Chapter 83: Traces of Whitebeard Jr.? The Bells of the Demonstration!
Witnessing Zephyr hand over the legendary gauntlets he once used to shake the seas to Roy...
Ain and Binz looked at Roy with increasing respect and curiosity. They knew this meant Roy's strength had been acknowledged by Zephyr.
But Zephyr didn't explain much.
He just looked at Ain. "Ain, you said you had intel to report?"
Ain snapped back to reality. "Teacher, I found traces of that guy."
"I've already given the report to Shuzo to forward to Headquarters... Here is the file."
Hearing this...
Roy saw Zephyr's remaining fist clench tightly.
"That guy..."
He could hear the bone-deep hatred in the voice of the usually strict but rarely angry instructor.
Roy didn't need an explanation to know who Ain was talking about.
Ain handed over the file.
Zephyr took it and shook it open with a practiced flick of his left hand.
He didn't hide it from Roy, so Roy saw the photo instantly.
It was a tall, obese, grotesque man covered in stitch marks.
He had a crescent moon mustache under his nose, blond braids, and held a naginata.
Beside him stood a short, luxuriously dressed old woman wearing sunglasses.
The photo wasn't clear.
But even so, Roy recognized him instantly.
'Whitebeard Jr.' Edward Weevil—the pirate who attacked Zephyr's training ship and severed his arm years ago.
Of course, he didn't have the nickname 'Whitebeard Jr.' yet. He was just a powerful, nameless pirate.
As far as Roy knew, Zephyr and his disciples had never stopped searching for him over the years, but had found no trace.
Shuzo, whom Ain mentioned, was one of Zephyr's former disciples, now a Marine Commodore and instructor at the boot camp.
"This photo was taken by chance by a fisherman on an island..."
Ain gritted her teeth, her body trembling.
Even after years, she still remembered the day her comrades were slaughtered before her eyes. The moment she saw this photo, she was certain it was him.
"Where is that island? We're going now!"
Zephyr didn't hesitate.
His dedication to duty was usually absolute, but his obsession with this pirate made him ready to ignore even the Tri-Force Demonstration.
But Ain shook her head. "I already investigated. The photo is old. They've already left the island."
"I searched the nearby islands for a month, but found no trace."
"But Teacher... at least we know that guy is active on the seas again."
She said softly.
Yes—for avengers, knowing the enemy still exists is motivation enough.
"...I understand."
Zephyr exhaled deeply, calming himself.
"Keep watching that area. If you find any trace, report to me immediately..."
"And me."
Before he could finish, a voice interrupted him.
Zephyr turned to see Roy's calm face.
"What's wrong, Teacher Zephyr?"
Roy stuffed the gauntlets into his pocket and looked at Zephyr.
He grinned. "Once you catch that guy, you'll need someone to transport him back, right?"
He tapped the 'Detention Unit' insignia on his collar. "So... I think I should be involved too. Teacher Zephyr, you wouldn't deny your disciple a chance to earn some merit, would you?"
He wasn't sure about Weevil's location or specific abilities, but he acknowledged Zephyr's mentorship and care.
He wouldn't stand by and let Zephyr meet his tragic canon fate.
So—he would do what needed to be done.
Besides, Roy knew something else.
Whitebeard Jr. was unique.
According to the original story, he possessed strength comparable to a young Whitebeard—an absurdly high evaluation.
But that wasn't the only issue.
The key point was that Weevil seemed to have very low intelligence.
The real mastermind was the short old woman beside him.
Roy knew that unassuming woman, ignored even by Zephyr, was actually Buckingham Stussy, a former member of the Rocks Pirates forty years ago.
And every member of the Rocks Pirates was worth being wary of.
Of course, he couldn't tell Zephyr this.
So...
"You kid, meddling in other people's business."
Zephyr grinned and shook his head. "I haven't fallen so low that I need your help to deal with a pirate!"
Though he said this, he didn't refuse Roy's offer.
Ain looked at Roy with even more approval.
"Just as Binz said... Junior Brother Roy is a loyal, righteous Marine who hates evil!"
She thought.
Just as she was about to speak...
DONG! DONG! DONG!
Massive, deep bells rang out, echoing across Marineford.
The four master and disciples exchanged glances, their expressions turning solemn.
Because in Marineford, there was only one source for such a sound—the Ox Bell in Oris Plaza!
It was the symbol of Marine Headquarters and Justice, rarely rung under normal circumstances.
But now, it rang six times.
All four understood the meaning.
They had received news earlier.
The Tri-Force Demonstration was starting soon, but the exact time was undecided because the venue was still under construction.
Once the venue was ready and tested, the Demonstration would begin the very next day without extra preparation time.
"Being prepared for anything at any time is part of the test itself."
Rumor had it this was Vice Admiral Tsuru's idea.
And the bells ringing now confirmed the fact...
Tomorrow... the Tri-Force Demonstration begins!
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