It took Roya a full day to reach the Ronatalon Sea.
Based on the intelligence he'd gathered during this time,
Zefa was still being relentlessly pursued by Whitebeard Jr., constantly on the run.
With his warship severely damaged, he had now taken refuge on an island.
However, they had already lost many naval cadets.
It must be remembered that Zefa's current position was as the elite instructor of the Marines.
The cadets he trained were all exceptional individuals with great potential.
They were also Zefa's life's work.
No doubt, Zefa must harbor deep hatred for Whitebeard Jr. by now!
"Kalifa, contact Zefa!"
The Den Den Mushi rang for nearly two minutes before being answered.
Through the receiver, Roya could hear the sound of raging wind and rain.
Not far from him, that very sea area was indeed shrouded in dark clouds and howling gales.
"Teacher Zefa, we're coming immediately. Please hold on."
"White Dove, I'll hold out until you arrive. If not for anything else, then for these kids!"
With that, Zefa hung up.
Now, Zefa felt a renewed sense of determination.
White Dove was nearby. All he needed to do was stall Whitebeard Jr. until Roya arrived, and together they could repel him.
Yet, looking at his missing right arm,
Zefa smiled bitterly. "I just hope this aging body of mine can endure such intense combat..."
"Teacher Zefa, don't fight! We can keep running!"
Ain, being one of Zefa's most outstanding students, naturally sensed his intentions.
But after continuously fending off Whitebeard Jr.'s attacks, Zefa had already lost his right arm, making combat even more difficult.
"There's no running now. We're about to enter his slashing range—it'll only get more dangerous. Better that I buy you all more time."
A faint smile appeared on Zefa's face. "But don't worry. Admiral White Dove will be here soon. He's the most righteous admiral I've ever met. I can rest easy entrusting you to him."
With that, Zefa suddenly charged toward Whitebeard Jr., shouting loudly: "Leave this to me!!!"
Miss Bakin sneered when she saw Zefa daring to charge at them alone.
"Weevil, kill this man. Your father Whitebeard would be very pleased to hear of it!"
"Yes, Mother!"
Upon hearing Miss Bakin's words,
Whitebeard Jr., Weevil, became instantly excited.
Swinging his long-handled blade, he rushed toward Zefa.
With each step, shallow craters formed on the island's surface.
Standing nearly seven meters tall, Weevil looked like a monster.
His upper body was massive, while his legs were oddly slender.His hair grew all the way down to his legs, with the sideburns braided into pigtails. Three shocking scars marked his body, testaments to countless battles.
The most defining feature of his identity, however, was the crescent-shaped white mustache that curved upward—just like Whitebeard's.
Though compared to Whitebeard's mustache, Weevil's was thinner and longer.
"Weevil gonna smash you!"
With that, Weevil raised his massive naginata high and swung it down toward Zefa with tremendous force.
A massive slash materialized out of thin air, roaring toward Zefa.
Zefa's heart sank.
"Armament Haki—coating!"
"Black Arm—Heavy Strike!"
The arm known as "Black Arm" Zefa unleashed its most powerful blow at this moment!
BOOM!
A deafening explosion erupted from the island.
A violent shockwave followed, uprooting plants and kicking up dust in all directions.
Miss Bakin's tiny frame was nearly swept away by the gale.
"Weevil! Are you trying to kill me?!"
"Sorry, Mama! I'll be more careful next time!"
Zefa saw his chance.
"Shave!"
"Black Arm—Heavy Fist!"
In an instant, Zefa appeared behind Weevil and drove his fist into the man's back.
Against an ordinary person, this punch would have been enough to turn them into paste.
But against Weevil, it felt like striking solid steel.
The attack barely left a scratch.
"This guy's physical toughness is insane… He's on par with Whitebeard himself!"
Weevil turned his head toward Zefa and raised his naginata once more, swinging it down without hesitation.
This time, he didn't use a slash—just raw, brute force.
"CRUSH HIM!!!"
"Black Arm—Heavy Strike!"
Zefa didn't back down. Even with one arm missing, the iron will of a former Admiral still burned within him.
BOOM!
Another thunderous impact.
A figure was sent flying through the dust cloud, crashing hard into the ground.
After smashing through dozens of thick trees, the figure finally came to a stop.
Cough!
Blood spilled from Zefa's mouth as his Armament Haki flickered out.
His entire body felt like it had been shattered, every limb unbearably heavy.
A numbing weakness spread from his arms to his entire being, pain seeping into every fiber.
Cough… cough.
Zefa glared at Weevil in the distance. He hadn't expected the man's sheer strength alone to inflict such devastating damage.
"But… for the sake of those kids… I have to keep fighting. Just a little longer… just hold on… The White Dove will arrive soon!"
Gritting his teeth until blood seeped from his gums, Zefa forced himself up from the ground.
His right arm was broken, his left arm useless—but he still had his legs.
He could still fight!
Miss Bakin sneered at Zefa's battered state.
"Weevil! Teach him how to spell 'death'!"
"Yes, Mama!"
Obedient as ever, Weevil slowly advanced toward Zefa.
The hulking figure loomed larger in Zefa's vision, the shadow stretching over him.Zefa stared fearlessly at Weevil.
"Armament Haki, Hardening!"
As the words left his mouth, blood sprayed from Zefa's lips, yet he still launched a ruthless strike toward Weevil!
"Boom!"
His left leg shattered.
Under Weevil's blow, Zefa was sent flying like a kite with its string cut.
Too strong!
Weevil was simply too strong!
This power was nearly on par with Whitebeard in his prime!
If it were his younger self, perhaps he could have put up a fight.
But with age and the shift in his mentality, his combat prowess had long since declined.
A shadow of despair flickered in Zefa's eyes.
He might truly be at his limit, but he wouldn't die in vain. He would buy his students every last second he could…