Chapter 140: The Identity is Revealed, the Audience is Shocked

When Black Arm Zephyr appeared on the big screen, the atmosphere in the audience instantly froze.

Whether it was ordinary sailors or powerhouses at the level of Headquarters Vice Admirals, their expressions were filled with shock and disbelief. Some even showed a glimmer of anticipation.

Among the Navy present, Fleet Admiral Akainu and the current Inspector General of the Navy, Sengoku the Buddha, had the most grim and conflicted expressions. Though the information was not completely conclusive, it seemed evident.

The teacher-student relationship between Zephyr and Shiro had long been the subject of speculation. After Zephyr's complete disillusionment with the World Government and Navy Headquarters, especially after learning about Shiro's declaration at Marineford, it was almost certain that Zephyr would turn to Shiro's side.

Zephyr's most likely option? To join Shiro and follow the new order—an order of justice beyond what the World Government had ever represented.

Now, Zephyr had appeared via the Den Den Mushi. This was a shocking turn of events!

Zephyr, who had dedicated his life to the Navy, had trained almost the entire backbone of today's Naval force. His prestige and influence within the Navy were rivaled only by heroes like Garp or Sengoku the Buddha. In some ways, his impact was even greater, as many in the Navy held deep sympathy for Zephyr's hardships.

If Zephyr had truly joined Shiro, the supreme leader of the new order, and publicly declared it, the Navy was bound to face internal upheaval like never before.

This was a terrifying thought.

After Shiro had exposed the atrocities of the Celestial Dragons during the events at Marineford, the Navy had been on edge. If Zephyr followed up with his own declaration, the Navy might never recover.

"Sengoku, handle the Den Den Mushi broadcast. I'll deal with that brat first!" Akainu barked, his voice filled with urgency.

As Zephyr's voice began to echo through the Den Den Mushi, Akainu's fiery temper flared. He couldn't let Shiro, who had taken on the mantle of justice, make any further moves.

Akainu's fist, bursting with magma, charged towards Shiro at the center of the ring.

Boom!

Thunder roared. Shiro simply sneered, responding with a flash of lightning that stopped Akainu in his tracks. He appeared in the air, his voice calm but firm, "Fleet Admiral Akainu, you can fight me later. But for now, listen to what teacher Zephyr has to say."

Before Akainu could launch another attack, Zephyr's voice finally came through.

"Marines, this is Black Arm Zephyr. I gave my life to the Navy and the World Government. My family paid the price for my service, falling victim to pirate revenge... Yet, the government and Navy Headquarters now allow the very pirates who harmed us to become part of the Seven Warlords of the Sea..."

The audience held their breath as Zephyr continued.

"This world order is rotten. There is no justice left. That is why I, Zephyr, call upon every Marine with justice in their hearts to follow me and Shiro, the leader of the Central Authority, and bring about a new order!"

Zephyr's tearful speech spread across the entire Island through the Den Den Mushi. The Navy elite and the new recruits, numbering over 200,000, were visibly moved.

But even though many were emotionally swayed, this was still Navy territory. The Admirals were present, and anyone attempting to defect would likely face only one fate—death. Moreover, although the Central Authority had achieved many victories, the Navy knew that Amazon Lily and other territories had faced an economic blockade from the World Government.

Would anyone really leave the Navy for a cause that might not even provide basic sustenance?

And yet…

When the screen behind Zephyr shifted, everyone froze.

Behind him stood a vast and awe-inspiring complex—far more magnificent than the current Navy Headquarters. The next moment, the camera zoomed in on a mountain of gold, shining brighter than anything they had ever seen.

The screen went black, but the message had been received loud and clear.

Even Sengoku the Buddha and Akainu were stunned.

This was supposed to be an all-out economic shutdown by the World Government. How did the Central Authority possess such wealth?

A whole mountain of gold…

It was enough to fund a superpower on the Grand Line!

Was this truly the World Government's intelligence at work? It was laughable.

As the shock settled in, Shiro took advantage of the situation.

He removed his disguise, revealing his true identity.

The crowd was silent for a brief moment, but then erupted into chaos.

"That's… with a bounty of 3.5 billion Belly, the Commander of the Central Authority, Shiro!"

"Shiro… !"

"The youngest Admiral in Navy history is actually Shiro!"

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The fanfic is finished on p@treon/tambeerg