The voice on the other side grew clearer:
"Oh? You're not."
"Then forget it."
"Right, a reminder."
"When the government assigned you, they might not have told you."
"But the Seven Warlords of the Sea are just dogs of the government and the Navy."
"Keep your subordinates in check."
"Remember that."
*Click*
The sound of the phone being hung up echoed.
Jinbe's eyes widened, and he clenched his fists:
"Navy..."
His aura surged, and several battle-hardened crew members on the ship instantly awoke.
They rushed to the deck but found no enemies.
*Creak*
The sound of a door opening.
Jinbe's aura had already receded:
"It's nothing, you can all go back."
Looking at Jinbe, who was holding the Den Den Mushi and walking out, they exchanged glances:
"Big Brother Jinbe?"
------
Navy Headquarters, Marineford.
In the desolate wasteland behind the mountain, Enel was sparring with a purple-haired youth.
They were containing the aftermath of their battle within a certain range.
The two were similar in height, but Enel was more evenly built, while the purple-haired youth was sturdier, though not clumsy.
*Boom!*
The purple-haired youth's attack landed where Enel had been.
Enel's figure, however, slowly dissipated, revealing it to be an afterimage.
*Hiss*
A sharp thunderclap sounded from behind him.
Enel's arm, like a spear of lightning, thrust towards the purple-haired youth's head.
Without turning his head, the purple-haired youth raised his elbow to meet the attack.
His elbow, imbued with Armament Haki, deflected Enel's arm, which grazed past his ear.
*Boom!*
A punch separated them.
With a crackle, Enel's figure reappeared at the edge of the arena:
"I'm done, it's boring."
"I can't go all out, and you're too steady."
"Developed in all aspects, no weaknesses."
"How did Admiral Zephyr train you?"
The purple-haired youth smiled:
"Perhaps my father's demands are very strict."
"Many people can't endure it."
Enel thought for a moment:
"Indeed..."
"Everyone has different views on their own development."
"When I was at school, I often argued with Admiral Zephyr."
The purple-haired youth said:
"Father just doesn't want tragedy to befall the students..."
"So he's always been very strict."
Enel sighed softly:
"Tragedy, huh..."
"By the way, how old are you this year?"
"You were so small back then, and now..."
"You've long been an adult, why haven't you joined a ship yet?"
The purple-haired youth chuckled wryly:
"I'm 23."
"Father feels my strength isn't enough."
"I still need to train for a few more years."
Enel shook his head:
"Really..."
"But don't worry, Uncle Sakazuki has already gone to see Admiral Zephyr."
"Maybe it'll work out."
"And I have a gift for you."
A flicker of anticipation crossed the purple-haired youth's eyes:
"Really?!"
--------
Navy Headquarters, Main Campus, Principal's Office.
Morris sat behind the large desk, picked up his tea, blew on the hot steam, and looked at the two men.
Zephyr, with his arms crossed, sat on the sofa opposite him, looking confidently at Sakazuki:
"I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you, Sakazuki."
"I will not be persuaded by you."
Sakazuki chuckled lightly:
"Don't be in a hurry, let's look at this first."
He said, pushing a box on the coffee table towards Zephyr.
Morris also showed some interest, leaning forward to look at the box.
Sakazuki slowly opened the box, revealing a Devil Fruit with an irregular pattern.
Zephyr picked it up and looked at it:
"A Paramecia-type, huh."
Morris shook his head, bringing his teacup to his lips, a Paramecia-type...
Seeing Morris take a sip of tea, Sakazuki chuckled:
"Paramecia - Float-Float Fruit."
*Pfft*
The sound of spitting tea water echoed, and Morris looked at the fruit with some shock.
Zephyr also looked at the fruit in his hand with some astonishment:
"You mean...?"
Sakazuki nodded:
"Yes, that's the one."
"The previous user was the Float-Float Fruit of Shiki the Golden Lion."
Morris gasped:
"How did you get it?"
"Even though you killed him... but this..."
Sakazuki smiled:
"The Golden Lion died in Loguetown, and the Devil Fruit regenerated in the East Blue."
"While sweeping the East Blue, I 'discovered' it on a small pirate crew."
Zephyr's expression turned serious:
"No, this fruit is too precious."
He pushed the fruit back.
Even if he vehemently disagreed with his son eating a Devil Fruit, facing such a fruit, he couldn't help but be tempted.
After all, setting aside the intrinsic value of the Devil Fruit, the Float-Float Fruit's abilities contributed significantly to the Golden Lion becoming a legendary pirate.
The Float-Float Fruit was not a conventional type, but a rule-based one.
It could allow oneself and touched objects to "escape gravity" and float.
Yes, "escape gravity."
The Golden Lion had once suspended dozens of islands thousands of meters in the sky for several years, relying on this incredibly outrageous rule.
There was no need to worry about stamina consumption, and he could even control water to float.
If the Golden Lion had been more insane and destroyed islands one by one, many people would have died.
After all, with just a touch, he could uproot an entire island and invert it...
Sakazuki shook his head and pushed it back:
"It's not for you to eat."
"Whether he eats it or not is his own decision."
"His talent is immense, and he has your guidance since childhood."
"I know what you're worried about."
"It's nothing more than fearing that he won't be able to escape if he encounters a strong enemy."
"That's why you've kept him by your side."
"Thinking that you'll let him go when his strength is sufficient."
"But even a fledgling eagle must fly."
"He's 23 this year, how long do you plan to keep him tethered?"
"Until 25? 30? 35?"
"Only to let him go when he has Admiral-level strength?"
Zephyr fell silent... Sakazuki was right, but he just didn't want to face it...
After all, he had joined the Navy at 14 and was already fighting pirates at 18.
His son was now 23 and had barely left his sight, fearing any accident.
That pain of separation... he didn't want to experience it again...
Sakazuki sighed softly:
"The intention is good."
"But for a child, isn't this also a burden?"
"Your concern is about safety."
"This fruit will alleviate your worries."
"With the Float-Float Fruit's aerial abilities, thousands of meters is only a matter of seconds."
"On the sea, only the very top pirates can catch up."
"In the early stages, let him train with Enel for a few years."
"Then we can form an aerial fleet."
"It would be most fitting for him to lead it."
"Zephyr's physique, the Golden Lion's abilities, and an overwhelming Navy fleet."
"Imagine that scene... Think about it."
Zephyr stared blankly at the fruit before him...