"Have they arrived?" Dante asked, though his eyes had already locked onto the Marine warship slowly drifting toward the shore.
Seeing the Neo Marines flag fluttering from the mast, he knew he was in the right place.
Although the End Point was a secret upon the seas, it hadn't been difficult for him to locate. A single call to Garp was all it took.
That old geezer Garp had been all too happy to talk. He had even sneakily suggested that if push came to shove, Dante should just knock Zephyr unconscious and drag him away.
Great minds really did think alike.
That was exactly Dante's plan: knock him out cold and carry him off. Any lingering issues could be settled once they were back in the East Blue.
While he had brought a significant number of people, it was merely a precaution against other Marine forces, he had no intention of actually starting a conflict with the organization itself.
As for why he hadn't let Mock or Kuma take the field?
That would be too dangerous.
What if their identities were exposed? Besides, Mock had other tasks to attend to later, and Dante intended to distance himself from Mock as quickly as possible to avoid being implicated.
He really had no connection to the East Blue Overlord!
Furthermore, this was an internal Marine matter. He planned to follow protocol: acting directly as Zephyr's student, he would submit a retirement application to Marine Headquarters on his teacher's behalf.
This way, it would be legal, compliant, and free of unnecessary trouble.
Dante stroked his chin, frowning as he ran through the next steps in his mind.
Behind him...
Stood Viola, Nami, Kuina, Kuro, and Jango, all decked out in formal black suits.
After all, this was his first time bringing his subordinates to meet Zephyr.
He had to dress the part and ensure everyone looked sharp.
Standing there with his crew, coupled with his status as the Boss, they actually cut quite an imposing figure.
Generally speaking, the Marine 16th Branch team was finally starting to take shape.
Although he still had very few cadres he could truly show off, it was no longer as shabby an operation as it had been in the beginning.
Of course, Kuma had come too.
Only...
He was hiding in another place.
If things went south, they would board the Kuma-Express and vanish. If there were no accidents... Kuma would simply leave on his own.
He was prepared for every eventuality. Even if the worst happened, they could make a swift exit.
At that moment, just as Dante was deep in thought, Viola spoke up from beside him.
"Boss, they've disembarked."
She pursed her red lips, a playful smile on her face. "Is that the female Marine who wants to become a pirate? She's quite pretty, isn't she?"
"..."
Why was she staring at Ain? Their objective this time was Zephyr-sensei! She hadn't even spared a glance for that bastard Admiral Kuzan... wait.
Dante shot Viola a speechless look before whipping his head around. Watching the group descend from the Neo Marines warship, he spotted Kuzan strolling leisurely at the rear. The man even had the nerve to wave at him.
'Why is he here, too?' Dante thought, exasperated.
First, he gives Ain terrible advice, and now he's tagging along with Zephyr?
What exactly was he planning?
Wasn't he afraid Zephyr would find out about the nonsense he told Ain and beat him to a pulp?
But now wasn't the time to settle scores with Kuzan.
Dante's gaze settled on Zephyr-sensei standing at the forefront. When he noticed that Zephyr's right arm was missing the mechanical arm, the Smasher, he paused for a moment but quickly surmised what had happened and dismissed it.
Next...
He made his decision.
He would open his arms enthusiastically and pretend to go for a hug!
He believed that after so many years apart, Zephyr-sensei would never refuse a hug from his student.
Then...
Just as Zephyr lowered his guard to embrace him...
*Wham.* A clean knockout combo. He would take Zephyr hostage, and with Ain's cooperation, order the Neo Marines to be packed up and hauled away.
Absolutely perfect. He was confident that by the time the Marines arrived, his group would be long gone.
After that, merely destroying one End Point wasn't a capital offense. With Zephyr's connections in the Marines, plus the retirement application Dante would submit, he trusted that Sengoku wouldn't make things too difficult for the old instructor.
'It's decided!'
Dante finalized the plan, raised his head, and looked toward Zephyr with a warm smile.
However, why did Zephyr still wear such a gloomy expression upon seeing him? Wasn't he fine when he first stepped off the ship?
Dante brushed the concern aside. Zephyr was currently preparing to destroy the New World, so how could he be happy?
Thinking this, Dante stepped forward, spreading his arms wide with an enthusiastic grin.
"Zephyr-sensei!"
--**--**
However.
Little did he know what was happening on the other side.
"Tsk, tsk, tsk," Kuzan murmured, strolling beside the old instructor. "Oh, right. The female pirate."
Sure enough.
The moment those casual words were spoken, Zephyr, who had actually been feeling a touch of emotion at seeing his long-lost student, let his face harden instantly.
"That brat," he scoffed.
Ain, witnessing this from the side, also felt irritated.
Was this Marine Admiral really just here to watch the drama unfold? Still, seeing that familiar figure standing not far away, Ain's heart trembled slightly.
She turned to Kuzan, her tone serious. "Admiral Kuzan, if you aren't here to stop us, then please do not interfere! Also... that was my own choice!"
Her words had barely landed when Kuzan, who was busy whistling, was interrupted by Zephyr.
"Hmph!"
Zephyr scoffed again, clearly more furious than before. Even his stern expression reddened into something truly ominous. "That damn brat!"
Instantly, Ain fell silent.
She didn't know what to say. After a moment of hesitation, she could only look toward Dante with an apologetic expression.
But the moment she saw Dante actually standing there, her resolve solidified.
Since he had kept the agreement, she wouldn't break it either.
It was just...
That look in his eyes...
Dante, walking closer, noticed her gaze but mistook it for emotion at his arrival. He didn't give it a second thought.
Looking at Zephyr, who was now close at hand, Dante smiled brightly.
"Zephyr-sensei, long time no see!"
"Hmph!"
The only response was a scoff.
Dante was completely confused. Thinking Zephyr knew he was there to stop the plan, he quickly adopted a serious expression.
"Zephyr-sensei, please rest assured. I'm not here to stop you. I am absolutely on your side!"
He spread his arms, ready to pull his teacher into a warm, disarming embrace.
"Hmph!"
Zephyr scoffed again, reaching out a hand to abruptly stop him. He stared at Dante with eyes like ice.
"You actually dare to show your face in front of me?"
'Why wouldn't I dare? What was wrong with Zephyr-sensei? Why was his tone so aggressive?' Before the stunned Dante could get a word in, Zephyr raised his left hand. He looked at his student expressionlessly, his voice dripping with gloom.
"To dare threaten Ain into becoming a pirate... What are you planning, brat? Playing with female pirates wasn't enough? You intend to bully Ain too?"
"Huh?", asked in confusion Dante 'What the hell is he talking about?'
But before Dante could process the situation,
"You damn bastard, I didn't expect you to have fallen this low!" Zephyr's fist was already flying toward him. "Today, I must seek justice for Ain!"
At that very moment.
While Ain watched the scene in panic, Kuzan stood to the side and couldn't help but whistle. As he started munching on snacks with excitement.
"That feels good," he drawled leisurely.
'That's for smashing my bicycle back then, kid.'
He shook his head with mock emotion, his voice thick with schadenfreude. "Wanting to play with female Marines, too... that is indeed a bit detestable."
'You motherfu-'
===============
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