Knock, knock, knock.
Soon, a steady tapping came from outside Sengoku's office. He and Vice Admiral Tsuru exchanged a glance and nodded at each other.
"Come in."
Creak.
The door swung open, and Zephyr walked in slowly. Without any ceremony, he sat on the sofa and asked directly,
"Sengoku, what is it you called me for?"
Sengoku fell silent for a moment before speaking.
"Zephyr, do you remember what happened nine years ago, when your training ship was attacked?"
Zephyr glanced at his right arm, and the memory of that day returned vividly to his mind.
"Hmph! How could I ever forget!" His voice was tinged with anger.
"Do you remember who attacked the training ship?"
Zephyr nodded. "It was a blond pirate, wielding a massive sword, like a Cloud Cutter or something. I even included his description in my report at the time."
Sengoku nodded slightly and pulled out that report. "Take a closer look. Does this person seem familiar?"
Zephyr's gaze locked on Weibel in the report. His eyes blazed with fury.
"That's him… the one who attacked me and then vanished without a trace! I've searched madly for years and never found him!"
He looked at Sengoku. "Sengoku, did you call me because you found him?"
Sengoku nodded slightly. "We did… or rather, he came to us willingly."
Zephyr froze. "He came to you? Why?"
Sengoku exhaled, "He wants to become a Warlord of the Sea."
Zephyr shot up from the sofa. "I will never agree! There's no way I'd allow someone like that to join the Warlords!"
Sengoku hurriedly waved his hand. "Calm down. We haven't agreed to anything!"
Zephyr took a moment to steady himself. "So, who exactly is this guy?"
"Zephyr, don't you find him familiar?" Tsuru interjected.
Zephyr frowned. "Why are you asking that?"
"Because," Tsuru said, "this man claims to be Whitebeard's son, and he carries the family name. His name is Edward Weibel."
Zephyr shivered. "Whitebeard's… son? Are you joking?!"
Sengoku sighed. "We didn't want to admit it either, but Edward Weibel really does bear a resemblance to Whitebeard."
Zephyr examined the images of Weibel more closely. The upward-curving crescent mustache, the blond hair it was uncanny. Not only that, the young man wielded the same weapon Whitebeard once used.
"But… how could Whitebeard suddenly have a legitimate son?" Zephyr asked, baffled.
It wasn't just Zephyr Sengoku and Tsuru were equally puzzled.
"That's why this situation is so complicated," Sengoku said.
Zephyr snorted. "Regardless of whether he's Whitebeard's son or not, there's no way he's becoming a Warlord!"
Sengoku raised an eyebrow, a faint smile playing at his lips. "And if he does?"
Zephyr didn't hesitate. "Then I walk away."
Sengoku's mouth twitched. "Fine, fine. Let's think of a solution."
The three of them fell into silence, deep in thought.
Suddenly, an idea flashed across Zephyr's mind.
"Sengoku, didn't you plan to retire after this year?"
Sengoku was surprised, then nodded. "Yes… why?"
Zephyr smiled. "Then why worry? Let Ezra handle the decision. After all, the future Warlords fall under his jurisdiction."
Hearing this, Sengoku considered it and realized Zephyr had a point. Even Tsuru nodded in agreement.
"Yes, having Ezra involved in this matter makes sense," she said.
Sengoku shrugged. "Alright. I'll have him come over now."
He pulled out a Den-Den Mushi and called.
At that moment, Ezra was just finishing a bath, relaxing on his sofa. The damn Den-Den Mushi rang again.
Ezra's brow furrowed. He picked up the receiver.
"Sengoku, if this isn't important, don't blame me for hanging up!"
"Hey, hey, hey! It's important! Come over immediately!" Sengoku snapped before hanging up.
Ezra blinked. "Huh? That old man actually hung up on me?"
Still, he got up and made his way to the office. He didn't bother changing into his uniform, wearing a dark red kimono instead.
"Sengoku, what's the matter?" Ezra asked comfortably from the sofa.
Sengoku explained the situation with Edward Weibel. Ezra's brow arched; he already had an idea of why Sengoku had called him.
"So you're asking whether this Weibel should join the Seven Warlords?"
Ezra didn't mince words. "Join what? Hell no. Tell me where he is, and I'll kill him myself."
Sengoku's mouth twitched. "Think carefully, Ezra. You'll be the Navy Admiral soon."
Ezra shrugged. "What's there to think about? Does the Navy really need the Warlords? If we need to suppress pirates, I alone am enough to do it."
His words sent chills down the spines of the three listeners. It was bold, almost terrifying in its confidence.
Zephyr's eyes glistened. He had always hoped the Navy could change like this he loved the Navy that much.
Tsuru nodded, smiling. "Not bad."
Sengoku waved his hand, smiling slightly. "Fine, let's do it your way. But make sure you personally bring Edward Weibel back."
Ezra's mouth twitched. "Ugh… am I picking up another mission again?"