...
The images and information on the light curtain exploded in the deathly still air of God Valley like two successive heavy bombs.
First was the "future Zephyr" with his severed arm, mechanical prosthetic, and an image brimming with destruction and pain—it delivered an indescribable shock and confusion to everyone who knew him.
The Marine soldiers' faith wavered; their minds were profoundly shaken. Even the Five Elders furrowed their brows. (Except Saint Saturn—he was still dazed.)
Why would a stable, loyal, and immensely powerful top Marine combatant end up like this?
This was not only Zephyr's personal tragedy; it might also foreshadow dramatic upheavals within the Marines in the future—after all, Admiral Kuzan had already resigned from the Marines due to disagreements.
Zephyr himself outside the light curtain felt as though he had been struck by lightning. He stared fixedly at the "self" on the screen who looked identical to him yet carried an utterly different aura.
The overwhelming hatred and despairing indifference etched between that figure's brows sent a bone-chilling cold through him.
"Garp…"
Zephyr's voice was somewhat dry as he turned to his most reliable comrade-in-arms. His eyes were filled with urgent need for answers and a barely perceptible trace of panic.
"What exactly… is that person really me? What on earth happened in the future?"
Garp's expression had never been more serious. Arms crossed, thick brows tightly knit, his gaze darted back and forth between the light curtain and Zephyr.
"Though it's hard to believe…"
Garp spoke slowly, his voice low, eyes still fixed on the "future Zephyr" locked in battle with the Marines: "Everything this light curtain has shown about the future so far has been true. And it… has no reason, nor any need…
to fabricate a false future specifically targeting you personally. Zephyr…"
Garp looked at his old friend with eyes full of complex emotions: "This is very likely… the you from the future."
"A version of me from some possible future?"
Hearing Garp's words, Zephyr murmured the phrase, his heart sinking heavily.
This meant the light curtain was showing a future trajectory based on certain events.
So the question arose: what kind of experiences could force him—who upheld "no killing" and justice—to be driven to such extremes?!
"BOOM!!!"
At that moment, the light curtain image jolted violently, accompanied by a deafening explosion!
The scene shifted. A massive warship's side hull was struck by dazzling laser beams, blasting open a horrifying hole. Flames and thick smoke billowed skyward!
Immediately after, a tall, lanky figure in a yellow pinstriped suit, wearing sunglasses—Borsalino—appeared before Zephyr.
His face bore that signature, slightly weary expression.
"Kizaru… Borsalino?!"
On the God Valley battlefield, Marines and some pirates who had previously seen the Summit War instantly recognized this future Admiral.
Kizaru's distinctive appearance and the characteristics of the Glint-Glint Fruit had long left a deep impression.
Yet what caused everyone—especially Zephyr outside the light curtain—to have their pupils contract sharply were the words Borsalino spoke next…
In the scene, Kizaru's gaze fell on "Zephyr." With his usual languid tone, he said: "Long time no see, Teacher Zephyr~"
Teacher?!
Those two words exploded like a torpedo in the already turbulent atmosphere of God Valley!
"Teacher!!"
"Admiral Zephyr… was this Admiral Kizaru's teacher!?"
"My God, what exactly happened in the future? Admiral Zephyr became an instructor for the Marines—why did he end up like this…"
…
After a brief deathly silence came an even more intense uproar than before!
Incredulous gazes from the Marine soldiers once again turned toward Zephyr.
Borsalino… the future Admiral Kizaru… had addressed Zephyr as "Teacher"?!
What did this mean?
It meant that in the future, Zephyr not only remained an important figure in the Marines but had even taken on the responsibility of training the next generation of top-tier Marine combatants!
Yet this formed a massive contradiction with his severed arm, mechanical prosthetic, and aura of utter destruction!
Zephyr outside the light curtain was completely stunned. His mouth hung slightly open; his mind was in utter chaos.
He was one hundred percent certain that his current self didn't know Borsalino at all, let alone teach him.
But in the scene, Kizaru's natural way of addressing him, and "future Zephyr's" reaction—showing no surprise and even carrying himself with the demeanor of a mentor…
All of it pointed to one cruel fact: what the light curtain displayed was the most authentic fragment of his future!
"To protect the evacuation of his subordinates…"
Sengoku watched as, in the scene, "Zephyr" ordered his crew to withdraw first while he faced Kizaru alone. His brows were tightly furrowed.
...