Chapter 714: 715: The Reunion of Aokiji and Zephyr

After discussing the Poneglyphs with Robin for quite some time, Ian emerged from the treasure room.

It was clear that Robin had been in high spirits lately. Gaining so many Poneglyph steles to study all at once had made her reluctant to leave.

Besides researching the red Road Poneglyphs, Robin was also attempting to catalog the other Poneglyphs—organizing historical timelines based on the ancient scripts she had translated so far.

Collecting all the Poneglyph steles was undoubtedly a daunting task. However, since she started following Ian, she had encountered quite a few. Perhaps, with some educated guesses, she could piece together part of the historical truth.

Ian didn’t disturb her. After stepping out, he gathered the members of the Dragon Hunter Pirates and informed them that he would be going out for a while. He planned to visit the Whitebeard Pirates first, then set off for the Land of Wano.

However, upon hearing that Ian intended to go to Wano Country, Doroni from the crew suddenly said to Ian, “Captain, if you’re going to Wano, I’d like to visit my hometown as well!”

Where is the Mink Tribe’s homeland? Isn’t it Zou!

Ian asked curiously, “Why the sudden urge to return home?”

Doroni scratched his head awkwardly and said, “Well, back when I was just following you as a pirate, it didn’t really matter. But now that we’ve become a Yonko pirate crew, it’s a bit unexpected. So I have to go back home because I was once a member of the Musketeers… uh, a reserve member. When we weren’t that famous, I could delay it, but now I can’t. I need to go back and report.”

Upon hearing this, Beppo, who had originally been under Law, hurriedly said, “Bo… Boss! I want to go too!”

Seeing Ian’s gaze, Law pointed at Beppo and explained, “Beppo left his hometown when he was young and has been with me for a long time. His memories of home are vague, but it’s good for him to go back and take a look. If Doroni is returning, Beppo can accompany him.”

Ian nodded. He knew about the Musketeers Doroni mentioned—it should be the guard squad led by the jaguar mink Pedro. From what he remembered, Pedro was quite prestigious among the Mink Tribe.

But… Doroni, this foodie, was also once a member of the Musketeers? Ian was a bit surprised.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Ian asked him, and Doroni replied sheepishly, “Actually… I was very curious about the outside world back then, so I snuck out. But not long after I left, I was captured and sold as a slave…”

Hearing this, Ian was speechless. He knew that whether it was Doroni or Beppo, their personalities showed that many Minks were quite naive. Venturing into the outside world without understanding the complexities of human nature could indeed lead to misfortune.

“Alright, if you want to go back, then go,” Ian nodded. “But can you find the way home?”

After all, Zou is a constantly moving giant elephant. Eternal Pose compasses can’t reach it. Besides Vivre Cards, there seems to be no other way to get to Zou. Doroni has been away for so long; who knows if he still has a Vivre Card pointing there.

However, Doroni confidently patted his chest and said, “Don’t worry, Captain, I can get back!”

“Alright then, you and Beppo be careful!” Ian nodded, then turned to Raideen and Zick and asked, “By the way, do you guys want to go back and take a look? Return to the homelands of the Giants and the Longarm Tribe… If you want to go, I’ll give you some time off.”

Raideen, who had been sitting cross-legged, folded his arms and thought for a moment before saying, “I think I’ll pass. For us Giants, having clansmen out being pirates is quite normal.”

Zick also said, “Same here, I’m not going back. I have no interest in returning home in glory or anything.”

“Alright! Then you guys stay on the island. I don’t think I’ll be away for too long…” Ian said.

At this moment, Crocodile spoke up, “Captain, what about that guy Caesar? Are we just going to keep him on the island? He’s been clamoring to go back lately!”

Ian thought for a moment and said, “We can’t let him go back. Give him some money, let him stay here and join Varua’s research—assist Varua. The collaboration plan with the Germa Group should also start. Although Caesar is a clown, he’s still somewhat useful in scientific research!”

“I’m afraid he won’t agree!” Nana said worriedly. “He’s been saying he was the chief scientist of the Marine Science Unit. If he has to assist Varua…”

“Don’t listen to his bragging!” Ian rolled his eyes. “In any case, we can’t let him return to Punk Hazard. I don’t want him colluding with Doflamingo again to continue producing SAD. If he dares to make a fuss, just tell him I’ve already blown up his research lab!”

“This guy is really pitiful…” Even Enel couldn’t help but mourn for Caesar upon hearing this.

Ian wasn’t joking. Now that Big Mom was dead and no one was funding Caesar’s gigantification research, it had to stop. He had already planned to find some time to go to Punk Hazard and resolve the issues there. s̩

After finishing all the arrangements, Ian didn’t say much more. He unfolded his wings of flame and entered his Super Saiyan state, flew into the sky, and with a sonic boom, quickly left.

As Ian grew stronger, distances over the sea were no longer an issue for him, which was why he said he wouldn’t be gone for long.

After Ian left, Doroni and Beppo also set sail for Zou.

At the same time, in a certain sea area of the New World, a warship and a fleet encountered each other.

This fleet was not small, comprising about a dozen warships. However, strangely, although the ships were standard Marine vessels, the flags they flew were not the Marine’s seagull emblem!

Instead… an inverted Marine emblem!

Neo Marines! This fleet was actually the new organization formed by Zephyr after he left the Marines—the Neo Marines!

That solitary warship that encountered them was, needless to say, former Marine Admiral Aokiji!

On the deck, Aokiji and Zephyr faced each other. Behind Aokiji stood Smoker, Tashigi, Kuina, and a group of officers who had left the Marines with him.

Behind Zephyr were his two students, Ain and Binz.

“Teacher Zephyr…” Although Aokiji was wearing sunglasses and his eyes couldn’t be seen, his tone revealed immense emotion. “I didn’t expect that even you, of all people, would leave the Marines…”

Zephyr looked down at his Seastone mechanical arm and sighed, “Yes, I didn’t expect it either… I originally thought that my funeral would be held within the Marines…”

“Did that guy Edward Weevil really become a Shichibukai?” Aokiji asked.

Smoker, biting his cigar, said angrily, “Has the World Government and the Five Elders gone senile!?”

“Why bring this up now?” Zephyr said. “The Marines are no longer what they used to be, you know? When I left, I met with Fleet Admiral Sengoku. I could see he was very disappointed. After his retirement, Akainu couldn’t hold the last line of defense, allowing the World Government to intervene…”

“He became Fleet Admiral in the first place with the support of the Five Elders…” Aokiji said expressionlessly. “In the eyes of the Five Elders, the Marines are just the outward face of the World Government. The ‘justice’ we uphold is a joke to them…”

“So, it’s good that you left as well!” Zephyr nodded.

“By the way, back at the Golden City, I was planning to capture Edward Weevil and hand him over to you!” Aokiji frowned. “But Ian stopped me. Thinking back now, that guy did it on purpose. Could it be that he foresaw this?”

“That means Ian is smarter than us!” Zephyr smiled bitterly. “He’s always been opposing the World Government and the Marines, so of course he sees things more clearly. He didn’t let you capture Edward Weevil because he knew that if that guy fell into your hands, the outcome would be different than if he fell into others’. Perhaps he even predicted that you would come here to see me?”

“…Although I don’t want to admit it, it seems to be the case!” Aokiji looked up at the sky.

Kuina, standing nearby, also nodded thoughtfully. No wonder she had previously felt that Ian’s gaze at Aokiji seemed to have deeper meaning, and he had been trying to persuade Aokiji to preserve the Marine lineage or something. She didn’t quite understand at the time, but considering today’s events, he probably had planned this long ago.

Now, one was a former Marine Admiral, and the other was an even earlier former Admiral, both leaving the Marines for similar reasons. So, their joining forces seemed logical.

“So, Aokiji, do you want to continue following your teacher?” Zephyr grinned.

However, Aokiji didn’t answer directly. Instead, he thought for a moment before saying, “Teacher Zephyr, before that, perhaps we should go see someone first.”

“Who?” Zephyr asked.

“The revolutionary, Dragon!”

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Source: Webnovel.com, updated by Aunomay Read