The Lulusia Kingdom was the homeland of the famous North Blue explorer, "Liar" Mont Blanc Noland.
Although the great adventurer was executed by the king of his era for deceiving the crown, Noland's legacy lived on, much like how Roger's execution gave birth to the Great Age of Piracy.
His influence was nowhere near Roger's, but his story spread throughout the North Blue. Because of this, the Lulusia Kingdom became famous as a land of adventurers.
Every year, on the anniversary of Noland's death, adventurers gathered on his home island, Mont Blanc Island. They would drink together in town before setting off on their own journeys, a tradition that eventually grew into the kingdom's largest annual celebration: the 'Adventure Festival'.
But today was different.
'Bang! Bang! Bang!'
Right now, all of Mont Blanc Island was shaking.
Buildings around the harbor collapsed under tremendous impacts as smoke billowed into the sky. Fierce winds tore down festival banners, and violent shockwaves kept erupting from the center of town.
"They're... complete monsters!"
"H-Hey! Even Admiral Noland's monument got smashed!"
"Forget the monument, at this rate, the whole town's going to disappear! More importantly, why is a former Marine Admiral fighting an official Warlord? What happened?"
"I heard former Admiral Zephyr retired after the Three Forces Military Exercise, didn't he?"
"What's the Marine Guerrilla Force? I've never even heard of that organization!"
The adventurers who had come for the festival, along with a massive crowd of reporters, gathered nearby and stared nervously toward the source of the tremors. There, a battle far beyond the comprehension of ordinary people was unfolding.
"Ugh... it hurts, Mother... that old purple-haired man hits really hard!"
"Weevil listens! Weevil will beat him!"
A gigantic, hideous man covered in surgical scars and stitches swung an enormous naginata, wailing incoherently with barely intelligible words.
'Bang!'
Every swing of his weapon was coated in powerful Busoshoku Haki, slicing through the air with a shrill whistle and carving deep trenches into the ground. One slash even split a merchant ship docked in the distant harbor clean in half.
Despite his bloated frame, he wielded the naginata with astonishing speed and skill, like a true martial arts master.
There was no doubt about it: his strength was monstrous.
With Whitebeard still alive, he hadn't yet earned the title of "Whitebeard Jr." Even so, his sheer power was enough to leave anyone speechless.
He was one of the newly appointed Warlords, 'Edward Weevil, the "Great Pirate."'
But...
'Clang!'
In the next instant, his naginata was stopped by a pitch-black fist.
The blade that could split a merchant ship in half hit that fist with nothing more than the screech of metal striking metal. The fist clamped around the naginata, locking it in place so Weevil couldn't budge it an inch.
Then,
'Bang!'
Without warning, the massive black mechanical arm known as the 'Smash Arm' vented scorching steam and slammed straight into Weevil's face.
"Ahhh!" Weevil cried out in pain.
The impact twisted his enormous body out of shape. His neck bent at a horrifying angle, and his body folded in on itself before he was sent flying.
'Boom! Boom! Boom!'
He smashed through several buildings in a row.
"Ow... Mother... it hurts..."
His contorted body whimpered as several stitches across his skin snapped open.
"It's... it's okay, Mother... I'll endure it!"
Grabbing his crooked neck with both hands, he forcefully snapped it back into place and straightened his broken posture.
'Hiss!'
Picking up his naginata once more, he slowly climbed back to his feet, his vacant, childlike eyes locking onto the man calmly walking toward him.
The man wore sunglasses. Behind the dark lenses, his eyes showed no emotion whatsoever, only pure coldness... and hatred.
His short purple hair whipped in the wind like the mane of an enraged lion.
'Hiss...'
Zephyr adjusted the 'Smash Arm' on his right arm and took a hit from his asthma inhaler.
Then,
'Bang!'
The ground beneath his feet shattered as he launched himself forward.
Silent and devoid of any desire for conversation, Zephyr shot forward like a hunting leopard. Leaving an afterimage in his wake, the massive mechanical arm tore through the air and smashed toward Weevil once again.
'Bang!'
Another shockwave exploded outward. At the same time,
"Flourishing Style: Vine Wall!"
"Reverse! Restore Everything!"
Around the town where the two fought, towering walls of vines and continuously restoring barriers absorbed most of the force, keeping the battle contained and ensuring civilians outside stayed safe.
Meanwhile, figures moved with swift, efficient precision. They wore dark combat uniforms bearing an arm patch: a pirate skull being struck by a jet-black gauntlet.
It was the emblem of the 'Pirate Guerrilla Force'.
"Zones A and B are completely sealed off. All civilians are evacuated, and the two children on East Avenue have been escorted to safety. The third defensive wall and perimeter are set."
The tall, dark-skinned man reported into a Den Den Mushi. It was former Marine Headquarters Commodore 'Shuzo', now an officer of the Pirate Guerrilla Force.
As he relayed updates through the communicator, he couldn't help voicing his doubt. "Still, Binz, Ain... Zephyr-sensei is completely overwhelming the guy. Do we really need to be this cautious?"
He genuinely didn't get it. Anyone watching could see that while Edward Weevil was undeniably powerful, he was clearly outmatched. Whether in Haki, combat skill, or speed, Zephyr had him completely outclassed.
By Shuzo's estimate, the fight would be over in ten minutes at most. He couldn't fathom why his two comrades were taking things so seriously.
"Don't underestimate him, Shuzo-senpai."
On the other end of the line, Ain and Binz stood atop a high platform at the edge of town, having just used their abilities to block the shockwaves. Their eyes remained fixed on the crumbling city, watching the pirate who still haunted their memories like a nightmare.
"You weren't on that training ship back then, so you don't understand... Edward Weevil's body isn't normal."
Unlike Shuzo, who had joined the Marines much earlier, Ain and Binz were the only two surviving cadets from that fatal voyage. They knew better than anyone that Weevil had never actually been superior to Zephyr in skill, not even back then.
But...
"His body and vitality are nothing like a normal human's," Binz said in a low voice. "Zephyr-sensei warned us. This is going to be a battle of endurance."
Dispelling the 'Flames of Regression' in her hand, Ain quietly added, "Besides... something about this feels wrong. The old woman who's always with him isn't here. And after avoiding us all this time, he suddenly showed up on this island and waited for us."
She bit her lip.
Just as Roy had anticipated...
Ever since the Pirate Guerrilla Force was formed, they had hunted pirates while relentlessly tracking Weevil. Not long after the Three Forces Military Exercise, they had picked up his trail and begun their pursuit, learning that he was almost always accompanied by an old woman he called "Mother", though they still had no idea who she actually was.
The chase had dragged on until they learned Weevil was being appointed as a Warlord. Soon after, they tracked him to this island.
Or rather... it felt like he had intentionally come here to wait for them. Yet the old woman who usually clung to him was gone.
They didn't need Roy to tell them; they could smell the trap themselves. But they had no choice. Letting Edward Weevil walk away was the one thing they would never compromise on. So even knowing it was likely a trap, they walked straight in.
Unexpectedly, though, there was no ambush. Weevil really was just waiting on the island alone, leading to the scene playing out now.
"The news has already spread," Ain said firmly. "The World Government and the Marines will definitely try to stop us from attacking a Warlord. Setting up these defensive lines is also to prepare for that."
"If someone comes to intervene, our job is to buy Zephyr-sensei time. We cannot let anyone interrupt his fight!"
She understood the situation all too well. The moment they chose to defy World Government orders and attack Weevil, even their former Marine allies could no longer be trusted.
The only exception...
"Where's Roy?" Shuzo asked in a low voice over the Den Den Mushi. "He'd definitely help us!"
Binz and Ain exchanged a silent glance before answering solemnly.
"Before the battle started, Zephyr-sensei gave us strict orders: no matter what happens, do not contact Roy, and do not answer his calls."
"...I see," Shuzo murmured, immediately understanding. "Right... Roy is the 'Black Kirin'. He's the future of the Marines. We can't let him get dragged down by our personal grudge."
None of them felt Zephyr was playing favorites. In fact, before taking action, Zephyr had ordered all of them to walk away; they were the ones who had refused to leave his side.
Roy was different. All three knew Roy was the successor Zephyr had truly chosen. At his current rate, Roy was practically guaranteed to become an Admiral, perhaps even Fleet Admiral.
The burden he was destined to carry was the justice of the entire world. He was the 'Black Kirin' who would one day stand against the Five Elders.
Zephyr refused to let his personal vengeance ruin his student's future.
But just then,
'Crackle! Crackle! Crackle!'
Violent static burst through their Den Den Mushi.
"Attention!"
It wasn't just theirs; every Den Den Mushi across the entire island broadcast the exact same voice.
"This is the World Government Special Inspection Vessel, 'North Blue Cross'." The voice was cold and devoid of emotion. "I am Klein Miller, newly appointed Deputy Commander of the Holy Land Guard, assigned to protect the esteemed Celestial Dragon and World Government Special Inspector, Saint Thatcher M. Peel, during his tour of the North Blue kingdoms."
"We are aware of the situation on Mont Blanc Island. Former Marine Admiral Zephyr, cease your attack on the Warlord of the Sea immediately."
"I repeat: cease your attack on the Warlord of the Sea, Edward Weevil, immediately. Otherwise, in the name of the World Government, you will be arrested and executed for treason."
As the announcement echoed across the island, a massive battleship appeared on the horizon. Ain and the others could clearly see the giant World Government flag flying from its mast alongside the crest of the Celestial Dragon family, the 'House of Thatcher'.
"T-The Celestial Dragons!"
"An inspection envoy? I heard they were nearby!"
"Former Admiral Zephyr... did he really rebel?"
"Stop standing around! Run before we get caught in this!"
Panic ripped through the crowd on the island. Binz and Ain turned pale.
"A World Government inspection envoy..."
They had anticipated the World Government trying to stop them, and had even prepared for a fight. But they assumed it would take at least half a day for the nearest Marine branch to mobilize reinforcements. They never expected a World Government inspection vessel to be so nearby.
"No... not 'nearby,'" Ain murmured to herself. "Was this planned too?"
Gritting her teeth, she shouted down to the Pirate Guerrilla Force members below, who were already starting to panic. "Everyone, prepare for battle!"
Her command echoed over the field, but both she and Binz knew the situation had turned dire. The massive 'North Blue Cross' was reportedly escorted by over twenty warships, filled with elite troops assigned to protect the World Nobles. There was no way their small force could hold off a fleet like that.
Suddenly,
"H-Hey! What's going on?! My Den Den Mushi, gagh!"
The broadcast abruptly shifted. The deputy commander's panicked yell gave way to the howl of rushing wind and roaring ocean waves.
Just from the noise, they could picture it clearly: the Den Den Mushi sent hurtling through the air across the sea...
'Thud.'
It landed firmly in a palm.
"Hey."
The voice that came through next was unmistakable, and furious.
"Binz. Ain. Shuzo. And you too, old man Zephyr, "
Roy growled over the line. "What the hell do you idiots think I am?!"
"Roy?!" all three gasped at once.
"You promised me that day, didn't you?"
They instantly knew what he was talking about. Before the Three Forces Military Exercise, when Zephyr entrusted Roy with his gauntlets, Roy had made one condition: when the time came to hunt down Edward Weevil, he was coming too. Zephyr hadn't said no.
"If you were planning to renege on that..." Roy's voice lowered. "I never agreed to it!"
The sound of the Den Den Mushi being casually tossed aside echoed through the speakers, but even over the howling wind, Roy's fading voice still reached them clear as day.
"Tell the old man not to worry. All he has to do is beat that bastard."
Out on the distant sea, Ain and the others could picture the scene as if it were right in front of them: a single figure standing alone before the colossal hull of the 'North Blue Cross'.
"No one is going to stop him. Because... I'm here."
(End of Chapter)
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