The Navy had broken with the World Government—
Or, more precisely, the Navy had betrayed the World Government.
It was the kind of thing few would believe. In fact, most would never believe it at all.
But for veterans like Chaton and Momousagi, they had long known this day would eventually come.
Even back in Sengoku's time as Fleet Admiral, there had already been faint signs of it. Back then, Sengoku simply kept things from escalating. But now with Kizaru holding the title of Fleet Admiral—a man who never truly pledged himself to the World Government—secession was only a matter of time.
And though those old vice admirals could sense the shift, they said nothing. In fact, they quietly accepted it.
In recent years, everything the World Government had done had utterly crushed their hopes. There was no future to be seen. The "justice" they preached was nothing more than the false righteousness upheld by those filthy Celestial Dragons.
If that was the justice they were meant to serve, then they would rather follow Kizaru and break away. Better to let the Navy stand as its own power, separate from the World Government.
What they did not know, however, was that Kizaru had already—secretly—folded the Navy under Ghidorah's banner.
But then again… even if they knew, they likely wouldn't object.
After all, in today's world, only two forces truly stood at the top. To leave one side meant you could never stand alone. In that sense, joining Ghidorah's camp might not be such a bad thing.
As Zunesha marched forward, it drew nearer to the seas where everyone had gathered. From beneath the waves, mechanical monstrosities continued to rise and strike.
Zunesha's legs were already scarred and torn from endless attacks.
And yet—even in pain—the great elephant endured, as though something in the waters ahead was calling to it.
Luffy and the others, deeply moved by the giant's determination, fought to fend off as many attackers as they could. But against such colossal, merciless machines, they quickly became exhausted, their bodies battered and bruised.
Watching silently all this time, Enel finally stirred. Whether from conscience or pride, none could say, but he began to unleash his Rumble-Rumble powers to aid Zunesha.
Since his defeat at Luffy's hands years ago, Enel had discovered a terrifying new application of his lightning: electromagnetism.
And against mechanical monsters, his power was a natural counter. Each time his electromagnetic waves struck, the beasts would seize up, paralyzed, leaving them helpless before Zunesha's crushing blows.
"Oi, Enel—how about joining my crew?"
Luffy, panting like a half-dead dog, looked at him seriously and asked.
"Tch. I am a god. Why would a god lower himself to run with mortals like you?"
Enel scoffed, smugly eyeing the rubber boy sprawled on the ground.
…
God, my ass.
If you don't want to team up, then why are you still hanging around Zou?
Everyone shot him looks of disdain. After spending this much time together, they realized he wasn't quite the same as before. At the very least, he no longer killed people at a whim.
Maybe the guy had recovered a little in the past two years.
"Heh. I'm gonna be King of the Pirates. Don't tell me you've got no interest in this sea at all?"
Luffy, still grinning, kept pressing.
That smile caught Enel off guard. For a moment, he froze—memories flashing of his childhood on Birka. Life hadn't been easy, but it had been… full.
Everything changed when he gained his Devil Fruit. From that moment on, he seemed to despise the world itself.
Looking back now, his old thinking felt laughable.
And after seeing the true brilliance of Bika's ancient technology, a new desire had taken root—he wanted to uncover everything, to see the glory of his people's prime.
"No. This god doesn't need you lot. You'd only slow me down."
He shook his head firmly.
In truth, though he rejected their offer, he did not dislike them. Otherwise, he wouldn't still be lingering on Zou.
Luffy, seeing that stubborn pride, didn't push further. He just leaned back with that usual dumb smile, staring up at the sky.
Huh?
Something massive was flying toward them.
"Uwaaaah!! What the heck is that?!"
The half-dead Luffy bolted upright, pointing in panic at the approaching shadow in the heavens.
The others followed his gaze instinctively.
A crimson giant bird, trailing black-smoke flames, tore through the skies toward Zou.
Zunesha seemed to sense it too—lifting its colossal trunk, trumpeting with excitement.
"FOOOOHHHH!!!"
"Damn beast, shut your mouth—or I'll tell Ghidorah and have him silence you for good!"
A harsh, mocking voice cut through the air, carried on the bird's descent.
"W-What the hell is that thing?!"
Even Enel—the astronaut who had just returned from the moon—was left bug-eyed, jaw dropped at the sight.
"Rodan… The Sky Lord, Rodan!"
Zoro gripped his swords, his voice low and grim.
"What?! That's… the legendary Rodan Fruit…"
Enel's eyes darted back to his own ship, to the inscriptions carved beneath it.
The third of the ancient Devil Fruits described there: the Zoan, Ancient Model—Rodan Form.
The oppressive aura was suffocating. Even the arrogant Enel knew his lightning would be useless against that thing.
No one moved. Against such a monster, even the idea of resistance felt impossible.
And then—
"Straw Hat brat… catch your old man!"
The cold, cruel voice came from above. The giant bird swooped overhead, dropping a dark figure from its claws.
???
"What the hell…?"
Luffy blinked, completely lost, as the shadow plummeted straight toward him.
"GYAAAH!!"
With a startled yelp, he leapt aside at the last instant.
BOOM!
The figure smashed into the ground before him, throwing up clouds of dirt and dust.
When it cleared, the crew crowded around the fallen man—his body battered and broken.
"Who… who is this?"
Luffy frowned, staring at the stranger's bloodied face.
"Uhh…"
"That… that looks like…"
"Wait a second… that's your father!!"
Nami's eyes widened in shock. She had seen the Revolutionary's face in the papers before. She turned to Luffy, disbelief written all over her.
Seriously? You didn't even catch your own dad?!
"AAAHHH!!"
The others gaped, horrified, as realization struck.
Don't tell me… you just let your father get smashed to death?!
"Wait—what?! That's really my dad?!"
Wide-eyed, stumbling back in terror, Luffy finally understood who lay at his feet…
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