HST: Chapter 252/253

Chapter 252: Pity

After transforming Zephyr into a Heroic Spirit, Caelan brought him back to the Neo Navy headquarters.

"Congratulations Zephyr-sensei for returning to the top!"

Gion's eyes lit up as she immediately offered her congratulations.

Seeing Zephyr like this, she understood that he had been transformed into a Heroic Spirit.

What surprised her was that this Heroic Spirit could even regenerate severed limbs.

But then again, considering that Caelan had revived even the dead Olvia, restoring Zephyr's arm was not much of a surprise.

"Congratulations, congratulations! Now I can contribute even more to the Neo Navy!"

Zephyr smiled as he looked at Gion.

Ain and Binz were stunned when they saw Zephyr. It took them a moment to react.

"Zephyr-sensei, your, your hand!"

The two shouted in shock.

If they remembered correctly, he had been wearing a Crusher prosthetic before.

And now, Zephyr's arm had returned!

"Haha, it's all thanks to Supreme Commander Caelan. Not only has my arm been restored, but I've also returned to my peak!"

Zephyr could not hide the pride on his face.

With this strength, he could once again shield his disciples from the storm.

"Thank you, Commander!"

Ain and Binz immediately saluted Caelan.

To them, Zephyr was both a teacher and a father. Now that he had been healed by Caelan, they were deeply grateful.

"No need for such formality. Just do your jobs well from now on."

Caelan waved his hand generously.

"Yes sir!"

Ain and Binz responded in unison.

Binz secretly resolved that he must shine within the Neo Navy and never let Caelan down.

Ain also made up her mind that she would not only perform her duties as captain of the guard with excellence but would also take good care of Caelan.

After a round of pleasantries, Caelan and Gion exchanged a look before moving on to the serious matter.

"Zephyr-sensei, what do you think about Weevil joining the Shichibukai?"

Gion asked solemnly.

At the mention of this, Zephyr fell silent for a moment before saying, "This matter is a disgrace to the Navy, a decision that chills the hearts of every Marine. Weevil not only bears deep hatred toward me, but toward the Navy itself."

"For someone like him to be recruited into the Shichibukai… I can only say the Navy has rotted to its core. If not for this incident, I might not even be here now."

His expression grew heavy with anger as he spoke.

He had dedicated most of his life to the Navy. As the saying goes, the deeper the love, the harsher the disappointment. Naturally, he felt utterly let down by the Navy.

"Zephyr, I doubt you're the only one disappointed with the Navy on this matter."

Caelan smiled as he spoke.

"That's right. When I left, some of my disciples also wanted to leave." Zephyr looked at Caelan and hesitated. "You mean…"

Judging from Caelan's expression, it was clear he intended to bring his disciples over.

"That's right. Instead of letting so many heroes remain in the Navy only to be treated unjustly, it's better for them to join the Neo Navy and achieve something great!"

Caelan said it bluntly.

He didn't know exactly who had expressed such thoughts to Zephyr, but considering Zephyr's special status, they must be outstanding.

"This…"

Zephyr hesitated.

When he left, he had resolved not to interfere with his disciples' choices.

He had told himself that once he achieved something, he would bring them over.

But now, after only a day, his resolve wavered.

However, thinking of Caelan's special treatment toward him, as well as what he had seen and heard along the way, Zephyr's determination firmed.

The Navy was already rotten. The Neo Navy, on the other hand, was flourishing. He wanted Momonga and the others to abandon the dark and embrace the light.

This was not betrayal.

Caelan valued him highly, placing him only below himself in the Neo Navy, on equal footing with Gion.

And since Gion had once been his student, he was even slightly higher in seniority than her.

This was already a prestigious position. Asking his disciples to follow him here could not be seen as breaking his promise.

What's more, since the Navy had abandoned both him and his disciples, it was only natural they leave.

"Alright, I'll contact them. But whether they come or not depends on their own will."

After some thought, Zephyr made his decision.

He still respected his disciples' choices.

"No problem. With you as their representative and the reality of the situation in front of them, I believe they will agree."

Caelan accepted without hesitation.

If they didn't agree, it was useless to force them.

Even if they refused this time, it would soften the ground, making it easier to persuade them next time.

"But… something still feels missing."

Caelan stroked his chin, muttering to himself.

Everything was set, and Zephyr had agreed, but it felt like something was forgotten.

"Caelan, you should give Zephyr-sensei an official position."

Gion reminded him.

Since Zephyr's role hadn't been defined before, Caelan hadn't given him an official rank.

But now that Zephyr would serve as a lobbyist, he needed a proper position.

"Oh, right!" Caelan smacked his forehead and then said seriously, "Zephyr, from now on, your identity is Admiral of the Neo Navy and Chief Instructor of the Neo Navy!"

"Admiral of the Neo Navy and Chief Instructor!?"

Zephyr was visibly moved.

It wasn't about the power of the title, but the memories of his glorious youth it stirred.

Moreover, this appointment showed how much Caelan valued him, and it could serve as encouragement for Momonga and the others.

"Now that everything is ready, we can reach out to the Navy."

Caelan said with a smile.

"Yes, I understand."

Zephyr nodded firmly.

He could hardly wait to summon his disciples to build the Neo Navy together.

The only concern was… would this deal too heavy a blow to Sengoku?

Well…

To hell with that!

He wanted Sengoku to understand the price of his mistakes!

Filled with excitement, Zephyr picked up the Den Den Mushi.

(To be continued.)

Chapter 253: The World Is So Big, I Think...

Navy Headquarters, senior admirals' dormitory.

Yamakaji and Doberman were drinking to drown their sorrows, feeling down about Zephyr leaving the Navy.

"Bru Bru!"

Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi next to Yamakaji rang rapidly.

"Who is it!?"

Yamakaji was a bit confused.

Because of Zephyr's departure and the incident with Weevil, he and Doberman had taken two days off to ease their depressed mood.

Logically speaking, no one should be disturbing them.

"Does Fleet Admiral Sengoku have an urgent mission?"

Doberman asked tentatively.

This had happened before, and it was not the first or second time they had been sent on missions during their vacations.

"Hey, it better not be a mission, I won't take it!"

Yamakaji sneered.

In the past, he could interrupt his vacation and devote himself to the Navy.

But not now. From now on, he would not give up even a second of vacation. If there was a task, it would have to wait until his vacation was over.

Yamakaji took out the Den Den Mushi locked in the drawer and exclaimed in surprise, "It's Zephyr-sensei's call!"

For a moment, they were both confused.

Zephyr had just left the day before yesterday and did not even let them follow. Why was he suddenly calling?

Was Zephyr in trouble?

Yamakaji's heart tightened, and he quickly answered, "Zephyr-sensei, this is Yamakaji. Are you in any trouble?"

"Everything is going smoothly here. I have no troubles. I called to tell you something." Zephyr asked nervously, "Are you available to talk now?"

What he was about to say was a bit private, and it would be bad if Sengoku heard it.

Yamakaji glanced at Doberman and, after careful consideration, said, "Only Doberman is around me, so it should be convenient."

He also did not know why Zephyr sounded so mysterious.

But Doberman had seen Zephyr off with him, so he thought it was worth listening together.

"Doberman, let him listen in too. I do not need to call him again."

Zephyr breathed a sigh of relief.

Hearing this, Yamakaji and Doberman became even more curious. What exactly did Zephyr want to say to both of them?

"Yamakaji, Doberman, I wonder if you two are willing to leave the Navy and come to the Neo Navy to work with me."

Zephyr said seriously.

"Ah!?"

Yamakaji and Doberman were stunned.

They had been thinking their sensei was in trouble and was calling his disciples together to grind the enemy to dust.

Unexpectedly, their sensei was here to poach his students.

Wasn't the Neo Navy under the God Slayer, Caelan?

Why did Zephyr go there?

"Zephyr-sensei, if you feel threatened, just tell us and we will find a way to rescue you!"

Yamakaji asked cautiously.

He had clearly said he wanted to build his own force, yet in less than two days he had joined Caelan's army.

The day before yesterday, he told them not to follow, but now he was helping the Neo Navy recruit.

This change made them wonder whether Zephyr was being coerced by Caelan.

"Cut it out, I am doing fine now." Zephyr's face darkened, and he said seriously, "Supreme Commander Caelan cured my body and made me the Admiral and Chief Instructor of the Neo Navy. I called you just to give you a heads-up. If you want to come see me, you can decide for yourselves."

"So that's how it is."

Yamakaji and Doberman suddenly realized, then began to digest the information Zephyr had given.

Zephyr's health had been cured, and he had been appointed Admiral and Chief Instructor in the Neo Navy. Such treatment could be said to be priceless.

It showed that the Neo Navy's offer was very generous.

And now, Zephyr had come to invite them. Should they go?

Go.

After only a moment of hesitation, the two made their decision.

They had to go support Zephyr. They could not let him be on his own in the Neo Navy.

Anyway, they were unhappy in the Navy, so they might as well join the Neo Navy.

Wherever they went, they could still fight pirates.

Joining the Neo Navy not only meant no disgusting Celestial Dragons, it could also help Zephyr gain a firm foothold.

It could be called killing two birds with one stone.

They still did not know the extent of Zephyr's recovery. They only imagined him as the same old, frail general as before.

"Sensei, we are willing to join the Neo Navy. I believe you will feel more at ease with us around!"

Yamakaji and Doberman said firmly.

While speaking, they did not forget to emphasize Zephyr's importance.

They knew that there must be someone from the Neo Navy listening beside Zephyr at this time.

This was also to let Zephyr demonstrate greater value.

Zephyr understood, and while he was touched, he could not help but scold with a smile, "I need you two to support me? When you come, I will be your backer!"

As he spoke, he could not help but flex his arms. His arms were so strong that a horse could run over them.

After transforming into a Heroic Spirit, he had become a general even stronger than at his peak.

With this level of strength, defeating five Yamakajis and five Dobermans would be no problem.

And this was also why he was willing to ask his disciples to join the Neo Navy.

With him as their backer, his disciples would have good prospects.

So confident?

Yamakaji and Doberman were both a little surprised.

Even through the Den Den Mushi, they could feel Zephyr's high spirits, as if he were still the Black Arm Zephyr who had galloped across the seas in his youth.

It seemed what Zephyr said about Caelan curing his body was not so simple.

"Hahaha, then Zephyr-sensei will have to clean up our messes!"

The two laughed.

Since Zephyr was so confident, they should also praise their sensei.

"Alright, I will wait for you in the Neo Navy." Zephyr smiled and said, "I want to call others too, so I will hang up first."

"Click!"

The Den Den Mushi on both sides disconnected.

"It seems Zephyr-sensei is doing well in the Neo Navy."

Yamakaji said with a smile.

"Yes, that kind of joy from the heart cannot be faked. And with Sensei Zephyr's personality, if he does not want to, threatening him with his life would have no effect."

Doberman echoed.

"I really want to see what the Neo Navy is like. What kind of magic does that God Slayer have that could make Sensei Zephyr change his stance so quickly?"

Yamakaji joked.

Thinking back to a month and a half ago, he had met Caelan once.

He had even warned Caelan, hoping he would not provoke Doflamingo.

And now, Caelan had occupied Doflamingo's lair. Things had really changed.

"Then let's resign immediately and reunite with Sensei Zephyr as soon as possible."

Doberman had already started clearing the wine and food from the table and was preparing to write his resignation letter.

"By the way, Sensei Zephyr just said he wanted to call other people, so we have to hurry."

Yamakaji reminded.

If they were too late, Fleet Admiral Sengoku's office would be filled with people resigning, which would not look good.

"Yes, yes!"

Doberman nodded hurriedly.

The two immediately took out paper and pen and began writing their resignation letters.

In just a few minutes, while Zephyr was still calling the next person, the two had finished their letters.

[The world is so big, I want to see it!]

It started with a dream, then followed with a few hundred words explaining that they were discouraged and needed to go outside to relax.

After all, if they directly said they wanted to change jobs, it would hurt Fleet Admiral Sengoku's feelings.

It was not that the two of them had no resentment toward Sengoku.

But…

What if the Fleet Admiral got angry and unleashed a Big Buddha attack?

The two quickly walked into Sengoku's office with their resignation letters.

(To be continued.)