She hesitated for a moment, then added:
"Moreover... Lately, I've noticed that you seem to be intentionally avoiding contact with the Endgame, barely even glancing at the reports about their movements submitted by the intelligence department."
Zephyr gave Ayn a deep look.
"Little girl, do you think I'm acting on impulse?"
He clicked his tongue, "Can't let go of this old face? Unwilling to lower myself? How could that be! Precisely because I think highly of that boy, I can't get too close."
"Why?"
Ayn furrowed her brows in confusion.
"Because I'm old and won't live much longer, and also because I have indeed changed, becoming impatient. I'm not the Zephyr I used to be!"
Zephyr stared at the smooth coffee table in front of him; in the mirror, he saw his aged face reflected back.
"What Kuzan said is too idealistic, Ayn. Wait for the Endgame to gradually change this world? Wait for the new era to arrive? Do you really think I, in my current state, can see that day?"
"Every day that passes, I can feel myself becoming weaker! Yet the flames of revenge still burn, the pain still torments, twisting me completely, impossible to extinguish!"
"What can be done then?"
"Before my power and will become insignificant, I can only seize the time, complete this last task, fulfill this revenge!"
Teacher...
Ayn bit her lip, looking at the ferocious and terrifying Zephyr, a trace of pain flashing in her eyes.
She knew her teacher had endured too much over the years—the inexplicable deaths of his family, the destruction of his students, the detriment to his reputation, the physical losses...
These endless pains, torturing him day and night, had long transformed the once-gentle "Non-Killing Grand Admiral" into a monster consumed solely by revenge.
"But..." She wanted to persuade him further.
"No buts!"
Zephyr interrupted harshly, but when he caught sight of the tears in Ayn's eyes, his tone softened, "Cough... If this can't convince you, well, I actually have a second consideration."
"Eh?"
"To tell you the truth, it was back then that Garp secretly told me, that's how I came to know."
Zephyr set down the bottle, face clouded, "The so-called Five Elders are merely stewards of the proxies. The real rulers of the World Government are far more powerful than anyone imagines!"
"Ayn, if that guy decides to be serious, all the seemingly powerful rebellious forces are actually as fragile as eggs in front of him, and eggs shouldn't be placed in one basket!"
The World Government has a true ruler?
Ayn's expression changed slightly; it was the first time she'd heard her teacher speak of such secrets.
"If my plan succeeds first, it would mean clearing the way for the Endgame, blasting open the gates of Mary Geoise for them! I could die without regret."
"And if before that... the Endgame is destroyed because of attracting too much attention, the world still has a second chance!"
"But that way, all the credit would be stolen by me. The legendary hero Z, who burst through the Red Earth Continent to create a new world, if such a title were to be passed down, it would be so cool and impressive, wouldn't it? Hahahaha!"
Zephyr laughed happily, but Ayn fell silent.
For a long while.
She let out a soft sigh, murmuring:
"So that's why you treated Kuzan senior so harshly... to make him completely cut ties and lean towards the Endgame's side..."
"Heh, that boy is far smarter than you, silly girl. He's probably seen through it long ago."
Zephyr curled his lips:
"Isn't this much better? Let him see for himself; the Endgame side is much better than this mess here. He might even want to join them on the spot, sparing him from wandering around on a bicycle, looking like an idle vagabond. How embarrassing..."
Zephyr muttered, taking a big swig of wine, then suddenly seemed to remember something and looked at Ayn:
"Speaking of which, when that boy left, did he specifically borrow a map from you? The one posted in the corridor?"
Ayn was stunned, nodded:
"Yes, the latest 3.0 revised version published by renowned Nautical Chart Draftsman Miss Nami. He said he was a fan of Miss Nami and had long wanted to buy this edition for his collection, but it was sold out on the market, very hard to find..."
"Hahaha!"
Zephyr laughed heartily, wine spilling from the corner of his mouth: "See! What did I say, that rascal understood what I meant!"
What fan, what collection, that's for kids.
Though that Little Thief Cat named Nami seems to have become popular lately, her nautical charts acclaimed for their exquisite detail.
But Kuzan, that guy, is clearly preparing to go to the Endgame's territory, just hasn't delved into the New World in a while and is afraid of getting lost!
Zephyr wiped his mouth, a trace of relief in his eyes:
"It's not suitable for him here anyway... I hope the boy finds a place where he truly belongs."
Ayn seemed thoughtful.
After a moment of contemplation, she asked, "Then teacher, our plan..."
"Continue!"
Zephyr's smile faded, his gaze once again becoming sharp and determined:
"Original plan, nothing changes! Notify Binzi to speed up collecting Explosive Rock! Split more teams; efficiency must not drop!"
"Yes!"
Ayn turned and left, leaving only her silhouette behind.
Zephyr sat alone in his office, the evening sun's afterglow cast on his purple hair.
He touched his mechanical arm with his left hand, murmuring to himself:
"The longer the night drags on, the quicker we must act. These old things from the past should obediently clear the way for the young, rather than staying behind to steal the glory..."
The sea breeze blew in from the open window, bringing the scent of far-off lands.
After a long day of work, Zephyr leaned wearily on the sofa, holding the remaining half bottle of Shirley wine, closing his eyes.
In a daze.
He seemed to return to that day.
At Shampodi, on the coast, watching in awe as that black-haired youth boldly wielded the execution blade against the gods before the whole world.
Zephyr chuckled self-deprecatingly.
"Without your inspiration, I might never have had this courage..."
Consider it taking the first step for you, to test the waters of that ancient undead.
Do your best, kid.
——————
Ring ring~
The bicycle bell rang again as Aokiji found the way seemed blocked ahead.
Wait, he was on the sea; he was the only one biking.
It should be a ship blockade instead.
Aokiji removed his sunglasses, looking at the multitude of ships ahead, rubbing his eyes incredulously.
These ships varied in size, with flags of various kinds flying from their masts, most seemingly pirate ships.
Roughly estimating, there were more than a hundred, blocking the path to the Galaxy Sea Region completely.
"Ahlah..."
He scratched his head, muttering in mild annoyance, "Are they holding some kind of Ten Thousand Nations Expo?"
Or perhaps a World Martial Arts Tournament?
"Hey! You up front, don't block the way!"
On a menacing pirate ship, a scar-faced captain leaned out, snarling, "Get in line, got it? Got it, follow the rules! If you wanna challenge Lord Xiano, wait your turn obediently!"
"Challenge?"
Aokiji blinked.
"Tch, another idiot,"
A pirate in a Hawaiian shirt on a nearby ship sneered, "Don't know if you're pretending, haven't you read the newspapers? They published news that Lord Xiano announced that anyone who could take one move from him would be considered to have defeated him and qualified to claim the vacant Sea Emperor's throne!"
"He's insanely powerful; defeating him is a dream, but just taking one move, heh heh, who doesn't have that confidence?"
"Now the pirates from across the New World are flocking here like mad!"
"Yes, haha, it's been so long since such a grand event happened since Roger's execution!"
Another pirate ship commented cheerfully, "Even several Great Pirates with bounties over 500 million Belly have come! Who knows if we'll make it in time."
"Hey, you useless old man on the rickety bicycle, now you realize the grand scene you've stumbled into, enough with the bell ringing, it's annoying as hell, go, go, if this wasn't the Endgame's turf, we'd have blasted you with a cannon ages ago!"
"Exactly, if it doesn't concern you, clear out and don't delay us in making a name and fortune!!"