"Did you just let them leave like that?" King gazed at the gradually departing warship, a hint of confusion in his voice.
"That's Boss's decision." Although equally puzzled, Dylan offered no objection.
"Clashing a delicate porcelain jar against an iron can, isn't that incredibly foolish?" Roa said casually. "And the iron can is very likely to run away."
Zephyr was like a wounded beast; before his blood ran dry, he would fight desperately, tearing at any approaching enemy. Without enough dark energy to replenish himself, Roa wasn't entirely sure what price he would pay even if he managed to kill him. Even a dying Whitebeard had managed to heavily injure Akainu with two punches.
Moreover, the crucial issue was that if Zephyr and Kizaru really wanted to run, they couldn't be stopped. Kizaru, needless to say, the value of the Glint-Glint Fruit was self-evident. Zephyr's Moonwalk was fast enough to dodge lightning; even carrying Akainu, he shouldn't be much slower.
Let's just leave it at that. Anyway, the next meeting will only be an easier win. Roa gazed at the ship in the distance, specifically at the figure still standing at the stern.
In addition, he noticed something else. Zephyr's state was somewhat off. He had clearly stopped using his ability to manipulate negative emotions, and Zephyr had also managed to control his emotions through sheer willpower. However, even without the ability's activation, the anger and killing intent emanating from Zephyr remained undiminished. It was not a level a normal person could reach, even after enduring such a series of major blows.
Could it be? Roa stroked his chin. It wasn't impossible; after all, he had almost turned him into a specter just now. Given the extent of Zephyr's shattered resolve at that time, the probability was quite high. If that were the case, it would be quite interesting.
The warship cut through the waves, rapidly moving away. Borsalino still vigilantly peered backward, terrified that the monster might give chase again. It wasn't just him; everyone else on the ship was equally shaken, feeling as if the grim reaper's scythe still hung over their necks, with catastrophic disaster ready to strike at any moment.
But, even after they had completely left the battlefield, the enemy's attack never came.
"It seems they really didn't follow us." Borsalino let out a genuine sigh of relief. He had prepared himself for only the three of them—master and disciples—to survive. Although it wasn't very righteous, surely it was better for a few to live than for everyone to die. Yet, the enemy surprisingly didn't pursue.
Was it really because— Borsalino turned his head to look at Zephyr, who still stood like a statue at the stern, gazing into the vast sky.
"It seems we're safe now, Teacher Zephyr," Borsalino's tone regained some of its previous nonchalance. "It's all thanks to you."
Was it that Roa understood Teacher Zephyr's resolve, and that's why he didn't continue the pursuit?
But no matter what, we can finally go back.
I never want to fight that monster again. Borsalino thought.
I dare not imagine how terrifying Roa will be in the future!
Unlike him, the other survivor clenched his teeth. "It won't end like this! That heinous pirate, one day, I'll burn you to ashes!"
That goal might be a bit difficult. And, according to Teacher Zephyr, that Roa guy can also casually create volcanoes. Sakazuki, when it comes to magma, he's even more professional than your Mag-Mag Fruit, you know. Borsalino thought.
Still, he's quite passionate. Perhaps that's what a Marine should be like?
He was different; he just wanted to muddle through life. Joining the Marines was just for stability and a good salary.
"That's right! He must die! Roa must die! No, no, not just Roa, all pirates must die!" Zephyr, who had been standing like a statue, seemed to have had some thoughts triggered by Sakazuki and suddenly began to mutter maniacally.
"Wrong, I've always been wrong! Pirates are born evil! They all deserve to die! It's because I was too soft-hearted that they died! My wife and child died!"
"Kill! When dealing with pirates, only kill! Start by killing Roa! But don't just kill Roa! Kill all pirates in this world! Marines are too weak! The strongest pirates in the world are in the New World, why are they ignored? They deserve to die just like Roa!"
"..." Borsalino blankly pushed up his sunglasses. The man whose clothes hadn't gotten dirty even when facing Roa's group now couldn't help but feel lost.
Is Teacher Zephyr like this?
Roa, what kind of evil have you wrought?
Good old Teacher Zephyr has gone insane because of you!
But, the "insane" Zephyr resonated with a certain normal person.
"That's right! Teacher Zephyr! Have you finally realized it too?" Sakazuki clenched his fists, greatly invigorated. "When dealing with pirates, only kill!"
"Kill! Kill! Kill!!" Zephyr's body trembled slightly, but his voice became even more excited.
Borsalino felt a chill down his spine. "Killing pirates can wait; you two need treatment now."
Anyway, I should contact headquarters first.
So, shortly after, at Marine Headquarters.
Fleet Admiral Sengoku impatiently answered the call from the front line.
"How is it, Zephyr?" he asked urgently. "Did you take care of that kid?"
When the battle began, Headquarters had also received the news. That Zephyr kid was quite fast this time, it's only been two hours, right?
"Sengoku, Fleet Admiral Sengoku!" A somewhat unfamiliar voice came from the other end, trembling.
Hmm? Not Zephyr? Sengoku was momentarily stunned. Is it one of the generals?
It didn't seem like it. Every flag officer who went on the expedition had been personally promoted by him; if not familiar, at least not strangers. Sengoku's heart immediately sank. If it wasn't even a flag officer, then who was he talking to? And why was it him?
"Fleet Admiral Sengoku, the operation, the operation completely failed!" Before Sengoku could mentally prepare himself, the Marine soldier on the other end spoke, with a sob. "Mr. Zephyr was defeated; he was severely wounded by Catastrophe Roa. All the other generals died in battle. Out of eleven warships, only one remained; the others, along with the soldiers on board, sank into the deep sea."
"..." The Fleet Admiral's eyes gradually widened, his voice dry, as if squeezed out from rusty gears. "You said, what?"
Shortly after, the high-ranking Marine officers still at Headquarters gathered. The attendees included Fleet Admiral Sengoku, Hero Garp, and Staff Officer Tsuru.
"Zephyr was actually defeated by that kid?" Iron Fist Garp frowned deeply. "How can this be? I fought that kid just a few months ago; how could he possess such power?"
That kid was indeed strong, but he should have been far from Zephyr's level! Although not as strong as himself and Sengoku, Zephyr was still a genuine Marine Admiral!
"No matter how impossible it seems, that's the fact," Sengoku pinched the bridge of his nose, his voice gloomy. "Zephyr had his right arm severed, and suffered severe internal injuries to his intestines, liver, kidneys, and bladder."
"That kid also has the ability to turn people into puppets. If Sakazuki hadn't reacted quickly, Zephyr might not have made it back. Even so, Zephyr's mind has been stimulated, and he's very agitated now."
"Could such a thing... happen?" Vice Admiral Tsuru, usually calm, could no longer maintain her composure. "I should have known not to let Zephyr go; it was my mistake, I underestimated the enemy too much. Although he's just a kid, he's the successor designated by Rocks!"
"There's no need to blame yourself, Tsuru. Everyone has tried very hard to overestimate him." The Fleet Admiral sighed. "The problem now is how we should deal with him next."
"He's no longer an enemy that can be easily handled," Vice Admiral Tsuru said. "From now on, we must treat him with the same attitude we'd have towards Golden Lion or Whitebeard."
The Fleet Admiral sighed repeatedly. Golden Lion or Whitebeard were opponents that even Marine Headquarters couldn't easily provoke.
"In any case, let's seal off the news first," Sengoku said. "If this news leaks out, the Marine's prestige will suffer an unprecedented huge blow!"
A former Admiral defeated by a mere thirteen-year-old pirate, with over a dozen Marine flag officers and thousands of Marine soldiers dead—the Marines had never experienced such a scandal in decades.
However.
"Don't worry, Boss!" Inside the palace on the snail's back, Morgans, who had a blast reporting today, patted his chest, his voice full of excitement.
"I'll send the news draft back immediately! You're about to shock the world again!"