CHAPTER 267: EMERGENCY RESCUE
Zephyr stood at the bow of what should have been a pirate ship. Behind him, his students rapidly transferred aboard. The plan progressed flawlessly. Even during this lockdown, Sabaody's pirate population never diminished. For some reason, despite Navy Headquarters' proximity, the World Government never strengthened Sabaody's control. They seemed deliberately funneling pirates toward the New World.
Zephyr had deeply resented this government policy previously. Now he thanked it. Without these pirates' ship, coating would've been impossible to complete quickly, allowing escape before government response.
"Ready?" Zephyr turned.
"Preparations complete! Ready to depart anytime, Teacher Zephyr!" Ain shouted.
They didn't need to transfer their own supplies—the New World-bound pirates' vessel brimmed with provisions.
Time to depart!
Zephyr exhaled with relief. Reaching the New World meant everything remained possible! The government was too corrupt. The Navy couldn't defy them. So let me enact true justice!
He raised his hand. "Set sail—"
Suddenly, Zephyr's eyes widened. He snapped his gaze skyward.
Simultaneously, brilliant light erupted across the night sky, outshining the moon itself.
"Oh my, leaving already, Zephyr? I've been waiting quite some time," a leisurely voice echoed from above.
"Eight-Shaku Magatama."
Without waiting for response, countless light points rained down across the sky.
"Damn you, Borsalino!!" Zephyr snarled, his left arm darkening with armament Haki's invisible waves. He thrust his fist skyward. The armament expanded outward—a simple punch transformed into area coverage.
Numerous light projectiles shattered from Zephyr's strike. Yet Kizaru's attack range proved superior. More light fell, shredding the ship's perimeter like swiss cheese within moments. The hull penetrated, the bubble-coating layer obliterated inevitably.
Zephyr grimaced. This complicated matters. A destroyed coated ship meant no passage to Fish-Man Island. Worse—the figure now before him.
Though perpetually at odds, Zephyr understood perfectly how troublesome his former student could be. Being caught by this man meant escape probability had become negligible.
"Why not return to Marineford with me, Zephyr?" Kizaru suggested, descending from the sky. "The government anticipated your New World route. I've been stationed here monitoring every coated vessel. Your escape attempt never had a chance."
Kizaru's expression remained casual. "Additionally, I've notified Headquarters. Aokiji is en route. You understand—you have no chance of victory."
Zephyr's expression darkened like storm clouds. His students' faces paled with dread. They all understood—with this monster before them, escape had become impossible.
"Haa—" Zephyr exhaled slowly, tearing away his jacket. Both arms darkened completely with armament Haki.
"I see?" Kizaru sighed slightly. "I'd prefer not fighting you, Zephyr, but now—" His hands joined together, light blazing between them. His right hand formed a grip, and a light sword materialized.
"Only battle remains possible, yes?"
The next instant, Kizaru flickered before Zephyr, his light sword descending.
"Borsalino!!"
Roaring, Zephyr threw a punch.
Boom!
Battle erupted.
"Let us help!" Ain shouted, red flames gathering in her palms.
"Don't come!" Zephyr retreated two steps, not turning around as he bellowed. "Get back to shore! Leave immediately! I'll handle this bastard!"
Numbers meant nothing against this monster. Zephyr knew this clearly. Borsalino could slaughter his disciples with casual gestures.
"Still concerned about others, Zephyr?" Kizaru laughed, showing no interest in the others. He waved his light sword forward again toward Zephyr.
The two clashed across the ship's deck.
Zephyr's followers obeyed, retreating to shore—though anguish consumed them. They saw clearly: from the beginning, their teacher fought at a disadvantage. Though his right arm now bore the mechanical prosthetic Science Division created, it fell far short of the original. Power and flexibility couldn't match this level of combat.
Soon Zephyr's mechanical right arm was shredded by Kizaru's attacks.
"Unfortunate, Zephyr," Kizaru smiled. "This arm is too fragile. With a Seastone prosthetic, I'd find myself quite troubled."
"Borsalino! Didn't I teach you to talk less during combat?!" Zepyr roared, lunging at his superior student again.
Despite knowing defeat awaited, quitting wasn't an option. Never compromise!
Zephyr held to his convictions, absolutely refusing surrender.
"Sigh," Kizaru muttered.
That's precisely what made this troublesome.
"Then come, Zephyr," Kizaru gripped his sword with both hands. "You always warned me not to rely solely on my fruit. Let me prove my skill extends beyond that."
Boom!
A black arm flew skyward, splashing into the sea.
Zephyr's body rocketed backward, crashing through the ship's rail, collapsing onto Sabaody's shore.
"Ngh—" Zephyr grunted, rolling upright. He gazed down at the empty space below his right shoulder.
Was this the end?
"This is the end," Kizaru said, his form solidifying before them.
"If you want Zephyr, cross over our corpses first!" His students blocked Kizaru's path, combat stances assumed.
They couldn't abandon Teacher Zephyr!
"Let us fight together!" Zephyr stood, no longer telling his students to leave. Since this was their wish, he'd respect it!
"Truly troublesome," Kizaru sighed. His light sword dispersed, reforming in the sky.
"Then don't blame me—"
SPLASH!!
Massive waves suddenly erupted from the nearby sea.
Beneath moonlight, a fire-red monster rose from the depths.
"Hahaha, my timing seems perfect," the monster lowered its head, meeting Kizaru's astonished gaze. "I've come to save you, Zephyr."
Zephyr's eyes widened equally.