"Figarland Garling?" Rayleigh frowned. "The one from God Valley back then?"
Gloriossa nodded.
All three present had personally witnessed the events at God Valley.
One could say they were old acquaintances of Figarland Garling.
They also knew that, not long ago, due to Michael's maneuvers, this old bastard had been exiled to the New World, with the God's Knights following him out of Mariejois.
But for them to uncover the fact that Michael was the founder of the Revolutionary Army in such a short time...
And then directly sell this intelligence to Shakky?
"What exactly is Figarland Garling trying to do?" Gaban scratched his head.
"Surely he doesn't expect Shakky, an information broker, to spread this far and wide?"
"He definitely wants Michael's identity fully exposed, so he must have sold the intel to more than just Shakky... after all, she's not the only broker in the world." Gloriossa sighed.
"Right now, rumors about Michael being part of the Revolutionary Army are already spreading across the seas, starting from the New World."
"Rumors?" Rayleigh frowned. "Where are they coming from?"
"The exact source isn't clear... but most people got the information from the Pleasure District and World Government-affiliated nations."
Rayleigh nodded...
Pleasure District, World Government-affiliated nations...
"Could this be a prelude to the World Government moving against Michael?" Rayleigh sighed.
"No matter how you look at it, even if that bastard Garling was exiled, he must still have ties to the Five Elders! After all, he's one of the strongest combatants among the Celestial Dragons."
Schemes and plots weren't particularly frightening.
But this kind of open conspiracy was what made Rayleigh feel the pressure.
Because this likely wasn't something the World Government fabricated—Michael probably really was one of the founders of the Revolutionary Army.
In that case, even if Michael denied it, his credibility within the Marine would likely be severely shaken.
Isn't this exactly what the World Government has always wanted to do?
"What should we do about this?" Gloriossa said with a frown. "We're already completely tied to Michael—he's our core... No matter what, if we want to keep operating on these seas, we have to ensure his safety."
"You're right... we really should take some action." Rayleigh finally nodded, then turned to Gaban.
"Gaban, find a way to contact Monkey D. Dragon. We need to meet and talk."
"Monkey D. Dragon, the leader of the Revolutionary Army?"
"Who else could it be but him?" Rayleigh said with a laugh. "Looking back now, we and the Revolutionary Army should have been on the same side... after all, we shared the same financial backer."
...
After the youth class was fully handed over to Zephyr, Michael finally got to witness firsthand what it meant to be a "master instructor."
In just a few short days, the previously unruly youngsters had already begun to take proper form under Zephyr's guidance.
However, there are always exceptions.
The two troublemakers, Luffy and Nami, continued to bounce around without a care, much to Ace and Nojiko's constant sighs of frustration.
Yet Zephyr didn't seem annoyed at all—in fact, he seemed to enjoy it.
"They're just kids after all. We can't completely stifle their personalities, can we?" Zephyr shook his head with feigned seriousness.
"While they need to learn discipline and self-control, we shouldn't turn them into lifeless puddles either... Having a couple of reckless catfish stirring things up is actually good."
"Zephyr-sensei, if you ask me, we should just laugh freely. Why hold it in? What if you end up with internal injuries from suppressing it?"
"Hahaha! Michael! The young people you've brought here are absolutely fantastic! I can guarantee—some of their talents are definitely no worse than Sakazuki and the other two! Maybe even better!" Zephyr finally couldn't hold back and burst into laughter. But after laughing, he turned to Michael again.
"However, there's one person who isn't quite suited for the youth class."
"Not suited?" Michael frowned. "Sensei, do you mean... this person is too weak?"
"No, I'm referring to that young swordswoman... Tashigi, was it?"
"That's right, her name is Tashigi. She's the only swordsman in the entire youth class."
"That settles it." Zephyr nodded. "Although he could train her to become stronger under me, for a swordsman, having a powerful physique without corresponding swordsmanship isn't ideal... So I think, to avoid holding this young girl back, we should find a teacher specialized in swordsmanship... For example, that Hawkeye beside you who's practically idle enough to ascend to immortality would be perfect."
"Hawkeye? Forget about him." Michael shook his head without hesitation.
"Him? Teaching someone? I'm afraid he'd lead her astray!"
The current Hawkeye isn't the same as the one in the original timeline whose swordsmanship had already reached its peak.
Neither his personality nor his social skills make him suitable for teaching swordsmanship to others.
Moreover, Hawkeye's own swordsmanship style doesn't suit Tashigi—in fact, it doesn't suit most swordsmen.
Only someone like Zoro, who could be considered the male lead's counterpart, could break through this limitation.
"But right now, Hawkeye is arguably the strongest swordsman in Marine HQ, isn't he? Even Momousagi only slightly surpasses him in Haki and physical strength."
"Being strong in swordsmanship doesn't mean he can be a good teacher." Michael shook his head again.
"Don't worry about this matter. I actually have a perfect place in mind..."
"A perfect place?"
"East Blue, Shimotsuki Village. There's someone there whose combat ability might not match Hawkeye's, but when it comes to teaching swordsmanship, ten Hawkeyes wouldn't be fit to carry his shoes."
"If you have a solution, then... Wait, East Blue? Shimotsuki Village?" Zephyr suddenly reacted, giving Michael a strange look.
"Haven't you heard the rumors?"
"Rumors?"
"You really don't know?"
"I've finally managed to take a couple days off—of course I haven't been paying attention to anything..."
"Ah... You really are carefree." Zephyr frowned.
"There's a rumor spreading in the New World that you're with the Revolutionary Army! And now, you're planning to take someone to the four seas, the Revolutionary Army's territory!"
"Oh? That kind of rumor has surfaced?" A faint smile appeared on Michael's lips.
"Then I'll have to live up to their expectations! After all, I'm such a good person."
"...You? A good person?"
Zephyr's eyes widened in disbelief as he stared at the shameless Michael.
"If you're a good person, I'll jump off this cliff right now!"
"Don't be ridiculous, Zephyr-sensei. Jumping from here wouldn't even scratch your skin..."