The Greatest Disgrace in Marine History-Chapter 158 - 60: To See It Once More

That was harder to read.

If they ever came to an agreement...

Sengoku pinched the bridge of his nose, voice low.

"We don't know for sure. But their ships are moving in converging routes... The World Government is getting uneasy."

"Since God Valley, Roger's been sailing nonstop across the world. The Gorosei are beginning to suspect he's searching for something."

As Sengoku spoke, the light reflecting from his black-rimmed glasses flashed sharply.

"That's why, Zephyr... I need to head to the New World myself. I'm going to rendezvous with Garp."

"Roger and Whitebeard teaming up is unlikely. But if something goes wrong, I can't let Garp face them alone."

"No one—no matter how strong—can handle both those monsters at once."

Zephyr was silent for a long time.

Then shook his head.

"No. Whitebeard won't get involved. Not if Roger's chasing something big."

"I've fought Whitebeard enough times. He's not a man driven by conquest."

"All he wants... is to protect his 'family.'"

Sengoku glanced over, then let out a soft sigh.

"I hope you're right. But either way, I need to prepare."

"I'll be taking most of the strike force with me—including Borsalino."

"If there were any other option, I wouldn't have asked Darren to take on that mission."

"But that's all for now. I need to depart."

He stood, preparing to leave.

But as he reached the door, he paused.

"Zephyr. What I said last time—I meant it."

His back was to Zephyr now, the Marine coat draped across his shoulders. The black kanji for Justice weighed heavy in the light.

"This era... it won't wait for us."

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"And right now—I need my comrades beside me."

Zephyr stared at Sengoku's broad, tired back.

At that shining white cloak.

He smiled, faintly.

"Sengoku... haven't I always been fighting beside you?"

Sengoku froze.

Then, slowly, he understood.

He said nothing more.

Only turned and left.

—

The road to the war port was long and bright.

Sunlight bathed the ground in a blinding glare, but Sengoku's mind felt heavy.

Zephyr... are you really content with this?

The man once known as "Black Arm"—one of the strongest Marines to ever live—reduced to some old instructor in a crumbling schoolhouse?

I know what you're trying to say.

That you'll stay behind. That you'll raise the next generation. That this is your final mission.

That this... is your way of fighting beside us.

Even if you're no longer by our side.

But still...

Sengoku exhaled deeply and raised his head toward the burning sun.

His fists clenched tight.

"...I just want to see you like you were—once more."

"Leading the charge. With fire in your eyes."

He whispered.

—

A battleship cut through the ocean at steady speed, leaving a long white wake in its path.

On the deck, Sakazuki stood at the bow, arms folded, eyes narrowed against the horizon.

A lit cigar hung from his mouth. Smoke twisted upward, only to be torn apart by the sea wind and carried off with his Marine cloak.

"So. Who's the target this time?"

Darren stepped up beside him, lighting his own cigar. His eyes remained calm.

Sakazuki took a dossier from a young Marine and handed it to him.

"Half a month ago, in a nation along the Grand Line known as the 'Land of Endless War (Galzburg)'... something happened."

His tone was flat. Clipped.

"A country that's been engulfed in war for generations. Overnight, its entire military—tens of thousands of soldiers—was slaughtered."

"Not just the army. Nobles, commoners. No one was spared."

"The World Government initially believed it was a massive pirate attack—someone with the destructive power of Byrnndi World."

"Only large pirate crews tend to leave that level of annihilation in their wake."

"But then our investigation uncovered the truth."

A cold smirk curled at the corner of Sakazuki's lips.

"The one who destroyed that nation... wasn't a pirate."

"Or a criminal from the underworld."

"It was a soldier."

"A single soldier from the nation's own military."

Darren exhaled a long stream of smoke, flipping open the file.

His gaze fell on a photo—blond hair, sharp eyes, clad in a tattered military coat.

And he spoke the name before Sakazuki could.

"Douglas Bullet."

Of course.

That was the only possibility.

A man whose raw strength rivaled Byrnndi World. A threat grave enough to unnerve both Sengoku and Sakazuki.

Appearing now, in this era.

Douglas Bullet—former crew member of the Roger Pirates, said to have once fought Silvers Rayleigh to a standstill.

The so-called "Demon Heir."

But the real question was...

How strong was he now?

---

To be continued...