephyr," Sengoku said, "I already have a plan for Axel's assignment."
Zephyr looked over.
"I want him to train the recruits with you."
Zephyr looked bewildered.
"Is it appropriate to have a child train recruits?"
"Naturally, it won't be actual recruit training," Sengoku said. "It's only a reason to keep him settled and have him stay by your side for further education."
He glanced at Zephyr.
"Otherwise, if we say it directly, imagine how he'll react."
Zephyr followed that train of thought.
If he really pointed at Axel's chest and head and said, "Your state of mind here is unacceptable, and your personality here is also unacceptable. You need to be retrained," that brat would probably attack in the next instant.
Indeed, Sengoku's method of giving him a pretext was better.
Even if the kid saw through it, he would not directly expose them.
"But will Axel really cooperate with me on the training?" Zephyr asked.
Whether Axel stayed or not, getting that kid to cooperate was far too unlikely.
"That will depend on your methods," Sengoku said gloomily.
If it were that easy to solve, he would not be so troubled.
"You mean I have to figure it out myself?"
Zephyr's cheek twitched.
He understood now.
His old friend was planning to dump this troublesome burden on him.
And in his current situation, he had no choice but to accept it.
Axel was his student, and this training would undoubtedly be beneficial to him.
No matter what, Zephyr would not give up this opportunity.
"And you call yourself the Strategist," Zephyr said. "In the end, you don't have a solution either."
Sengoku did not back down.
"And you're still called Black Arm. Why don't you use those powerful arms of yours to correct that twisted brat's personality?"
"What kind of nonsense is that?" Zephyr snapped. "If force could make that brat submit, he would have submitted long ago. Facts have already proven it doesn't work."
When he had educated Axel before, Zephyr had not exactly been gentle.
Garp had also used violence quite often when teaching the kid.
Yet Axel's way of doing things had not changed at all.
Instead, he had drifted further and further off course.
At least one thing was certain.
Beating the kid would not change him.
"I don't care," Sengoku said, acting as if he knew nothing and cared even less. "The task has already been handed to you. How you do it is your business."
Just like that, the plan to change Axel was thrown directly into Zephyr's hands.
Zephyr wanted to curse in his heart.
In the end, he said nothing.
With a stern face, he turned and silently walked out.
.....
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