Sengoku froze at Miss Bayu's words. He hadn't expected this woman to be scheming so boldly.
"The Seven Warlords of the Sea are not positions anyone can claim at will. Moreover, your son doesn't even have a bounty yet. Why should I let him become a Warlord?"
A cold laugh came from Miss Bayu on the other end.
"Sengoku, I just want to remind you… a few years ago, he defeated Zephyr."
Sengoku paused, memories clearing in his mind. Years ago, Zephyr had taken his elite trainees out to sea to capture pirates. They encountered a man who resembled Whitebeard himself and nearly wiped out Zephyr's entire squad. If it hadn't been for Ezra arriving just in time, Zephyr might have been killed.
"You're the pirate from back then!"
Miss Bayu shook her head. "Correction. That was my son."
"Whoever it was, how dare you harm the Navy!"
"Sengoku, don't bother me with your moralizing. I'll give you three days to decide whether you agree. Otherwise, I'll let Weibel destroy the entire town."
"You…!"
Sengoku roared in fury, but Miss Bayu hung up without a second thought.
He slammed his fists on the desk, barely remembering the last time someone had dared threaten him like this.
Exhaling, he quickly called another Den-Den Mushi.
"Sengoku? What's the matter?" a female voice asked. It was Vice Admiral Tsuru.
"Tsuru, come to my office immediately."
Sensing the suppressed anger in Sengoku's tone, Tsuru did not hesitate and soon arrived.
"What happened?" she asked.
Sengoku recounted the entire situation.
"Tell me, Tsuru. What's your take?"
Tsuru frowned deeply. "Are you sure this guy is really Whitebeard's son?"
Sengoku shook his head. "There's no evidence that proves he is Whitebeard's son."
"So you were considering letting him join the Seven Warlords anyway?"
Sengoku hesitated. He had not intended to, but Weibel had indeed defeated Zephyr. That complicated things considerably.
"I think we should wait for Zephyr to return before making any decisions. After all, years ago, he nearly died at this boy's hands."
Sengoku could only nod in agreement.
"Call Zephyr back. He just left the port; he won't have gone far."
Sengoku picked up the Den-Den Mushi immediately.
At that moment, Zephyr was explaining weather phenomena to his trainees. The urgent ringing of the Den-Den Mushi interrupted him.
Frowning, he answered, "Sengoku, what is it? I'm busy."
"Zephyr, bring the trainees back. There's something I need to discuss with you."
Hearing Sengoku's serious tone, Zephyr knew this matter involved him directly.
"Understood, Sengoku. Three hours at most; I'll be back."
"Good. Prioritize safety."
They ended the call. Zephyr fell into thought, aware that whatever awaited him was serious.
"Ein, give the order. We're returning."
Ein was confused, clearly not understanding Zephyr's urgency.
"Teacher Zephyr, what's going on?"
Zephyr nodded slightly. "Sengoku called me back."
Seeing Zephyr's solemn expression, Ein did not ask further and immediately ordered the helmsman to turn the ship around.
The elite squad groaned in frustration.
"Ah, we were just about to dominate the seas!"
"Oh, you dominate the seas? Don't make me laugh."
"Look at Teacher Zephyr's expression. Something serious is happening!"
"Better not tempt fate."
The group quickly agreed. Zephyr stood on deck, lost in thought, unaware of exactly what awaited him.
Meanwhile, at the Navy's 36th Division, Miss Bayu had left the base with the Den-Den Mushi and returned to her ship.
"My son! Where are you?"
"Mom, I'm here!"
Miss Bayu turned to see a figure approaching.
The man had the same crescent-shaped mustache as Whitebeard, but thinner and longer. Broad and muscular in the torso, yet with surprisingly thin legs. Ugly, with a large nose constantly dripping, thick lips, and taller than Whitebeard himself. His side hair was braided.
It was Edward Weibel, claiming to be Whitebeard the Second.
"Weibel, didn't I tell you not to leave me?"
Weibel nodded dumbly. "Yes, Mom."
"Then why did you leave the ship?"
Weibel shivered. He was terrified of angering Miss Bayu.
"Mom, don't be mad! I was just hungry."
Miss Bayu hurriedly patted his stomach.
"Oh, poor Weibel! Mom will take you to eat right now!"
Weibel's face lit up with delight. "Yes, Mom! Thank you, Mom!"
"Hahaha! Weibel, you really do love your mother the most!"
With that, Miss Bayu led Weibel away from the town.
After more than three hours, Zephyr returned to G1 Headquarters.
"Ein, continue their training with the elite squad."
"Understood, Teacher Zephyr."
The elite squad groaned.
"Nooo, Teacher Zephyr is leaving! Can't we skip training?"
Zephyr frowned and swept his gaze across them. Immediately, they all shut their mouths. The deck fell silent.
"Hmph. You think you're strong? Tell me, who in the Navy could you possibly beat?"
The question forced them to bow their heads.
"Hmph! Train properly!"
"Yes, Teacher Zephyr!"
With that, Zephyr headed toward Sengoku's office.