Smoker watched Caelan and Hina nervously, afraid that she might actually agree to leave.

Even though he knew his old classmate wasn't someone easy to sway, if Caelan decided to steal someone, no one could stop him.

Hina looked at Caelan in surprise and asked, "You want Hina to follow you?"

"Of course. You're so capable, I'm eager to recruit you!"

Caelan smiled.

You clearly noticed her because she's pretty!

Gion, standing nearby, grumbled inwardly but dared not voice her thoughts.

She had just lost a bet to Caelan. If she interfered with his invitation to Hina, she'd probably suffer a miserable night.

Besides, she also wanted Hina to join.

She missed her old friend and wanted to catch up properly.

On top of that, she still held resentment over being placed on the World Government's wanted list.

Now that Caelan was forming a new navy to challenge the World Government, she absolutely wanted to support him—and show the Five Elders just how wrong they were about her.

Hina was caught off guard and secretly felt a bit pleased.

Being praised by one of the most powerful figures in the world—recognition from someone like him—was naturally an honor.

"Of course you, Hina. Are you interested in joining us?"

Caelan looked directly at Hina's face—but not just her face.

It wasn't only her looks that drew him to her, but her years of experience in the Navy as well.

She was a genuinely talented officer.

"I'm afraid I can't accept that."

Hina replied hesitantly.

What Caelan described sounded wonderful. It was exactly the kind of justice she wanted, and she truly believed he could make it happen.

But walking away from the Navy she had served for so many years wasn't easy.

"Then, what's your reason?"

Caelan asked.

It was a classic reversal. As the one extending the invitation, Caelan should be offering terms. But instead, he turned the question on her.

"My reason?"

Hina's expression went blank. She didn't really have one.

She had no love for the Celestial Dragons or the World Government.

She had joined the Navy only because it was more righteous than piracy.

If she had to give a reason, it would be her personal connections.

For example, Teacher Zephyr—and her best friend, Gion.

Now, with Gion already having joined Caelan...

The only person in the Navy she still cared about was Zephyr-sensei.

So she said, "Zephyr-sensei taught me what it meant to be a Marine. I don't think I can go against his teachings."

Caelan was slightly surprised. That wasn't the reason he'd expected.

But it wasn't a problem.

"My new navy is still a navy," Caelan said jokingly.

Hina's mouth twitched. She clearly didn't accept that line of reasoning.

The Navy she wanted to stay in was the one Zephyr envisioned.

"Hina, have you heard the story of how Zephyr lost his arm?"

Caelan's tone grew serious.

"Of course I have. That year, Zephyr-sensei was leading a training mission when he was ambushed by Edward Weevil, who called himself Whitebeard Jr. Only two students survived, and Zephyr-sensei lost his arm."

Her tone dropped.

Zephyr had once been a gentle man, but his family had been destroyed by pirates long ago.

That pain led him to devote himself to his students. But after the incident, when even his last hopes were shattered, he changed.

He began hunting pirates around the world like a man possessed.

Hina always felt heartbroken about it.

She didn't want to betray his teachings or cause him further disappointment.

Caelan asked, "What if the pirate who cut off Zephyr's arm were recruited by the World Government and made a Warlord of the Sea? Would Zephyr still stay in the Navy?"

Hina immediately looked up at Caelan, stunned.

What did he mean? Had he heard something?

"If that pirate became a Warlord, Zephyr-sensei would absolutely leave the Navy."

"He hates that man. If the World Government did that, Zephyr might want to destroy the world himself."

"But... the World Government wouldn't go that far, right?"

She asked, uncertain.

Even she didn't trust the World Government's morals, but there were so many powerful pirates. Surely they wouldn't choose that one?

"Of course they would. I've already captured four Warlords. Doflamingo is finished."

"If they don't replenish the ranks, the Warlords system will fall apart."

"And Weevil, the one who cut off Zephyr's arm, definitely has the strength to be a Warlord."

Caelan said with certainty.

Crocodile was in prison, Moria had joined him, Hancock was literally in his bed, and Jinbe was leading labor reform on Fish-Man Island.

In one move, four Warlords were gone.

The remaining three had their own problems.

Doflamingo was on the verge of being captured. Mihawk refused to follow orders.

Only Bartholomew Kuma was still obedient—because he had no choice.

The World Government was facing a worse situation now than even after the Marineford War in the original storyline.

They had no choice but to replenish the Seven Warlords of the Sea early.

In canon, this didn't happen until after Marineford. But this timeline had an even bigger void to fill.

Under pressure, it was entirely possible that Weevil would be named a Warlord under the urging of Miss Buckingham.

"Caelan is right. After he defeated Crocodile, the World Government immediately began discussing who would replace him."

"But before they could reach a decision, even more Warlords disappeared. The need to replenish the ranks is urgent."

"They don't care what crimes the candidates committed. As long as they're strong enough, that's all that matters."

"Even if the person who hurt Zephyr wasn't a pirate, but any other criminal, Zephyr wouldn't be able to tolerate it either."

Gion glanced at Hancock and Gecko Moria as she spoke.

She knew how the Five Elders operated.

In desperate times, they wouldn't care about the Navy's opinions.

The next batch of Warlords would be full of scum. That was inevitable.

"Is that so...?"

Hina looked dazed.

Caelan and Gion's logic made too much sense. She could already picture Zephyr walking away from the Navy in heartbreak.

"So now, you can join us."

Caelan smiled.

Hina glanced at Gion and saw her nodding in encouragement.

After hesitating for a moment, she said, "Then... I'll follow you."

Caelan extended his hand with a broad smile. "Welcome aboard!"

Hina took his hand and replied, "Please take care of Hina from now on!"

Meanwhile, Smoker was completely numb.

Wait... You're really going with him?!

(To be continued.)