The pirate swordsman's corpse crashed to the ground, his skull torn open—red and white matter spilling everywhere.
In the distance, a flicker of lightning danced in Enel's hand, connecting him to the small Maxim floating above. The vessel drifted gently down, and Enel reached out to soothe the trembling child inside, patting his little head and murmuring comfort.
After surviving brush after brush with death in just half a day, the three-year-old finally let himself relax. He drifted into sleep at last, though his tightly furrowed brow betrayed the turmoil still locked inside.
The Maxim hovered behind Enel as he walked toward Sakazuki.
Enel's face was heavy as he handed over a Den Den Mushi. "Uncle."
The device had been clenched in the child's tiny fist—even on the verge of death, he hadn't let go. Maybe because it was the last thing his mother left him.
Sakazuki accepted it, nodding silently. He hesitated for a moment, then dialed.
——
Elsewhere, Zephyr was streaking through the sky toward Tanli Island, leaping across the clouds with Geppo. Suddenly, the Den Den Mushi rang.
He answered in a heartbeat, his voice sharp with worry, wind roaring past: "Delia! How is it? I'm almost there!"
On the other end, Sakazuki's voice came, deep and somber: "Admiral Zephyr, it's Sakazuki. The child is safe…"
Relief surged through Zephyr—then, in the next instant, realization struck like lightning. His face went slack, and he plummeted from the sky.
Splash!
He hit the ocean hard. The icy seawater jolted him back to his senses. Kicking off with Geppo, he rocketed out of the waves and soared onward, never slowing.
His voice was hoarse when he spoke again: "I understand, Sakazuki. Thank you. I'll be there soon."
Sakazuki replied, his tone still heavy: "Received."
The call ended. Zephyr raced toward Tanli Island, water streaming down his face—whether from the sea or from tears, even he couldn't say.
"Delia…"
——
Sakazuki set down the Den Den Mushi and studied Enel. The boy had grown taller in the past half-year—nearly five-three now, looking sharp in his Marine uniform.
He gestured for Enel to leave the Maxim where it was, then strode toward the merchant ship.
As they walked, Sakazuki asked, "What've you been studying lately?"
Enel answered, "Most days I'm learning navigation and tech stuff. At night, Grandpa puts me through martial arts training."
Sakazuki nodded in approval. "Keep at the tech. Once your basics are solid, I'll get you some time with the Science Division. You'll be able to upgrade the Maxim yourself. For example, you could integrate the thundercloud launcher right into your golden staff. That way, you could control thunderclouds directly."
Enel's eyes lit up. That… might actually work!
After all, the Rumble-Rumble Fruit couldn't create thunderclouds by itself—the Maxim was designed exactly for that. With Maxim powered by his limitless lightning, its internal launcher could fill the sky with thunderclouds, letting him summon a "Raigo" that could obliterate an island.
The possibilities made Enel's eyes shine brighter and brighter. He could already see himself waving a hand, thunderclouds rolling across the heavens, lightning crackling at his command—a true force of nature. He got a little lost in the fantasy.
Thwack!
A sharp flick to the forehead snapped him back. Sakazuki's voice floated over, dry as ever: "Quit daydreaming. Master the basics first."
Enel rubbed his forehead, grumbling, "Hmph."
Soon, Sakazuki stopped. They'd reached the ship.
With a flex of his power, magma poured from his body, surging to the merchant vessel's side and forming two massive hands, each coated in Armament Haki.
RUMBLE!
With a crash of waves, the magma hands lifted the merchant ship and set it gently on the shore.
Only now did Sakazuki let Enel bring the small Maxim over—they would wait here for Admiral Zephyr.
——
A few minutes later—
Zephyr could just make out the outline of Tanli Island. Ignoring his blood-soaked, torn legs, he forced himself to go even faster.
From the sky, he spotted the figure standing on the merchant ship's deck and dove down, landing hard—stumbling, collapsing to his knees.
He'd used Geppo to cross the distance of several islands. His legs were a mess of ripped muscle and open wounds, numb from pain. Only sheer will had carried him this far.
Now, seeing his wife's body, he broke. He crawled to her side, gathered her in his arms, and wept in silence.
Words failed him. Tears streamed down his face.
"Delia…"
He called her name in his heart again and again, mind consumed with endless regret.
Neither Sakazuki nor Enel, standing below the ship, could offer any comfort.
Only when Zephyr finally regained a shred of composure did they hand him his son, still sleeping on the small Maxim.
Holding his child, a faint light returned to Zephyr's eyes. But when he saw the boy's tightly furrowed brow, his heart twisted with pain.
The world seemed to freeze—nothing but silent waiting.
——
North Blue, Windflower Island—Marine 194th Branch.
Branch Commander Jorison lounged in his office, reading the paper. Years had passed, and his temples had gone a little gray.
Knock, knock, knock!
"Report!"
Jorison, still holding his paper, lifted his teacup. "Come in!"
A young Marine clerk stepped in, leading a man whose face was oddly mature—and more than a little sleazy for his age.
"Commander, this young man wants to join the Marines. He's a Logia-type—Glint-Glint Fruit user."
"What?!"
Jorison slammed his newspaper and teacup onto the desk, staring at the newcomer in shock.
At that moment, Borsalino spoke up in his trademark, lazy drawl:
"Yoo-hoo~ Commander~"
~~~❃❃~~~~~~~~❃❃~~~
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