Starting as a pirate, he rose to become the strongest Shinigami in Soul Society.

Chapter 108 The difference between a fierce general and a commander.

After laughing, Zefa took a breath and said earnestly, "Being lustful is not a problem. I have been thinking about whether you have any major flaws or faults these past few days. If you do, you can still change while you are young. Otherwise, once you have formed a habit, it will be difficult to turn back."

After a slight pause, Zefa continued, "Although we have established a father-son relationship, I don't actually know you very well. These past few days, I've been thinking it over and over, carefully piecing together the stories I've heard about you, both before and after our meeting, and gradually starting to understand you."

"Teacher, please give me your guidance," Bane replied with a very serious expression.

Upon hearing that the topic had once again touched upon Bane's flaws and weaknesses, Smoker shook his head slightly with a hint of helplessness and said, "You guys keep talking, I need to get some fresh air."

This kind of topic is not suitable for him to listen to, even though he is very close to Bane.

After Smoker left, Bane got up and closed the door, then sat down on the sofa. Zephyr took a sip of tea and said softly, "Just as you said when we met before, there are many ways to foresee the future. These past few days, I've increasingly felt that you might possess such talent, don't you think?"

Bane paused for a moment, but nodded anyway, saying, "A little."

"That's it then." Zephyr nodded knowingly, then said, "That's precisely why you like to take risks. To put it more precisely, it's because you can see this 'future,' so you're extremely confident in yourself and very certain of your judgment. Just like this time you came to headquarters to see me, you made a lot of preparations along the way, and all of these preparations were based on your judgment. You were certain that I would agree to your request, right? In fact, you had already considered this an inevitable outcome a long time ago and were already planning what to do next!"

Bane listened to these words and remained silent for a long time. Indeed, he had been planning these things for a long time. Things like the Golden Land and Crocodile were all related to his desire to profit from the new naval incident triggered by Zephyr.

"No one can control the future. Even if someone could see the future, it would be the same. Those who manipulate these techniques will ultimately be manipulated by them. I've seen too many people like that, Bane," Zephyr said softly, looking at the silent Bane.

Before Bane could speak, Zephyr continued, "Taking risks might bring temporary success, but if you develop a path dependency, then just one mistake could lead to utter ruin. Have you not considered what would happen if I really refused you? How would the outcome change?"

"But teacher, as the saying goes, fortune favors the bold," Bane couldn't help but say.

"Also lost in the midst of danger." Zephyr put down his teacup, looking at Bane with a serious expression. "If you were just a fierce admiral in the Navy, I wouldn't need to say all this to you. But if you want to rise to the rank of admiral, or even achieve great things alongside me, then it's a different story. I'm getting old, I have no choice but to take risks, but you're still young. From the moment you said those words to me, I knew that the future of the supporters behind me would rest on your shoulders. Look at Sengoku, then look at Garp, can you see the difference between them?"

Before Bane could answer, Zephyr gave his answer directly: "Garp is a fierce general of the Navy. He acts without restraint and often causes big incidents. He has taken risks more than once or twice. Relying on his strength, he always likes to act recklessly. Although he has not caused any serious trouble yet, I always feel that sooner or later, he will get himself into trouble."

"But Sengoku is different. When he was young, he was just like Garp, someone who acted without considering the consequences. But when I retired and Garp resolutely refused to be promoted to the rank of admiral, he was destined to become the Fleet Admiral. After that, he changed. Since then, I have never seen Sengoku take any risks, not even once, because he knows that he carries the weight of the entire navy on his shoulders. Others can lose, but he cannot lose. If he loses, the navy will suffer unspeakable losses, and it may even affect the safety and stability of the entire world." Zephyr paused slightly at this point.

Then, with a touch of emotion, he said, "Our navy is far stronger than the Whitebeard Pirates. After all, of that huge pirate crew, only that old guy Whitebeard has any real ability. But even so, after Sengoku decided to annihilate them, he was extremely cautious, trying every possible way to weaken Whitebeard's chances of winning and increase the navy's chances of winning. He even made sure the battlefield was at our headquarters, refusing to take the slightest risk."

Hearing Zefa's heartfelt words, Bane was also somewhat moved.

There were many things he had never thought about before. Zefa said that he was too confident in himself, which was an understatement. He was more than just confident; he was arrogant!

Think about how Zephyr used Garp and Sengoku as two examples. At that time, Zephyr couldn't see the future, but Bane knew something. Garp, that guy, actually got himself into trouble later!

On the contrary, Sengoku never made a mistake in his position as marshal. At least the navy did not cause any irreparable problems under his command, and ultimately landed smoothly.

"There's a difference between a fierce general and a commander, Bane. You have many fierce generals around you, Zoro and Waver are both fierce generals, but you are the only commander. Since you've decided to join the Navy, since you've decided to do this great thing with me, then you must keep this lesson I'm teaching you in mind. I don't expect you to demand it of yourself all the time, but you must understand your own position at crucial moments before you act. When to be a fierce general, and when to shoulder the responsibility of a commander—you must learn these things slowly and master them gradually." Zephyr patted Bane on the shoulder and said.

"Yes, teacher. I've learned a lot," Bane replied earnestly.

"After this, because of the preparations for war, your senior brothers probably won't have time to give you special training anymore. It's a good time to balance work and rest. Just maintain your normal cultivation for the next few days, and in your spare time, take a look at these." Zefa pointed to a stack of books on a table not far away.

"What are those?" Bane asked curiously.

"The secret knowledge and experience of naval warfare that our navy has accumulated over hundreds of years is all-encompassing. Originally, it was not allowed for anyone other than a vice admiral to read it. There are even a few books that only admirals are qualified to read," Zefa said casually.

The word "foundation" seems to appear in those books. It is the accumulation of the Navy over eight hundred years, a foundation that pirates can never reach.

At this moment, Bane seemed to have figured it out: why Vice Admirals like Fire Mountain and Doberman, whose strength wasn't actually that outstanding, were always able to chase after those pirates in the New World who seemed stronger than them!

In the war between the Navy and pirates, individual strength is one aspect, but war awareness is equally important.

Just as Bane was reflecting on these things, the loudspeaker outside suddenly came on.

Not a single mistake, not a single poem, not a single post, not a single piece of content, not a single look!

"Lord Donquixote Doflamingo, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, has arrived at Marine Headquarters."

"Lord Bartholomew Kuma, one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea, has arrived at Marine Headquarters."

The Seven Warlords of the Sea

Several broadcasts have indicated that, apart from Crocodile, who was killed by Bane, and Jinbe, the Knight of the Sea from Fishman Island, all the other Shichibukai have arrived at Marine Headquarters!

"A bunch of pirates come to Marine Headquarters, yet they're addressed as 'sir,' and even given a welcome broadcast. It's a disgrace to justice!" Zephyr said, somewhat annoyed.

"Don't worry, teacher. Let's give them some more time to be arrogant and domineering. We'll settle accounts with them sooner or later!" Bane said in a deep voice.

(End of this chapter)