Chapter 215: Ain and Binz's Whereabouts
If the Marine recruits knew what terrible idea Axel had just proposed, the respect they had only recently developed for him would probably vanish in an instant.
After all, the special training Zephyr had arranged for Axel back then had been built around the absolute limit of Axel's physical endurance.
Ordinary people did not have Axel's Reflection to protect their bodies.
Just one round of that kind of training would leave them flat on the ground.
Seeing Axel's reaction, Zephyr knew this matter was probably impossible.
He had originally wanted to use the opportunity to slip Axel's own training plan into the schedule, but he had not expected the brat to reject it so openly and righteously.
He should have known things would not go that smoothly.
Still, Zephyr asked one more question.
"How about a contest? If I win, you continue participating in training."
Axel did not even think about it.
"I refuse."
He had already seen through Zephyr's intentions. How could he not know what the old man was scheming?
Since he knew it was a trap, he naturally would not walk into it like an idiot.
"I remember backing down isn't part of your character," Zephyr said. "You won't even hear what the contest is?"
That was clearly provocation.
Did Zephyr really think he would fall for it?
Although Axel understood the situation, he still pretended to be interested.
"Oh? Then tell me. What kind of contest?"
"Since you're teaching them so effortlessly, we'll have a competition among these recruits. If you lose, you obediently join the training line..."
Zephyr had not even finished speaking.
He had not even mentioned what Axel would get if he won.
Axel interrupted him directly.
"I refuse."
He had thought Zephyr might come up with a clever way to trick him into the trap.
In the end, it was such a poor suggestion.
Forget the training itself. Just in terms of physical fitness and innate talent, the people under Axel were far inferior to the others.
How were they supposed to compete?
Even relying on his guidance and training methods, they could not make massive progress overnight. At most, they would improve a little faster than before.
If the competition tested mental ability, Axel could have them memorize things by brute force.
But clearly, Marine competitions would not only test brains.
They would focus more on marksmanship and combat.
And in those two areas, progress did not happen overnight.
It was harsh, but Axel could say with certainty that even if they gave their all, they would have a hard time catching up to people with good talent who also worked hard.
Zephyr swallowed the words he had been about to say.
In truth, he had not thought about what reward to give Axel if he won.
Because he had never considered that point at all.
However, he also saw that this brat was simply amusing himself at his expense.
Axel had clearly seen through the trick but refused to say it outright, leaving Zephyr unsure how to continue.
"Ain and Binz are from the same batch as you," Zephyr said. "Why aren't they as mischievous and full of tricks as you?"
Axel froze for a moment.
Not because Zephyr's words had frightened him, but because hearing those names made him remember the two people he had not seen for several days.
"Speaking of them, why haven't I seen them around the base?" Axel asked. "Didn't they say they were also here training recruits?"
He remembered them saying they were helping train recruits.
But he had not seen them once during his stay here.
At first, he thought they might have gone on a mission, but after observing things over the past few days, he realized he had been wrong.
"They are helping train recruits," Zephyr said. "But when did I say they were doing it here?"
"Uh..."
Axel admitted that he had indeed taken that for granted.
"Then where did they go?"
"Because they're about to graduate soon, I sent the two of them out ahead of time for practical experience," Zephyr said. "Letting them interact with recruits who have just experienced the battlefield will be beneficial for them."
Axel fell silent.
No wonder the two had not reacted much when he killed those pirates that day.
So that was the reason.
If they had already been exposed to recruits who had gone through the battlefield, then given how poor the psychological endurance of new recruits could be, Ain and Binz would naturally have gained a clearer understanding of the brutality between pirates and Marines.
"Moreover," Zephyr continued, "this time, the two of them chose a good place themselves. Vergo's unit."
Axel's eyes shifted slightly.
"Although Vergo is a man of few words and has a stern demeanor, his treatment of subordinates is beyond reproach."
In the Marines, Vergo gave people the impression of a serious man.
Yet such a man cared deeply for his subordinates.
He could even lower his head and apologize to ordinary people on their behalf.
This had earned him considerable approval from Zephyr.
With Ain and Binz there, Zephyr could rest assured.
Furthermore, Vergo's iron-fisted approach toward pirates would allow Ain and Binz to come into contact with cruel realities earlier, while still growing steadily under his protection.
"Huh?" Axel exclaimed in surprise. "You said they chose to go to Vergo themselves?"
"Is that strange?" Zephyr asked, puzzled. He had also noticed Axel's odd reaction. "Vergo is quite well-known in Marineford. They've reached the stage where they need practical experience. Choosing him isn't strange, is it?"
From the moment Vergo's matter had been exposed to Axel, Ain and Binz had undoubtedly been marked as part of the same faction as him.
For them to go there was practically walking into a trap.
Yet judging from their previous behavior, when they had followed him without showing any abnormality, Vergo clearly had no intention of making a move for now.
Axel thought the most likely reason was himself.
His existence forced Vergo to be cautious.
Or perhaps Vergo believed Axel had not yet exposed his identity.
Ain and Binz's reactions clearly showed they were unaware, so Vergo had not acted.
There was also one final possibility.
Vergo might be waiting to lure Axel out, which was why he had delayed taking action.
After all, Vergo could not figure out Axel's purpose.
Axel was clearly staying by Zephyr's side. He could reveal the truth and expose Vergo's identity at any time, yet he had not done so.
Why?
That uncertainty was probably the reason Vergo had not acted yet.
And personally, Axel believed this possibility was the most likely.
Everything depended on weighing benefits before taking action.
Everyone had secrets.
Only with secrets could a person truly be human.
Before the benefits became clear, Vergo would not act rashly.
"Argh."
Axel let out an irritated sound.
Then he said, "Old man Zephyr, I'll participate in the training. But I'm also going to Vergo's place."
Zephyr looked at Axel strangely.
The sudden turn of events left him unable to react for a moment.
"What about here?" Zephyr asked. "And didn't you just say you had no intention of participating in training?"
Axel was taken aback.
How could he still be in the mood to care about these soldiers?
If he did not train them, no one would die.
But over there, the situation was precarious.
"Not in the mood."
It was a consistently half-baked reason.
However, at least one thing made Zephyr feel good.
His goal of getting Axel to participate in training had been achieved.
As for the rest, at most, he could ask Vergo to give Axel some special care.
What Zephyr did not know was that even if he said nothing, Vergo would never treat Axel lightly.
"Then I'll make the arrangements later," Zephyr said.
"Alright."
After the matter was settled, Axel walked alone to a secluded corner, lost in thought.
Vergo, huh...
He did not know what Vergo's current strength was like.
But one thing was certain.
He could not be underestimated.
Perhaps the current Vergo was even more troublesome than Lucci.
After all, Lucci was only a young man in his twenties, and his strength had not yet reached its peak.
Vergo, on the other hand, was likely in the period of his prime.
When Axel fought Lucci, he had nearly used his full strength just to barely defeat him.
If he faced Vergo, the outcome might not be good.
However, Axel was not afraid.
Because this was Marineford.
Once a fight broke out, it would be discovered immediately.
Vergo did not have the ability to subdue him right away.
If he acted rashly, he would only expose himself.
.....
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