On a calm sea, Zephyr stood at the bow of a Navy warship, addressing a group of recruits. Ain, Binz, and Shuzo, the top three students, stood at the forefront, listening intently.
Ain, with her deep blue curls and refined demeanor, gave off the impression of a model student. Suddenly, she spoke up.
"Instructor Zephyr, can you tell us about Carl's first time going out to sea with you?"
Binz and Shuzo exchanged a glance. Binz whispered,
"Ain's at it again. Hasn't Instructor Zephyr already told the story of Admiral Black Dragon like, a hundred times?"
Shuzo nodded, replying softly,
"Of course! Everyone knows Ain is Black Dragon's biggest fan. If she had her way, Instructor Zephyr would tell his stories eight times a day."
Zephyr chuckled at the comment, knowing full well he'd recounted this tale more than once. But this was as good a time as any to revisit the story.
Clearing his throat, he began to recount how Carl and others had once supported Garp in a fierce battle against Whitebeard.
Ain listened intently, her face flushing with excitement at key moments, her fists clenching unconsciously.
Elsewhere on the ship, Admirals Borsalino and Sakazuki leaned casually against a mast, chatting.
Borsalino, glancing at Zephyr giving his speech, smirked,
"The old man's as chatty as ever."
Sakazuki adjusted the brim of his hat without a word. Undeterred, Borsalino continued,
"Getting kind of boring. We're almost ready to head back, and nothing exciting's happened yet."
Sakazuki crossed his arms, replying in a low voice,
"If Carl gave us this mission, it's because it's important. We follow through."
"Eh? You think I'm questioning Carl? I'm just venting my boredom."
"Fine. Just stay focused. Until this warship docks at Marineford, the mission isn't over."
"Yeah, yeah, got it."
Straightening up, Borsalino dusted off his shoulders, appearing slightly more serious.
Not far from the warship, a small boat was slowly approaching.
Aboard the boat stood two figures: one a hulking giant with a grotesque appearance—his rotund upper body perched on spindly legs, scars of stitching running along his neck and forearms, his face an image of idiocy.
He sniffled loudly and turned to the small, elderly woman beside him, asking,
"Mama, that looks like a Navy warship, doesn't it?"
The old woman squinted at the ship. Upon seeing Zephyr standing at the bow, she let out a cackle, her wrinkled face resembling a shriveled chrysanthemum.
"My dear son, we've really stumbled upon something. That's Zephyr's ship!"
"Zephyr? Who's Zephyr?"
"Hohoho, you remember the Navy officer who scarred your father, Newgate, right?"
"Of course! Black Dragon! He's my enemy! I'll kill him!"
"Fufufu... Black Dragon's been gone for years. He's probably dead by now. But Zephyr? That was his teacher. Let's take it out on him first! Get the boat closer!"
The two figures were none other than Edward Weevil and Buckingham Stussy.
Weevil, not the brightest, immediately unsheathed his long sword, which bore a striking resemblance to Whitebeard's Murakumogiri. Pointing it at the warship, he roared,
"Zephyr! I'm going to kill you!"
Buckingham Stussy smiled slyly. Revenge wasn't her goal, she merely wanted to use Zephyr to bolster Weevil's reputation as "Whitebeard Jr."
She was confident in Weevil's strength. Against a semi-retired Admiral like Zephyr, it wouldn't be too difficult to hold his own. Winning, however, was another matter entirely.
But Zephyr had brought a ship full of recruits, greenhorns who'd never seen real combat. Buckingham Stussy, with her sharp eyesight, had already spotted the young faces clustered around Zephyr earlier. They screamed rookie.
On the warship, Zephyr turned toward the commotion, spotting the small boat pulling up alongside.
Weevil glared up at him, shouting threats. Zephyr frowned and asked,
"Who are you?"
Buckingham Stussy cackled beside Weevil,
"Zephyr, you don't recognize my son? Or me?"
Zephyr scrutinized Buckingham Stussy but came up empty. She looked like a rotten potato, completely unrecognizable from the days of her youth at the Valley of Gods.
Unbothered, Buckingham Stussy continued laughing as if she had the upper hand. Her expression froze, however, as two towering figures emerged from either side of Zephyr.
It was Borsalino and Sakazuki.
Borsalino raised an eyebrow and said,
"Kuwahaha… Did I just hear someone threaten Zephyr?"
Fwoosh!
Sakazuki didn't bother speaking, his body erupting in rolling plumes of magma as the temperature around him soared.
Weevil, oblivious to the danger, pointed his blade at Sakazuki, yelling,
"Smoking guy! Get out of my way! I'm killing Zephyr first, then I'll deal with you!"
Above, the Navy recruits leaned over the railing.
Shuzo murmured,
"Is he an idiot? Does he even know who he's up against?"
Buckingham Stussy, now drenched in cold sweat, snapped out of her stupor. She slapped Weevil on the back, shouting,
"Idiot! Get us out of here! Now!"
To her relief, Weevil complied, quickly turning the boat and rowing in the opposite direction.
But the next moment—
A massive fist of molten magma and a storm of radiant light rained down.
"Great Eruption."
"Yasakani Sacred Jewel."
(Carl! Time to wake up tomorrow!)
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+210 chapters on p@treon/tambeerg