Chapter 68: Ticking Time Bomb

"One of Zephyr's arms was cut off by someone. It was then replaced with a mechanical arm like that. The one who cut off Zephyr's arm is actually the same idiot named Weevil that I killed earlier"

Luo Ning briefly explained Zephyr's situation.

"Nice to meet you, Mr. Zephyr"

Despite what he previously said about his ruthlessness, it seems he's not the one who deserves killing.

After meeting Zephyr, Luo Ning greeted him. You must know that before this encounter, his words about Zephyr painted a different picture.

"Nice meeting you as well, Mr. Luo Ning. The old man came here to express his gratitude!"

Zephyr also got straight to the point. At the same time, both Ain and Binz behind him bowed to Luo Ning.

This wasn't because Luo Ning was a particularly strong person, but because he helped them avenge Weevil, a feat they themselves couldn't accomplish.

Zephyr himself knew he was no longer Luo Ning's opponent.

With a missing arm and asthma, Zephyr's effectiveness has significantly diminished.

As for Ain and Binz, while Ain possesses a stronger ability, their other skills are quite good.

"It's because of Weevil. In fact, you don't need to thank me. The reason I killed that guy is because he provoked me, and I simply didn't like him. It's that simple!"

Luo Ning explained.

"It seems you know a lot about us. Regardless, I must thank you for killing that monster and bringing some form of justice to the recruits who were killed by him back then!"

Ninety percent of Zephyr's hatred for Weevil stemmed not from his severed arm, but from the deaths of only two Marine recruits.

As their chief instructor, he couldn't protect them adequately. In his mind, it was his own fault and responsibility.

That's why he deliberately came to thank Luo Ning.

"You're truly different from other Marines. Marines like you are becoming increasingly rare. You have to understand that most Marines prioritize saving face above all else."

Zephyr is a bold man. Aside from his more extreme and brain-dead goal of blowing up the New World, he's alright in other aspects.

"Hahahaha, you're right! Those bastards prioritize saving face even to the point of stealing credit for capturing pirates!"

Zephyr couldn't help but laugh. Unemployed anyway, with nothing but taking care of himself to look forward to, he was extremely unhappy with the current state of the Marines.

Luffy isn't the first pirate to be robbed of credit.

While most pirates burn, kill, and loot, some are forced into piracy by the Marines themselves. This was Luo Ning's case, although he never intended to become a pirate.

However, in the Marines' eyes, it all boils down to the same thing: pirates. Even beneficial actions by these pirates are blatantly absorbed by the Marines.

Zephyr's growing displeasure with the current Marines turned into frustration whenever he witnessed such acts.

"Mr. Zephyr, are you interested in defecting and joining my side?"

Luo Ning suddenly made a proposition, planning to recruit Zephyr for the Great Prison.

He viewed the Great Prison as his own territory, and with its continuous growth, Magellan alone was honestly becoming insufficient.

As for Shiryu, a confrontation with Magellan was inevitable. Since Shiryu couldn't be kept, Luo Ning intended to poach some talent.

"As far as I'm aware," Zephyr replied with surprise after glancing at Luo Ning, "you shouldn't have any real influence"

"In terms of power," Luo Ning explained, "I already consider Impel Down mine."

"A confrontation with the Marines, including the World Government, is inevitable for me."

"I plan to make Impel Down the world's largest prison, one so powerful it could even detain Celestial Dragons"

Luo Ning wasn't sure about the details of his plan regarding the Celestial Dragons. Sengoku remained silent, and a gag order was placed on Magellan and the others. Zephyr was equally in the dark. Hearing this revelation now, he was stunned.

He shared Luo Ning's dissatisfaction with the Celestial Dragons. In his youth, he even considered attacking them, but their status and his own role held him back. In his opinion, the Celestial Dragons were undoubtedly the scum of the sea, but powerless scum at that.

"You're going after the Celestial Dragons?! You've lost your mind!"

Zephyr now believed Luo Ning was insane. A single person daring to attempt such a feat was outrageous in the extreme. It would ignite a full-scale war with the World Government. Zephyr had no idea of the depths of the World Government's influence.

"Such thoughts are natural," Luo Ning said, shaking his head. "But you're overlooking something crucial. The World Government and I are sworn enemies. War is inevitable, and I'm merely controlling the timing."

Indeed, Luo Ning's actions on the Marine side had placed him at a level comparable to the Four Emperors, a level the Marines wouldn't tolerate. He was a ticking time bomb. Zephyr was taken aback by this realization.

"Instead of letting the Marines discover your weaknesses," Luo Ning argued, "it's better to be direct. I'm igniting the fuse myself and taking control of the situation."

"Even so," Zephyr countered, "do you truly believe you can compete against the entire World Government alone?"

Zephyr held the unwavering belief that the World Government was untouchable.

"Of course," Luo Ning said indifferently, "they're not exactly my cup of tea either."

"In that case," Zephyr conceded, "let's wait and see how this battle unfolds. While my life holds little value, I have many loyal soldiers who would follow me."

"I can't ask them to blindly follow you to their deaths. Once this battle concludes, if you emerge victorious, I pledge my assistance. However, defeat dictates we forget this matter entirely."

Zephyr needed a clearer picture of Luo Ning's capabilities. Was he a madman charging at a wall, or did he possess absolute confidence and the power to topple the World Government?

If the latter were true, then Zephyr wouldn't hesitate to go all out and join Luo Ning's cause. He harbored a deep-seated resentment for pirates and criminals in general, but none compared to the Celestial Dragons – the epitome of villainy. If Luo Ning had truly defied the odds, then aligning with him would undoubtedly be a step towards achieving true justice.

At least, it would be a form of justice that resonated with Zephyr, unlike the warped version currently championed by the Marines.

Luo Ning remained silent in response to Zephyr's proposition. It was a perfectly reasonable stance. Anyone with a shred of rationality wouldn't readily follow Luo Ning on such a perilous path. He didn't view Zephyr as a fool; after all, from a conventional standpoint, his actions mirrored those of a lunatic.