Chapter 140: Explosion! Fist of the King!
Brett had to admit that Weibull, the guy who claimed to be Whitebeard's son, looked absolutely ridiculous in appearance.
Kaido also had short legs proportionally, but when he was young, he was still a powerfully built man with decent proportions. However, Whitebeard II, who was only in his twenties this year, had two legs like bamboo poles that were completely disproportionate to his massive upper body, creating an almost comical silhouette against the stormy sky.
Coupled with his perpetually glazed expression and vacant stare, it was hard not to dismiss him as a complete fool—just like one of those obviously weak villains in adventure stories who would be easily dealt with by the protagonists in a single chapter.
But Brett knew very well that anyone who treated this guy as a harmless idiot was the real fool making a fatal mistake.
Zephyr's current battered appearance was living proof of that dangerous assumption.
In the original timeline, Kizaru's assessment of this naive-looking giant was that he possessed the raw power of Whitebeard in his youth! This wasn't one of Kizaru's typical sarcastic jokes or casual observations—it was a serious tactical evaluation.
To be able to force the legendary Black Arm Zephyr to this desperate point, losing an arm and barely surviving, this guy's strength was very close to that of a Marine Headquarters Admiral. And he was only twenty-six years old this year, meaning his potential for growth was terrifying.
This man, Edward Weibull, was a true monster hiding behind a fool's mask.
Although Brett maintained a relaxed smile on his weathered face, he actually didn't feel calm at all internally. His muscles were coiled tight beneath his coat, ready for explosive action.
When facing a powerhouse like Whitebeard II, no amount of vigilance and preparation could be considered excessive or paranoid.
"Hey, Brett, do you really want to fight this guy?"
Tesoro whispered urgently, his voice barely audible over the storm and crashing waves.
'Are you joking?' Brett thought to himself with dark amusement.
Why would anyone do such an inexplicably dangerous thing without proper reason or preparation?
The reputation of Black Arm Zephyr had long been legendary throughout the world's oceans. To be able to fight such a monster to this extent, even causing him to suffer severe injuries and lose a limb, this guy who looked like a harmless fool was definitely an incredible threat!
Although Brett didn't understand why Weibull wasn't more famous or feared across the seas yet.
Something was definitely wrong with the timing and politics of this situation.
Even if the Five Elders had urgently contacted him and specifically requested assistance, he could have arrived slowly and claimed he was delayed by weather. Wouldn't that have been much safer and more sensible?
Brett's smile widened slightly as he turned to address Zephyr, who was covering his severed arm wound with torn cloth. "Did you hear that, Mr. Zephyr? He's going to attack me next. Get ready to target that old woman."
Zephyr tore off another piece of his uniform and tightened the makeshift bandage around his stump. He took a deep breath to center himself, then clenched his remaining left fist as dark Armament Haki flowed across the knuckles like liquid shadow.
Miss Bakkin sneered with cruel confidence. She jumped up with surprising agility for her age, landing perfectly on Weibull's broad shoulders and settling into position as if they'd practiced this maneuver countless times.
"Weibull, kill this fish-man first!"
She pointed her gnarled finger directly at Brett with murderous intent.
They could not afford to fall into the tactical disadvantage of being surrounded and fighting on multiple fronts simultaneously.
Zephyr was extremely difficult to deal with and impossible to eliminate quickly, even in his wounded state.
But this fish-man interloper was different—he could be dealt with swiftly.
Deep-sea disaster? Today she would turn him into premium sashimi!
As soon as his beloved mother gave the command, Weibull roared like a wild beast and charged toward Brett with devastating speed.
"Weibull!!"
Zephyr launched himself forward at the same moment, his body cutting through the rain-soaked air.
If he were being completely honest, he would certainly prefer to watch Weibull tear Brett apart with his bare hands.
But the situation couldn't allow for such personal satisfaction right now.
It was true that there existed deep, institutional hatred between the Navy and Brett stemming from years of conflict, but this was not the time to indulge in such sentiments.
His surviving disciples still needed protection, and that took absolute priority over personal grudges.
"Knock him back toward Weibull!"
Miss Bakkin transformed into a battlefield commander, her tactical mind working rapidly.
"I understand completely, Mom!!"
Despite his massive bulk, Weibull displayed unexpected flexibility and grace. He twisted his entire body around in mid-air like a dancer, and the enormous naginata in his hands was already sweeping toward Zephyr in a devastating arc.
The muscles in Zephyr's left arm swelled dramatically, and the veins bulged like serpents beneath his skin. He threw a punch with every ounce of his legendary strength, and his fist collided violently with Weibull's naginata blade.
A violent wind suddenly erupted across the sea surface, and dark Conqueror's Haki lightning was already radiating in all directions like a spider web of destruction.
"Two absolute monsters!!"
Tesoro's carefully styled hair whipped wildly in the supernatural winds, and he couldn't help but scream in awe and terror.
Whether it was the former Marine Admiral or this seemingly simple-minded giant called Weibull, their strength was far beyond anything he could hope to match or even comprehend.
But at this crucial moment, someone else rose up against the howling wind currents!
Brett shot forward like a brilliant meteor streaking across the storm-darkened sky.
His body was wrapped with crackling electricity that extended behind him like the luminous tail of a comet cutting through space.
As his body continued strengthening, his Haki improved, and his biological adaptability evolved, the electrical current his enhanced physiology could withstand and channel became exponentially more powerful.
He stepped on the air itself, walking on flat ground in the void as if the laws of physics bent to his will, and reached Weibull's position in just a heartbeat.
"So incredibly fast!!"
Tesoro's eyes widened in complete shock and disbelief.
He hadn't seen his old friend demonstrate his true combat abilities in more than a year of peaceful cooperation.
Looking at this display now, Brett was obviously much stronger than he'd been during their Dressrosa days.
"Weibull!!"
Miss Bakkin almost screamed in panic when she saw Brett materializing within striking distance.
What was happening with this fish-man's speed?
It was absolutely inhuman!!
"Yes, Mom!!"
The giant once again demonstrated his deceptive agility. Using the momentum from his collision with Zephyr, he spun his massive body and slashed toward Brett with his naginata in a blindingly fast counter-attack.
Brett held his breath, focusing every fiber of his being. His right arm became completely black with concentrated Armament Haki, and the brightest electrical energy was jumping across the surface like miniature lightning bolts.
Then he activated his ultimate technique—
Electric Current Boost - Fist of the King!
The tremendous power he had accumulated in his body through careful diet and training was instantly released. All that stored energy converted into pure destructive force and concentrated in his right arm.
Then Brett threw his punch with everything he had.
The moment Brett's fist moved forward, Zephyr's entire expression changed dramatically.
His eyes widened to their limits and his mouth opened slightly in stunned recognition.
He quickly stretched out his left arm, invisible Haki spreading outward to form a protective barrier around the surviving marines.
Tesoro's eyes also widened as he witnessed something that defied belief.
He thought he might be hallucinating from the stress and chaos.
He actually saw the air between Brett and Weibull crack like broken glass, and jumping black lightning seemed to reach toward the storm clouds above.
The world became eerily silent, and all natural sounds were completely muffled.
Until the next moment, when explosion and sound waves erupted simultaneously.
BOOOOOOOOM—!!
This time, every other noise in the world disappeared, overwhelmed by an even more massive roar.
Both fighters were blasted backward at the same time, but the shockwaves moved even faster. The naval warship was instantly carved apart by the devastating force, creating a huge spherical gap in its hull before the entire vessel exploded into countless fragments. Only the area Zephyr desperately protected remained barely intact.
The sea surface sank instantly, forming a massive crater. The turbulent shockwaves pushed seawater back continuously, and the entire ocean seemed to boil from the released energy.
Tesoro stared at Brett, who landed gracefully beside him again, with an expression of complete astonishment.
He suddenly wanted to raise his hands and rub his eyes to make sure he wasn't dreaming.
Was this guy really the same Brett he'd known for years?
What was this kind of overwhelming strength that seemed almost alien in its power?
When exactly had his friend become so incredibly formidable?
His expression looked as if he was struggling with severe constipation, wanting to speak but unable to find words.
But immediately, he remembered something crucial from their past conversations.
Could this actually be the legendary Fist of the King technique?
Weibull staggered backward through the air and crashed onto broken pieces of the destroyed warship. He couldn't help shouting with genuine surprise, "Mom, this guy is really powerful!"
'I can see that clearly!' Miss Bakkin thought as cold sweat broke across her wrinkled forehead.
There was such a dangerous monster hidden among the fish-men!
In direct combat, he had actually suppressed her precious son!/?
"Weibull! We're retreating immediately!"
she screamed with newfound respect for their opponent.
Fighting such a powerful enemy and Zephyr simultaneously would be pure suicide.
"Okay, Mom!"
Weibull was always completely obedient to his mother's commands. He turned around and used his naginata like a paddle, immediately propelling the ship fragments beneath his feet forward like an arrow shot from a bow.
'Sitting on debris, trying to escape by sea in front of me,' Brett thought with dark amusement. 'They really don't understand the situation they're in.'
Regardless of whether this guy was a Devil Fruit user or not, there was absolutely no way he could fight effectively while surrounded by ocean water.
But there was no need to pursue them further.
Was there any point in continuing to battle a monster like that?
To seek revenge for the Navy's sake? That would be absurd.
Instead, Brett felt a surge of satisfaction.
'The Fist of the King is incredibly powerful!'
The technique he had just unleashed was probably equivalent to Admiral-level strength.
As for his current baseline abilities, if he fully activated his Haki and electrical enhancement without using special techniques, he should now be considered among the stronger Warlords.
If he were to fight Boa Hancock again, this improved state should be sufficient to achieve victory.
But he was still some distance away from true Admiral-level consistent power.
Using a hierarchical system, it would be: Strong Warlord - Vice Admiral - Admiral.
In terms of fantasy novel power levels, that single blow just now had probably jumped him two entire tiers temporarily.
It was absolutely remarkable and worthy of being his ultimate trump card.
The stronger his basic physical capabilities became, the more the Fist of the King technique would amplify his power.
And as his body continued developing, he would be able to store even more energy for future use.
In addition to the raw power—
Brett turned to look at Zephyr, who stood on the sinking wreckage of the warship, regarding him with solemn wariness and newfound respect.
The psychological effect had also been perfectly achieved.
If his strength truly reached this level permanently, there would be no need to rush exposing it to the world.
But since it hadn't yet, he could certainly use this demonstration for strategic advantage.
"Mr. Zephyr, why are you still standing there?"
Brett called out with a friendly smile. "The ship is going to sink completely. Have your sailors transfer over to our mount."
Zephyr gritted his teeth, his pride warring with pragmatic necessity.