Facing Sengoku's questioning, Zephyr's expression was somewhat grim.
He had worn the military uniform for decades, but his sense of justice had been gradually worn down by the World Government.
Zephyr harbored much dissatisfaction with the current Navy.
The emergence of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, in particular, filled him, who had dedicated most of his life, with despair.
To control the seas, they actually recruited pirates to become the so-called Seven Warlords of the Sea, granting them special privileges.
Their status and the privileges they exercised were a humiliation to the Navy.
It was precisely because of the Navy's ineffectiveness that pirates ran rampant on the seas, innocent people perished, darkness continuously expanded, and the hearts of justice were constantly eroded.
Yes, Zephyr was utterly disappointed with the Navy and the World Government.
"Zephyr, did you hear me?"
"Answer me quickly."
"Don't forget your identity, what your every action represents, and the harm it will bring?"
"You should know better than I do!"
Sengoku did not hear Zephyr's reply, his face growing increasingly grim.
Zephyr was not just an Admiral; he was the Chief Instructor of the Navy. Many current naval officers and basic soldiers had been trained by him.
If Zephyr were to defect at this moment, the blow to the Navy would be too great.
Those soldiers who still harbored a shred of justice would also feel their hearts turn to ash.
Sengoku's voice echoed in his ears, and Zephyr's face showed hesitation and complexity.
Now, he had two choices: either continue to persevere, cherish Benedict's kindness in his heart, and repay it when the time came; or, leave the current Navy and join the World Government.
Kuzan stood by, watching his teacher, his expression solemn.
Kuzan only then realized that his own ideas were too naive.
Their teacher's position and status within the Navy were too special.
But this was also a kind of restraint.
"I understand!" Zephyr replied calmly.
Upon hearing this, Kuzan's expression slightly changed, and he felt a sense of regret.
This kind of restraint was truly unbearable.
Sengoku breathed a sigh of relief upon receiving Zephyr's response.
Even if Zephyr were to die in battle, he absolutely could not surrender.
Otherwise, the consequences would be unimaginable.
Zephyr hung up the Den Den Mushi and looked at Benedict in the void. He said in a low voice to Kuzan, "After the fight begins, you'll pretend to lose to Benedict."
"Your justice, though a bit lazy, has a very clear bottom line."
"The current Navy is not suitable for you. Even if you have the chance to contend for the Fleet Admiral position in the future, your personality will not make you a preferred candidate for the Five Elders."
"Unless you are ruthless enough and willing to accept the arrangements of the Five Elders."
Kuzan was stunned by Zephyr's words.
He had not expected his teacher, Zephyr, to say such things to him at this time.
Although he had already made up his mind, this was different from his plan to leave the Navy and join the Xuanwu Navy as he had envisioned.
Everyone cherished their reputation, and Kuzan was no exception.
"Benedict, come!"
"Let us have a full-blown battle."
"This time, I will definitely defeat you."
As Kuzan was contemplating, Zephyr had already roared and used Soru, charging towards Benedict in the air.
Seeing this, Kuzan pondered for a moment before also making a move.
"Ice Age."
Falling onto the sea, the ocean instantly froze over. To facilitate combat, the Devil Fruit power continuously erupted, increasing the ice layer's thickness to over ten meters.
In an instant, a battlefield spanning several kilometers was thus created by Kuzan.
Kenjiro looked at Kuzan as he coldly charged into the battlefield and said sternly, "Kill!"
Naval soldiers, World Government intelligence agencies, and remodeled humans charged forward with Kuzan.
As the two sides clashed, Benedict and Zephyr were already fighting fiercely in the sky.
Fist against fist, Zephyr was mostly overwhelmed by Benedict, enduring more blows.
"Kid, I am very grateful that you saved me and Kuzan."
"However, I have reasons why I cannot leave."
"Kuzan will leave with you. Please look after him for me."
"His justice is rational."
Despite enduring Benedict's attacks, Zephyr was still conveying his thoughts.
Benedict immediately understood upon hearing this.
"Bound by justice?"
"Admiral Zephyr!"
Zephyr's expression changed at Benedict's words, but he had no way to explain.
His family had been killed by pirates, and his two-year-old child had died tragically. Such an event had changed his world.
Because he upheld justice, his family was gone.
Because he upheld justice, he fought on the front lines, hoping to distract himself and not be consumed by grief.
Because he upheld justice, he could not tolerate pirates, so he would judge any pirate he encountered.
Because he upheld justice, under the Seven Warlords policy and the subsequent enlisting of pirates, he had argued with Sengoku several times and almost fallen out with Sengoku.
Because he upheld justice, he always believed that justice still existed within the Navy. Therefore, even though the current Navy was so foul and corrupt, he still wanted to influence some people and correct the Navy to establish true 'justice'.
However, his efforts were not respected; instead, they were trampled upon again and again.
The Five Elders did not need justice; they needed weapons that could be used for slaughter and deterrence at any time.
"As you wish!"
Benedict understood Zephyr's thoughts and knew that changing his mind would not be easy.
Furthermore, Kuzan could still be molded, and compared to Zephyr, he was more useful.
However, if Kuzan steadfastly stood in opposition to the Xuanwu Navy, Benedict wouldn't mind killing him and extracting his essence.
The value of the Five-Color Awakening Potion was much greater and more precious.
Benedict unleashed a flurry of attacks, pushing Zephyr to the brink of collapse. Finally, he fell into the sea behind the Navy lines, and Benedict paid him no further attention.
On the battlefield below.
Kuzan's battle with Kenjiro, despite his all-out effort, still saw him suppressed.
Just as Kuzan, panting, revealed half his body from an iceberg, preparing to use an ice spike to snipe Kenjiro from a distance, Benedict suddenly appeared, grabbed Kuzan by the neck, and pulled him out of the iceberg.
"Kuzan, I hope you will not disappoint Admiral Zephyr's good intentions."
With that, he didn't give Kuzan a chance to speak and simply threw him away.
Kuzan wanted to resist, but the attack was too fast.
He had no chance to react before Kenjiro threw a punch.
The Destroyer Gauntlet triggered a special passive.
Puchi!
Kuzan's abdomen was almost pierced through.
Kuzan's eyes widened, his pupils dilating, looking at Kenjiro in disbelief.
Kenjiro, with a solemn face, placed a Senzu bean into Kuzan's hand, then grabbed his face, making it look like he had been captured.
"Play dead, don't move."
After speaking, Kenjiro quickly retreated, carrying Kuzan.
Lu Shan, hidden in the void, was stunned.
He had intended to help Zephyr defeat Benedict, but he found himself too afraid to approach.
Seeing Kuzan being thrown away by Benedict, he immediately rushed to save him, only to discover that in private, they had some unspeakable transaction.
Lu Shan, Sea Monkey, and other members, watching Kuzan being taken away by Kenjiro through the void, their eyes flashed with intense killing intent.
"This is betrayal. He must die!"