AI Model: gemini-3.0-flashChapter 407: The Strongest Enemy Z (Part 3)Fas Island, the summit of the volcano.Billowing thick smoke spewed from the crater, dyeing the sky an ominous grayish-black.Scorching lava churned within the mountain's belly, emitting a dull, low roar as if wailing for the impending doom of this island."Teacher, all the power rocks have been set in place."Binz wiped the sweat from his forehead and jumped out from the internal passage of the crater, reporting respectfully to the figure standing on the edge of the cliff.Zephyr didn't turn around, letting the gale whip his cloak. His gaze was fixed on the endless sea, obscured by volcanic ash.Everything was ready.With just one word from him, this island, along with this entire sea region, would be completely wiped off the map. The first step of the New World Destruction Plan was about to be completed."Very good."Zephyr spoke hoarsely, preparing to give the order to retreat.But at that very instant, his battle-hardened Observation Haki, which had long since become instinctual, suddenly screamed a frantic alarm!!!Zephyr's pupils shrank violently, and he abruptly looked up toward that hazy sky!Ain and Binz also felt something at the same time, instantly assuming combat stances as if facing a great enemy.High in the sky, a tiny golden speck of light suddenly appeared.In the next second, that speck of light expanded rapidly at a speed exceeding the limits of the human eye, trailing a long golden tail of flame like a meteor from beyond the heavens, crashing straight toward the summit of the volcano!"BOOM—!!!"The golden light slammed into the ground less than fifty meters from Zephyr. The earth shattered with a roar, sending rubble flying and creating a small crater several meters in diameter.Once the blinding golden light dissipated, a tall figure slowly stood upright in the center of the crater.He wore a sharp, flashy yellow-and-white striped suit and a pair of tinted sunglasses, with a lazy, sleazy smile on his face that made one want to punch him just by looking at it.The newcomer was none other than the MarineHeadquarters' ultimate combat power, Admiral"Kizaru" Borsalino!He seemed completely oblivious to the tension in the air, nonchalantly brushing non-existent dust off his suit.Then, with his hands in his pockets, he spoke lazily in his signature, drawn-out, punchable tone:"Oh my, oh my~~~ That really scared me to death~~~"He glanced at the flickering red light within the crater, then looked at Zephyr's world-ending posture, grinning exaggeratedly."Zephyr-sensei~ what kind of big move are you planning here?""With such a grand setup, are you planning to set off the most expensive fireworks in history to celebrate your retirement? How~ sca~ry~"These words caused Ain and Binz's faces to instantly darken.This man was once one of their teacher's most prized students, Marine Admiral Kizaru!As expected, the Marines had pursued them after all!There wasn't a hint of surprise on Zephyr's face, as if he had long expected him to appear.He simply turned around slowly, his flesh-and-blood "black arm" clenching with a creaking sound."Borsalino!!!"Zephyr's aged voice was filled with a fury on the verge of exploding."You still rely so much on that damn ability of yours! Just like a fly!""It can't be helped~~~"Kizaru picked his ear, looking like a dead pig that didn't fear boiling water."Who told it to be so useful~ It saves time and effort, and I can even get off work on time. How wonderful~~~""Enough talk!"Zephyr had no more patience for bickering. He stomped violently on the ground, his entire body launching like a pitch-black cannonball, instantly crossing dozens of meters to throw a punch at Kizaru!This punch held nothing back!Extreme Armament Haki dyed his entire arm a pure ink-black, even creating visible black cracks in the air around his fist!This single punch was enough to level a mountaintop!Yet, facing this world-destroying strike, Kizarudidn't even bat an eye.Just a split second before that pitch-black Iron Fistcould hit his sleazy face, his body suddenly dispersed into countless dancing golden specks of light with a "poof."Zephyr's fist passed through without any resistance, the violent shockwave of the punch directly shattering a small hill behind him into powder!"Oh my~ how dangerous, how dangerous~ I almost missed my afternoon tea~"Kizaru's voice rang out lazily from behind Zephyr.Those golden specks of light reconvened behind him, turning back into his tall figure.Zephyr spun around violently, throwing another heavy punch with the power of thunder!"It's useless~ sensei~"Kizaru vanished into light specks again. In the next second, he appeared in mid-air, looking down at Zephyr and even giving him a wave."Teacher, your speed seems to have slowed down quite a bit~""Bastard!!!"Zephyr roared, his feet tapping the ground repeatedly as he used "Moonwalk" to soar into the sky, his pitch-black Iron Fists raining down on Kizaru like a storm.But every time, at the moment they were about to hit, the opponent easily dodged using elementalization.For a moment, the entire sky was filled with black fist shadows and golden light specks.Ain and Binz watched from below, anxious and frustrated, yet completely unable to intervene.Kizaru's speed was too fast—so fast that their attacks couldn't lock onto him at all."Teacher, don't let him lead you by the nose! He's trying to exhaust your stamina!" Ain shouted a warning.Zephyr naturally knew this. He panted heavily, stopping in mid-air.Years of combat and his increasingly severe asthma meant his stamina was no longer what it used to be.Kizaru looked at his heaving chest, the curve of his lips widening."It seems Teacher has noticed too~~~"He extended a finger, and a beam of brilliant golden light gathered at the tip."Since you won't take the initiative, I'll have to get a little bit serious~""Yata no Kagami!"As soon as he finished speaking, countless golden light bullets shot toward Zephyr like an impenetrable meteor shower, blanketing the sky!Each light bullet had the power comparable to a naval cannon!"Paltry tricks!"Zephyr roared, and his massive Sea Stoneprosthetic limb, "smash," suddenly lifted and began to rotate at high speed, forming an impenetrable pitch-black shield in front of him!"BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM BOOM—!!!"Dense explosions echoed through the clouds, and the terrifying shockwaves even dispersed a large patch of volcanic ash in the sky.The golden rain of light and the pitch-black iron arm collided frantically, erupting in brilliant yet deadly sparks.While Zephyr was fully focused on defense, Kizaru's figure suddenly appeared above and to his side.He clasped his hands together, and a magnificent longsword several meters long, made entirely of light, appeared out of thin air in his hands."ama no murakumo sword!""Die! Borsalino!"Zephyr seemed to have eyes in the back of his head. He bellowed, abandoning his defense and swinging the incredibly heavy "smash" in a horizontal sweep toward Kizaru!"CLANG—!!!!!"The golden light sword and the pitch-black iron arm finally collided for real!The ear-piercing metallic clash turned into visible circular shockwaves, frantically expanding in all directions!The entire Fas Island trembled violently under this earth-shaking strike!Rocks crumbled, and the earth wailed!Ain and Binz were directly blown away by this terrifying aftershock, rolling a dozen times on the ground before barely stopping, their eyes filled with horror.Is this... the true strength of an Admiral?!In mid-air, the master and student were locked in a brief struggle of strength.Golden light and pitch-black darkness refused to yield, frantically eroding each other.The laziness on Kizaru's face finally faded slightly. He looked at his mentor close at hand and slowly spoke a sentence that was the final straw to break the camel's back."It's useless~ sensei~"His voice wasn't loud, but it was like a poisoned dagger, accurately stabbing into the most vulnerable part of Zephyr's heart."Your asthma... seems to be getting worse and worse~""If we keep fighting like this, you'll probably... fall over yourself before you can even defeat me~"This sentence was like a switch, instantly detonating all the accumulated sorrow, anger, and despair in Zephyr's heart!His movements froze.In those bloodshot eyes, the burning fury was gradually replaced by a deathly madness."Heh...""Hehehehe..."Zephyr suddenly started laughing—a hoarse and piercing laugh filled with self-deprecation and desolation."Yeah... you're right... Borsalino..."He forced Kizaru back with a sudden punch and pulled out a power rock emitting an ominous red light from his coat.For the first time, Kizaru's pupils contracted violently."Oh my, Teacher, that's not a toy you can just play around with~""A toy?"Zephyr laughed wildly, clutching the power rocktightly in his hand. His aged face was filled with the resolve to perish together!He was no longer thinking about defeating Kizaru, because he knew that before his stamina ran out, he couldn't kill this student who was as slippery as an eel....But he could drag him down to hell together!"Come on! Borsalino!!!"Zephyr gave Kizaru a grin that was both hideous and brilliant."Let's see which is faster: your light speed for running away, or the explosion I trigger!!!""Let's see which of us can actually leave this island alive!!!?!"The moment the words fell, he didn't hesitate to use all his strength to crush the power rock in his hand!"Teacher!!!"Ain let out a heart-wrenching scream.For the first time, the expression on Kizaru's face became incredibly solemn. He didn't even have time to speak, immediately turning himself into photons to the extreme!"BOOM—!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"A massive mushroom cloud that defied description rose from the center of Fas Island into the sky!Blinding white light swallowed everything!Violent energy blew the entire island into fragments, which were then ruthlessly swallowed and submerged by the boiling seawater.A generation's "black arm," along with his fury and tragic wish, seemed to have vanished in this earth-shaking explosion.A long time... a long time later...When the sea surface slowly regained its calm, leaving only a massive whirlpool.At the core of the explosion, countless golden light specks slowly gathered, reconsolidating into Kizaru's figure.He still wore that sharp suit, untainted by dust and completely unharmed.He looked at the empty sea below, his cynical expression long gone.In those eyes that were always squinted, a rare and complex emotion flickered."I really... didn't want to get serious with you at all..."He whispered to himself, his voice so low only he could hear it."Teacher..."
AI Model: gemini-3.0-flashChapter 408: The Strongest Enemy Z (Part 4)The pitch-black warship was fleeing the recently bombed sea at its maximum speed.Inside the flagship's command room, it was deathly silent.All members of the NEO Marines stared fixedly at the main screen, where a massive mushroom cloud continuously billowed, refusing to dissipate, above a rapidly vanishing giant whirlpool fueled by the frantic influx of seawater.Fas Island was gone.Along with their teacher, their spiritual pillar—the man known as black arm Zephyr—had vanished into that boiling sea."Teacher..."Ain't's legs gave out, and she fell directly to her knees.She stared blankly at the scene of destruction, tears sliding down silently like beads from a broken string.At first, it was just silent weeping, but soon, the suppressed grief turned into uncontrollable sobs.o(╥﹏╥)o"Ugh... uuuu..."Finally, she could no longer hold it back, pounding her hands against the cold iron floor and letting out a heart-wrenching wail."Teacher—!!!"It wasn't that she didn't know his plan or understand his resolve. But watching her most beloved teacher use such a suicidal tactic to take the enemy down with him—the heart-tearing pain instantly shattered all her strength."Why... why did you have to go this far~~~"Binz stood to the side, looking at the inconsolable Ain; his eyes had long since turned red."Full speed ahead!!!"Another cadre of the NEO Marines and also a student of Zephyr, the Longarm Tribe member Shuzo, suppressed his grief and barked an order to the helmsman."We... must absolutely not let Teacher's sacrifice be in vain!" His voice was hoarse, filled with a resolve forged in blood and tears.The atmosphere in the command room was tragic and solemn to the extreme.Everyone was mourning the end of their hero and grieving for the uncertainty of the path ahead.But, at that moment, a flurry of hurried footsteps came from outside the door."Quick! Medics! Where are the medics?!?!"Several crew members responsible for the emergency recovery mission rushed in frantically, carrying a makeshift stretcher.On the stretcher lay a charred figure, almost unrecognizable as a human being."This is..." Shuzo froze for a moment."It's Teacher! We found him in the sea at the edge of the explosion!"One crew member shouted, "He still has a breath left!""Wha... what?!?!"Everyone in the command room, including Ain who was kneeling on the floor, snapped their heads up in disbelief.Ain scrambled over on all fours. When she saw the figure on the stretcher—though unrecognizable, the silhouette was incredibly familiar—her tears burst forth again."Teacher... Teacher! You're alive! You're actually still alive!"Zephyr was indeed still alive.However, his current state was hardly better than being dead.Half of his body was severely burned, the skin a terrifying charcoal color, while the other half had been blasted into a bloody mess by the shockwave of the explosion.But...His eyes were terrifyingly bright.In those pupils, which should have been glazed over from heavy injury, there was no regret or pain—only a madness and resolve deeper and purer than before.It was as if the explosion that could level an island hadn't broken his will, but instead acted as a furnace, burning away the last bits of hesitation and warmth in his soul."Cough... cough cough..."Zephyr coughed violently, and a trace of black blood trickled from the corner of his mouth.Slowly, using every ounce of his strength, he raised his head. His gaze swept over his shocked and overjoyed students as he squeezed out a few hoarse words."Borsalino... is he dead?""..."No one answered.Because they didn't know either.But seeing that Teacher was still alive was enough!!!"Thank goodness... thank goodness..." Ain held Zephyr's uninjured hand, crying uncontrollably.Zephyr looked at her, a nearly invisible trace of tenderness flashing in his eyes, but it was immediately covered by a deeper coldness.He struggled to give Shuzo a new order."Course... the second End Point... Saiken Island.""The plan... continues."The hero who had survived the disaster didn't stop for a moment. Dragging his broken body, he set sail toward the next place destined for destruction without looking back....On the other side, at the Marine Headquarters, Marineford.In the office of the new Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, the atmosphere was as oppressive as an approaching storm.No, it should be said that the storm had already arrived."BOOM—!!!!"A loud blast, accompanied by scalding white steam, erupted in the office.Akainu, the Marine Fleet Admiral who had been in office for over half a year, smashed the desk in front of him into a pile of sparking magma and splintered wood with a single punch.Sizzling magma dripped onto the polished floor, burning ugly black holes into it."Borsalino—!!!!"Akainu's roar nearly blew the roof off the office.His already stern face was now covered in veins of fury; he looked like a living volcano on the verge of eruption.Opposite him, Admiral Kizaru was picking his ear with his pinky finger, that signature, blood-pressure-spiking, punchable smile plastered on his face. ( ´_ゝ｀)"You dare tell me you didn't go easy on him?!"Akainu pointed at Kizaru's nose, the spit flying from his mouth hotter than magma."A former Marine Admiral who's been retired for years, with two mediocre students, stole the power rock right under the nose of you—one of the World Government's highest combat powers! And even leveled one of our important branch bases!""Are you mocking me as Fleet Admiral, or are you mocking the words 'Absolute Justice' on our backs?!"Staff Officer Tsuru, standing to the side, calmly took a sip of tea as if she were long accustomed to this scene.On the other side, a Marine adjutant holding documents was shaking uncontrollably, desperately trying to make himself invisible for fear of being burned by the Fleet Admiral's rage.Facing Akainu's explosive temper, Kizaru yawned and spoke languidly."Oh my, oh my~, Fleet Admiral Sakazuki, you're really wronging me here~"He spread his hands, looking completely innocent."Who knew Teacher Zephyr, at his age, still had such a fiery temper~""He just up and self-destructed without a word of discussion. What could I do? I'm quite despondent too, you know~"As he spoke, he even made a show of pulling a handkerchief from his pocket to wipe away the non-existent cold sweat on his forehead."Besides~, maybe the old teacher has already been blown to bits in that magnificent explosion and turned into the brightest star in the sky~""In a sense, doesn't that mean the problem is solved~?""SHUT UP!!!"Akainu's anger flared again. The temperature in the office shot up several degrees, and the air began to warp."If that man were so easy to kill, he wouldn't be black arm Zephyr!"Akainu forced himself to calm down. He took a deep breath, the scalding air causing the surrounding atmosphere to emit faint popping sounds.He knew there was no point in arguing with an old fox like Kizaru.He turned to the composed Staff Officer Tsuru and asked in a low voice:"Staff Officer Tsuru, where are those two old geezers Garp and Sengoku?"Tsuru set down her teacup and replied calmly:"According to the latest report from G-1 Branch, those two have already taken a warship and run off to the sea around... Saiken Island, where an End Point is located.""BANG!"Akainu's newly calmed emotions were ignited once more. He kicked a nearby man-sized decorative vase, shattering it into pieces."Those two rule-breaking old fossils!!!" he cursed under his breath, his fists clenching with a series of cracks.One was the former marine hero, the other was the former Fleet Admiral. These two guys, relying on their seniority, didn't respect him as the new Fleet Admiral at all!However, now was not the time to settle that score.Akainu was Akainu after all; after venting his anger, he immediately assumed the bearing of a Fleet Admiral.A ruthless glint flashed in his eyes as he issued a series of cold orders to the nearly terrified adjutant beside him."Pass on my orders! Full military mobilization!""Immediately! Blockade all sea routes to the remaining two End Points—Saiken Island and Final Island! Not even a fly is allowed in!""Call those useless CP0 bastards as well! Tell the Gorosei that this is an emergency that could shake the foundations of the world!""And!"He paused, his gaze as sharp as the keenest blade, sweeping across everyone in the office."Deploy every available force from Marineford, including all Giant Race Vice Admirals and the Pacifista units, and crush them at Final Island in the New World!""Since he wants to destroy the world, then I will prepare the grandest funeral for him at the end of the world!!!"Akainu's command was thick with the scent of iron and blood, causing the air in the office to freeze.He intended to settle everything in one final battle!Just then, Tsuru suddenly spoke:"Sakazuki, there's another report. G-5 Branch just confirmed that the illegal structure they found on the uninhabited island indeed belongs to Jack of the Beasts Pirates; he is currently being escorted back."Hearing this, Akainu only gave a cold laugh, a trace of disdain flashing in his eyes."A mere Great Sign doesn't interest me.""If Kaido dares to step into Marineford for his sake...""Then the New World can do with one less of the Four Emperors!"
Chapter 409: The Strongest Enemy, Z (Part 5)Marineford, Giant War Room.This massive room, capable of holding hundreds of people, was currently packed to capacity.From G-1 to G-5, every top commander of the New World branches, along with all high-ranking officials of Marineford at or above the rank of Vice Admiral, had been dragged away from their posts in a frantic rush by an emergency summons.At this moment, the meeting room was as noisy as the liveliest wet market.A group of iron-blooded tough guys who could normally make pirates tremble in fear just by stomping their feet in the New World were now whispering and discussing among themselves; the buzzing of their conversation almost lifted the specially reinforced ceiling."Hey, did you hear? G-3 Branch is gone!""Gone? What do you mean 'gone'? Eaten by Sea Kings?""Eaten my ass! It was blown up! The entire Fas Island—not even a single hair is left!""Holy crap! For real?! Who did it? Kaido or Big Mom? Or did that Red Hair guy finally wise up and decide to stop selling face and start selling explosives instead?""Neither! Word is... it was Teacher Zephyr...""Huh?! Are you still dreaming? Teacher Zephyr? Didn't the old man retire to look after kids?""You're the one dreaming! He's leading the NEO Marines—a bunch of guys just as crazy as he is!"Amidst the noise, the heavy double doors of the meeting room were pushed open with a creak.A tall figure radiating an aura of "I'm extremely pissed off" walked in, draped in a Justice mantle.The new Marine Fleet Admiral, Sakazuki.As soon as he entered, the temperature in the entire room seemed to rise by several degrees, and the air became thick with the scent of sulfur and magma.The noisy venue fell silent for a split second, but soon, whispers started up again, though at a much lower volume.Akainu ignored them. He walked straight to the head seat and slammed a file onto the table, his gaze cold enough to kill.He scanned the room and spoke coldly, in an unquestionable tone that sounded like he was reading a death sentence:"To keep it short: Former Marine Admiral 'black arm' Zephyr has defected from the Marines and formed the NEO Marines with the intent to destroy the New World.""His plan is to detonate the End Points located beneath three islands in the New World, triggering a chain reaction that will turn the entire sea into a sea of fire."End Point?This unfamiliar term left the vast majority of Vice Admirals present stunned, and immediately after, a larger commotion erupted."What's that? My cannon? The Fleet Admiral said he wants to use my cannon?"A hard-of-hearing Giant Race Vice Admiral pointed at his own nose with a look of utter confusion."Idiot! It's 'End Point'! It means a Terminal Point!" someone nearby quickly corrected him."End Point? What's that? I've only heard of the 'Ultimate Slacking Point' inside the Marines—supposedly it's Admiral Kizaru's office, it's perfectly safe!""No, no, I heard from my seventh great-aunt's son's classmate that the End Point is a legendary source of dream ingredients—eating them makes you immortal!""Nonsense! Isn't that a myth the World Government debunked ages ago? They said some ancient novelist made it up while drunk!"For a while, the entire meeting room turned into a massive gossip session again, with all sorts of unreliable guesses flying around.However, amidst this chaos, one corner remained exceptionally quiet.Smoker, the White Hunter, was leaning against the wall with two freshly lit cigars in his mouth, letting the acrid smoke envelop him.His expression was even gloomier than the swirling smoke."Teacher Zephyr..."When that name was linked with words like 'defection' and 'destroying the world,' a tidal wave of emotion surged within Smoker.His thoughts involuntarily drifted back to six months ago.~~~In the training camp, on a dusty field.Smoker was desperately dodging through a hail of bullets in a pathetic state."Rat-tat-tat-tat-tat—!!!"A similarly younger Zephyr, wearing sunglasses and with a cigar in his mouth, was actually holding a heavy machine gun with incredible recoil, firing wildly at Smoker's feet!"Too slow! Smoker, brat!"Zephyr's roar was louder than the gunfire."Is your Justice only capable of this much speed?! Faster! Or the next bullet hits your ass! I guarantee it!!"---During a practical combat drill, Smoker thought he had spotted an opening and transformed into a plume of white smoke to rush Zephyr.In the end, he was met by an Iron Fist coated in pitch-black Haki."Pfft—!"Smoker was sent flying like a tattered sack, rolling a dozen times on the ground. He spat out a mouthful of bloody foam mixed with teeth, feeling as if his internal organs had all shifted out of place.Zephyr walked over unhurriedly, looking down at him. He tossed over a medical kit, though his face bore a faint, disappointed smile."Does it hurt? Kid. Remember this feeling.""True pain isn't getting beaten by me; it's watching helplessly as you fail to protect anything! It's not even being able to fish your favorite cigar out of the water when it falls in!""Now, get the hell up!!"---After a mission, on the deck of a warship, Zephyrpointed to the mantle on his back with the word 'Justice' printed on it and said to the bandage-wrapped Smoker:"Smoker, remember, what we carry isn't some ethereal slogan.""It's the peaceful sleep of millions of civilians, the innocent smiles of children, and our right to go have a drink in peace on payday!""So, no matter what, never let it be shamed!"~~~*Snap.*A soft sound interrupted Smoker's memories. He snapped back to reality and found that he had unconsciously crushed the two cigars in his hand into fragments.The man who taught him what Justice was, the man who forged him into steel with an Iron Fist—was he now going to destroy all of this with his own hands?Why?Smoker couldn't understand, nor did he want to believe it.But he knew one thing.He absolutely could not let that man destroy this world he had once risked his life to protect!At that moment, a roar that seemed to make the very soul tremble echoed through the hall!"ALL OF YOU, SHUT THE HELL UP!!!"Akainu had finally lost his patience. That terrifying killing intent honed from mountains of corpses and seas of blood, mixed with his furious will, turned into a physical pressure that instantly enveloped the entire meeting room!The buzzing discussion died instantly into a deathly silence.Those Vice Admirals, who usually feared nothing, were now all frozen, feeling as if they were being stared down by an ancient beast, not even daring to breathe too loudly.One unlucky fellow was so nervous his grip on his teacup slipped. It hit the floor with a *shatter*, breaking into pieces.In the silent hall, the sound was jarringly loud.Akainu's cold gaze swept over like a searchlight.That Vice Admiral swallowed hard, his legs went weak, his eyes rolled back, and he fainted right then and there from sheer terror.Akainu huffed coldly and retracted his gaze. Only then did the temperature in the hall recover slightly."A bunch of fools!"Akainu cursed without hesitation."The End Points are a top-secret classification deliberately hidden by the World Government to prevent mass panic!""They are three critical fulcrums that support the stability of the New World's crust!""Once destroyed, the resulting chain reaction of volcanic eruptions and tsunamis will swallow over ninety percent of the islands in this sea within three days!""In other words, the New World will cease to exist!"Akainu's words were like a hammer, slamming ruthlessly into everyone's hearts one by one.Everyone was stunned by this shocking truth.Akainu scanned the crowd, his hawk-like gaze seemingly capable of seeing through everyone's heart."I know many of you were once Zephyr's students. He was your teacher, your hero, perhaps even your faith."His voice lowered, but the sense of pressure increased rather than diminished."But now! The Justice he follows and the Justice we carry have long since diverged! That Zephyr is dead!""Standing before us now is a top-tier terrorist aiming to destroy the world—Z!"Akainu slammed the table hard. Magma seeped from between his fingers, burning a sizzling hole through the tabletop."So, now, I give you a choice!""Take off that uniform representing Justice and walk out that door! You can go home, you can go be a wealthy man, and no one will hold you accountable!""BUT!"His voice suddenly rose, filled with iron-blooded resolve!"If you choose to continue wearing it, then go fulfill your duty! Crush that traitor, that enemy, completely! No matter... what price must be paid!""Is that understood?!"In the meeting room, there was still a deathly silence.Everyone kept their heads down, their expressions complex. There was pain, struggle, reluctance, and anger.That was Teacher Zephyr, after all...The man once hailed as the Admiral who does not kill, the man who trained more than half of the current Marine backbone!Were they really... going to become his enemy?Time passed second by second.In this frozen atmosphere...*Snap!*The crisp sound of someone snapping to attention rang out.Everyone looked over simultaneously.Marine Vice Admiral Onigumo, the man known for being cold and ruthless, was the first to step forward. He gave Akainu a standard military salute."We follow the Fleet Admiral's orders!"His voice was like the man himself: cold and firm.His action acted as a signal.*Snap!**Snap!**Snap!*One after another, the dozens of Vice Admirals present, no matter how they struggled internally, ultimately made the same choice.They stood up, clicked their heels together, and declared their stance with their loudest voices."WE FOLLOW THE Fleet Admiral'S ORDERS!!!"Finally, Smoker also crushed his newly lit cigar and stood straight.He raised his hand and gave the man at the head of the table an incredibly heavy military salute."Teacher... I'm sorry."He muttered in his heart,"But my Justice does not allow me to watch you destroy all of this."Looking at the faces below that had become resolute once more, a faint, cold smile of satisfaction finally appeared on Akainu's face."Very good.""The war council is adjourned.""Everyone, get moving! Prepare to welcome war!"
Chapter 410: The Strongest Enemy Z (VI)Saiken Island, the famous hot spring resort of the New World.There is no clamor of pirates here, nor any Marinepursuit; there are only the premium hot springs welling up from the ground, said to cure all diseases, nourish the skin, and even help Mosshead find his way.After the wild party on Zou and the formal addition of three new companions—Carrot, Inuarashi, and Nekomamushi—Luffy waved his hand and, with the domineering logic of "I'm the man who's going to be the Pirate King, so what's wrong with taking a bath?", requisitioned the largest and most luxurious open-air hot spring inn on the island as a place for the stay-behind group to rest.Thus, a scene of harmonious (chaotic) daily life began amidst the steaming white mist of the Men's Bath."Gurgle... gurgle gurgle..."In a hot spring surrounded by huge natural rocks, comparable to a small swimming pool, a string of strange bubbles was rising to the surface."Pwah—!!!"Accompanied by a loud noise, Luffy's head finally pulled out of the outlet where hot water was constantly pouring out, and he incidentally sprayed a water column up to three meters high."No way! The space inside is too small! My treasure-hunting adventure couldn't even get started!"He wiped the water from his face and complained with a serious expression to Inuarashi and Nekomamushi, who were nearly boiled through beside him.Inuarashi and Nekomamushi ignored him completely.These two Mink Tribe kings, who had been competing in heat resistance since daytime, were now flushed red all over, with white smoke rising from their heads and even their whiskers nearly curled from the heat.But neither was willing to leave the water first; they merely exchanged "Garchu~" with eyes that were already beginning to roll back, engaged in a final battle for dignity.On the other side, a sorrowful cry that would bring tears to anyone's eyes came from a corner."Help! Hot, hot, hot! Water! So much water! I'm a landlubber!"Usopp was clinging tightly to the edge of the hot spring pool, only daring to dip a toe in to test the water before jerking it back as if he had received an electric shock.Ever since eating a Devil Fruit, the great warrior of the sea, Captain Usopp, had gained a fatal weakness—fear of water."I say, Usopp, is that really necessary? The water isn't even up to your waist."Franky, bare-chested and wearing only his signature swimming trunks, was striking his "super" pose in the pool."What do you know! For us Ability Users, any body of water deeper than the ankles is equivalent to the death surf routes of Hawaii!"Usopp retorted with a serious face while pulling out a... child's swim ring from his backpack and carefully putting it on.Just as he was fully armed and ready for his "first hot spring experience," he suddenly caught an unusual sight out of the corner of his eye."Plu... plu-lu-lu..."Not far away, Zoro, who had been sleeping against a rock, had somehow slipped into the water. He was sinking straight down in a peaceful posture, with only a stubborn string of rhythmic... snoring bubbles still rising from his nose."Hey! Hey! Zoro! Wake up! You're going to drown!!!" Usopp panicked instantly.He was a landlubber himself and didn't dare go into the water to save anyone.He looked around in a panic and saw that Luffywas still struggling with the water outlet, Frankywas posing, Inuarashi and Nekomamushi were on the verge of "ascending," and Law...Trafalgar Law was using the power of the Ope-Ope no Mi to create an absolutely sterile transparent water ball for himself, wrapping himself inside and floating in mid-air like a high-end ornamental fish.He was drinking juice while indifferently watching it all with a look that suggested he was observing idiots."Dammit! Not a single one of these people is reliable!"Usopp gritted his teeth, grabbed a long bamboo pole used for drying towels from the shore, and tremblingly extended it toward the sinking Zoro."Hey! Mosshead! Wake up! Get up and have some fun!"The other end of the bamboo pole accurately poked Zoro's cheek.The next second, a sudden change occurred!The sleeping Zoro seemed to trigger some battle instinct; without even opening his eyes, his right hand shot out like lightning and grabbed the bamboo pole!Then, he gave it a violent yank!"Aaaaaah—help! I've been caught by a Sea King!!!"Usopp let out a blood-curdling scream as he was dragged directly into the hot spring by a massive force. The child's swim ring instantly slipped off, and he thrashed wildly in the water, splashing everywhere."Splash!"Zoro finally woke up from the commotion. He surfaced in a daze, wiped his face, and happened to see Usopp struggling desperately in the water."Hmm? Usopp? What are you doing? Practicing diving?""He... glub glub... lp..."...Compared to the chaos in the Men's Bath, the Women's Bath, separated by a high bamboo wall, was in a completely different dimension.This was a fairyland left on earth by the gods, the ultimate fantasy that all men dream of.The hot spring water appeared a gentle milky white, as if it were melted mutton-fat jade.A few bright red petals floated on the surface, and the dense steam mixed with the scents of flowers, herbs, and the girls' unique fragrances, creating a decadent atmosphere enough to evaporate one's reason.The mist swirled like light gauze, hazily veiling the beautiful bodies and adding endless space for imagination.Robin was stretching her mature and charming body, lazily leaning back against the smooth edge of the pool.She had loosely pinned up her seaweed-like black hair, revealing her elegant, swan-like neck and her delicate, well-defined collarbones.The warm spring water just reached her firm and full snow-white jade peaks. With her steady breathing, slight ripples appeared on the water's surface, and the stunning contours hidden beneath the milky white water flickered in and out of sight, proving more impactful than being fully exposed.Water droplets slid down her icy skin and jade bones like dew rolling on the finest white porcelain, eventually disappearing into that deep cleavage that invited exploration."Hehe..."She felt the nourishment of the spring water and let out a satisfied chuckle, her eyes deep as the starry sky half-closed, as if she could see through everything in the world, or perhaps as if she were immersed in some sweet memory.Not far from her, Yamato was excitedly splashing the water.Her tall and athletic figure was full of wild power.Unlike Robin's voluptuous softness, her skin was tight and elastic, every inch like a work of art meticulously carved by a master craftsman.Her broad fragrant shoulders, flat stomach, and those stunning, long, straight jade legs appearing and disappearing in the water together formed a beautiful picture of health and vitality.Water droplets hung on her snow-white skin, reflecting the light and making her look like a Valkyrie from myth."Wow! This is amazing! Oden's Logbook said that a heroic samurai should drink heartily with companions in a place like this! It's a pity there's only water and no wine!"As she spoke, she tried to strike a standard Kozuki Oden-style heroic sitting posture in the water, only to nearly slip, causing Carrot to giggle on the side.And at the heart of this paradise, a "secret tea party" belonging only to girls was quietly taking place.Uta's face was flushed red, and she had curled herself into a ball, with only her bright red little head floating above the water.Her heart was beating fast, and she felt as if the steam from the hot spring was about to go "biu" and burst from the top of her head.Secretly, from the corner of her eye, she took a quick glance at Robin, who was resting with her eyes closed nearby.Robin's perfect S-shaped curve, even more breathtaking when wet, made Uta feel as if her eyes were about to be burned.She quickly lowered her head, looking at her own body underwater—likewise not inferior to others, possessing the youthful beauty of a young girl, with a slender waist, a flat stomach, and shapely legs swaying slightly in the water.A sudden surge of inexplicable courage rose from her heart."U-Um... Sister Robin..." She summoned her courage and spoke in a voice as soft as a mosquito's buzz."Hmm? What is it, Uta?"Robin slowly opened her eyes, a gentle smile playing on her lips as she turned toward her.This movement caused her stunningly soft chest to press against the water, creating an even more heart-stopping shape.Uta felt like her brain was running out of oxygen. She gritted her teeth, closed her eyes, and blurted out as if throwing caution to the wind:"I... I also want to create the crystallization of our New Era with Luffy!""Pffft..."This time it wasn't someone choking on water; Yamato couldn't help herself and burst out laughing, then quickly covered her mouth.Robin, however, merely let out a soft chuckle, a sound as pleasant as wind chimes.She beckoned Uta with a finger; that finger, as white as a spring onion, looked exceptionally alluring in the mist."Hehe, is that so? That is quite a grand goal."As if bewitched, Uta involuntarily moved closer to Robin.Robin leaned in close to her ear, her warm breath lightly brushing against Uta's sensitive ear, causing a layer of tiny tremors to break out all over her body.A unique fragrance, a blend of bookish air and mature feminine charm, drifted into her nostrils, making her brain even dizzier."Then, let me teach you a few secrets..."Robin's voice was extremely low, like a devil's whisper, full of mysterious temptation."First, you must know that our Captain, in some respects, is unexpectedly like a child—pure, direct, and driven by instinct...""His desire is like a storm, coming fiercely and directly... whether it's for meat or for adventure...""...Or perhaps, for some even more delicious food that he hasn't even realized himself yet."Uta was listening in a daze, but she felt as if she had grasped some key point.Robin continued to whisper in her ear, her voice growing even softer yet more explicit:"A lost child needs a lighthouse to guide the way. A parched land also yearns for the moistening of rain and dew... Do you understand, Uta?""Sometimes, happiness won't come knocking on its own; you need to actively feed it, guide it, and make him understand that besides roast meat, there are even more wonderful feasts in this world."At this point, a charming blush involuntarily appeared on Robin's face as well, as if she were also recalling certain nights where day and night were turned upside down,Recalling that ultimate tremor where even the soul was pierced, and the Captain's domineering yet gentle exploration... Her breathing became somewhat hurried because of it."..."Uta listened blankly. Her brain, already foggy from the hot spring steam, completely crashed after receiving this taboo knowledge.Scenes she only dared to imagine in her dreams were now playing on a loop in her mind like a high-definition 4K movie.Luffy's smile with the scent of sunshine...His strong, powerful arms holding her tightly in his embrace...His domineering yet gentle kiss, carrying an irresistible force, exploring every inch of sweetness between her lips and teeth...And... and the deeper guidance and feasts Sister Robin mentioned..."Ah..."Swirls of happiness began to appear in Uta's eyes.She felt as if her whole being was light as a feather, as if she were soaking in a cloud made of strawberry milk, every cell in her body cheering with joy.Finally, with a silly, incomparably happy smile on her face, her head tilted, and with a "splash," she fainted from happiness and slowly sank to the bottom of the water, leaving behind a string of pink heart-shaped bubbles."Hey! Uta's sinking!"Yamato pointed at the water in surprise, then looked at Robin with curiosity,"Robin, did you teach her some powerful technique? It looks amazing! I want to learn too!"Robin elegantly fished Uta out of the water. Looking at the girl in her arms with a silly smile, still blowing bubbles of happiness, she just chuckled "hehe,"Closing her eyes again, she murmured in a voice only she could hear:"I just... pre-ordered a new family member for our Captain."
Chapter 411: The Strongest Enemy Z (VII)In the women's bath, the atmosphere was quite peaceful for a time.Robin was elegantly leaning Uta, who had "crashed" due to happiness overload, against a smooth rock by the pool, letting her small head rest on a folded towel.Looking at the girl's sleeping face, which wore a silly smile and was still blowing pink heart-shaped bubbles, a mischievous grin curled on Robin's lips, though her eyes were full of doting affection."Robin, you're so amazing!"Yamato's eyes were full of little stars as she stood up from the water with a "splash," bringing up a large spray of warm water.Her tall and athletic figure was faintly visible in the hazy mist, water droplets sliding down her tight, flat belly and disappearing into the mysterious area hidden by the steam; her healthy and wild charm was simply overflowing."With just a few words, you let Uta learn such a powerful move! I want to learn too! If I learn it, will I be able to help Luffy?"She asked with a serious face, her clear eyes filled with pure longing for strength and the way of companionship.Hearing this, Robin just chuckled softly. She stood up unhurriedly, the milky white spring water sliding down her mature and curvaceous perfect figure; the scene was simply too beautiful.She casually picked up a bath towel and wrapped it around herself in a seemingly careless manner, but the heart-stopping silhouette became even more pronounced, adding a touch of forbidden temptation compared to when she wore nothing. It was exquisite."This isn't a move, Yamato."Robin's voice carried a hint of playfulness."It's just a way to make someone recognize their own heart more quickly."Just as she was about to say more, a change occurred without any warning."Hmm?"Robin's movements paused, and for the first time, a sharp light flashed in her eyes that were usually full of smiles.She felt the surrounding temperature dropping rapidly at a highly abnormal rate!!!The air that had been warm and cozy seemed to have all its warmth sucked away by an invisible giant hand, becoming bone-chillingly cold."Crack... crackle..."The subtle sound of ice freezing came from the direction of the men's bath next door.Then, at the top of the thick bamboo wall several meters high that separated the men's and women's baths, a thick layer of crystal-clear frost actually condensed, visible to the naked eye!The eerie cold, as if alive, crossed over the bamboo wall and invaded this paradise belonging to women."So... so cold!"Carrot couldn't help but shiver, her fluffy rabbit fur almost standing on end.Yamato's eyes lit up, and a powerful fighting spirit instantly surged from her. She subconsciously clenched her fists and shouted excitedly:"Is it an enemy?! Have they finally come?!""No..."Robin's expression became somewhat strange. Watching the spreading frost, she slowly uttered a name."Rather, it's an old acquaintance~~~"——————————Meanwhile, in the men's bath.The chaos here had reached a new peak."He... glub glub... lp..."Poor Usopp was undergoing a cruel and unusual variety of rescue attempts by his two good companions.At the center of all this chaos, Straw Hat Luffy, who seemed to be playing the wildest, had actually sensed a familiar and powerful aura approaching long ago.'Oh? Kuzan is here. Still loves making these sneaky appearances; he hasn't changed a bit.'While maintaining the crazy rotation of "Gomu Gomu no Washing Machine," Luffy leisurely calculated in his mind.'But of all times to show up, he comes right when I discovered this outlet leads to the women's bath... talk about timing! Oh well, I'll play along with him for a bit.'Just as he was thinking that, the extreme cold finally descended."Crack—crackle—!"The sound of the hot spring water freezing was no longer subtle, but emitted sharp explosions like a river icing over!In almost the blink of an eye, the entire massive hot spring pool was completely sealed off by a layer of ice half a meter thick, starting from the edges!Inuarashi and Nekomamushi, who were spinning around, were frozen into two comical tops, still spinning on the ice.Meanwhile, Usopp was frozen into an ice sculpture with his hands raised high and a terrified expression, maintaining a posture of surrender."Wow! Ice! So cool!"Luffy shouted exaggeratedly, while inwardly complaining:'My acting is pretty good; it'd be a crime if I didn't get the Oscar for Best Actor this year.'The next second, the atmosphere of the entire area suddenly changed!"Clang!"With a faint but crystal-clear sound of a blade being drawn, Zoro instantly gripped the hilt of wado ichimonji. A terrifying killing intent erupted from his right eye, and a surge of Conqueror's Hakimixed with green lightning soared into the sky, tearing a hole through the surrounding cold!"This aura... there's no mistaking it!""Room!"Trafalgar Law's expression also became extremely grave. He instantly expanded his signature surgical space, enveloping all his companions, his hand already pressed against the hilt of kikoku as he cursed under his breath:"This guy again... he's like a ghost that won't leave!""I'm sorry... Captain Law, the hot spring suddenly got cold, it's so comfortable... I'm sorry!"In the corner, a White Bear was lying comfortably on the newly formed ice, rolling around happily and habitually apologizing as he did so.Everyone's eyes locked onto a corner of the hot spring pool in unison.There, at some point, a beach lounge chair carved from ice had appeared, looking incredibly luxurious.A tall figure was lying lazily on it, legs crossed, with a Marine towel covering his head, humming a tuneless little ditty."Arara~~~ It's quite a nice hot spring, though it's a bit... noisy."The man removed the towel from his head, revealing a sleepy-looking face that seemed perpetually unenthusiastic about anything.Former Marineford top combat power, Admiral, Aokiji Kuzan!In an instant, killing intent boiled within the men's bath!Zoro's sword intent, entwined with green Haoshoku, and Law's Ope-Ope no Mi ability that seemed capable of cutting through space—two distinct yet terrifying auras that had both stepped onto the threshold of Admiral-level—locked onto Kuzan like two peerless divine weapons!The laziness on Kuzan's face finally faded a bit.'Arara~~~ Truly remarkable... How long has it been since we last met, and the Straw Hat Pirates' lineup has already become this luxurious?'He lay there seemingly casually, but was rapidly conducting a combat power assessment in his mind.'The pirate hunter Roronoa Zoro has actually awakened Haoshoku. That sword intent... he's someone who can go head-to-head with a monster like Fujitora now.''And Trafalgar Law, his ability is still as troublesome as ever. With his current strength, once a weakness is exposed, even I might lose a chunk of flesh...'His gaze swept over Zoro and Law, finally landing on the Straw Hat boy who was still curiously tapping and knocking on the ice.In that moment, Kuzan's pupils contracted imperceptibly.'The truly troublesome one... is still young Master Monkey.''That guy... his growth rate has completely exceeded the bounds of common sense!''How long has it been? Has he already become a monster that even I cannot defeat...'A mixture of amazement, wariness, and an indescribable sense of emotion surged into Kuzan's heart.Just at this moment of tension where a great battle was about to break out.A completely ill-timed voice, full of pleasant surprise, broke the frozen atmosphere."Ah—!!!"Luffy's eyes shone. Completely ignoring the killing intent that had almost materialized, he strode out, sliding across the smooth ice to get in front of Kuzan!"It's you! Uncle Kuzan!!"Kuzan: "..."Zoro: "..." (This guy... here he goes again.)Law: "..." (My Captain is an idiot; I shouldn't have any expectations of him...)Luffy plopped down next to Kuzan's ice lounge chair, excitedly slapping the ice and laughing:"Great! I was just worrying that the hot spring was too hot! It got nice and cool as soon as you arrived! Hey! Uncle! You really are useful after all!""I invited you to join the crew back at Punk Hazardand you didn't agree, but there's no reason to refuse this time, right?!""Come be my companion! Look, we happen to be missing an ice maker! We can even have shaved ice in the summer!"Everyone was petrified once again.Kuzan, the man who once struck terror into the hearts of countless pirates, now stared blankly at the Straw Hat boy whose face screamed "hurry up and say yes." For the first time, a look of bewilderment appeared on his perpetually lazy face.He had imagined countless reunion scenarios, whether intense battles or cold confrontations, but he never expected it to be such an absurd... large-scale recruitment scene."Arara..."After a long while, Kuzan finally found his voice. He sighed and rubbed his temples."Monkey-D-Luffy, your way of thinking is still so... unpredictable."He wanted to say he was just passing through, but Luffy didn't give him a chance to speak."Stop talking about useless things!"Luffy had a face that said "I don't care" and spoke with total confidence."You said last time you were going to witness something; have you finished witnessing it? It doesn't matter if you haven't! Get on my ship first, and we'll go witness it together! I'll wait for you!"This matter-of-fact tone and the logic that joining them was somehow to his benefit left Kuzanspeechless for the first time, along with a hint of... a wavering he hadn't even noticed himself.This man... really hasn't changed a bit.Just then, a gap was pushed open in the bamboo wall of the women's bath next door.Robin, Yamato, and Uta, who had just been jolted awake by the cold water, all wrapped in bath towels, poked their little heads out and curiously watched the confrontation.When Uta saw the tall man emitting a cold aura, she was stunned for a moment, then remembered something, and a spark of vigilance instantly ignited in her eyes."Aokiji!"She whispered, subconsciously wanting to activate her ability."Wait, Uta."Robin pressed down on her shoulder and shook her head with a smile."Let's see what the Captain plans to do first."Kuzan looked at this bizarre scene and sighed deeply once more."I really... give up on you, Straw Hat."He slowly sat up, and the entire frozen hot spring groaned under the strain of his movement."I didn't come here to fight."His gaze swept over everyone present, finally landing on Luffy's still-expectant face, his voice turning low and serious."I'm here to tell you a story... about a hero who is nearing his end."
Chapter 412: The Strongest Enemy Z (Part 8)By the frozen hot spring pool, the atmosphere was so heavy it felt like water could drip from it.Usopp, the landlubber frozen in a bizarre pose, the two kings of the Mink Tribe, and Bepo, who was rolling around comfortably, became the most hilarious embellishments against this solemn backdrop."Arara~, standing here talking, I feel a bit cold."Kuzan was the first to speak. He yawned and waved his hand, and a set of sparkling tables and chairs carved from ice appeared out of thin air in the nearby open space."If there's something to say, why don't we sit down and talk slowly?" He suggested lazily, then sat down first on his own."SUPER! That's a good suggestion!"Franky instantly retracted his combat stance and shouldered the ice sculpture of Usopp, who was still in a surrender pose."Let's go, everyone, and hear what story this former Admiral has to tell!"Everyone looked at each other and finally followed along.Zoro and Law were still on edge, but their killing intent had dissipated.They knew very well that since the Captain had no intention of making a move, now was not the time for battle.Soon, the group moved to the Japanese-style lounge of the hot spring inn.Robin, Yamato, and Uta also came in wrapped in bath towels, kneeling curiously beside Luffy.The warm tatami, the low wooden table, and the hot tea Franky found finally dispelled some of the chill brought by Kuzan.However, when Kuzan began to tell that story, the temperature in the entire room seemed to drop even colder than the frozen hot spring."Do you know who the most respected hero in the Marine was before Roger started the Great Pirate Era?"Kuzan didn't wait for anyone to answer and continued on his own. His voice was completely different from before, low and deep, as if reminiscing about some ancient history."It was Black Arm Zephyr. My teacher, and the teacher of more than half of the current Vice Admirals in the Marine.""His whole life, he carried out the justice of 'not killing'.""He hated pirates more than anyone, yet he was also more willing than anyone to give them a chance to turn over a new leaf.""He believed that with careful teaching, anyone could follow the right path... Back then, he was a presence as bright as the sun in the hearts of all Marine recruits."Kuzan picked up his teacup but didn't drink, just looking at the swaying reflection in the cup."He had a happy family, a beautiful wife, and a lovely son.""He thought he could protect the world's justice while also protecting his own small family. Until... that day.""A pirate he had once let go, in order to take revenge on him, brutally murdered his wife and son.""Crack!"The teacup in Usopp's hand shattered. His face was filled with unbelievable anger."How... how could this happen..."Uta's face turned pale instantly, and she subconsciously grabbed the corner of Luffy's clothes.Yamato was even more furious, trembling all over and growling through gritted teeth:"That kind of bastard! He should be hacked into a thousand pieces!!!"Kuzan ignored their reactions and continued to narrate in that terrifyingly flat tone."From 그날 on, Teacher Zephyr changed. He resigned from his position as Admiral and turned to become an instructor.""He turned all his grief and anger into the motivation to train the next generation of Marines. He vowed to personally train the true heroes who could end this chaotic era.""However, fate's joke didn't end there.""A few years later, during a training voyage, his ship was attacked. A pirate cut off his proud black arm. In that battle, except for him, Ain, and Binz, all the recruits were wiped out.""Again... it's pirates again!"Franky slammed his fist on the table with a dull thud.The veins on Zoro's hand holding his sword bulged.He understood better than anyone what losing an arm meant for a strong person.Robin sighed softly, her eyes full of pity:"Truly... a sad story.""The story isn't over yet."Kuzan's voice grew even colder, "The most ironic part is at the end.""Teacher Zephyr fitted a Sea Stone prosthetic limb, the 'smash', formed the Marine Guerrilla Unit, and began hunting pirates frantically at sea.""He vowed to find the enemy who cut off his arm and personally send him to hell.""But a year later, what he waited for was not a chance for revenge, but an appointment from the World Government.""The man who cut off his arm and killed all his students... became one of the Seven Warlords of the Sea.""Wha—at—?!"This time, even the usually calm Law couldn't help but stand up, his face full of shock!"How is this possible?! Is the World Governmentcrazy?! Letting that kind of scum be a Shichibukai?!" Usopp let out a sharp, explosive cry."Arara~, who knows."Kuzan shrugged, his lips curling into a mocking arc."Perhaps, in the eyes of those high and mighty Celestial Dragons,""The dignity of a retired veteran is far less valuable than a pirate who can balance the forces of the New World.""This was the straw that broke the camel's back.""When Teacher Zephyr discovered that the justice he spent his life protecting, the future he sacrificed everything to cultivate, was worth nothing in the face of so-called 'world balance'... the hero Black Arm Zephyr died completely.""What's left is only a vengeful ghost, Z, who is completely despairing of this world, all pirates, and this set of hypocritical rules."Kuzan finally finished speaking. He picked up the cold tea and drank it in one gulp."So, he wants to blow up all the End Points, destroy the entire New World, and bury all the pirates along with himself.""This is the story of a hero about to reach his end."Dead silence.In the entire lounge, only the heavy breathing of the group remained.This story was too heavy, too desperate, weighing down on everyone so they could hardly breathe.They were angry, they were sympathetic, but they were also confused.A hero who spent his life protecting justice was ultimately forced to a dead end, step by step, by the 'justice' he protected.In this world, is there anything more ironic and tragic than this?Everyone's gaze turned, as if by prior agreement, toward the man who hadn't said a word from beginning to end.Their Captain, Monkey D. Luffy.Luffy had been sitting there quietly, the shadow of his straw hat covering his eyes, making it impossible to see his expression.He wasn't angry or sad like the others; he just listened quietly, as if listening to a story whose ending he already knew.Because he indeed knew.As a transmigrator, he knew Z's tragedy better than anyone present.'Sure enough... is it still the same story, the same ending...'Luffy sighed softly in his heart.He felt the gazes of his companions, which held anger, pity, confusion, and... expectation.They were waiting for his answer.To stop this tragic hero and maintain the world's 'peace'?Or... to stand by and let this tragedy reach its destructive conclusion?Luffy slowly raised his head and adjusted his low-pressed straw hat.Then, he gave a big stretch and let out a long sigh."Ah—really, what a pain!"He stood up, patted the non-existent dust off his butt, and in the most relaxed, matter-of-fact tone, delivered a conclusion that made everyone, including Kuzan, freeze."In that case, let's just take care of both sides!""Huh???"A synchronized cry of shock, filled with question marks, rang out in the room.Usopp's eyes were nearly popping out of his head:"Take... take care of both sides? Luffy, you... what do you mean by that?""I mean exactly what I said."Luffy grinned, revealing his signature bright smile that seemed to light up all gloom.He pointed at Kuzan, then at the distant sky, and announced his decision with logic so simple it was almost crude."Old man Zephyr, he doesn't want to be a hero anymore, right?""And the Marine side insists on catching him and treating him as an enemy, right?""Then it's simple!"Luffy clenched his fist suddenly, his face full of confidence."Since that old gramps doesn't want to be a hero anymore, we'll just snatch him away!""Since the Marine wants to catch him, we'll just blow the Marine away!""That way, all the problems are solved, right?! It's simple!""...""..."The air froze.Everyone present stared blankly at Luffy as if looking at an alien creature.Snatch him away?Blow them away?Simple?Is... is that even human speech?!That's a former Admiral and the entire Marineford! How can it sound as easy as going to the market to buy groceries and shooing away a few annoying flies?!However, amidst this eerie silence."Pfft... heh... hehehe..."Zoro was the first to lose it. He chuckled softly at first, then his laughter grew louder, and finally, he slapped his thigh hard, his face showing a laugh that was both excited and refreshed."That's my Captain! Well said! We should have done this long ago!"A murderous battle intent erupted from him."Hehe..." Robin also covered her mouth and let out a pleasant chuckle, her beautiful eyes filled with appreciation and indulgence for her Captain's overbearing logic.Law covered his face and let out a groan of despair, but the corners of his mouth, curling up wildly through his fingers, completely betrayed his inner thoughts.'Crazy... this guy really is a complete lunatic... but... why don't I find it annoying at all?'"SUPER! That's a man's decision! Luffy!"Franky struck his classic pose, tears of emotion sparkling in his eyes."As expected of Luffy! This is the caliber of a man who can surpass someone like Oden!" Yamato's eyes were brighter than ever."Luffy..."Uta looked longingly at that confident back, feeling her heart struck hard once again.Only Kuzan sat there blankly, the teacup in his hand having been frozen into a block of ice at some point.He... he came here to tell a hero's tragedy, to make the Straw Hat crew understand the complexity and helplessness behind this matter, to... witness a certain inevitability of this era.And yet...The answer he got after they finished listening was actually "snatch the hero away, blow the Marineaway"?!What is this?What kind of messy, illogical bandit logic is this?!Kuzan felt his worldview of decades being smashed to pieces in this moment by this Straw Hat boy in an extremely savage way.He looked at Luffy, at the group of "monster" companions around him who were equally excited, and at the expressions on their faces as if they were about to attend a grand party, for a long, long time...Only then did he let out a long, long sigh, his expression a complex mix of helplessness, a bitter smile, and a tiny bit of... excitement and anticipation that even he hadn't noticed."Arara~~~"He murmured softly in a voice only he could hear."Truly... the most hasty, most reckless decision in history...""But...""Why am I... actually looking forward to it?"
Chapter 413: The Strongest Enemy Z (IX)Saiken Island, central volcano.Unlike the hot spring town at the foot of the mountain, filled with laughter and joy, the peak of the volcano was a completely different world—a silent realm of death and farewell.Billowing thick smoke rose from the crater into the sky, dyeing it a desperate grayish-black.The air was thick with the pungent scent of sulfur, mixed with the unique, ominous metallic smell of power rock.The members of the Neo Marine were silently and efficiently carrying out their final mission.Ain and Binz, Zephyr's most loyal disciples, personally placed the last batch of power rock onto the scalding rock walls of the volcano's core with great care.With every piece they installed, the expressions on their faces grew more solemn.They were laying the final cornerstone leading to destruction for their teacher and for the New Justice they believed in.At the edge of the crater, on the cliff closest to the abyss, a figure sat alone.It was Zephyr.He was wrapped in bandages from head to toe. Surviving that earth-shattering battle with Kizaruhad come at a heavy price.His already aging body was now in even worse condition; every breath was accompanied by a tearing pain within his chest.But he didn't care.He just sat there quietly, looking out at the endless sea, singing in a low, desolate, and raspy voice."...The distant waves tell of ancient legends...""...Departed comrades have become the brightest stars in the night sky...""...Do not be sad, do not cry, I shall inherit their will...""...Guiding me to continue forward on this endless voyage..."It was the song Ocean Guide.A requiem he had composed himself to commemorate the countless young subordinates who had perished before his eyes.In the past, when he sang this song, his voice was filled with remembrance and sorrow.But now, in his singing, there was only a deathly silence, like the calm after everything has been burned away.The singing drifted in the gale, echoing in the ears of every Neo Marine member.They stopped what they were doing in unison, turned around silently, and shed wordless tears at that lonely back.They knew that when this song ended, it would be the beginning of the end for everything.However, just as the song was about to reach its final note."Woo—woo—"A long and familiar whistle came from the direction of the harbor at the foot of the mountain, penetrating the layers of volcanic ash."Hmm?"Binz's eyes instantly became sharp. He flashed to the edge of the cliff and looked down.He saw a huge dog-headed warship ignoring the harbor's warnings and brashly docking."It's a Marine ship! Teacher! They've caught up!" Binz's voice was full of vigilance.Ain also immediately went to Zephyr's side, drawing her twin blades and standing guard as if facing a great enemy.Zephyr's singing stopped.He didn't look back; he just slowly stood up. His broken body, wrapped in bandages, seemed even more upright than the volcano behind him at that moment."Have they come..."He murmured softly, his voice devoid of any emotion.Soon, two figures appeared on the only small path leading to the summit.Their steps weren't fast—they were even a bit heavy—but each step felt like it was treading on a turning point in history, causing the air to freeze.The person on the left wore a white Marine uniform and a ridiculous seagull hat, his graying hair and beard braided into plaits.As he walked, he pulled a bag of senbei from his coat and ate them with a "crunch, crunch," as if he weren't there for a confrontation but for an outing.Former Marine Fleet Admiral, Sengoku the Buddha.The person on the right was even more casual. He wore an unbuttoned floral shirt, revealing a bronze, muscular chest covered in scars.He wasn't even wearing a Marine uniform; he just looked like an old man from next door out for a stroll.But the aura he inadvertently exuded, which felt like it could crush the sky, made all the Neo Marinemembers feel a suffocating pressure.The marine hero, Iron Fist Garp.Two living legends, two men representing the strongest of the previous era, walked side by side.They stopped a hundred meters away from Zephyr, looking at that familiar yet strange back with complex gazes."Such a strong smell of sulfur, *cough cough*... Seriously, Zephyr, even in retirement, you don't know how to find a place with better air to live out your days."Garp complained as he tossed the last piece of senbei into his mouth, but his eyes, which usually held a smile, were now filled with an impenetrable heaviness.Sengoku ignored his old partner's grumbling. He took a step forward and spoke in a voice full of exhaustion and heartache:"Stop it, Zephyr!""Don't let the glory of your life be tarnished by an unerasable stain at the very end!"His voice echoed in the wind, filled with entreaty.However, Zephyr ignored him.He just stood there quietly, like a statue.Garp looked at his former best friend and comrade... A hint of pain also appeared on his usually carefree face.He opened his mouth as if to say something, but in the end, it only turned into a heavy sigh; he said nothing.He knew that when things reached this point, any words would be pale and powerless.The scene fell into a deathly silence.For a long, long time.Only then did Zephyr slowly, very slowly, turn around.When Sengoku and Garp saw his current appearance, both of their pupils shrank violently.What kind of monster was he?He didn't heed Sengoku's persuasion, nor did he look at Garp's complex gaze.He just stared at Sengoku and asked word by word in a tone so calm it was unsettling:"Sengoku... I'll only ask one question.""Back then... the pirate who murdered my wife and child... behind him... were there... their shadows?"He spoke the word "their" very lightly and slowly, yet it was like an invisible heavy hammer smashing ruthlessly into Sengoku's heart!Boom!!!Sengoku felt as if he'd been struck by lightning, and his whole body froze on the spot!The color drained from his face visibly, turning it deathly pale.His lips trembled violently as he wanted to argue, explain, or deny, but he couldn't utter a single word!That taboo secret hidden in the deepest part of his heart, the one that had made him feel guilty for a lifetime, the one he hadn't even dared to breathe a word of to Garp, was now being torn open by Zephyr in the most direct and cruel way, bloody and raw!He couldn't answer.Because his silence was, in itself, the most affirmative answer!...Zephyr looked at Sengoku's devastated expression and smiled.It was a smile more painful to look at than crying, filled with endless sorrow and self-mockery."So... it was true..."He murmured to himself, his voice so soft it seemed it could be scattered by the wind at any moment.He had spent his whole life fighting for the Marine, for the World Government, and for so-called Absolute Justice.He could accept his wife and child dying at the hands of pirates; that was his fate.He could accept having his arm severed by a pirate; that was due to his own lack of skill.He could even accept the murderer of his students becoming a Shichibukai; that was a foul political balance.But the one thing he could not accept was that the murderer of his family was himself a lapdog permitted, or even encouraged, by the justice he protected!This truth was sharper than any blade, instantly shattering the last line of defense in his heart.Beside him, Garp also finally realized something the moment he saw Sengoku's expression.He was stunned at first, and then an indescribable, overwhelming rage—mixed with shock, bewilderment, and the feeling of being betrayed—erupted from the depths of his heart!Unconsciously, his fists were already clenched so hard they creaked.He whipped his head around, and in his eyes appeared a truly terrifying killing intent, enough to make even gods and demons tremble!He grabbed Sengoku by the collar, his strength so great that he even lifted the former Fleet Admiral's feet off the ground!"Sengoku!!!"Garp's roar exploded like a thunderclap atop the volcano!The terrifying Haki in his voice even caused cracks to appear in the surrounding space!"You...""You bastard! You kept this from me for all these years?!!"
Chapter 414: The Strongest Enemy Z (Part 10)"You bastard! You've kept this from me for all these years?!"Garp's roar was no longer just a simple shout; it was more like an ancient beast whose reverse scale had been touched, erupting atop the volcano of Saiken Island. It was filled with endless rage and the pain of betrayal!!!Within those terrifying sound waves, Conqueror's Haki capable of tearing space apart was mixed in. Like an invisible giant hand, it forcibly blasted a huge hole through the billowing volcanic ash in the sky!On the mountaintop, all the members of the Neo Marine were like candles in the wind before this pure, undisguised wrath.They didn't even have time to scream before being struck by this Haki. Blood leaked from their seven orifices, their minds went blank, and they collapsed in swaths like harvested wheat, losing consciousness instantly.Ain and Binz fought with everything they had to barely maintain an Armament Haki barrier in front of Teacher Zephyr, though it looked like it was about to shatter.They stared intently at the man who had nearly wiped them all out just by being angry, and for the first time, an emotion called fear appeared in their eyes.Was this... the true anger of the marine hero, Iron Fist Garp?!However, Sengoku, at the center of the storm, seemed completely unaffected.He just let Garp grab him by the collar. That uniform representing wisdom and majesty was crumpled into a mess, and his feet dangled limply in mid-air.All color had drained from his face, leaving only a deathly expression, gray and pale.He couldn't argue, nor did he have the strength to.'Yeah... I'm a bastard... keeping it from you for so many years...'But within this silence and roar that threatened to tear everything apart, the man who should have been the protagonist, Zephyr, showed no reaction at all.He didn't laugh, nor did he cry; he wasn't even moved in the slightest by Garp's roar.He only slowly raised his head, looking toward the sky dyed ash-gray by the volcanic dust with bloodshot eyes.His lips moved slightly as if he wanted to say something, but not a single word came out.Those eyes, once as sharp as an eagle's, now had their light completely extinguished.Drip.A drop of cold liquid suddenly fell onto Zephyr's face.Then, a second drop, a third...Despite the clear sky over the mountaintop, rain began to fall without warning.The cold rain, mixed with the volcanic ash, turned into black tear streaks, washing over the land shrouded in despair and everyone present.This rain was too strange, too sorrowful; it hardly seemed like a natural phenomenon.It was more as if the world, sensing the despair in a hero's heart that could make heaven and earth mourn, was shedding tears for his passing.Zephyr's body began to tremble violently and uncontrollably.His spine, which had been as straight as a mountain his whole life, seemed unable to support the soul-crushing weight at this moment, bending down bit by bit, inch by inch, with great difficulty.He covered his face tightly with his uninjured arm.There were no heart-wrenching wails, no earth-shaking roars.Only a sob suppressed deep in his throat, like the sound a dying beast makes in a desperate situation, a sound that broke the hearts of those who heard it."Heh... heh heh..."'So... it was true...''I should have realized it... I should have realized it long ago...''I was too stupid... no... I was too cowardly... I didn't dare to think about it... I was afraid... I was afraid of that truth!!!'...At that moment, Sengoku, held in mid-air by Garp, finally exploded in extreme shame and pain!!"Enough! Garp!"Sengoku suddenly reached out and grabbed Garp's iron-clamp-like wrists. In those eyes that were usually unfathomable, a long-suppressed fire mixed with pain and resentment also ignited!"Do you think I wanted this?! Do you think I wanted to keep it a secret?!"He shouted at Garp, and at the back sobbing in the rain, with all his might!"By the time I received that top-secret report from those shady bastards in CP0, Zephyr's family had already been buried!""What did you want me to do?! Shout it out to the whole world?!""Tell you, and then have a single-celled bastard like you, who has nothing but fists in his head, punch through the Red Line and charge into Mary Geoise to die?!""Or tell Teacher Zephyr, a man who had just lost everything and was already exhausted, causing him to completely break down and follow the same foolish path as you?!""What could I do?! Huh?! You tell me! What could I have done!""I am the Fleet Admiral! I am responsible for the stability of the entire Marine! I am responsible for the balance of this world!""I could only let this damn secret, along with my guilt deeper than the sea, rot away inside me!""I could only watch helplessly as he became more paranoid day by day, watching him drift further and further away from us, watching the three of us... never able to go back to how we were!""Do you think I feel good about it?! You... you idiot who knows nothing but how to fight!!!"Sengoku practically roared the last sentence.It was no longer the majesty of a Fleet Admiral, but the most helpless and heartbreaking venting of a man, a friend, pushed to a dead end.Every word he spoke was like a sledgehammer, slamming hard against Garp's heart.The rage on Garp's face slowly receded as if doused by a bucket of ice water, replaced by an unprecedented sense of daze and helplessness. He slowly let go.Sengoku slumped to the ground like a puppet with its strings cut.Yeah... if it were him... what could he have done?For the first time, Garp realized that his proud Iron Fist, which could crush anything, was so pale and weak in the face of such a suffocating reality.However, Sengoku's heart-wrenching monologue didn't bring any turning point.It was like the most poisonous key, completely opening Pandora's box and snapping the final string of "reason" in Zephyr's heart."Heh..."Zephyr's sobbing stopped.He lowered the hand covering his face.Rainwater slid down his wrinkled face, but it was no longer possible to tell which was rain and which were the silent tears of blood he shed.There was no expression left on that weather-beaten face, only an empty dead silence after everything had been burned away.But his eyes!Deep within those eyes that should have had all their light extinguished, an ominous black-red glow, like hellfire, suddenly lit up without warning!!BOOM—!!!!!!An unprecedentedly terrifying aura, like an awakening ancient demon god, soared into the sky from Zephyr's broken body!!The rain in the sky stopped!!It was all evaporated in an instant by this terrifying aura!Streaks of frightening black-red lightning exploded from Zephyr's body, spreading wildly in all directions like venomous snakes wanting to devour people!!The earth wailed!The hard volcanic rock, under the devastation of this Haki, cracked inch by inch and turned to powder like crushed biscuits!The air solidified!Space itself let out an unbearable scream under this power, distorting into ripples visible to the naked eye!Even Garp and Sengoku, the two legends standing at the pinnacle of the world, changed expression drastically under the direct impact of this Haki, stumbling back several steps before barely standing firm!"This... this is... Haoshoku?! Zephyr, he..."Sengoku cried out in shock, his eyes full of disbelief!!A man nearly seventy years old, a man who had lacked the qualities of a king his entire life, had actually awakened Haoshoku at this moment?!Zephyr seemed not to hear their shock; he just slowly pulled out that faded, broken wine bottle from his coat.He unscrewed the cap, letting the black-red Haoshoku lightning dye the long-spoiled wine in the bottle with an ominous color.He poured the wine, drop by drop, onto the scorched earth burned black by the lightning.His voice was as calm as if he were reciting an elegy that had nothing to do with him."A toast... to my deceased wife.""A toast... to my son who never had the chance to grow up.""A toast... to my ridiculous justice... that was fed to the dogs.""Smash!!!"When the last drop of wine was poured, he slammed the bottle hard onto the ground!The crisp sound of shattering was like a death knell announcing the complete end of an era!!Black-red Haoshoku lightning wildly coiled around his good fist, dyeing it into a demonic claw that seemed to reach out from hell.Zephyr, meticulously and formally, took the most standard and basic fighting stance he had taught to countless Marines.On his deathly face, a relieved and liberated smile finally broke out."To end all of this is actually quite simple, Sengoku."He aimed from afar at his former close friends, at the two men he had been entangled with his whole life, and issued his final and most sorrowful challenge."Just finish me off completely right here!!!""Come... my comrades-in-arms!""Let us use our fists to bring our ridiculous justice to a close!!!"