Chapter 546: The Marines’ Awakening

In front of the many Marines, Akainu was being completely overwhelmed by Nagasawa. At this moment, he was filled with extreme rage, wishing he could smash Nagasawa’s head to pieces with his giant molten fists.

He had indeed tried to do exactly that, but he couldn’t. Whether it was speed or strength, he was suppressed by Nagasawa in every aspect. Even the flames Nagasawa released were hotter than the magma he produced.

Being suppressed on every front, no matter how much Akainu hated Nagasawa, his strength simply did not allow him to inflict any damage on him.

On the other hand, Nagasawa looked as if he were taking a leisurely stroll. While completely overwhelming Akainu, he was also intimidating everyone else. Anyone with discerning eyes could tell that Nagasawa had not used his full strength.

Unfortunately, Akainu did not appreciate it. He only believed that Nagasawa was looking down on and despising him, making him even more furious.

’No, this can’t continue. If this goes on, Marine Headquarters will truly be in danger.’ Although Akainu had a bad temper, he was not a reckless brute who only knew how to rage incompetently.

He knew very well that the Revolutionary Army had too many top-tier fighters. If things continued like this, the Marines would sooner or later be unable to hold out.

Akainu discreetly glanced at Dragon, who was locked in battle with Garp.

No matter how powerful Nagasawa was, Dragon was still the true leader of the Revolutionary Army. As long as Dragon was captured, the Revolutionary Army would be forced to hold back.

Thus, enduring another bloody gash across his chest, Akainu launched a barrage of molten fists toward Dragon, sealing off his position.

But at that moment, someone whom none of the Marines had expected made a move. Zephyr, who had remained inactive at the side the entire time, suddenly leaped in front of the molten fists, intercepting most of them and rendering Akainu’s attack meaningless.

"Could it be... even Teacher Zephyr?" The Marines widened their eyes, staring at that familiar figure in utter disbelief.

No one had objected to Zephyr standing aside without joining the battle because everyone knew he had once suffered severe injuries. His strength was no longer what it had once been, so it was perfectly reasonable for him to wait at the side.

But seeing Zephyr block so many of the molten fists for Dragon caused many Marines to look as though their entire worldview had collapsed.

Even after witnessing so many Marines joining the Revolutionary Army, Zephyr joining them still shocked them to the core.

It wasn’t because of Zephyr’s former status, but because he had done too much for the Marines and had been with them for far too long.

When he was young and in his prime, Zephyr tirelessly fought against pirates, making tremendous contributions to the Marines before eventually becoming an Admiral.

Later, he taught at the Marine Academy for more than twenty years, cultivating countless talents for the Marines. Most of the flag officers and commissioned officers at Marine Headquarters respectfully addressed him as Teacher Zephyr.

Even after suffering grievous injuries, he later formed the Neo Marines to hunt pirates and avenge his students.

He had rendered outstanding service to the Marines, with disciples throughout Marine Headquarters. It could be said that Zephyr had devoted his entire life to the Marines.

Yet such a man had actually left the Marines and joined the Revolutionary Army. Many Marines simply could not accept this reality. Some could no longer control their emotions and broke down in tears, loudly asking Zephyr why he had betrayed the Marines.

"It wasn’t I who betrayed the Marines. It was the Marines of today that betrayed justice," Zephyr said seriously.

He then revealed the truth about Edward Weevil.

"They were all so young and full of vitality. They were the future of the Marines. Yet they were slaughtered by that vicious pirate, and the World Government and the Marines were actually preparing to invite him to become one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea! To make him an ally of the Marines!" Zephyr shouted angrily with his fists clenched.

"Can a Marine like that still speak of justice? Answer me! Did those young Marines die for nothing?!"

Hearing Zephyr’s words, many Marines also revealed expressions of anger. Most of them had been Zephyr’s students, and they instinctively placed themselves in the shoes of those slain Marines and of Zephyr himself.

A Marine Rear Admiral directly threw his military cap to the ground and walked into the Revolutionary Army’s ranks.

"What’s the point of staying in a Marine like this? I’d rather join the Revolutionary Army and follow Admiral Nagasawa and Admiral Fujitora to overthrow this hateful World Government!"

"I’ve long been disgusted with those Celestial Dragons. My family went bankrupt because our country imposed heavy taxes to pay the Heavenly Tribute. My family starved to death, while those Celestial Dragons live in luxury and can even mobilize Admirals whenever they’re in danger."

"I’ve only reached my current level because of Teacher Zephyr’s careful guidance. I’m willing to believe in him."

"Admiral Fujitora and Admiral Nagasawa could have done nothing at all. With their strength, they could have lived better than anyone else. Yet they resolutely joined the Revolutionary Army. Isn’t a Revolutionary Army like that far better than these Marines that have already abandoned justice?"

Zephyr’s words became the final straw that broke the camel’s back. Many Marines followed the Rear Admiral’s example, angrily throwing their military caps onto the ground before walking over to the Revolutionary Army’s side.

The betrayal of the Admirals, the exposed crimes of the World Government, and this series of events had already caused the Marines to develop enormous doubts toward both the World Government and the Marines, while their favorable impression of the Revolutionary Army had risen rapidly.

Zephyr’s final heavy blow completely ignited everything.

"Damn it!" Seeing so many Marines defect directly to the Revolutionary Army, Akainu glared at Zephyr with bloodshot eyes.

The situation had already been extremely tense, yet Zephyr had brought so many Marines over to the Revolutionary Army. This undoubtedly made the already precarious situation for the Marines even worse.

"...Sigh." Sengoku, who was still fighting, let out a heavy sigh. What kind of situation had this become?

Zephyr was a Marine from the same era as him. Sengoku knew exactly how much Zephyr had contributed to the Marines, which was why he sighed so deeply.

"How about you join the Revolutionary Army as well?" Aokiji boldly asked Sengoku.

Sengoku shot Aokiji a glance before firing a golden shockwave backhandedly at him.

"Are you trying to drag a retiree back to work? I have no intention of working under that idiot Garp’s son."

Aokiji created a massive iceberg to block the shockwave and did not bring up joining the Revolutionary Army again.

Thinking about it, it was obvious that Sengoku could never join the Revolutionary Army. That was simply his personality. Despite being a Marine, he also possessed Conqueror’s Haki. He was not someone willing to serve beneath another person, especially when that person was Garp’s son. Aokiji had only brought it up casually. If it worked, it would have been a huge profit.

Seeing so many Marines embrace the Revolutionary Army, Nagasawa nodded, preparing to expand the victory.

Next, he would swiftly and decisively beat Kizaru and Akainu until they lost the ability to resist, allowing the Marines to awaken even further.

Nagasawa tightly gripped Ryujin Jakka and activated Bankai. All of the blazing flames on the blade were drawn back into the sword itself. The Spiritual Pressure around Nagasawa steadily rose, becoming unimaginably terrifying, while the surrounding temperature began to rise rapidly.

The moment Akainu saw this, his expression changed drastically.