Edward Weevil!
The moment Ren saw the large, Whitebeard-like man, the name surfaced instantly in his mind.
Before setting out to sea, he had already worried they might run into this guy. He just didn't expect it would actually happen.
He wasn't sure if it was his luck or Edward Weevil's misfortune.
"Old man Zephyr, this isn't looking good!"
Ren stepped forward. "Let the others retreat below deck. We'll handle this."
"Alright. These enemies aren't ordinary. Be careful."
Knowing Ren was right, Zephyr decisively gave the order.
"Everyone except Ren, return to the ship's interior immediately and don't come out until we've handled the pirates. That's an order!"
"What a joke! You want us to hide, Teacher? I can't accept that!"
Binz couldn't believe it. They were out here to fight pirates — how could they just run?
The others hesitated, unwilling to follow orders.
Even Ain shouted, "Zephyr-sensei, let us fight with you!"
"I'll say it again. That's an order!"
Zephyr's voice turned cold. "Disobey on the battlefield, and you'll be answering to a court-martial."
"Then so be it! We won't abandon you and run away!"
Ain spoke what everyone else was thinking.
"You guys..."
Ren sighed. "Forget it. There's no time. Get ready for battle."
"Zephyr-sensei, leave the fat guy to me. You handle the rest of the pirates."
He formed his Radiant Sword in both hands — ready to go all out.
"Haha! Let's see where you Marines run now!"
Weevil burst into laughter — but before he finished, Ren appeared on the deck of his ship.
Ren wore a faint smile. "Edward Weevil. Were you looking for me?"
Miss Bakkin looked up in shock, her expression shifting.
"You're not Admiral Zephyr. Who are you?"
"That's not important. What matters is — you picked the wrong target. You want to mess with Zephyr-sensei? You must be tired of living."
Ren's voice turned cold.
"Mama, who's that guy?"
Weevil asked dumbly, his eyes vacant.
He wasn't too bright — and Ren wasn't famous yet. Aside from some buzz within the World Government, most outsiders didn't recognize him.
But that would change soon.
Miss Bakkin banged her cane on Weevil's leg. "Who cares who he is? Just kill him! Our goal is Zephyr! Defeat him, and you'll become famous!"
Weevil's expression instantly turned grim.
Eyes burning with killing intent, he raised his naginata — the blade gleaming with deadly light.
"Defeat Zephyr and you'll earn a spot among the Warlords of the Sea. Kill this guy!"
But before she could finish her sentence, Miss Bakkin went flying.
Ren flashed forward like a beam of light and landed a kick right on her face.
Her face caved in, and she was sent crashing through dozens of rooms on the ship.
"Mama! You bastard, I'll kill you!"
Weevil roared with rage, murder flashing in his eyes.
"You dare hurt my mama?! I'll kill you! Everyone, attack! Kill all the Marines!"
He charged forward with his naginata, swinging in a powerful horizontal arc.
The air itself screamed as the weapon tore through it. The space around it seemed to rip apart.
Whoosh!
Ren's body turned into a streak of light, vanishing from in front of the incoming slash.
"Armament!"
His fist turned black, coated in hardened Haki — then another layer of fiery red advanced Armament spread over it. He smashed his punch toward Weevil's head.
Whoosh!
Despite his slow mind, Weevil had excellent battle instincts. He twisted his body and dodged the blow at the last moment.
Ren's punch missed entirely.
"Fast... no wonder he's a Warlord candidate. His strength is the real deal."
Ren couldn't help but be impressed.
"Sensei, who is this guy? He's crazy strong!"
The Marines hadn't fully clashed with the pirates yet. Ain, watching the battle unfold, grew worried.
Her instincts told her — this fat man was even stronger than Gion.
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