The massive black warship cruised steadily through the sky like a giant whale gliding over the ocean.
Gion, Tokikake, and the other Marine officers stood on the deck, leaning against the railing as the cool sea breeze brushed past them, their expressions relaxed and carefree.
Even though this wasn't their first time "sailing" through the sky, the thrill of looking down at the vast sea from above never lost its impact.
Humans had always dreamed of the sky.
And while this wasn't true flight, the sensation of overlooking the world from such heights still stirred excitement in their young hearts.
They gathered intel on pirates, and once they confirmed a target, they struck with lightning speed—far beyond what anyone could expect. With precise assaults, overwhelming combat power, and strict discipline, this small but elite unit had begun spreading the name of the Neo Marines throughout the New World.
Every action they took was guided solely by justice, free from the political chains of the government, the World Nobles, or any allied nations.
The people's sincere gratitude and cheers, the pirates' fear and trembling…
It was this feeling—starting from nothing, enacting justice step by step—that made them truly understand what it meant to be a Marine.
"This feels amazing… I finally get why that guy Daren managed to keep the North Blue in such perfect order."
Yamakaji chuckled, puffing on a cigar.
Ever since Zephyr-sensei had gained the powers of the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, they'd come to grasp just how strategically powerful that Devil Fruit truly was.
With Zephyr's growing mastery of the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, long-distance travel between islands was no longer an obstacle.
Now, every operation saw them arriving at lightning speed.
Gone were the days at Marine Headquarters when, even after launching right after receiving intel, they'd reach the scene only to find the pirates long gone.
Thanks to the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, the phrase "justice will not be late" had become a reality—not just a slogan.
"It's not the flying fleet that made Daren good at governing the North Blue," Tokikake grumbled with a hint of annoyance.
"He had things under control long before any flying fleet showed up."
Yamakaji blinked, wide-eyed.
"Seriously?"
After the North Blue fleet was revealed, he'd assumed its mobility was the reason Daren kept everything so stable.
Tokikake rolled his eyes and raised his chin slightly.
"That guy's got some skills. Sure, maybe not as good-looking as me, but aside from that, he's almost on par with this genius right here."
Yamakaji: "..."
Everyone else: "..."
"At the time of our first 'inspection' mission to the North Blue, there wasn't even a hint of a flying fleet."
Tokikake completely ignored the others' deadpan reactions and turned to Gion.
"Right, Gion?"
Gion crossed her arms, turned on her heel, and walked straight toward the cabin.
Her cold voice echoed behind her.
"How should I know what that bastard was doing?"
Hearing that chilling tone, Yamakaji and the others couldn't help but shudder.
"Tokikake… don't tell me you pissed her off again?"
Yamakaji stepped closer and lowered his voice.
Why do you have to say "again"?
Tokikake's mouth twitched. He snapped back, irritated,
"I did not!"
He glanced around to make sure Gion was out of earshot, then muttered under his breath,
"She's always that cranky anyway."
Yamakaji: "..."
You really have a death wish, huh.
"But this can't go on forever... These little skirmishes won't cut it. Who knows how long it'll take before the name 'Tokikake the Genius' echoes across the seas."
Tokikake suddenly sighed with frustration.
Sure, they had taken down plenty of pirate crews lately and were gaining fame in the New World—but overall, things felt too easy.
For elite Marine HQ officers like them, pirates with bounties over 100 million were just a warm-up.
Especially with a former Admiral like Zephyr leading them—there weren't even enough pirates to go around.
"I wonder when Zephyr-sensei will finally lead us to take on the Whitebeard Pirates, Big Mom Pirates, or the Beasts Pirates…"
Tokikake mumbled gloomily.
Yamakaji: "..."
You've really got some nerve.
The Whitebeard Pirates, Big Mom Pirates, and Beasts Pirates are the most powerful pirate crews in the seas today. Even Marine Headquarters wouldn't dare provoke them lightly.
Not because they can't win—because even if they did, the cost would be devastating.
The casualties would be enormous, and even the slightest misstep could ignite a global war with unimaginable consequences.
Yes, hunting pirates and punishing evil is important—but protecting the lives of civilians is even more so.
Once a full-scale conflict begins, the ones who suffer first are always the common people.
A true leader must consider more than just the battlefield.
And with Zephyr-sensei's wisdom, of course he understood that well.
"By the way, latest word is… the leader of the God's Knights died during a mission—some kind of accident."
Yamakaji suddenly remembered and lowered his voice.
"What?"
Tokikake's eyes went wide.
"Who did it? Kaidou? Whitebeard? Rogers Daren!?"
The commander of the God's Knights was a legendary figure. "Accidental death"? Come on—even a fool wouldn't buy that.
"Who else could it be? Of course it was that kid."
A deep, amused voice suddenly sounded behind them.
Tokikake and Yamakaji both froze and turned around.
Zephyr was walking past them, cigar between his teeth, and came to a stop at the bow of the ship, staring off into the distance.
"That brat Daren... he's really coming into his own."
He smiled, his eyes full of pride.
Tokikake scoffed.
"Tch. Could've been me too, for all we know."
Yamakaji suddenly said,
"You done with the medicine I gave you?"
"Yeah, almost—wait, no, I don't need it!"
Tokikake nearly slipped up, then quickly corrected himself.
Yamakaji grinned at his flustered expression and burst out laughing.
"Damn it! I'm telling the truth!"
Tokikake snapped, face turning red.
"If I'm lying... may the heavens strike me down!"
BOOM!!
The sky, which had been perfectly clear just a moment ago, suddenly split open with a deafening crack of thunder.
A bolt of lightning flashed—and Tokikake instantly dove to the deck, arms over his head, trembling.
Yamakaji's mouth twitched.
Was the timing really that perfect?
But then, in the blink of an eye...
A streak of blue lightning tore through the sky, crashing onto the deck and condensing into a figure.
"Zephyr-sensei."
Dressed in a crisp military uniform, Momonga stepped calmly from the lightning and saluted Zephyr.
In his hand, he held an oversized, mechanical arm.