"Old man," Mike began, a curious glint in his eyes as he leaned forward, "you sound pretty confident. Who exactly did you have in mind for this 'recruitment bonus'?"
The number of admirals Kizaru had any real connection with was small.
Mike's mind immediately ran through the short list.
There was Akainu—Sakazuki—one of the current three admirals, Kizaru's old classmate and friend.
And then there was the former admiral, "Black Arm" Zephyr, the man who had taught them all.
Neither one would be an easy sell.
'Admiral Akainu is a fanatic,' Mike thought, taking a drag from his cigar.
'He's the poster boy for 'Absolute Justice.'
'The man can't tolerate a single speck of what he considers 'evil.'
'Offering him money would be like trying to bribe a volcano. It's not just ineffective; it's insulting.
'Absolutely no chance there.'
'As for former Admiral Zephyr… now, there's a possibility.'
Years ago, Zephyr's family had been slaughtered by pirates.
The tragedy led him to step back from the front lines and dedicate himself to training the next generation of Marines.
But the peace didn't last. In the original timeline, the pirate who maimed him and killed his students was appointed as a Warlord.
That final betrayal shattered his faith in the Marines, causing him to resign and found the "NEO Marines" in a desperate, violent crusade to eradicate all pirates.
That history showed a deep-seated disillusionment with the World Government.
He was a man whose sense of justice had been betrayed by the very system he served.
He was, potentially, recruitable.
"If you're thinking of Teacher Zephyr…"
Before Kizaru could answer, Kuzan spoke up, his calm voice cutting through the room.
"He is, without a doubt, a worthy candidate to approach." He looked at Kizaru.
"Although our old teacher has always been… critical… of your over-reliance on the Glint-Glint Fruit's power, Borsalino…"
"That's just how he is though," Kuzan continued, his tone respectful. "He's always been strict, but he never lets his personal feelings cloud his judgment on professional matters. More importantly, Teacher Zephyr's core ideals—his belief in a justice that truly protects the innocent—aligns perfectly with the principles of our New Marine."
His voice grew more serious, more resolute.
"Even though he's left the front lines, I know that deep down, he still loves this sea and wants to see true justice prevail."
"True enough," Kizaru conceded with a slight raise of his eyebrow.
He couldn't deny it.
Zephyr had poured his entire life into the Marines, so much so that he couldn't even protect his own family.
And for what? The seas were still crawling with pirates.
There was certainly some friction between him and his old teacher, but…
'In the face of Mike's bonuses', Kizaru thought cheerfully, 'what's a little friction between friends?'
"Hmm," Mike nodded thoughtfully.
Getting Admiral Zephyr on board would be a massive victory.
Forget his strength for a moment; his influence alone was a game-changer.
The man was a living legend within the Marine ranks.
How many of the current officers, from the grunts to the Vice Admirals, had been his students?
It was no exaggeration to say that nearly every significant figure in the modern Marines had been taught by Zephyr.
His pupils were everywhere.
"And what's more," Kuzan added, his strategic mind clearly at work, "not everyone within the Marines is happy with the way the World Government runs things. There's a huge number of good soldiers who still believe in justice, but they've been silenced and suppressed by the corruption at the top. They're angry, but they have no voice."
He leaned forward, his words painting a vivid picture.
"These people are like embers buried in ash. They look extinguished, but all it takes is the right gust of wind to reignite them into a blazing inferno. If we can use Teacher Zephyr as a bridge, a symbol… if we can reach out to them and show them that another kind of justice is possible…"
Kuzan didn't need to finish.
The implication hung heavy in the air. With Zephyr's endorsement, the New Marine wouldn't be seen as a rogue faction, but as a legitimate reformation.
It could potentially sway a huge portion of the existing Marine structure from the inside out, replacing the old, rotten system with something new, something better.
An army of justice, free from the chains of the World Government, fighting for the people.
"Now that is a very interesting thought," Kizaru drawled, his usual laziness returning.
He shifted his gaze from Kuzan to Mike, his eyes probing from behind his yellow lenses.
"But Mike… this 'New Marine' you and Kuzan have cooked up… what exactly is its core philosophy? I was a bit… distracted… by the Belly earlier."
He shrugged.
"If I'm going to be a recruiter, I need to know what I'm selling."
"Kuzan-san," Mike said, gesturing to the other admiral.
He was already settling comfortably into his role as the hands-off, big-picture leader.
All he had to do was provide the vision and the funding.
The details were for others to handle.
"Ahem—" Kuzan cleared his throat, taking the lead.
"The philosophy of the New Marine can be summed up in one word: 'Liberation.'"
"Liberation?" Kizaru's eyebrows rose.
That was a heavy word.
"Liberating the people oppressed by the corrupt rulers of the World Government. Liberating the races enslaved by the Celestial Dragons. Liberating the weak and helpless tormented by pirates," Kuzan explained, his voice calm but each word landing with unsettling power.
"Our goal is to guide these seas toward true peace and freedom. Toward democracy."
"..."
"Hoh—"
Kizaru narrowed his eyes, his head swiveling back and forth between Kuzan and Mike.
The indifferent mask was gone, replaced by pure, unadulterated astonishment.
This wasn't just a plan to reform the Marines.
This was a declaration of war against the entire world order.
And this young, laid-back Captain was funding it? The kid's ambition was terrifying.
"Old man, don't look at me like that," Mike said, reading Kizaru's thoughts perfectly. He shrugged, the picture of nonchalance.
"I just figured, instead of getting annoyed by the Celestial Dragons and their nonsense every day, it's better to solve the problem at its root. A permanent fix, you know?"
He took a puff of his cigar.
"Besides, wouldn't a peaceful world be nice? Think about it. Only in times of peace can we have more dazzling entertainment, better food, and truly enjoy life. Right now, with pirates and the World Government turning the seas into a warzone, everyone's always on edge. Who's in the mood to savor a good meal or admire a beautiful woman when you might get blown up at any second?"
"..."
Kizaru was stunned silent for a moment.
"You brat…"
But damn it if he didn't have a point.
That logic resonated deep within Kizaru's lazy soul.
He yearned for a peaceful, comfortable life.
What was the point of all this fighting? If true peace was achieved, he could finally retire.
With his massive fortune, he could find a nice, sunny island, sip fine wine, and watch beautiful women walk by all day.
Wouldn't that be bliss?
"Alright, as for Instructor Zephyr," Kizaru declared, his voice now filled with a strange, new enthusiasm.
"I will swallow my pride and have a proper heart-to-heart with the old man." He pointed at Kuzan.
"You're coming with me. With both of us working together, winning him over will be a sure thing!"
For the 'bonus' Mike had promised, what was a little dignity between an old teacher and his student? When the money was this good, anything was possible!
"Mhm." Kuzan just nodded with a knowing smile, watching Kizaru's sudden burst of energy.
When Belly was involved, Borsalino truly did move at the speed of light.
"But, Mike-kun," Kizaru's tone suddenly shifted, his gaze turning serious as he stared intently at Mike.
"The person I initially planned to recruit…"
He paused for dramatic effect.
"...was actually Sakazuki!"
"Oh crap..."
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