One Piece: Starting from Awakening the Cosmo at Marineford

Zephyr and the NEO Navy?

Blackbeard's absence was expected.

Aaron wasn't sure whether the navy would come or not.

But Zefa's arrival was somewhat unexpected.

On second thought, it seems quite reasonable.

After Zephyr founded the NEO Navy, his ideology went to another extreme.

He went from "not killing the admirals" to becoming a ruthless person who vowed to exterminate all pirates.

Since the Marineford War, Marco and his group have been scattered throughout the New World, making it difficult to reunite them.

It's understandable that Zefa wouldn't want to miss such an opportunity; he couldn't just wait until they scattered again and then attack them one by one.

Aaron looked out over the sea and saw several black dots lined up in a row, rapidly approaching.

Marco said, "Colonel Aaron, I know you want us to fight the Blackbeard Pirates. Regardless of who wins or loses, it will be a good thing for the Navy."

Aaron said, "Of course. In comparison, I still hope you can win. However, Blackbeard's strength is commensurate with his ambition. Your chances of winning against him are slim."

Marco, seeing that everyone else had returned to the ship and Joz was impatiently urging them on, scoffed, "Aaron, see you again someday, no, it's best if we don't."

After Marco finished speaking, blue flames rose again from his body, and he flew to the middle pirate ship, landing on the mainmast.

"set sail!"

"Boom boom boom boom..."

A series of cannon shots rang out, as if bidding farewell, or perhaps demonstrating against the Okinawa Law.

These pirate ships didn't care about direction; they fled as fast as they could with the wind.

Aaron's warship approached.

When Lark and Finbuddy reached the shore, they were relieved to see that Aaron had only suffered minor injuries.

Fenbdi laughed, "Boss, you're truly amazing! You faced over a dozen captains all by yourself and remained unscathed!"

Yun Que snorted, "Is 'safe and sound' all you can say? Senior Aaron is injured; didn't you see the blood at the corner of his mouth?"

"Is there?" Finbuddy leaned closer and saw a yellow mark on Aaron's lips.

Aaron laughed and said, "It's alright, it'll be fine in a couple of days, don't worry."

The three stood on the dock, and Finbdi asked with some concern, "Boss, do you think Zephyr might attack us?"

Aaron said, "No. His goal is to deal with pirates. We're not."

Zefa didn't chase after Marco and his group; they were too far away, and with the wind at their backs, they couldn't catch up at all.

After a while, several warships of the NEO New Navy docked, and Zephyr appeared at the bow, followed by Ain and Binz.

Zefa glanced coldly down below, then jumped onto the dock.

Aaron and the other two saluted: "Senior Zephyr!"

None of the three had trained with Zephyr, and now that Zephyr has left the Navy, they can only call him "senior".

Zefaen's gaze settled on Aaron: "You're Aaron?"

Aaron did not back down: "I am."

"I've heard a lot about you these past few months. You rarely show mercy to pirates, often leaving only one person to spread your fame. How could you let Marco and his crew just leave like that?"

Aaron smiled and said, "Senior Zefa, I am outnumbered and cannot stop them."

"Yeah?"

"Yes."

Zefa narrowed his eyes, and with a sudden swing of his mechanical arm, he smashed it toward Aaron.

Aaron remained motionless, a smile on his face.

The robotic arm stopped 1 cm in front of Aaron's nose, and the resulting gust of wind made Aaron's hair stand on end.

Lark and Finbdy were too late to react.

Zefa said, "Don't panic, don't be flustered. You're overdoing it."

Aaron was taken aback, then realized what was happening.

Even if someone whose strength hasn't reached a certain level can't dodge a sudden attack in time, they can't possibly smile and remain completely unresponsive.

Zephyr said, "Even if you could tell I meant you no harm, you should have reacted. Even just blinked. But you didn't even blink. Was that Observation Haki?"

"Sigh..." Aaron sighed, "As expected of Senior Zephyr, nothing can be hidden from you."

Zefa glanced at Aaron again: "What a pity, we missed out."

Aaron asked, puzzled, "What do you mean?"

"I admire your style. How about coming over to work with me? I'll make you the vice admiral of the NEO Navy."

"what?"

Aaron was stunned, and Lark and Finbuddy were also dumbfounded.

"Boss, you need to think this through carefully!"

"Yes, Senior Aaron, this vice commander..."

"Hmm?" Zephyr was immediately displeased, then burst into laughter. "Kid, are you looking down on me, or on the NEO Navy? Do you think my little temple can't accommodate a big shot like you?"

Aaron quickly shook his head: "No, I have always respected Senior Zephyr's character. I also admire what you have done. It's just that by staying in the Navy, I can better utilize the Navy's strength."

"Ha!" Zephyr sneered, spreading his arms wide. "The Navy? Staying in the Navy is restrictive; you can't fight the Seven Warlords, let alone oppose the Four Emperors. We NEO Navy are so free!"

"Um..." Hibari hesitated, as if he wanted to say something but then stopped.

Aaron laughed and said, "Senior Zephyr, it's impossible for me to join the NEO Navy. But I wouldn't mind cooperating with you to deal with pirates."

"Cooperation?" Zephyr grinned. "Then tell me, how would you cooperate?"

Aaron said seriously, "I've heard about your deeds, Senior Zephyr. Eight years ago, you and a ship full of trainee marines were shipwrecked at sea, leaving only Ain and Binz. Even your right hand was slashed and crippled. Not long ago, the culprit became one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, and that's when you left the Navy. I think your primary task is to kill this culprit, isn't it?"

Zefa gritted his teeth and said, "That's right! More than a hundred of my beloved students died under the sword of the Second Prince Weevil. I must avenge this!"

Aaron said, "I have an idea. Let's find a way to lure him out."

"How so?"

Aaron laughed and said, "Isn't this Whitebeard Jr. hunting down captains under the Whitebeard Pirates lately? Once you figure out his movements, you can set up an ambush and wait for him to walk right into your trap."

Zefa looked at Aaron, his eyes filled with admiration: "Not bad. This method should work."

Zefa pulled a cigarette from his pocket with his left hand, felt around for a moment, then looked up and asked Aaron, "Want one?"

Aaron laughed and said, "I don't smoke."

Zephyr then looked at Fempdidi: "Do you have fire?"

Aaron said, "Senior Zephyr, let me do it."

Aaron stepped forward, raised his right index finger, and a small cluster of flames appeared.

Zefa tilted his head, held the cigarette close to the flame, and took a puff.

Zefa shrank back, exhaling a wisp of smoke from his mouth: "Thanks."

"You're welcome."