"I refuse!"
Faced with such a sudden request, Zephyr gave a straightforward response.
"Well, what a shame!"
Kaizen smiled slightly.
He knew the answer before he asked.
Some people are set on leaving.
Trying hard to hold onto someone will only make them more determined to leave, and those who want to stay more miserable.
He had long come to terms with this.
Respecting reality is not just about compromise; it's also a dignified act.
After the meal and drinks were finished, the four of them exchanged glances, understanding each other without words.
In this situation, no one could say anything to conclude the meeting.
"The meal is finished, the wine is drunk, and everything that needed to be said has been said..."
Kaizen said tentatively but then paused.
"Are you just leaving like this? Without leaving anything behind?" Zephyr said coldly, his eyes filled with a menacing intent.
These words frightened Buggy beside him, making him tremble like he was shocked.
"It seems this fight is inevitable. Oh! Your Sea Prism Stone arms are so impressive! It would be great to die with such cool equipment, hahahaha!"
Kaizen crossed his arms, raised his head, and laughed as if death was something to celebrate.
Fujitora sensed the tension in the air. He placed his hand on the hilt of his sword, tilting his head to listen carefully, ready to act.
The situation was tense.
"Hahahaha! This wine is indeed strong enough!" The killing intent in Zephyr suddenly vanished, replaced by a casual demeanor.
"This isn't fun at all." Kaizen breathed a sigh of relief, not wanting to start a conflict here.
"Don't worry! Don't be nervous. I can tell you clearly that I have no reason to clash with you."
The smile on Zephyr's face faded, replaced by a serious expression.
"What do you mean?" Kaizen knew Zephyr's character wouldn't let him go, a person with such a threat, unless he had a bigger plan.
"Anyway, it will be public soon, so it doesn't hurt to tell you.
Marine headquarters will announce a new policy.
To better suppress pirates, the government will recruit some influential pirates, appoint them as Shichibukai, and give them special rights and privileges."
Zephyr said coldly and indifferently. His disapproval of this policy was clear.
"Shichibukai? It finally appeared. I wonder to whom the World Government will give the honor of this lackey." Kaizen said knowingly.
"Oh! You seem to have known about this for a long time?" Zephyr was surprised. This major event was not public, only known to Marine's top management.
"Yes, the World Government has been quite ugly these years. To maintain their secrets and dignity, they're willing to do anything. We ordinary people have long been accustomed to it!"
Kaizen responded with cynical words, his sharp eyes implying he knew their hidden secrets.
After hearing this, Zephyr looked at Kaizen meaningfully, his eyes sharpening, not daring to underestimate the young man before him.
"Congratulations, you have the title of lackey." Zephyr said arrogantly, full of sarcasm.
"Huh?" Kaizen looked confused.
"Forget it, I won't say much more. You'll receive the notice soon."
With that, Zephyr got up and walked out of the restaurant. At the door, he stopped and looked back at Kaizen, adding.
"I see the same instability in you as Roger. You are a completely dangerous guy. I will always keep an eye on you!"
After saying these unique farewell words, he turned to leave.
"Where are you going next?" Kaizen's words interrupted Zephyr's departure.
Marine may have broken this righteous man's heart.
This man will gradually leave Marine and eventually disappear from the public eye.
But Kaizen knew he hadn't stopped insisting on his justice. Such a man was destined not to be lost in the tides of time.
Every era needs such persevering pioneers and warriors to deliver a wake-up call to the world.
He will return, lead his new Marine, and with his enduring smile, appear before the world, only to be defeated by another with a persevering smile, finally dying honorably before his students.
This man who brought pain to the world deserves admiration.
"Me? I will watch the flowers bloom and fall in an unknown corner, then appear in the dark to destroy all the evil in this world and bring unprecedented peace to this boiling land!"
Zephyr smiled confidently. At a certain moment, he seemed to return to his childhood. On that sunny port, he faced impossible opponents alone. Without fear, he charged toward certain defeat.
In the end, a little girl was left holding a dirty rag doll, murmuring words of thanks to him.
"Let me, a lowly guy like me, give you a ride." Kaizen smiled softly and whispered to himself.
After that, he stood up and walked towards Zephyr, followed closely by Fujitora. The hesitant Buggy looked around and followed.
"It seems there's no way to leave the scene gracefully, hahahaha!"
After walking out of the restaurant, Zephyr said this while looking at a large pirate ship docked next to the restaurant on the sea and a group of fierce pirates on board.
"This must be Brand's pirate group that you just beat away."
Kaizen, who followed closely, put his hands in his pockets and walked over leisurely, analyzing as he walked.
"That's a pirate group with thousands of people! Oh, it's another fierce battle!"
Zephyr touched his head, looking as if he'd eaten something unpleasant.
"Huh? A mere thousand people can intimidate the Marine headquarters general? This is the first time I've heard of it."
Buggy on the side finally couldn't help but interject.
"I'm worried because dealing with this garbage is pointless, it won't solve anything, and it's exhausting."
Although he voiced reluctance, he began to move his neck and adjust his Sea Prism Stone arm.
"Wait a minute, Zephyr-san." Kaizen approached, putting his arm around his shoulders.
"Hmm? What do you want?" Zephyr looked back at him.
"Just let me step in! I just can't think of how to say goodbye! Leave these people to me, and it's the perfect way to bid farewell to you."