NOVEL NEXT Chapter 313: Do You Believe Me?
Seeing Zephyr so frail before him, Daren's first thought was of Dragon.
More precisely, of Ivankov and Kuma's Devil Fruit abilities.
Ivankov's Horu Horu no Mi could stimulate the body's potential, boosting cellular activity to grant a temporary surge in strength.
And Bartholomew Kuma's Nikyu Nikyu no Mi could "push" pain and fatigue out of a person's body, helping them recover faster and feel physically relieved.
Back on Philseque Island, when Daren fought the Five Elders and their "Immortal Bodies," it was these two abilities that let him unleash enough power to tear them apart bare-handed.
But he quickly dismissed the idea.
Zephyr-sensei's body was in shambles. Add in his chronic asthma, and forcing Ivankov's hormones into him now would likely do more harm than good.
His system was already close to collapse—pushing it further would be suicidal.
As for Kuma's ability, it might help ease the symptoms a little.
But it couldn't remove the illness itself—only relieve the fatigue and pain temporarily.
A short-term fix at best. It wouldn't heal him.
If that was all it could do, then making the trip to Baltigo would be pointless.
They'd just be wasting time—and that might cost Zephyr his life.
A thousand thoughts raced through Daren's mind as he fell silent, deep in thought.
If that's the case, the only option left was to find a doctor—
Or someone with a unique healing ability.
The most skilled doctors across the seas...
Daren frowned.
"Daren... if nothing else works, let's go back to Marineford."
A hoarse voice came from outside the room.
Daren turned to see Tokikake, unshaven and dragging heavy feet, a wrinkled cigarette hanging from his lips.
"The headquarters has the most advanced medical equipment and technology on the seas. The doctors at the military hospital are top-class. Plus, they already know Zephyr-sensei's condition—it'll be easier for them to treat him."
Tokikake's bloodshot eyes fixed on Daren as he forced a weary smile.
"...Fleet Admiral Sengoku couldn't really be that heartless, right?"
No one responded.
Surprisingly, no one argued.
Even if returning meant facing a military tribunal... even if the World Government would label them deserters or criminals and execute them on the spot, not a single one of them voiced an objection.
From the moment they chose to follow Zephyr and abandon Marine Headquarters, they had already cast aside their lives.
If it meant saving Zephyr-sensei, it was all worth it.
But just as Daren was about to speak, a weak voice interrupted.
"No... we can't go back..."
The moment those words fell, everyone froze, then turned sharply toward the voice.
"Zephyr-sensei!?"
"He's awake!"
"Sensei, how do you feel?"
"Let's go back to HQ—we'll get you treated!"
"If it comes to it, we'll kneel to Admiral Sengoku if we have to..."
"..."
Yamakaji and the others crowded around the bed, faces filled with worry as their teacher slowly opened his eyes.
"No. We're not going back."
Zephyr didn't look at any of them. His gaze locked onto Daren as he forced a smile through labored breaths.
"Some things matter more than life, don't they?"
Daren met Zephyr's almost pleading look and sighed.
"You really are one stubborn old man."
At that, Zephyr slowly let out a breath and managed a faint smile.
"And you're still the same stubborn brat, aren't you?"
Daren paused for a second.
"Yeah... going back to HQ now would be a terrible move."
He raised his hand. Blue electricity crackled at his fingertips.
Dozens of steel bars and construction materials burst from the ground, twisting and fusing in midair until they formed a massive, sealed box that enclosed Zephyr inside.
Only a palm-sized vent remained, just enough to see his face through the opening.
"You little brat, what are you trying to do..."
Daren raised his hand without hesitation.
He put his index finger to his lips and made a shushing gesture.
"Shh, be quiet, old man, save your energy."
With a clang!
The metal twisted and sealed Zephyr's mouth like a mask, blocking his words and leaving him only able to make "woo woo woo" sounds.
"He's cursing so fiercely..."
Hearing Zephyr's "meaningless" grunts and seeing his angry, wide eyes, everyone's mouths twitched as they thought to themselves.
He turned around and looked at Tokikake and the others.
They looked at Daren, quietly waiting for his answer.
"I know you're worried about Zephyr-sensei and hope that he can return to Marineford to receive treatment and get the best medical care."
"But I'm sorry... In our current situation, it's not appropriate for us to return to headquarters."
Daren's gaze swept across each of their faces, and he said calmly,
"Although we have the deterrent of the North Blue fleet, it's best not to gamble on Admiral Sengoku's mercy."
Everyone fell silent.
They couldn't help but think back to that day in Marineford, when countless swords and guns were pointed at them, and Admiral Sengoku's cold expression.
"Do you believe me?"
Daren suddenly said.
Everyone was taken aback.
They glanced at each other, then laughed in unison.
"Do you really need to ask that question?"
Yamakaji said with a smile, biting his cigar.
"We're friends who've been through life and death together!"
Tokikake squeezed his tired eyes.
"You may be a scoundrel, but you're still reliable," Gion said with a cold snort, crossing her arms.
Daren smiled.
"That's good."
He turned and walked toward the door.
The "iron box" containing the former Admiral of the Marines floated in midair, following him like a shadow.
"I will definitely find a way to rescue Zephyr-sensei."
As soon as he finished speaking, the magnetic field became violent, and electric arcs flashed and danced in the void.
Daren's figure shot up into the sky with the metal box.
Everyone stared blankly as his figure disappeared into the distance in the blink of an eye.
After a moment of silence, they all breathed a sigh of relief.
Before Daren returned, they all felt as if they had lost their backbone, helpless, lost, and at a loss.
But the moment that man returned, most of their inner anxiety and worry disappeared in the blink of an eye.
It seemed that as long as he was there, no matter what kind of problem arose, it could be solved easily.
This was the sense of security that Daren brought them.
If it's Daren, he'll definitely be able to do it...
They couldn't help but think to themselves.