NOVEL NEXT Chapter 322: Thank You for Your Guidance
New World, a remote island.
In front of a traditional Japanese-style estate, a clearing had been carved out of the surrounding tropical rainforest.
A bonfire crackled at the center, with a massive fish nearly as tall as a man slowly roasting over the flames. Freshly picked tropical fruits were scattered across the ground.
"You think Daren'll be able to find the right doctor for Zephyr-sensei?"
Dalmatian, unshaven and looking more weathered than usual, sat on a rock turning the spit, a worried look creeping across his face.
"If even he can't, then there's probably no one on this ocean who can."
Leaning against a thick tree, Yamakaji puffed on a lit cigar. His weary eyes were bloodshot with fatigue.
"Daren acts all cool and indifferent most of the time, but no one respects and trusts Zephyr-sensei more than he does."
"He'd tear the whole world apart before letting anything happen to him."
Not far off, Tokikake took a deep drag from his cigarette and muttered through clenched teeth,
"If anything happens to Zephyr-sensei... I swear, I won't let that bastard Daren off the hook."
Everyone else winced slightly.
Seriously? You can't even beat him.
"So, what exactly would you do to not let me off the hook?"
A low voice cut in suddenly.
Tokikake's expression froze.
The others blinked, then quickly turned their heads.
Out from the dense foliage stepped a tall, imposing figure. Floating silently behind him was a sleek, metal container hovering in the air like a shadow.
"Daren!"
"You're back!"
"How's Zephyr-sensei?"
"Did you find a doctor?!"
Yamakaji and the others instantly dropped what they were doing, voices rising in a chorus of surprised relief.
"Relax. Zephyr-sensei's fine now. Just needs some proper rest, and he'll be back on his feet before you know it," Daren said with a calm smile, lifting a hand.
Behind him, the floating metal box slowly unfolded, revealing Zephyr inside.
"Damn it, Daren, you little bastard! Didn't I tell you I was fine?!"
As soon as the restraints came off, Zephyr immediately started barking, glaring at Daren with fiery irritation.
"You're not the only one who can fly now! I'm a Devil Fruit user too!"
Daren rolled his eyes.
"Yeah, yeah. I gave you that Fuwa Fuwa no Mi, remember?"
"Besides, using any Devil Fruit power still burns stamina… Crocus made it clear you're supposed to rest if you want to recover faster."
Seeing Zephyr grumbling and irritable again was oddly comforting—everyone could finally breathe. The weight that had been pressing on their chests all this time quietly lifted.
"Get Zephyr-sensei inside to rest."
Daren didn't hesitate to snatch a crumpled pack of cigarettes from Tokikake's pocket as he gave the order.
Yamakaji and the others immediately moved to help Zephyr into the house.
His safe return had clearly lifted the mood—smiles started to return, and the tension eased.
...
Night fell.
The bonfire burned higher, casting flickering light across the clearing.
The group sat around the fire, drinking, eating grilled meat, and talking freely with brightened spirits.
"Hahahaha! So tell us the truth, Daren... did you really fight with the Five Elders?"
Dalmatian and the others were huddled around him, cups in hand, eyes gleaming with barely contained excitement.
The Five Elders—supreme authority of the World Government. Even for them, seasoned and high-ranking Marines, those figures were nothing short of mythical. Untouchable.
Most of them had never even seen the Five Elders in person.
But now, someone their age—a fellow peer, their comrade—was rumored to have done the unthinkable: take them on in battle.
They'd already been intrigued by the headlines in the papers. Now that Zephyr-sensei was confirmed safe, they couldn't hold back anymore and surrounded Daren with eager questions.
The former Vice Admiral smiled faintly and took a quiet sip from his cup.
In the shifting light of the fire, his sharply defined face appeared both vivid and shadowed, his eyes dark and unreadable.
"This is how it happened. Everything started on Philseque Island..."
As Daren recounted it all in a steady, even tone, the circle around the bonfire erupted with gasps—shock, anger, disbelief, and awe flickering from face to face.
"...So that's it. I declared North Blue independent and cut it off from the World Government's alliance system. That was the most I could do."
His gaze was calm, and he smiled slightly.
"And just like that, I went from being a Marine... to the world's most wanted criminal."
When he finished, Yamakaji and the others were at a complete loss for words.
Each of them wore the same look—stunned, overwhelmed.
They'd believed that standing up for justice, defying the World Government's commands, and clashing with CP agents had been the greatest act of courage they'd ever muster.
But hearing everything Daren had been through, the weight of his choices, the scale of his rebellion—it made their own struggles feel almost trivial in comparison.
"You did well, Daren."
A low, slightly hoarse voice broke the silence.
Everyone turned sharply.
"Zephyr-sensei?"
"You're up?!"
"You should be resting!"
Zephyr's steps were shaky, but he waved them off with one hand.
"I've been lying around long enough. Needed to stretch my legs."
He brushed off Gion's attempt to help him and walked over to the fire, sitting down with casual ease.
"I thought you'd be chewing me out by now," Daren said with a grin, tossing him a bottle of beer.
Zephyr caught it, twisted it open, took a sip, and gave a small shake of his head.
"You never liked being lectured anyway, did you? You were like that even back when you first entered the academy."
"And besides... this time, you weren't wrong."
"Daren, you're a hell of a lot braver than I ever was."
The firelight flickered across his weathered face as he smiled openly.
But in the eyes of those watching, Zephyr looked more tired than usual—less because of his wounds, and more because of something deeper.
Everyone fell quiet, and their expressions turned heavy.
After everything they'd been through, they now knew the truth—what had happened to Zephyr's wife and child back in Marineford.
None of them could imagine how this iron-willed old man had endured all these years.
"No."
Daren suddenly shook his head.
Everyone looked up, surprised.
His expression was solemn as he said, clearly and firmly,
"I never thought I was brave, Zephyr-sensei."
"Anyone can act fearless when they have nothing left to lose."
"But to face the full cruelty of life... and still grit your teeth, hold your ground, and carry a vision bigger than yourself—that's what a true hero is."
"Zephyr-sensei... I think I've always owed you one thing."
He raised his drink.
"Thank you—for everything you taught me."