One Piece: From Picking Up Red Hair's Broken Arm

Chapter 321 Let me help you find out Im's background
The office fell into a deathly silence.

Aokiji stared blankly at his former mentor for a good ten seconds before he came back to his senses from the shock and speechlessness.

"Return to Marineford..."

Aokiji repeated, a bead of cold sweat trickling down his forehead, "If the plan is successfully implemented, the World Government will indeed pay a price that brings it to the brink of destruction."

"But teacher, have you ever considered that there are hundreds of thousands of civilians living around Marineford and Mary Geoise?"

"I didn't want to either! But what could I do, Kuzan! Compared to the world being reborn, this price is acceptable, isn't it!"

Zephyr sneered, "Do you still think I'm too extreme? I've already toned it down a lot! Hey, Kuzan, do you even know what 'Endpoint' means?!"

"End point?"

Aokiji frowned, racking his brains but still couldn't remember what it was, and shook his head.

"They are lakes, or more precisely, three lava lakes located in the New World."

A calm voice came from outside the door at that moment.

Aokiji looked up and saw a young woman with long, sea-blue hair and a quiet demeanor standing directly behind Zephyr.

He recognized the person.

He was Master Zephyr's most trusted disciple and one of the only two survivors on the recruit ship that was massacred back then.

Ain, a user of the Rewind-Rewind Fruit.

"When the three lava lakes connect, it will trigger extremely violent leyline activity, causing the entire region to erupt in flames, and the entire new world will be destroyed in an instant."

Ain nodded to Aokiji as a greeting, then continued calmly:

"The seas near the New World were not spared either, including the two calm zones, and naturally the Red Line and Mary Geoise."

“Well explained, Ain.”

Zephyr grinned, "Detonating all the Endpoints with explosive rocks—that was my original plan, Kuzan! This plan was even easier to execute than 'returning to Marineford'!"

"Then...why did you change your mind?"

"Hmph, it's none of your business. Can't I just do what makes me happy?"

Zephyr glared at Aokiji. "If you really want a reason, then let the civilians of the New World who were spared from death thank that Shano. If it weren't for that kid's Fallen One being truly different from those pirates, making this chaotic New World a bit more human, I wouldn't have..."

He snorted, crossed his legs, and didn't bother to say anything more.

A look of surprise flashed in Aokiji's eyes.

"So, even though you established the NEO Navy yourself, you still quite approve of the Fallen Ones?"

He hesitated for a moment, but couldn't help asking:

"Then why not simply join the Fallen Ones, or remain independent and change the world together as allies? Why must you embark on this path of no return?"

"Shut up!"

Zefa slammed his fist on the table and roared, "Kuzan, when did you become that kid's man? How dare you try to persuade me?!"

"Don't misunderstand, teacher, I have no connection with Xia Nuo."

Aokiji rubbed his temples, looking exasperated. "I just think, since we share the same goal, why not choose a safer approach? The Fallen Ones certainly have a chance of succeeding, don't they?"

"Besides, if it were really possible, wouldn't you want to live to see that day and witness firsthand what the new world and new era created by Xia Nuo would be like?"

Zephyr stared at Aokiji, remaining silent for a long time.

The atmosphere in the office froze instantly.

Ain carefully observed the expressions of the two, hesitating as if she wanted to say something, but in the end she didn't speak.

at last.

Zephyr snorted coldly, crossed his arms, and turned around: "Stop trying to sow discord here! My NEO Navy doesn't need to rely on anyone!"

"Who do you think I am? Even without Xia Nuo and the Fallen One, I can still end this corrupt world with my own hands! Since we can't see eye to eye, let's meet again another day. It'll save us from damaging our teacher-student relationship if we keep talking. Ain, see him out!"

"is teacher."

Aokiji watched Zephyr's retreating figure, sighed, and knew that his eloquence was no match for the stubborn old man.

So he stood up and bowed slightly:

"I understand, Professor Zefa. Please take good care of yourself."

See you later.

But will we really ever see each other again?

Aokiji silently put on his sunglasses, took one last look at Zephyr, and then left the office accompanied by Ain.

Zephyr remained motionless, holding that position.

Only when the footsteps sounded again, and Ain, who had just seen the guest off, returned to his side, did Zephyr turn his head, rubbing his neck and muttering:

"Seriously, my neck is numb now..."

Ain was speechless.

"Teacher," she looked at Zephyr, hesitated for a moment, and then spoke, "Why did you deliberately drive away Senior Brother Kuzan?"

"Ok?"

Zephyr glanced at Ain in surprise, then couldn't help but grin and burst into laughter, "You've really grown up, Ain! What's going on? You can't even hide it from me anymore!"

"Don't underestimate me, you old geezer!" Ain said angrily.

"how?"

Zephyr bent down, took a bottle of sherry from the cabinet, leaned back on the sofa, and chugged it down in one gulp. "You also think Kuzan's words make sense?"

"Actually, teacher, I've been confused for a long time."

Ain nodded. "Why do you have a good impression of the Fallen Ones, yet refuse to cooperate with them and insist on taking a more extreme path instead?"

She hesitated for a moment, then added:

"Furthermore... I've noticed recently that you seem to be deliberately avoiding contact with the Fallen Ones, and you rarely even look at the reports submitted by the intelligence department about their movements."

Zephyr gave Ain a deep look.

"Little girl, do you think I'm acting on impulse?"

He clicked his tongue. "Can't let go of your old face? Unwilling to be subordinate to others? How could that be! It's precisely because I have high hopes for that kid that I can't get too close."

"why?"

Ain frowned in confusion.

"Because I'm old and won't live much longer, and also because I've really changed. I've become impatient and am no longer the Zefa I used to be!"

Zefa stared at the smooth coffee table in front of him, its mirror reflecting his aged appearance.

"Kuzan's words are too idealistic, Ain. Waiting for the Fallen Ones to slowly change this world? Waiting for a new era to arrive? Do you really think I'm in such a state that I'll live to see that day?"

“With each passing day, I can feel myself growing weaker! Yet the flames of revenge still burn, and the pain continues to torment me, twisting my entire being, and I cannot extinguish them!”

"What should I do?"

"Before my strength and conviction become insignificant, I can only seize the time to do the last thing and fulfill this wish for revenge!"

teacher……

Ain bit her lip, looking at Zephyr's狰狞 (zhengning, meaning ferocious or hideous) face, a hint of heartache flashing in her eyes. She knew her teacher had endured too much over the years—the inexplicable and tragic deaths of his family, the destruction of his students, the damage to his reputation, the mutilation of his body…

These endless, agonizing pains have long since transformed the once gentle "non-killing general" into a monster consumed by nothing but revenge.

"But..." she wanted to persuade her again.

"No buts!"

Zefa interrupted fiercely, but when he caught a glimpse of Ain's tearful eyes, his tone softened. "Ahem... if these things still can't convince you, then I actually have a second consideration."

"Eh?"

"Speaking of which, I only found out about it because that guy Garp secretly told me back then."

Zephyr put down his wine bottle, his face darkening. "The so-called Five Elders are nothing more than stewards of the World Government. The true rulers of the World Government are far more powerful than anyone thinks!"

“Aion, if that guy is determined to take things seriously, no matter how strong any resistance may seem, it is as fragile as an egg in front of him. And you can’t put all your eggs in one basket!”

Does the world government have a true ruler?
Ain's expression changed slightly; it was the first time she had ever heard her teacher mention such a secret.

"If my plan succeeds first, it will be like clearing away the biggest obstacle for the Fallen Ones and completely blasting open the gates of Mary Geoise for them! I can die without regrets."

"But if, before that... the Fallen One is destroyed because it is too powerful, the world will still have a second chance!"

"But if I do that, all the credit will be taken by me. The legendary hero Z who blasted open the Red Line and created a new world—if that title is passed down to future generations, wouldn't it be cool and awesome? Hahahaha!"

Zephyr laughed happily, but Ain fell silent.

a long time.

She sighed softly and murmured:

"That's why you treated Senior Brother Kuzan so badly... to completely dispel his thoughts and make him side with the Fallen Ones..."

"Heh, that kid is much smarter than you, you silly girl. He probably figured it out a long time ago."

Zephyr curled his lip:

"That's much better. Let him see the Fallen Ones for himself. That place is much better than our lousy place. He might even want to join on the spot. It's a shame that a general like him would be idle all day, riding his bicycle around like a street urchin..."

Zefa muttered something, took another big gulp of wine, and then, as if suddenly remembering something, looked up at Ain:

"Speaking of which, when that kid left, did he specifically ask you for a map? The one that's posted in the hallway?"

Ain paused for a moment, then nodded:

"Yes, it's the latest 3.0 revised version released by the famous chart artist, Ms. Nami. He said he's a fan of Ms. Nami and has wanted to buy this version of the chart for a long time, but it's already sold out on the market and is very difficult to buy..."

"Pfft hahaha!"

Zefa burst into laughter, so loud that wine spilled from the corners of his mouth: "See? What did I tell you? That brat really understood what I meant!"

What fans, what collections? You're kidding me.

Although that little thief named Nami seems to be quite famous lately, her sea charts are exquisite and detailed, and she seems to have a good reputation.

But Kuzan was probably just heading to the territory of the Fallen Ones, but he hadn't explored the New World in so long that he was probably getting lost!
Zefa wiped his mouth, a hint of relief flashing in his eyes:
"This place is not suitable for him... I hope this kid can find a place that truly suits him there."

Ain seemed to be deep in thought.

After thinking for a moment, she asked again, "Then, teacher, what's our plan...?"

"continue!"

Zephyr's smile faded, and his gaze returned to its sharp and resolute tone.
"The original plan remains unchanged! Notify Binz to speed up the collection of explosive rocks! Divide the work into several groups; efficiency cannot be reduced!"

"Yes!"

Ain turned and left, leaving only her back view.

Zefa sat alone in his office, the last rays of the setting sun casting their light on his purple hair.

He touched his prosthetic arm with his left hand and muttered to himself:

"The longer we wait, the more things might go wrong. We need to act as quickly as possible. Those old-fashioned folks should be paving the way for the younger generation, not waiting behind to steal the credit..."

The sea breeze blew in through the open window, bringing a sense of the distance.

After a long day, Zefa leaned back wearily on the sofa, casually picked up the remaining half bottle of sherry, and closed his eyes.

In a daze.

He felt as if he had returned to that day.

In Sabaody, on the coast, people watched in awe as the young man with flowing black hair brazenly slashed at the gods in front of the whole world.

Zefa chuckled self-deprecatingly.

"If you hadn't inspired me, I probably wouldn't have had the courage..."

Consider it a preliminary step, to help you find out what that old geezer is all about.

Keep it up, kid.

------

Jingle bell bell~
The bicycle bell rang again because Aokiji noticed that there seemed to be a traffic jam ahead.

No, this is on the sea, and he's the only one riding the bike.

It should be said that the boats were stuck in traffic.

Aokiji took off his sunglasses and rubbed his eyes as he looked at the densely packed ships on the sea ahead.

These ships varied in size, with all sorts of flags flying from their masts, and most of them appeared to be pirate ships.

A rough estimate suggests there were over a hundred ships in total, completely blocking the shipping lanes to the Milky Way.

"Ala……"

He scratched his head, muttering to himself in confusion, "Is this some kind of World's Fair?"

Or is it some kind of world's number one martial arts tournament?

Hey! You in front, get out of the way!

On a menacing-looking pirate ship, the captain, his face covered in scars, leaned out and roared fiercely, "Don't you know how to queue? Don't you know the rules? If you want to challenge Lord Shano, you'd better wait patiently at the back!"

"challenge?"

Aokiji blinked.

"Tch, another idiot."

On a nearby ship, a pirate in a floral shirt sneered, "Are you really unaware or just pretending? Didn't you read the newspaper? It's in the news that Lord Shano announced that anyone who can withstand one of his attacks will be considered to have defeated him and be qualified to claim the vacant throne of the Sea Emperor!"

"Defeating such a terrifyingly powerful figure is a pipe dream, but taking one move is all it takes. Heh heh, who wouldn't be confident of that!"

"Right now, all the pirates in the New World are rushing here like madmen!"

"Yes, haha, it's been a long time since we've had such a grand event since Roger was executed!"

On another pirate ship, someone chimed in with a grin, "I heard that several big pirates with bounties of over 500 million Berries have come! I wonder if we'll make it in time."

"Hey, you lazy old man on that beat-up bicycle, now you know what kind of mess you've stumbled into, huh? Ringing that bell is driving me crazy! Get out of here! If this weren't the territory of the Fallen Ones, I would have blown you to bits by now!"

"That's right, if it's none of your business, then get out of here and don't stop us old men from making a name for ourselves!!"

(End of this chapter)