082 Having a Good Leader Truly Matters

Flowers may bloom again, but youth does not return; time passes like a fleeting horse, vanishing in the blink of an eye.

Sunrise and dusk, days rise and fall—three days slipped away in a mere instant. Throughout these three days, Xuan Ye spent every hour, aside from daily necessities, healing his wounds. He stayed at Zephyr’s home, treated like a family treasure, cherished by everyone. This constant care often made Xuan Ye’s cheeks flush, but despite his embarrassment, he gladly accepted their kindness.

Compared to Xuan Ye’s indulgent life, Akainu fared miserably. In the Navy hospital, on a bed, lay a bandaged figure resembling a mummy, tormented by pain. This time, Xuan Ye had shown no mercy, aiming to destroy him completely. As a result, Akainu’s injuries were severe—he would not leave his bed for at least ten days to half a month.

For three days, the ward reeked of resentment and bitterness. From the moment Akainu awoke, his predatory glare frightened a young intern nurse to tears. The doctors attending him sweated nervously, legs trembling, treating him as cautiously as possible.

At Marineford, every Navy officer of rank knew about the scandal between Skybird and Akainu. Skybird, a Rear Admiral and Zephyr’s personal disciple, was renowned for his strength, dubbed a madman and a monster, champion of the Navy’s first grand tournament. Many, unfamiliar with Skybird due to his rare presence at headquarters, learned of him through this incident.

Akainu, on the other hand, was infamous throughout headquarters as one of the three monsters—an uncompromising Vice Admiral, wielder of the magma fruit, and a candidate for Admiral. He was known for his stubbornness and intolerance, so formidable that even the other two monsters, Kizaru and Aokiji, avoided provoking him. In certain respects, he was considered the strongest contender for Admiral.

Yet, just days prior, this so-called strongest candidate suffered a humiliating defeat. If not for Fleet Admiral Kong and Vice Admiral Garp, he might have become a corpse. Rumors spread—Akainu, overestimating himself, repeatedly provoked Skybird without the strength to match, and if not for Kong and the others, he’d have died countless times.

Thus, in some eyes, Akainu was a fool—an ant trying to shake a tree, a mantis blocking a cart. Such opinions, of course, were whispered in private.

In truth, Xuan Ye and Akainu were cut from the same cloth, differing only in how their traits manifested.

Xuan Ye gave off an aura of “stranger, keep away.” As long as he wasn’t provoked, he was reasonable, but once challenged, he became a lunatic—if he didn’t kill you, he’d make sure you suffered.

Akainu, meanwhile, was a pathological stickler for rules. In his presence, one had to be flawless; even a minor mistake meant trouble, regardless of rank. He was prone to implicating others, as seen with Xuan Ye’s two hundred subordinates.

It was over this very matter that Akainu nearly died again, causing Vice Admiral Tsuru to pay ten billion Berries in compensation—a sum Xuan Ye promptly distributed to his subordinates.

This event made every Navy officer envious. Ten billion divided by two hundred meant each received at least four million, making Xuan Ye’s unit the wealthiest in the Navy. Moreover, each member mastered at least one of the Six Styles.

Most importantly, Xuan Ye deeply valued his subordinates. In battle, his first rule was survival by any means within the bounds of regulation. If anyone bullied his men, even if they couldn’t fight back, they were to call upon their comrades; if justified, Xuan Ye would shoulder all consequences.

This philosophy attracted many officers, who racked their brains trying to join his unit. Alas, Xuan Ye accepted only two hundred, stating firmly that, within headquarters, each would be at least the rank of Major.

Unable to join, some sought to lure members away—bribing them with wealth, beauty, empty promises—especially Vice Admirals and Rear Admirals, who tried every trick. Yet none succeeded.

Even Sengoku and Garp once considered it, but pride held them back.

Comparing Akainu and Xuan Ye, it was clear who was more popular.

While Akainu recuperated, aside from a few loyal subordinates and obligatory visits from Sengoku and others, no one else came to see him. Simply put, Akainu’s situation was miserable. If he could voice his feelings, he’d shout to the sky, “Damn it all!”

Xuan Ye, on the other hand, was treated like a precious gem at home. His two hundred subordinates nearly wore out Zephyr’s door, some accompanied by family. Though Xuan Ye rarely managed his men directly, Pakas faithfully upheld his rules—apart from training and unity, all else was left to their discretion.

Thus, as long as they trained diligently and remained united, these two hundred sailors had plenty of time with their families. They were grateful to their commander. Walking through Marineford, these men were lords—wealthy and powerful, with the backing of a good leader. Unless they caused trouble themselves, no one dared provoke Skybird’s unit.

Even Akainu’s men, after their first encounter, now avoided them, faces grim and silent.

Their commander Akainu, seeing these men, dared not act, at most muttering a few words, fearing that damned bird might return and wipe out his unit again.

This concern extended to other Rear and Vice Admirals, who remembered how Skybird had decimated half of Akainu’s squad—members of headquarters, no less.

This demonstrated Skybird’s ruthlessness and protectiveness.

The two hundred followed their commander’s creed: “If others don’t provoke us, we don’t provoke them. If they do, we kill. If we lose, we call comrades. If we all lose, we call Pakas. If everyone loses, we call Commander Xuan Ye.”

As for pride—outnumbering the enemy? To them, survival and unity were their true dignity; anything else was irrelevant.

Because of this, some viewed them as a band of lowly ruffians, but united ruffians. If you ask which unit at Marineford is best left alone, Skybird’s ranks certainly rank in the top two.

Each brought gifts, not costly, but on that day, Xuan Ye, pale from his wounds, received everyone. Before them, he spoke only a few words:

“Thank you for visiting your negligent commander. Many of your families are here. I’ll say this: I can’t promise your loved ones will survive under my command, but I guarantee no one will dare bully them. My rules for my men are simple: survive by any means, stay united, share blessings and hardships. I trust you all understand.”

“As far as I’m able, I’ll ensure my men live well and survive, provided they abide by my rules. Thank you for coming to see me—I’m grateful. But as I need to heal, I won’t entertain everyone further.”

Because of these words, when the two hundred returned home, their families told them, “He’s a good commander. Because of him, your future is bright; our lives have improved; we no longer bow our heads. You must repay this leader well.”

Though the words varied, the meaning was the same. Such commanders are rare, which explains why so many seek to join his ranks.

In short, with such a leader, life is comfortable.

Having a good boss truly matters.

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