"Heh, you're an Admiral, alright," Takero's excited voice rang out. "You've got a lot more fight in you than that flashy guy who just ran away."
His words sounded like a thunderclap to everyone listening. But for Zephyr, who was facing Takero's power directly, it made his heart sink. He could feel his own terrifying strength, enough to shatter mountains, get completely canceled out the moment it hit Takero's fist. It was as if his punch had crashed into an unbreakable wall, dissolved by a force that was even more brutal and unreasonable than his own. The opponent's small fist was thousands of times harder than Sea Stone.
'This... this isn't possible!'
In all of Zephyr's vast combat experience, a person's strength was always linked to their muscle density and body size. But the black-haired young man in front of him, whose body could only be considered a "runt" among the giant monsters of the Grand Line, was different. How could such a small, thin body hide such world-destroying power?
'Just like the intelligence report said,' he thought. 'This kid isn't a normal human. Is it a Devil Fruit ability? Or is he some kind of monster created in an experiment?' There was no other way to explain his unnatural physical strength.
Zephyr used Moonwalk to kick off the air, quickly creating distance between himself and Takero. He landed back on the deck of the flagship, which sagged slightly under the force of his landing. Smoker, Hina, and the other Marines watched in stunned silence.
"That's 'Strange Tail' Takero?! He actually... took a direct hit from Zephyr-sensei?!"
"As expected of a rookie monster whose first bounty was thirty million Berries!"
Despite their surprise, none of them believed Takero could actually be Zephyr's opponent. After all, one was just a rookie pirate, while the other was the legendary 'Black Arm' Admiral who once stood at the top of the Marines. There was simply no comparison. But Zephyr, after that single exchange, had thrown away any thoughts of underestimating his opponent. He knew the young man before him was the most terrifying monster he had ever faced in his entire life.
"Send my order!" Zephyr's voice became incredibly serious. "The rest of the fleet is to immediately go around this battlefield and sail at full speed to Ambri Island! Your target is Nico Robin! You must capture her!"
He had decided to personally hold Takero, the strongest enemy, right here.
"Yes, sir!"
The other warships received the order and began to change course to carry out the mission. But just then, the arrogant voice from the sky rang out again.
"Go around me? Did... you guys misunderstand something here?"
Takero grinned, slowly raising his right hand. A small, dark-red point of energy, radiating destructive power, began to form at the tip of his index finger. "I said, none of you are leaving this party."
"All of you... are going to stay here and play with me!"
Whoosh—! Whoosh—! Whoosh—!
Before he even finished speaking, several incredibly fast, dark-red beams of energy shot from his fingertip like spears of judgment. They accurately struck the warships that were trying to leave the battlefield.
BOOM—! ! ! !
Deafening explosions echoed across the sea. The bottoms of the Marine warships, built from sturdy ironwood, were instantly pierced by the energy beams, causing massive explosions. Seawater poured frantically through the huge holes, and the ships began to tilt and sink at a terrifying speed.
Seeing this, Zephyr knew they were in grave danger. He roared at the soldiers on deck, "Quick! Go save them! Lower the lifeboats!"
As soon as he gave the order, he looked up, his eyes burning with rage as he stared at the black-haired young man in the sky. "You bastard..."
Takero curled his lips into a malicious smile. "Don't worry, I controlled my power carefully. I only pierced the bottoms of their ships. If those Marines can't even swim, you can't blame me for that." Then, his smile became even more playful. "This is just a warning. Don't even think about touching my territory. Otherwise... my 'lasers' might not aim so low next time."
If he let these Marine grunts land on the island, his new subordinates, who weren't strong fighters yet, would be in serious trouble. Takero didn't see himself as a heartless person; he was a good boss who looked out for his crew. He was always kind to those who were on his side. And to his enemies... he was just as generous with his malice.
Zephyr understood the threat perfectly. He was trapped. He didn't care about his own life, but he could not ignore the lives of the thousands of Marine soldiers behind him. Many of them were students he had personally trained. This monster had an incredible ability to fire lasers. If he decided to attack the other warships, Zephyr wouldn't be able to stop him in time.
"Damn it!" Zephyr slammed his fist on the ship's railing, and the thick steel bent instantly under the force. Smoker and Hina could only watch, feeling completely useless. They weren't strong enough to interfere in a battle of this level. A sense of powerlessness bit at their pride as Marine elites.
Just as the tension reached its peak, Takero's voice came from the sky again.
"Hey, old man," he said, stretching his shoulders as if he was getting impatient. "I can't really let loose with all your annoying tin cans around. And you're fighting too carefully. It's no fun at all."
"How about we take this fight somewhere else?"
Zephyr was stunned. He looked into Takero's eyes, which were filled with a pure desire to fight, and he instantly understood. This kid wasn't bluffing; he simply wanted to find a place where he could unleash his full power and have a satisfying battle.
Zephyr was silent for a moment, quickly weighing his options. If they stayed here, he would have to split his focus between fighting and protecting the fleet, always worried that this monster might attack his soldiers.
"Fine!" Zephyr made his decision. He was worried Takero would attack his men again, but he also wanted to eliminate this extremely dangerous threat himself. "Where do you want to go?"
"Follow me and you'll find out," Takero grinned, pleased with the answer. "There's a nice uninhabited island nearby. It'll be a perfect 'arena' for us."
After speaking, he turned and transformed back into a crimson streak of light, speeding off in a specific direction. Zephyr glanced at Smoker and Hina. "Until I return, no one is to make a move! Guard this area!" he commanded in a deep voice.
"Teacher!" Smoker shouted, unwilling to stand by.
But Zephyr ignored him. He pushed off powerfully with his legs, and the air beneath his feet exploded.
"Moonwalk!"
His body shot forward like an arrow, closely following the crimson light as they both disappeared over the horizon. Smoker watched them go, then slammed his fist against the mast, his face filled with frustration.
"Damn it! In the end... is there nothing I can do to help?!"
Hina pushed up her sunglasses and let out a soft sigh. Against monsters who were on a completely different level, so-called "elites" like them... were still far too weak.
----------------
You can read advanced chapters here: patreon.com/GregariousLion