"Marine Headquarters Attacked! Former Marine Admiral 'Black Arm' Zephyr Seriously Injured While Resisting an Enemy to Protect His Family!"
It was only a few short lines.
Yet Roldy's eyes could not move away from them.
His tiger-like gaze widened, blood vessels surfacing in the whites of his eyes.
How was this possible?
How could something like this happen?!
Rage surged through him without restraint.
Without the slightest hesitation, Roldy abandoned his pursuit of the Roger Pirates.
The hatred between them had long gnawed at him—but if forced to choose between killing Roger and protecting his teacher—
He would never hesitate.
"Full speed ahead! Destination: Sabaody Archipelago!"
With his current status, Roldy could not openly enter Marine Headquarters. His plan was to leave his crew at Sabaody and infiltrate alone.
With his strength, that would not be difficult.
But the sudden news had thrown his heart into chaos.
Was Zephyr alright?
How badly was that stubborn, purple-haired old man hurt?
What about his wife?
Their child?
That household had once carried the warmth of a home.
One of the few soft places left in Roldy's heart.
As the sea split before his advancing ship, Roldy gradually forced himself to calm down.
Then—
Once rational thought returned, something felt wrong.
The report claimed a pirate with a deep blood feud against Zephyr had infiltrated Marine Headquarters. A master of stealth.
But did that make sense?
Zephyr's strength spoke for itself. Anyone capable of fighting him evenly would be a legendary pirate whose name shook the seas.
Would someone of that caliber lack basic sense?
Sneaking into Marine Headquarters was one thing—
But clashing with Zephyr there? Causing such a massive disturbance?
And then escaping under the eyes of the countless powerhouses stationed at Headquarters?
Impossible.
In Roldy's memory, no pirate matched that profile.
The possibility that he simply didn't know them was minuscule.
And even if such a person existed—
What kind of hatred would drive a top-tier fighter to abandon all hope of survival just for revenge?
Zephyr's former title had been the "Black Arm" who refused to kill.
Something was wrong.
Deeply wrong.
An ominous scent lingered in the air.
He didn't know where the unease came from—
But it gnawed at him.
Returning to his cabin, Roldy lit a cigar.
Through the curling smoke, his eyes looked distant.
After a brief hesitation, he reached beneath his bed and pulled out a small box.
He took a slow breath—
And opened it.
Inside was a small, discreet Den Den Mushi.
"Buru buru… Buru buru…"
After several rings, the call connected.
"Moshi moshi? Who's calling while I'm enjoying my afternoon nap?"
A lazy voice answered from the other end.
"Borsalino. It's me."
Far away at Marine Headquarters, Borsalino—who had been idly slacking off in his office—sat upright instantly upon hearing the voice.
Behind his tinted glasses, a peculiar glint flickered.
A smile curled at his lips.
He already knew why Roldy was calling.
Given that man's personality, it was hardly surprising.
"Oh my~ what a rare guest," Borsalino drawled. "To what do I owe the honor? A great pirate like you—Roldy, the one stirring storms across the New World—calling little old me?"
"You know why. It's about Zephyr."
The Den Den Mushi's face mirrored Borsalino's expected expression.
And since he clearly understood how important this matter was to Roldy—
He didn't tease.
"How troublesome… Even though you're no longer a Marine, I still have to collude with you. What a headache~"
He paused briefly.
"As for this 'incident'… I'll tell you just one thing."
"The one who came wasn't a pirate."
"It was a pawn of the World Government."
In an instant, every hair on Roldy's body stood on end.
His worst suspicion—
Confirmed.
The World Government.
What were those bastards planning?
Were they truly moving against a veteran Marine Admiral who had earned countless merits and a legendary reputation?
Roldy knew the World Government all too well.
A mere warning?
That was the least likely possibility.
Everything aligned too neatly with his fears.
"Thanks," Roldy said coldly. "I owe you one."
He ended the call immediately.
Back at Headquarters, Borsalino stared at the now-silent Den Den Mushi and smiled faintly.
"Roldy's favor, huh? That's quite valuable… though today doesn't count."
He leaned back.
"After all… that old man was my teacher too."
As he spoke, he reached into his desk drawer and deactivated another concealed Den Den Mushi that had been left on.
Clearly—
This wasn't the first time.
Though they had once been in the same generation of Marines—and though Roldy could never fully see through him—Borsalino and Roldy had never truly severed contact.
Even Roldy didn't understand Borsalino's motives.
Perhaps—
He simply followed his own sense of justice.
Crossing his legs, Borsalino poured himself a cup of tea.
"But Roldy… you'd better hurry."
He was already moving as fast as possible.
Roldy drove forward like a madman, racing toward Sabaody.
With each passing day, his unease intensified.
According to current intelligence, Zephyr was recovering in his residence.
But if the World Government was behind this—
An official order would arrive soon.
When Roldy finally reached Sabaody Archipelago, new intelligence awaited him.
The moment he read it—
His pupils shrank.
"Marine Recruit Training Concludes — Former Marine Admiral Zephyr Leads Graduating Recruits on an External Mission."
Now? Of all times?
After a brief exchange of instructions with Sheen, Roldy selected a merchant vessel and set course toward Marine Headquarters.
Calculating the ship's speed—
And his own maximum burst velocity—
Two days.
He only needed two days.
He would reach Marine Headquarters.
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