"Where the hell did they all run off to!?"
The walls of the Fleet Admiral's conference room trembled violently as Sengoku, Marine Headquarters' Admiral, roared in fury.
Even the Marines standing guard outside jumped in fright at the sheer volume of his outburst.
"This was an important military meeting!!"
I haven't even settled accounts with him over that mess in the Barda Kingdom!!"
The Marine Science Division isn't going to organize itself!"
"What about Dragon and that old bastard Garp!?
They haven't even fully explained the operation against the Roger Pirates yet!!"
Inside the empty conference room, Sengoku's face was a deep, furious shade of blue.
He slammed a heavy fist onto the conference table, glaring murderously at the administrative officers standing before him.
Fleet Admiral Kong had gone to the Holy Land, Mariejois, to report to the Gorosei —
leaving Sengoku to preside over this meeting, a chance for him to practice the duties and responsibilities of a Fleet Admiral.
This was supposed to be a critical opportunity to prove himself —
both to Kong and to the upper brass of Marine Headquarters.
It was also meant to send a political signal —
that Sengoku was ready to inherit the mantle of leadership.
In his very first attempt to lead such a crucial meeting,
the only attendees were himself... and Zephyr, a retired relic!
If word of this humiliation got out,
how would the rest of the Marines view Admiral Sengoku, the future Fleet Admiral!?
"Future Fleet Admiral holds top military meeting—
and the entire upper command skips it!"
Just imagining the headlines made his blood boil.
How could he command the Marines if he couldn't even command respect!?
"You did send the notifications, right?"
Sengoku snapped at the administrators.
There was still a sliver of desperate hope flickering in his heart.
Maybe... they just didn't get the memo.
After all, he was still an Admiral!
And he was representing Fleet Admiral Kong himself!
No matter how unruly they were, surely they would have shown basic respect... right?
The administrators shrank back, exchanging terrified glances.
Finally, one officer, a lieutenant commander, stammered:
The meeting notifications were sent well in advance.
All participants confirmed receipt..."
At that, Zephyr's mouth twitched —
he quickly turned away, struggling to suppress his laughter.
Sengoku's face darkened even further.
So they had received the summons... and still chose not to come!?
Veins bulged across his forehead.
Steam practically shot from his nostrils.
His back teeth ground together with an audible crack-crack-crack.
he roared through gritted teeth.
The administrative staff bolted from the room as if fleeing a monster.
Zephyr, watching Sengoku's seething form, couldn't help but chuckle.
"This isn't like you, Sengoku," he said.
"It's just a meeting. No need to lose your head."
"Hey, at least I showed up."
Sengoku collapsed into the main chair with a deep, exhausted sigh, shooting Zephyr a withering look.
"Like hell that helps.
You, old man, don't even care about anything anymore.
It's not like you're going to help me shoulder the responsibility."
He shook his head, grumbling bitterly.
you know Headquarters is getting short on manpower.
And Kong's about to hand the full burden over to me soon."
He looked up, sincerity shining in his eyes.
Before his old comrade — one he had once trusted with his life —
Sengoku spoke with raw honesty, without hiding anything.
"I need my old comrades by my side."
His voice grew heavier, more earnest.
how long has it been since we fought side by side?"
Zephyr's eyes flickered, a brief, nostalgic gleam —
but it quickly faded into something quieter.
A sliver of disappointment, hidden under a mask of calm.
"You still have Garp.
And the new generation — Sakazuki, Dragon, Borsalino — they're rising fast."
Sengoku sighed inwardly, a pang of helplessness twisting in his chest.
"The times aren't waiting for us, Zephyr."
"Even though the God Valley Incident has long passed into history,
the shadow of Rocks hasn't disappeared."
"Roger, Whitebeard, the Golden Lion...
and now Kaido and Charlotte Linlin are rising fast."
"You know what Garp's like —
orders go in one ear and out the other.
Not even Kong could control him; you think I can?"
"As for Sakazuki and the others...
sure, they're monsters in terms of talent.
But they're still a ways from becoming the true top-tier powers of this sea."
"They'll need more time."
"And the Barda Kingdom fiasco proves it."
"If you had been there,
this mess never would've happened."
Sengoku's voice turned bitter.
"In the end, it's simple:
Marine Headquarters just doesn't have enough top-end combat power right now."
Zephyr said nothing for a long moment.
"They'll grow," he said finally.
He raised his head and smiled —
too calmly, too quietly.
I'm just an old has-been who couldn't even protect his own family."
I'm just the Academy's short-tempered instructor.
"Leave the future of the Marines...
Sengoku gazed at Zephyr's serene smile.
Deep down, he felt a bitter sadness.
It was the smile of a man who had already accepted disappointment,
and still chose to stand firm out of pure stubborn duty.
there was no convincing Zephyr.
It won't be long before we have more admirals to stand tall."
"Sakazuki, Borsalino, Dragon...
and I heard there are some promising newcomers in this year's Officer Training Camp?"
Sengoku pushed aside his gloom and smiled.
"They matured a lot after their mission to the North Blue.
With the right guidance,
they'll become pillars of the Marines."
he leaned in slightly, voice lowering.
"There are two recruits this year...
with talents rivaling even Sakazuki's generation."
"One is named Kuzan —
a prodigy from the South Blue."
"His abilities are monstrous.
But more importantly —
his sense of justice burns like an unquenchable fire."
At that, Zephyr's eyes lit up with genuine interest for the first time.