Both Ain and Binz couldn't hide their happiness upon seeing Zephyr regain his youth. The change was visible to the naked eye—not only in his appearance, but also in the presence he once again exuded.
Ain looked at Luffy with deep gratitude, her eyes filled with emotion.
"It's been a long time… a very long time… since I've felt my body this full of strength."
Zephyr slowly clenched his left fist, as if rediscovering every muscle in his arm. In the next instant, Armament Haki covered it, darkening his arm with intensity.
Through Luffy's heightened senses, it was clear that the density of that Haki had reached an extremely high level—close to its peak.
"And your right arm, Zephyr?" Luffy asked.
"This?" Zephyr raised his mechanical arm naturally. "This robotic arm is called the Smasher."
He moved his fingers—or rather, the three thick steel claws that had replaced his original hand. At first glance they resembled fingers, but in truth, they were combat mechanisms designed to crush anything they touched.
"This equipment was developed by Marine scientists," he explained calmly. "It contains seastone projectiles within it, making it especially effective against Devil Fruit users."
It was a brutal weapon—but also a limited one.
The mechanical arm was visibly heavier, less flexible, and inferior to a real arm in terms of mobility and natural movement.
Luffy shook his head slightly.
"I can restore your arm if you want."
His voice was simple and direct, as if offering something trivial.
If Cyrus's leg could be regenerated, then restoring Zephyr's arm wouldn't be impossible. It would only require a fruit with regenerative properties.
For a moment, Zephyr remained silent.
His eyes locked deeply onto Luffy. Then, a faint smile appeared on his face.
"I appreciate your goodwill, but that won't be necessary."
He raised his mechanical arm.
"This arm… is a lesson from my youth."
His expression hardened slightly.
"It reminds me, at every moment, how ridiculous the idea of 'not killing' was when I was an Admiral. That kind of ideal protects no one."
The weight of his past settled over the atmosphere.
Decades ago, when he was still a Marine Admiral, Zephyr had his family murdered by pirates.
Years later, during a training mission, the ship under his command was attacked, and all of his students—except Ain and Binz—were killed.
It was during that same incident that he lost his right arm.
At the time, he was already 65 years old.
His prime had passed, and his strength was already in decline.
And the one responsible… was now one of the Shichibukai.
It was inevitable that he would become disillusioned.
Zephyr's disappointment with the World Government and the Marines did not come out of nowhere—it was built slowly through irreparable losses throughout his life.
Faced with that, Luffy said nothing.
If it was Zephyr's choice, he would not interfere.
"Grandpa," Luffy turned to Garp, changing the subject, "the wedding is very close. If everything's ready, it's better to head to the New World soon."
"Let's go!"
Garp gave Zephyr a firm slap on the shoulder, laughing.
"Sticking to the past won't get you anywhere. Let's look ahead!"
Without further delay, the group left the restaurant.
Zephyr quickly notified the Galley-La Company to release the warship from the dock.
At the port of Water 7, Luffy observed the first warship of the Neo Marines.
It was massive.
Very similar to traditional Marine warships—large enough to house thousands of soldiers. The main difference lay in the details.
The flag.
While the Marines used the classic seagull symbolizing justice, the Neo Marines' banner featured, in addition to the bird, two olive branches—a much more explicit symbol of peace.
At that moment, several sailors were loading supplies onto the vessel, preparing for departure.
"I didn't expect to see you again so soon, Mr. Luffy." a voice came from behind.
It was Iceburg.
"Long time no see, Mayor Iceburg," Luffy replied with a smile. "The World Government didn't give you trouble after last time, right?"
Iceburg looked around before answering, lowering his voice.
"They believe you took the blueprints… Thanks to that, Water 7 has remained peaceful so far."
"Oh, so that's it?" Luffy rolled his eyes. "But charging 15 billion for three warships—is that your way of thanking me?"
Iceburg chuckled lightly.
"Your grandfather ordered three ships at 5 billion Berries each. That's already far below the normal price. For the World Government, each one would cost around 9 billion."
Luffy let out a sigh.
"That's ridiculously expensive… no wonder ordinary countries can't afford them."
Iceburg shrugged.
"If you want to save money, you could buy decommissioned Marine ships. They only have… twenty or thirty years of use."
"No way," Luffy replied immediately. "I don't use second-hand stuff."
Iceburg simply smiled.
"By the way… how is Franky?"
"Good. Very good, actually."
In Wano, Franky was completely immersed in research about the ancient battleship Pluton.
The two talked for a while longer.
Only when the ship was fully supplied did Luffy say his goodbyes.
Iceburg remained on the dock, watching everyone board.
"Mr. Garp! Mr. Zephyr! The other ships will be delivered in two months!"
Then he raised his voice:
"Farewell, Mr. Luffy!"
"Goodbye."
With that, the warship slowly began to float, and soon departed toward the New World, with the Thousand Sunny accompanying it.
In a matter of moments, the two vessels—one colossal and the other smaller—disappeared into the clouds.
On the deck of the warship, Tashigi crouched near the edge, looking down.
The altitude was already so absurd that the ocean had disappeared from view, replaced by a vast sea of white clouds.
"This ability of the Fuwa Fuwa no Mi… is really convenient…" she murmured, filled with envy.
"Shishishi! Glasses girl, didn't you want to become an Admiral?" Luffy teased, sitting casually on the side of the ship. "Doesn't look like you've been training much. Have you learned Haki yet? What about Rokushiki?"
"Don't underestimate me, Mr. Luffy!" Tashigi retorted, pushing up her glasses firmly. "Do you think I'm inferior just because I'm a woman?!"
In the next instant, she vanished and reappeared behind him.
Her sword was drawn in a lightning-fast motion.
Clang!
Two fingers—that was all Luffy used to block the blade.
"You even tried using the blunt side… smart," he commented. "But you're still too slow."
Tashigi tried to pull her sword back.
It didn't budge.
Her face turned red.
"Let go! Let go! You're a Yonko! What kind of technique is this, intimidating a woman like me?!"
Without saying a word, Luffy released it.
At that moment, Garp approached, laughing loudly.
"Hahaha! Luffy, it's not right to bully Tashigi!"
"I didn't do anything! She attacked me." Luffy replied, shaking his head.
"Grandpa," Luffy changed the subject again, "at this rate, we'll reach Elegia in three days."
"Elegia…"
Garp's smile faded.
"…the country destroyed by that damn redhead…"
His eyes narrowed.
It was impossible not to think of Shanks.
After all, it was that man who put the Gomu Gomu no Mi into his grandson's hands—leading everything to this point.
---
(End of Chapter)