Chapter 66

Facing his inquiry, Sengoku remained silent for a long time.

"I'm sorry, Zephyr."

"Sorry? What do you mean by sorry?"

"We Marines cannot prosecute Donquixote Doflamingo, nor can we hold him accountable; let us pretend this incident never happened."

Listening to Sengoku's low voice.

Zephyr's eyes narrowed, his severed arm throbbing faintly, yet none of this compared to the pain in his heart at that moment.

He clenched his fists, his bloodshot eyes widening as he stared fixedly at Sengoku standing behind the desk.

"Sengoku, do you know what you are saying?!"

"I apologize, but this is the World Government's will."

Sengoku said in a low, heavy voice.

57, Swordsmanship Sparring with Mogura (5/5)

Zephyr gnashed his teeth in rage: "Is it because of Doflamingo's other identity? What identity does he possess that allows the World Government to shield him like this?!"

Sengoku did not answer, merely looking at him and saying: "Zephyr, do not ask further; since the World Government has spoken, let it end here. Facing the Government, neither you nor I... can make the decisions."

"Then what of my students who died? They were all young, new Marines!"

Zephyr roared. "Did they die for nothing?!"

Sengoku clenched his fists and remained silent.

Zephyr, draped in his Justice Coat, gnashed his teeth, strode forward to stand before Sengoku, grabbed his collar, and glared at him with immense fury:

"A criminal pirate who murdered innocent Marines faces no investigation or punishment simply because of his identity... Is this still the Marines? Does this Navy still have any justice to speak of?! Answer me, Sengoku!"

"Zephyr!"

Sengoku was also somewhat irritated: "I know you are furious, and I am angry too, but the Justice of the Marines is not something for you to criticize!"

"You should know the relationship between us Marines and the World Government. Once the World Government issued its order, this matter was settled."

"Does the World Government's command mean more to you than anything else, Sengoku?"

Zephyr slowly released his grip on Sengoku's collar and stepped back gradually.

"Are justice and fairness utterly meaningless before the World Government?"

"The World Government is the absolute justice reigning over this world!"

Sengoku's eyes narrowed slightly as he stared directly at Zephyr and said coldly:

"The commands of the World Government are absolute! Regarding anyone who doubts the World Government, Zephyr, even if it is you, I will show no mercy."

"Heh."

Zephyr let out a cold laugh at him.

"You are just as stubborn as you were in your youth. The height of the Fleet Admiral's position and your blind loyalty to the World Government have blinded you to everything outside."

"Zephyr, you are mistaken. It is precisely because I occupy this position that I can see more."

Sengoku said in a heavy tone.

Zephyr stared coldly at him, while Sengoku did not retreat a single step.

The atmosphere turned icy.

Vice Admiral Tsuru, who had been listening outside for a long time, sighed and stepped into the room.

"Let us end this matter here, Zephyr. Regarding those new recruits who died, we will treat their families according to the status of martyrs."

"Families?"

Upon hearing this word, Zephyr's rage intensified.

"Instead of capturing the criminals who killed them, you think offering those things alone can soothe their broken hearts?!"

His own family had been killed by pirates.

"Why are there increasingly more pirates on the seas now, and why is the Revolutionary Army gradually growing stronger, Fleet Admiral Sengoku; have you ever considered these questions?"

Sengoku narrowed his eyes as he stared at Zephyr, his tone carrying anger: "Zephyr, what are you trying to say?"

"Once the fire of rage ignites within people's hearts, if it finds no release, no amount of suppression can extinguish it."

Zephyr turned and walked toward the door.

"One day, this fire will inevitably burn the World Government."

"Zephyr! Shut your mouth!"

Sengoku completely lost his composure.

Pausing as he exited the room, Zephyr, with his back to Sengoku and Vice Admiral Tsuru, removed the Justice Coat draped over his shoulders.

As that Justice Coat slowly fell.

Zephyr's cold voice rang out beside Sengoku's ear.

"The current Marines possess no justice or fairness whatsoever."

"From today onward, I resign from all positions; I am no longer an instructor at the Marine Academy, nor am I an Admiral of Marine Headquarters."

The news of Zephyr resigning from all his duties quickly spread throughout Marineford, sparking intense discussion.

Luo En, who had already roughly guessed the situation beforehand, was not too surprised upon hearing it.

It was much as he had anticipated.

On this day.

Marine Headquarters Vice Admiral Mogura, after completing an inspection mission, encountered Luo En on the road carrying Lei Qie on his back.

"You must be Vice Admiral Mogura."

Luo En looked at the mole with a mohawk before him and spoke.

"I am Luo En."

"I know of you,"

the mole, clad in a dark blue pinstripe suit with a long sword hanging at his waist, nodded at him. "Teacher Zephyr told me about you. You're here to hone your swordsmanship with me, correct?"

Luo En nodded.

Glancing at the Lei Qie on Luo En's back, he thought for a moment and said, "I have some matters to attend to for now. Come to Gangwan Number Four at nine tonight; I will wait for you there."

Nine o'clock at night.

Luo En arrived at the sparsely populated Gangwan Number Four.

The mole was already there.

Upon seeing him,

the mole tossed aside the half-burned cigarette in his hand, crushed it underfoot, and said to him, "Let's get one thing straight beforehand: I can only spar with you for half an hour at most."

"Understood."

Luo En slowly drew the Lei Qie from his back.

"Come then, let me test your strength."

The mole also drew the long sword from his waist, releasing a powerful sword intent characteristic of a Sword Master.

Sensing that oppressive force,

Luo En narrowed his eyes and unleashed his own sword intent without reservation.

A flash of surprise crossed the mole's eyes.

Luo En seized that exact instant, immediately activating Soru to appear right before him.

"Moon Breathing, Third Form: Loathing Moon, Enma."

Crescent-shaped blade winds slashed toward the one-handed mole from extremely cunning and bizarre angles.

From the very first move, Luo En held nothing back.

He treated the mole entirely as an enemy, launching his attack with killing intent.

What a bizarre and lethal sword technique...

A trace of astonishment flashed through the mole's heart.

Though surprised, for someone possessing formidable Observation Haki and the strength of a Sword Master, dealing with it was not difficult.

He swung his blade downward.

Luo En did not even see the slash.