Zéphyr's usually stern and solemn expression couldn't quite hide the flicker of excitement in his eyes.
If they could capture these pirates, it would be the Navy's most glorious accomplishment in years a feat that would stir every man and woman in uniform to the core.
This was a heaven-sent opportunity.
Golden Lion Shiki, Wang Zhi, Silver Axe, Gol D. Roger, Silvers Rayleigh, Tengetsu Ares…
If they could all be taken into custody, it would shake the entire world.
"My long-awaited moment of heroism is finally here. I, Zéphyr, will never let an opportunity like this slip through my fingers." Through the expanse of ocean ahead, Zéphyr could already envision his own heroic moment dawning.
Standing at the bow, his fists clenched tight, he vowed to himself: I will become a hero.
Beside him, Garp noticed Zéphyr's barely restrained thrill and grinned. "Zéphyr, this might just be the most dazzling achievement the Navy's had in years."
"All the credit is yours but Roger's mine," Garp said, cracking his knuckles with barely contained anticipation.
As one of the Navy's strongest fighters, Garp had taken down no shortage of infamous pirates over the years but the Roger Pirates had always managed to elude his grasp. Not just once, but repeatedly.
This time… No, every time, he was confident. And today was no exception.
"Credit means nothing to me. What I want is to see these vile pirates locked away in Impel Down," Zéphyr replied, his voice righteous and firm.
Knowing Zéphyr's character, Garp didn't press the point. He simply thought to himself, If Zéphyr doesn't want the glory, I'll hand it to my adjutant. Someone will take it.
When the report came that all hands were ready, Zéphyr immediately ordered the ship to full speed toward their target.
It wasn't long before the island came into view or what was left of it.
The place had been razed to the ground. Trees splintered into fragments, rocks shattered and scattered across the earth.
The sheer devastation froze the Navy soldiers in place, cold sweat trickling down their temples and spines.
Even Zéphyr's gaze sharpened at once, locking onto several of the most notorious pirates present. His eyes lit up. "Perfect timing hardly anyone's still standing."
Most of the pirates in sight were either dead or gravely injured. Those still fighting were covered in wounds, their stamina all but spent.
"Roger! I'm coming for you!"
"It's been a while, but my fists have gotten stronger. Let's see if you can handle my Iron Fist now!"
With an excited shout, Garp launched forward like he'd been fired from a cannon, eyes fixed solely on Roger.
"Garp?!"
Roger's jaw dropped in shock before his expression twisted into a grimace.
"Damn it. Of all times, now he shows up to make trouble."
Tension gripped Roger's heart again.
Golden Lion Shiki, too, scowled, spitting curses. "Persistent Navy dogs… 'Mad Dog' suits Garp just fine."
He took a drag from his cigar, his sharp eyes cutting toward Roger. Their duel so far had been dead even, and Shiki himself bore no shortage of wounds.
"Looks like the troublesome Navy's here for you. Good luck."
No sooner had he turned away than the reflection in his eyes shifted Zéphyr was striding toward him.
"Shiki," Zéphyr's voice rang out, deep and powerful, "today, you're not going anywhere. Impel Down will be your home for the rest of your life."
"You'll atone there for the blood you've spilled all these years."
With each step, his fists darkened under Armament Haki, their black sheen glinting with a cold metallic light.
Shiki felt Zéphyr's killing intent lock onto him and sneered. "I'd rather die at sea than rot in Impel Down. Besides…"
"This ocean is mine to roam. No one tells me where I can't go!"
Even injured and drained from fighting Roger, the Golden Lion's defiance burned undimmed.
But from the corner of his eye, he glanced at Ares and a rare heaviness filled his chest.
With the power of the Float-Float Fruit, he could escape easily; not even a Vice Admiral like Zéphyr could stop him. But Wang Zhi, Silver Axe, and Tengetsu Ares all key members of the Rocks Pirates would surely fall into Navy hands.
The thought of Ares in chains made his gut twist. He made a decision then and there: No matter what, I'm getting Ares out of here.
Following his gaze, Zéphyr looked at Ares with a touch of regret. "If only that one had met the Navy instead of you pirates…"
"Face it, Shiki. You're not escaping."
When a man has something to protect, he gains strength but he also gains a weakness. Zéphyr wouldn't give him time to breathe. With fists like sledgehammers, he hurtled forward like an arrow from the bow.
Elsewhere, Roger now faced Garp in peak form.
Meanwhile, Navy forces poured ashore, quickly encircling the pirates.
Rayleigh's face tightened as he turned to Ares. "I concede. Let's stop here."
"I don't need your surrender," Ares replied bluntly. "Next time we meet, I'll finish what we started."
This wasn't the victory he sought he wanted to defeat Rayleigh fair and square. The Navy's interruption only delayed the inevitable.
"Next time, you will lose," Ares declared with unshakable confidence.
By then, his strength would have transformed completely. Even he couldn't guess how far he could go once he refined the spoils of his recent battles but he knew it would be far beyond what he was now.
Rayleigh's lips curved faintly. "I look forward to it. I'll show you what the real 'Dark King' means."
Both men turned to face the charging Marines.
One by one, the soldiers advanced, weapons drawn every blade and spear sheathed in Armament Haki.
Enemies who would normally be beneath their notice were suddenly troublesome in numbers.
Ares met the rush head-on, a single punch sending several Marines flying. Still, fresh cuts now marked his massive fists.
The sting barely registered, but the bite of steel told him his fists had been cut.
"If my body were as hard as a Supreme Grade blade," he muttered, "these attacks wouldn't even scratch me."
"I'm still not strong enough."
Hardness…
Battle after battle had shown him that his so-called toughness was far from absolute.
The road to his dream was still long. But the day he achieved it the day his body surpassed even the hardest blade he would be the invincible God of War: Tengetsu Ares.
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