Chapter 256: The Immortal "Black Arm"
Marineford · Fleet Admiral's Office
Afternoon sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, reflecting on the wide mahogany desk. After the order for the Martial Arts Tournament was distributed through top-secret channels,
Sengoku, Tsuru, Zephyr, and Roy remained seated in the office, continuing their discussion.
Sengoku tapped his fingers lightly on the desk, his gaze resting on Roy.
"Roy, although we all know your abilities, bringing out so many powerful Devil Fruits at once... won't it be..."
He didn't finish the sentence, but the silence spoke volumes.
Tsuru sipped her tea slowly, concern flickering in her eyes.
Zephyr crossed his arms, brow furrowed tight, evidently sharing the same worry.
Hearing this, the corners of Roy's mouth lifted slightly. "Relax, Fleet Admiral."
"I have no intention of touching the 'deep level' existences just yet."
He slowly tapped the table with a finger. "The World Government imprisons 'them' in the deepest level of Impel Down not for judgment, but for control."
"The surveillance and defenses there are extremely strict precisely to prevent those truly terrifying Devil Fruits from respawning and escaping their grasp."
Here, Roy paused. "But for certain prisoners the World Government deems 'unimportant'... I can still operate."
"After all, a few pirate prisoners being 'played to death' by Shiryu in Impel Down... isn't that a perfectly normal occurrence?"
Hearing this, the expressions of the three visibly relaxed.
Sengoku sighed. "I see. Fruits 'extracted' from low-risk prisoners in Impel Down... The Five Elders indeed won't pursue matters over such people."
Just then, Roy suddenly shifted his gaze to Zephyr, his expression turning serious.
"Teacher, about that fruit I mentioned to you before—the one suitable for you..."
Zephyr's pupils contracted slightly. His breathing grew heavy involuntarily, fists slowly clenching.
Sengoku paused upon hearing this, seemingly realizing something. His lips curled up slowly, looking at Zephyr with the smile of an old friend.
"Old friend, you're in luck."
He turned his gaze to Roy, eyes shining. "If I'm not mistaken..."
"It's the Phoenix, isn't it?"
As his words fell, the air in the office froze abruptly.
Even the knowledgeable Tsuru found her breath quickening for a moment.
Zephyr's weathered eyes stared deathly at Roy, faint excitement flickering within.
Roy stopped hiding it. With a slight flip of his palm, a Devil Fruit glowing with azure-blue flame patterns slowly emerged.
The unique pressure of a Mythical Zoan swept through the room, as if a divine bird reborn from ashes was soaring out of the abyss.
It was precisely the Bird-Bird Fruit, Model: Phoenix!
—The ability that once belonged to Marco!
—Known as the "Ruler of the Skies," possessing near-immortal regenerative powers!
Roy placed the fruit steadily in front of Zephyr, eyes revealing a disciple's respect for his mentor.
"Teacher Zephyr..."
"Don't think about retiring anymore."
Zephyr's eyes, full of the vicissitudes of time, stared fixedly at the fruit. His rough fingers trembled slightly on the table.
He raised his head slowly, voice hoarse and heavy. "Brat... do you know what this fruit means?"
Roy's expression remained unchanged, a rare seriousness in his eyes. "Of course."
"It means 'Black Arm' Zephyr will no longer be troubled by old age!"
"It means the Marines will possess a truly 'Immortal' Admiral!"
Sengoku laughed loudly, slapping Zephyr's shoulder violently. "Old man, now you have no excuse to lie down and retire!"
A long-lost flame gradually lit up in Zephyr's eyes. Fists clenched slowly, knuckles cracking.
"Retire? Heh..."
"This old man's fists aren't too old to beat pirates yet!"
Tsuru reminded softly, "Roy, won't the World Government pursue the recovery of this fruit?"
A cold sneer rose on Roy's lips. "Don't worry. The Five Elders now prefer for the pirates and me to grind each other down..."
"Besides, even if they knew, what could they do to me?"
Sengoku narrowed his eyes, looking at him with a faint smile. "You planned this long ago, didn't you?"
Roy spread his hands. "Just going with the flow."
At this point, Zephyr hesitated no more. He grabbed the fruit and took a fierce bite!
"CRUNCH!"
The next instant, the entire office was engulfed in azure-blue flames!
"WHOOSH—!!!"
Surging life force washed over Zephyr's body like a torrent. Blazing phoenix wings unfolded abruptly behind his back, dazzling azure flames illuminating the entire building!
The signs of aging on Zephyr's body were burned away in the flames. Skin regained its tightness, muscles bulged anew. Phoenix-wing-shaped flame patterns appeared on his Black Arms. Haki and life force intertwined, like a god descending!
He clenched his fists. Armament Haki instantly covered both arms, phoenix flames blazing along with it!
"BWAHAHAHA!!!"
"This feeling... it's like I'm forty again!!!"
Sengoku's eyes flashed with amazement. "As expected of a Mythical Zoan... Zephyr, you're back."
Tsuru revealed a rare smile. "It seems the Marines really are going to change."
Roy watched the rejuvenated Zephyr, a deep light in his eyes.
"Phoenix regeneration, combined with the 'Black Arm's' top-tier Armament Haki..."
"Teacher Zephyr's strength will be even greater than in his prime!"
...
Meanwhile, Top Secret Orders reached major Marine bases.
Admiral Akainu's Office
Thick smoke filled the air.
Sakazuki chewed on a cigar, rough fingers holding the document stamped with the TOP SECRET seal.
His gaze swept over every line. A sharp smile curled his lips as he slowly exhaled a plume of white smoke.
"That kid Roy... always manages to pull off something shocking."
He slapped the document onto the desk with a smack, his gaze sweeping sharply over the neatly lined-up Hawkish elites before him—
Doberman, Onigumo, and others stood at attention, uniforms crisp.
Sakazuki spoke in a low voice: "This Martial Arts Tournament—"
"We must dominate it!"
...
Marine Base G-3
"BWAHAHAHA!!!"
Garp's loud voice shook the office glass. He slapped the table, laughing until his whole body shook.
"As expected of Roy! To come up with something like this!"
Beside him, Kuzan leaned lazily on the sofa, holding the document in one hand, his exhaled cold air frosting his tea cup.
"Mr. Garp... Roy said Devil Fruits for combat enhancement..."
"That's not something to joke about~"
Garp's eyes lit up, fist smashing into his palm. "Hehe... I definitely have to go see this excitement!"
"After all, this old man is a Vice Admiral too!"
Kuzan froze. "Isn't that... a bit like bullying..."
...
Vegapunk's Research Lab
Machines hummed incessantly.
Kizaru sat lazily on a sofa, legs crossed high, holding the document, a smile on his lips.
"Ooooh scaaary... Roy, oh Roy, hasn't made such a big commotion in a long time~"
Sentomaru walked in carrying his giant axe, asking curiously, "Uncle, what big thing are the Marines doing?"
Kizaru pushed up his sunglasses, waving the document with a smile.
"I didn't plan on getting involved..."
"But, this matter has benefits for you~"
Sentomaru took the document and scanned it, eyes widening abruptly.
"OI OI OI!! I definitely have to participate in this!!!"
...
The elite Vice Admirals of Marine Headquarters also received the news one after another. The barracks and training grounds instantly became lively.
Momonga and Yamakaji, back from G-1 to report, whispered by the training ground.
"A Martial Arts Tournament, huh... looks like it's getting serious this time."
Dalmatian and Bastille met in the cafeteria, clutching documents, whispering about strategies.
Maynard discussed tactical preparations deeply with Comil via Den Den Mushi.
Everyone realized one thing—
This tournament was anything but ordinary!
...
Gion's Office
Tokikake (Chaton) sat on the sofa with legs crossed, holding the document, frowning slightly.
"Roy doing this... probably wants to stimulate the motivation of the Vice Admirals..."
"The pressure on us is huge~"
Gion (Momousagi) stood by the window, tapping the frame lightly. "I'm definitely going."
"The things Roy brings out... won't be bad~"
Tokikake suddenly looked up. "By the way, Roy won't be participating, right?"
Gion chuckled lightly, a glint of cunning in her eyes. "Who knows~"
...
As the secret order went down, rumors flew from Headquarters to every major branch.
But regardless of stance, everyone reached a consensus—
The things Roy brings out...
Will absolutely not be bad!
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