New World, an uninhabited island in a distant sea.
"Crushing Burst!!!"
A muscular man with purple hair and sunglasses shot high into the air, roaring as he unleashed a devastating strike toward the Marine Giant Vice Admiral blocking his path.
"Ugh, pfft..."
Vice Admiral Ronz coughed up blood as his uniform around the waist tore apart. His massive body was blasted backward, crashing violently into the ranks of Marines.
Bang!!!
The impact sent soldiers flying in all directions as his enormous frame crushed through them.
Seeing this, the remaining Marine Vice Admirals abandoned their hesitation. Whatever lingering respect or attachment they held for their former instructor vanished completely.
Clang!
Vice Admiral Momonga drew his katana without hesitation. His voice carried both anger and disappointment as he spoke.
"Damn it, Zephyr-sensei, you've changed. To think you would strike Marines so mercilessly. Have you forgotten you were once an Admiral?"
"Hahahahaha, hahahaha... I've changed?"
The former "Black Arm" Zephyr, once known for his mercy, now stood as the leader of the NEO Marines. Surrounded on all sides, he threw his head back and laughed wildly.
"Yes, I've changed, and I should have become like this long ago!"
Sizzle!
"The so-called title of not killing was nothing but a joke!"
His eyes sharpened. The massive mechanical arm on his right clenched, glowing with destructive energy as he swung it toward the surrounding Vice Admirals.
"So forget the past. We are enemies now. You are nothing more than obstacles on my path to true justice!"
Rumble!!!
The overwhelming force of his attack forced the Vice Admirals to defend with everything they had.
Despite being over seventy, Zephyr's strength had barely declined. With the enhancement of his mechanical arm, his destructive power had reached an even higher level.
Whoosh!
While the Vice Admirals struggled to hold him back, a figure silently transformed into white smoke and drifted behind Zephyr. A cigar rested in his mouth as he raised his jitte and struck downward.
"Your power is impressive, but your speed has dropped, Zephyr-sensei. You're getting old."
"Oh? Is that so, Smoker?"
Zephyr had already sensed him.
"Crush Swing!!!"
With a grin, he turned and slammed his mechanical arm forward, coated in Armament Haki.
Boom!!!
The clash sent shockwaves through the air as Smoker was forced back, his weapon trembling under the overwhelming force.
"You've improved," Zephyr said with approval, "but you're still far from enough!"
Smoker was launched backward, spinning through the air before stabilizing himself with his Smoke-Smoke Fruit ability.
"Phew... as expected of Zephyr-sensei. Even now, his Haki is this powerful."
Before Smoker could react further, Zephyr leaped again, the ground beneath him cracking from the force.
"Smoker, why hesitate? Are you afraid to strike your former teacher?"
In an instant, Zephyr appeared before him midair, his arm glowing with violent energy.
"Rigid justice leads nowhere!"
Rumble rumble rumble!!!
"Justice must be absolute! Without killing, pirates will never disappear! Without sacrifice, chaos will never end!"
The attack exploded outward, engulfing Smoker completely.
Boom!!!
Zephyr landed heavily, dust rising around him.
"Smoker!"
Below, Hina stared anxiously at the explosion before turning toward Zephyr, her expression hardened.
"Zephyr-sensei, you've gone too far."
Zephyr stepped forward slowly, a cold grin on his face.
"You still have time to worry about others? Perhaps I've been too lenient."
Without hesitation, he charged again, meeting the advancing Vice Admirals head-on.
"I have found a way to save this world. You Marines clinging to outdated justice cannot stop me!"
His mind was set.
If he ignited the three magma reservoirs capable of destroying the New World, the oceans themselves would evaporate.
Without the seas, there would be no pirates.
Without pirates, there would be no chaos.
Even if countless innocents died in the process, it was a price he believed necessary.
And if someone had to bear the sin, it would be him.
He had nothing left to lose.
...
"Wah! Zephyr-sensei, I'm here to help!"
Binz rushed in from a distance, gliding through the air using plant growth.
"Don't think you can touch Zephyr-sensei!"
With a wave of his hands, massive vines erupted from the ground, coiling toward the Vice Admirals.
"Plant Entanglement!!!"
Suddenly, thunder rumbled across the sky.
Boom!
Zephyr's eyes narrowed as he looked upward.
"Binz, watch out!"
"Above?"
Before Binz could react, a bolt of lightning struck him directly.
Boom!!!
"Ahhhhh!"
His body convulsed as lightning surged through him. Seconds later, he fell from the sky, charred and unconscious.
"Binz!"
The NEO Marines shouted in alarm, but there was no response.
Zephyr stared at the darkening sky, his expression turning serious.
"That power..."
"The newly appointed Admiral?"
Hina exhaled, relief flashing across her face.
"Finally. This battlefield needed an Admiral to stop Zephyr-sensei."
The Vice Admirals also relaxed slightly.
Boom!!!
A pillar of silver-white lightning descended from the clouds. Within it, a human figure slowly took shape.
"Finally made it."
A man with long silver-white hair appeared, bare-chested beneath his Marine coat. He swayed slightly, holding a bottle as he spoke with a drunken tone.
"Hic... sorry about that. Had a bit too much to drink. Took a wrong turn and ended up late."
Click!
All the Vice Admirals stood straight and saluted.
"Welcome, Admiral Cero!"
The newly arrived Admiral, formed from lightning itself, stood before them.
Shirogai's clone had entered the battlefield.
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