The reason every rock on this island was crimson-red was simple—they were all volcanic stone.
Beneath the island lay a living volcanic conduit.
Zephyr's objective was to force that conduit open, link it to the three volcanic endpoints, and trigger a chain eruption beneath the sea—an explosion powerful enough to annihilate the entire New World.
Roxing activated his Observation Haki and quickly pinpointed Zephyr's location.
He did not reveal himself.
Instead, he took Jack and leapt onto a nearby hill, overlooking the coastline from above.
On the shore below, Zephyr's Neo Navy had arrived before Roxing—but before they could act, they were intercepted by the G-5 fleet led by Vergo.
Zephyr stood at the edge of the shore, staring coldly at the three warships approaching over the waves.
Once upon a time, he had stood on decks just like those.
But the utter hypocrisy of the World Government had shattered his heart completely.
What kind of justice was it, to accept a monster like Edward Weevil into the Shichibukai?
What meaning did such "justice" even have?
Ridiculous. Hypocritical. Disgusting.
Zephyr had abandoned the belief he had upheld for decades—and rebuilt his own definition of justice.
He would enforce true justice, by his own hands.
As the G-5 ships drew closer, Zephyr spotted Vergo standing at the prow. He raised his mechanical right arm slightly and sneered.
"So Sengoku didn't even send an Admiral? He really does look down on me."
As a former Marine Admiral, Zephyr knew well that someone of his caliber should be countered by an Admiral at minimum.
Yet Vergo showed no fear.
After consuming a Ghost-class Monster Cell and undergoing relentless training, Vergo was capable of clashing with an Admiral for a short time.
More importantly—
Lord Roxing was already on this island.
With that assurance, Vergo crossed his arms and spoke calmly:
"Senior Zephyr. Fleet Admiral Sengoku intended to dispatch an Admiral—but I volunteered to take this mission myself."
Zephyr burst into laughter.
"Brave words, brat. I don't recall ever seeing you at Marineford. Tell me your name."
"G-5 Base Commander. Demon Bamboo Vergo."
"A mere branch base commander dares to arrest me? You're courting death."
A branch commander's rank was far below even a Marine Vice Admiral—let alone a former Admiral.
The gap in status and power should have been insurmountable.
"Teacher Zephyr!"
Smoker could no longer restrain himself and shouted:
"Please stop! The world may be corrupt, but destroying the volcanic endpoints will only kill countless innocent civilians!"
Zephyr turned his gaze to Smoker and showed a faint smile.
"So it's you, Smoker. Among my students, you were always near the bottom in talent."
For a moment, it was as if he were reminiscing about his days as a Marine instructor.
But the smile vanished, replaced by icy resolve.
"Smoker, even if you were once my student—if you stand in my way, I will show no mercy."
Smoker clenched his fists, pain clear in his eyes.
"Teacher… even if innocent people die, you don't care?"
Zephyr answered coldly:
"That is the price that must be paid. Only then can this mad era of pirates be ended."
Smoker closed his eyes in despair.
He knew—he could not stop his teacher with words.
When he opened them again, his gaze had hardened.
He despised the World Government's hypocrisy—but he had his own justice, his own line he would not cross.
"I understand," Smoker said slowly.
"Then I'll use the jitte you gave me back then… to stop you here."
Zephyr laughed.
"Still talking big, as always. If you can do it—then come."
Smoker transformed into a stream of white smoke and charged forward without hesitation.
"Do not approach Teacher Zephyr!"
Suddenly, thick green vines erupted from the ground, blocking Smoker's path.
It was Bins, Neo Navy officer and user of the Grow-Grow Fruit.
The two immediately clashed.
Watching coldly from the sidelines, Vergo raised a hand.
"Kill them. Eliminate these Marine traitors. Capture Zephyr—dead or alive."
Boom!
Crack!
Artillery fire erupted from G-5's warships.
Neo Navy answered with full suppressive fire.
Gunfire and explosions roared across the island.
Tashigi leapt ashore, trying to assist Smoker—
—but a blue-haired young woman stepped into her path.
It was Ain, user of the Return-Return Fruit.
Tashigi tensed instantly, drawing Shigure and leveling it at Ain.
On the other side of the battlefield—
Vergo confronted Black Arm Zephyr directly.
As the strongest figures on their respective sides, their presence alone repelled lesser fighters.
Vergo struck first.
Demon Bamboo swept toward Zephyr's head.
"So fast!"
Zephyr was startled by Vergo's speed and no longer dared to underestimate him.
He raised his mechanical arm to block.
Clang!
Metal rang out violently.
The sheer force shattered the volcanic rock beneath Zephyr's feet.
Zephyr's expression shifted again.
Since when did a mere branch commander possess such power?
But he was still a former Admiral—surprised, yes, but unafraid.
He pushed back with brute force, overpowering Vergo's weapon, and aimed the cannon in his mechanical arm.
"Destruction Cannon!"
Boom!
A devastating shockwave blasted forward.
At the last instant, Vergo coated his entire body in Armament Haki to defend.
Even so, the force sent him flying backward.
Zephyr pursued relentlessly, preparing to finish him—
—but he didn't notice the faint, calculating smile at the corner of Vergo's mouth.
Vergo was deliberately luring Zephyr away.
To a place with no witnesses.
A place where Roxing could finally appear.
"Teacher Zephyr!"
Ain caught sight of Zephyr's retreating figure and grew anxious.
She knew the truth—Zephyr's intimidating presence was sustained by medication.
In reality, he was already an elderly man whose body could no longer endure prolonged combat.
Forcing back Tashigi, Ain rushed after Zephyr.
"Wait—!"
Tashigi followed with Shigure in hand.
Smoker tried to pursue as well—but Bins' vines locked him in place.
Elsewhere, Marines and Neo Navy soldiers were fully engaged in their own battles.
On the distant hilltop—
Roxing's eyes narrowed as he watched Ain and Tashigi disappear into the distance.
He spoke calmly to Jack behind him:
"It's our turn."
He stepped forward—
—and vanished from the spot in an instant.
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