(T/N: There is now a p.atreon for this work, and any new work I add will be dropped there first. check it out for an early release of up to 30 Chapters edited /INeedRest)
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After half an hour of chaos, calm finally returned.
Colt sat leisurely in a chair, while Zephyr's subordinates lay scattered on the ground, groaning in pain.
As for Zephyr himself, he was tightly bound by two vines, his face bruised and swollen from the beating.
It was a pitiful sight—a man in his seventies, beaten so severely.
Even Colt felt a twinge of guilt.
"How did you hit him? How did you manage to slap him in the face like that?"
"I'm sorry," Hinata said, her cheeks flushing slightly.
"He tried to attack Ino, so I had to act quickly..."
"No, no, I'm not blaming you. I just think the beating was too light," Colt reassured her.
Seeing Hinata's guilty expression, Colt quickly clarified that he wasn't upset with her. His feelings of guilt were gone instantly.
To reassure her, he used the vines to give Zephyr two more slaps.
"There, that looks more convincing."
"You bustard! Don't touch my teacher!"
Ain, furious at seeing her teacher humiliated, tried to intervene but was imdiately subdued by Perona's ghost, leaving her kneeling on the ground in tears.
During the battle, Colt hadn't intervened at all, leaving it entirely to the girls to handle.
The results proved that Zephyr, in his current state, was no match for them.
Hinata had easily defeated him using just her physical skills and Armant Haki.
"I told you, with this level of strength, do you really think you can take on the Marines?"
"Wouldn't it be better to co work for as an instructor? Do you really want to see Ain and the others lose their lives because of your stubbornness?"
Seeing Ain about to protest, Colt raised his hand, and a vine wrapped tightly around her mouth, silencing her.
Zephyr remained silent, still reeling from the shock of his defeat.
Losing to a delicate girl like Hinata was enough to make anyone question their life choices.
But Hinata was strong—exceptionally strong.
Seeing Zephyr's hesitation, Colt decided to drop a bombshell.
"Aokiji and Kizaru are both working for . All I need from you is to help win over the lower-ranking Marine officers. Once I abolish the Warlord system, the matter can finally rest in peace."
Zephyr's head snapped up, his expression one of utter disbelief.
"How is that possible?!"
Colt dialed Kizaru's Den-Den Mushi. Coincidentally, Aokiji was with him, which saved Colt so trouble.
"Your teacher is here with . Do you want to say a few words?"
"My teacher?" Kizaru's voice ca through, sounding puzzled.
Then it clicked. "You've captured Zephyr-san?"
"Yes."
"That old man's stubborn. It won't be easy to recruit him. Just kill him and be done with it."
"????"
Everyone was stunned into silence.
Especially Zephyr, whose eyes turned red with fury.
'Ungrateful brat! Ungrateful!'
'How could I have taught such a student?!'
Ain and the others were equally shocked.
They couldn't believe that Marine's Admiral Kizaru could be so callous.
"Kamiyo Colt, if you hand over Borsalino to , I'll help you train your soldiers!" Zephyr growled.
Colt's lips twitched.
'Talk about a deep Teacher-student bond!'
"Enough, Borsalino," Aokiji's voice cut in as he took the Den-Den Mushi from Kizaru.
"Colt, can I speak to Teacher Zephyr privately?"
"Go ahead."
Colt handed the Den-Den Mushi to Zephyr, who had been unbound, and gestured for him to take his ti.
Colt wasn't worried about Zephyr trying to escape—not with a ship full of hostages.
Fifteen minutes later, Zephyr handed the Den-Den Mushi back to Colt, his expression complicated.
"I'll join you. I hope what Aokiji said is true."
In the end, Zephyr chose to trust the judgnt of his favorite student.
"Perfect!" Colt snapped his fingers, and a healing glow enveloped everyone.
Their injuries vanished, and those who had been unconscious woke up, fully recovered.
When Zephyr's subordinates learned that he had joined Colt, their reactions were mixed.
But no one objected.
They had defected from the Marines with Zephyr.
What other choice did they have?
Colt handed Zephyr a feather.
"Take this and head straight to Wanokuni. Show this feather to any patrol boats you encounter, and they'll let you pass."
Zephyr took the feather, examined it briefly, and tucked it into his pocket.
"Back then, Sengoku and the Five Elders thought you were just a lone wolf with a harem pirate crew. Who would've thought you were pulling the strings behind the scenes?"
"Even the Four Emperors and Admirals are under your control..."
Colt chuckled lightly at Zephyr's astonishnt, but then his expression froze.
"Wait... what do you an Harem Pirates?"
"That's the na of your crew, isn't it? You didn't know?" Zephyr asked, puzzled.
The atmosphere turned awkward.
Colt's eye twitched.
"Who ca up with that na? That's slander! Pure slander!"
Zephyr glanced at Hinata and the others, then remained silent.
The na seed fitting.
"When you were in the East Blue, Sengoku issued your bounty posters. After the Sabaody incident, the Five Elders saw that your ship was full of won and they ca up with the na..."
"..."
"Okay, that's enough."
'Fine, Five Elders. That's how you want to play'
Colt ntally noted this grudge, vowing to settle the score with them soday.
With the matter resolved, Zephyr left with his subordinates.
Colt had considered keeping Ain, but seeing Zephyr's protective glare, he decided against it.
'It's not like I'm interested in her or anything! I just wanted to study her Fruit powers!'
Half a month later, the Flying Feather arrived at Colt's original destination: Egghead Island.
This island was well-hidden in the New World, and many had never even heard of it.
But its impact on the world was imnse.
Egghead Island was the research base of Dr. Vegapunk, the world's foremost scientist, whose intellect was said to be 500 years ahead of his ti.
The island was a marvel of futuristic, sci-fi architecture.
Vegapunk's importance was undeniable.
After Senju Tobirama obtained the coordinates to Egghead Island, Colt had co to "chat" with the big-headed scientist.
The two had reached an agreent, and Colt had even left two assistants behind.
This ti, Colt had returned to check on Vegapunk's research progress over the past two years.
In other words, he was here to collect his share of the spoils.
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