BANG!
Cage pulled the trigger again, and a bullet shot out from the barrel.
"Momma."
Edward Weevil instantly shielded Miss Buckin, holding his large naginata horizontally in front of him for defense.
SPLAT!
When the bullet struck, there was a clang. It accurately hit Edward Weevil's great saber, instantly boring a bullet hole straight through the blade.
That's right, Edward Weevil's treasured naginata was pierced. A tiny bullet, yet it contained terrifying destructive power, easily sending Edward Weevil flying back. His damaged weapon clanged to the ground, and his bloated body was jolted back repeatedly, almost falling into the sea.
"Weevil!!!"
Miss Buckin panicked, utterly unable to believe how a mere bullet could possess such power.
"Good chance, Soru!"
Zephyr, disregarding his surprise, flashed out, instantly appearing before Edward Weevil. His right fist, coated in Haki, slammed forward.
BOOM!
With a tremendous roar, Edward Weevil's abdomen caved in. He opened his mouth, and a large gush of blood sprayed out. His bloated body staggered back several more steps, his lower legs already submerged in the seawater.
"I won't forgive you!!!"
Far from intimidating Edward Weevil, that punch completely ignited his ferocity. He raised his fist and smashed it down.
BANG!!!
A heavy punch came hurtling forward, the air exploding. A powerful shockwave swept out. Zephyr's arm trembled slightly, his heart heavy. The power of that punch was too immense.
However, that thought was dismissed in an instant. Zephyr once again threw his iron fist. As a former Admiral, how could he ever fear an enemy?
Especially now, with so many of his students tragically killed, this only fueled Zephyr's rage.
Bang bang bang!!!
Edward Weevil and Zephyr engaged in a fierce battle. Within a mere few seconds, hundreds of punches were exchanged. Cage, observing, was secretly astonished by Zephyr's strength.
One must remember that Zephyr was currently afflicted with asthma, which could be deadly in combat. Yet, even so, Zephyr still displayed impressive combat prowess, fighting Edward Weevil to a standstill.
Boom boom boom!!!
The fierce battle continued. After an unknown duration, their clash grew increasingly intense, shaking the entire island. Cage tried several times to find an opportunity for a sneak attack but didn't fire. He constantly felt a subtle, lingering gaze fixed on him.
It was likely Edward Weevil's Observation Haki consistently locking onto him.
"Get out of my way!!"
Zephyr suddenly roared, slamming his fist into Edward Weevil. The large man immediately shrieked, his enormous body sent flying, crashing heavily to the ground. He winced in pain, his bones audibly creaking.
Cage expected Zephyr to press his advantage, but instead...
Hoo-hah hoo-hah hoo-hah...
Zephyr hunched his back, panting heavily. He was drenched in sweat. At the same time, Edward Weevil was striding closer. Zephyr could only force a bitter smile. "My stamina is almost completely depleted. It seems I truly am old. Even fighting a brat like this is a struggle... Time spares no one."
Zephyr was already old, burdened by old injuries, and had been fighting Edward Weevil for several hours. Suffering from asthma, his stamina failed him; he simply couldn't hold on any longer.
Bang bang bang!
Just then, several bullets came flying from afar again. Edward Weevil decisively retreated and dodged them. Although his intelligence was lacking, he had already experienced the terrifying power of those bullets. If he were to take a shot head-on... he'd lose a layer of skin, if not his life.
"To think that one day I'd need my student to draw fire." Zephyr sighed, standing up with a wry smile. "How humiliating."
Rumble.
Three bullets missed their mark and plunged into the ocean, instantly erupting into twenty-meter-high water columns on the tranquil sea.
The icy seawater splashed onto Edward Weevil, and a deep wariness flickered across his simple face... He absolutely could not take those bullets head-on. His steel naginata had just been pierced, and he himself was sent flying. One could imagine how terrifying the power of a single shot was.
Bang bang...
Cage fired two more shots, his target still Miss Buckin. This woman was the true culprit; she likely had a grudge against Zephyr from the past, hence her seeking revenge today.
Boom!
This time, without Edward Weevil's protection, Miss Buckin was as fragile as paper, utterly defenseless. After two bullets struck her, a perfectly healthy person exploded into a scattered mess of flesh and gore.
"Momma!!"
Edward Weevil's tears, thick as beans, streamed down his face as if they cost nothing. For him, Miss Buckin was the dearest person in the world.
"I'll make you all pay! Especially the one who killed Momma! I'll skin you alive to honor Momma!"
Edward Weevil's hysterical wails echoed through the dark night, as if he were enduring unimaginable torment. His eyes were bloodshot, and his voice spread to every corner of the island. Everyone covered their ears; the booming, thunder-like sound sent chills down their spines.
Cage immediately sensed trouble. After all, he was the one who had shot Miss Buckin. The woman's death was too gruesome; not even her bones remained.
Thump thump thump thump...
Edward Weevil abandoned Zephyr and began striding with heavy steps towards Cage's location.
"Retreat!"
Cage didn't hesitate, decisively choosing to change locations and continue his guerrilla tactics. If Edward Weevil got close... direct combat wasn't his specialty.
"Don't ignore me!"
Zephyr's voice rang out from behind Edward Weevil. Then, with a sweep of his right foot, a dazzling white light swept out. "Rankyaku!"
Zephyr naturally understood Edward Weevil's intent: he was targeting Cage. But unfortunately, he was willing but unable; his stamina was completely depleted. All he could do now was stall for time. Relying on him... defeating Edward Weevil was impossible.
Boom boom boom!
The destructive light exploded on Edward Weevil's body. While the power of that kick was certainly formidable, Edward Weevil's solid muscles weren't for show; they were like an impenetrable wall. Coupled with his impressive Haki defense, Zephyr's kick merely sent him flying.
But not long after, Edward Weevil got back up.
"Help me!"
"Someone save me!"
The pirates brought by Edward Weevil and Miss Buckin launched a ruthless pursuit of the new Marine recruits. These young fledglings were no match for the pirates, and many fell to their deaths in pools of blood without even a chance to struggle.