Luffy murmured Ezra D. Vale's name under his breath.
As for Ezra, Luffy still could not clearly define what he felt about him.
When he was a child, he had once been trained by Ezra.
Those training sessions had shaped him for life.
From the bottom of his heart, Luffy was grateful to him and even considered him family.
But Ezra had also killed another member of his family, Ace.
Even now, Luffy could not tell whether he hated Ezra or not.
He shook his head and forced those chaotic thoughts out of his mind.
"Uncle Morley, we'll be heading out now!"
"Take care of yourselves!"
"I know!"
With that, Luffy and Robin stepped onto Sabaody Archipelago.
At the same time, on the rear mountain of Marine Headquarters.
Ezra D. Vale opened his crimson eyes once more. A sharp glint flashed through them.
He had fully digested the insights from Genryusai Shigekuni Yamamoto.
"Tch… as expected, there is still a gap in experience."
Ezra shook his head slightly.
However, he did not plan to re-enter the trial space immediately.
Although he desperately wanted to unlock the second inheritance, he knew his current gap with the old man was still there.
It would be better to adjust for a couple of days first, fully absorb what he had learned, and then defeat Yamamoto in one go.
That was his current plan.
Ezra turned his gaze toward a nearby tree.
"You can come out now. There is no point hiding there."
"Yo yo, Fleet Admiral Ezra. This is not hiding. I just did not want to disturb your training."
A figure slowly walked out from behind the tree, wearing a blue and white suit.
The distinctive messy afro immediately revealed his identity.
One of the Three Admirals of Marine Headquarters, Aokiji.
Ezra rolled his eyes.
"Of course it's you. Always full of excuses."
He stood up, stretched lazily, and dusted off his black uniform.
"Hmm… it's already this time of day."
He glanced at the sun, estimating the time.
Aokiji shrugged.
"Yeah. After all, no one dares to interrupt your training, Fleet Admiral."
"Then why did you dare?"
Aokiji scratched his head.
"Vice Admiral Sengoku has a mission. He couldn't reach you…"
Ezra raised a brow.
"Sengoku? What mission?"
Aokiji replied, "I don't know the details. But he looked pretty serious."
Ezra nodded slightly.
"I understand. Let's go."
The two of them left the rear mountain.
The area surrounding the new Marine Headquarters was similar to Marineford, with towns built around it.
These towns were home to the families of Marines and approved merchants who had passed strict checks and were confirmed not to be pirates.
Speaking of Marineford, after a year of reconstruction, a new island had been formed in its original location.
It was not yet open for residence, but it would not take long.
"Fleet Admiral Ezra!"
"Good afternoon, Fleet Admiral!"
"Have you eaten yet, Fleet Admiral?"
As Ezra walked through the town, residents greeted him warmly from all sides.
The peace they enjoyed now existed because of him and the Marines.
Ezra responded with a faint smile.
Then a familiar figure appeared at a street stall.
It was Beru Meru.
She still wore a simple plaid shirt and jeans, with leather shoes on her feet. A cigarette hung from her lips.
"Oh? Fleet Admiral Ezra."
She blinked in surprise when she saw him.
Ezra smiled.
"Long time no see, Beru Meru."
"Not that long. You've just been gone training forever," she replied, twitching her mouth.
Ezra laughed awkwardly.
"Hahaha… well, it was for world peace."
After chatting for a while, he took a few oranges and continued walking toward headquarters.
Aokiji, walking beside him, suddenly muttered,
"By the way, Fleet Admiral… you really don't notice that Beru Meru likes you?"
Ezra casually ate an orange.
"Kuza… shouldn't you be worrying about your own life choices instead?"
"You've been single for a long time too."
Aokiji froze.
Critical hit x100.
He immediately entered a state of depression.
Ezra chuckled lightly.
Trying to tease me? Not a chance.
Then, in high spirits, he stepped into Marine Headquarters.
"Fleet Admiral Ezra!"
"Welcome, Fleet Admiral!"
Marine soldiers lined both sides and saluted him.
Their eyes were filled with admiration and respect.
Respect for his strength.
And hope for his approval.
To them, Ezra was faith itself.
Ezra's expression returned to calm.
He nodded slightly and entered the office.
Inside, Sengoku was already sitting at his desk with a serious expression.
"You're here, Fleet Admiral Ezra."
Ezra nodded and sat down.
"What is it, Sengoku?"
Sengoku handed him a report.
Ezra took it and began reading.
As time passed, his brow slowly lifted.
The report described Monkey D. Luffy's arrival at Sabaody Archipelago.
And according to intelligence, a large number of pirates had already begun gathering there.
Some of them were even pirates with bounties exceeding one hundred million.
Ezra tapped his fingers lightly on the desk.
"So this is confirmed?"
Sengoku nodded.
"One hundred percent confirmed."
Ezra fell into thought.
"Who is closest to that location right now?"
Sengoku replied after a moment.
"Akainu."
Ezra raised a brow.
Now he understood why Sengoku had come to consult him.
He probably thought Ezra's relationship with Luffy might prevent Akainu from acting.
Ezra spoke coldly.
"Sengoku, I've said this before. No matter who it is, a pirate is still a pirate."
"Send Akainu. Arrest every pirate there."
Sengoku let out a breath of relief.
"I understand, Fleet Admiral."
Although he had been scolded, he actually felt relieved.
Even after a year in the position, what he feared most was Ezra holding back against Luffy.
If only he knew.
Ezra had never planned to hold back at all.
He just wanted to kill Luffy outright every single time.
The order was quickly transmitted.
Near Sabaody Archipelago, Akainu received the command.
"I understand, Vice Admiral Sengoku. Port 15, correct? Very well."
He hung up the Den Den Mushi and adjusted his cap.
"Move out. Destination: Sabaody Archipelago, Port 15."
"Yes, Admiral Akainu!"