One of the Marines greatest advantages is their numbers—not just in terms of lower-ranking forces, but also in high-ranking combat power. If a one-on-one fight can't be decided quickly, then two-on-one it is. Other forces might not have the luxury to do this, but the Marines have the resources.
A former Admiral is still an Admiral, and while his health has led to a slight decline in his physique, he is still not someone that ordinary people can deal with.
The Marine Admiral who refused to kill is long gone. After enduring the tragic deaths of both his family and his students, Zephyr's heart had undergone a drastic change. Though he still believes in the Marines, he also founded a new pirate-hunting guerrilla unit, dedicated to hunting pirates across the seas.
Naturally, for this Summit War, Zephyr was called back.
"Long time no see, old pal."
"Yeah, it's been decades since we last fought side by side, hasn't it?"
"Sure has…"
After his family was murdered thirty years ago, Zephyr withdrew from front-line duty. It was only under the persuasion of "Steel Bone" Kong that he remained in the Marines at all. Although he was from the same era as Sengoku, his relationship with Sengoku doesn't come close to the friendship between Tsuru and Garp.
If not for the outbreak of the Summit War, they would never have had the chance to fight side by side.
To not use their numbers advantage and instead challenge pirates one-on-one would just mean their heads aren't screwed on right.
"Boss Kaido, do you need me to hold one of them off for you?"
King, searching for Blackbeard high above in the sky, suddenly appeared behind Kaido. He hadn't found Blackbeard yet, but he had seen Kaido being double-teamed by Zephyr and Sengoku.
"No need. Go do your thing. I don't need you here. Don't interfere in my fight."
"Yes."
King soared back into the skies, and Kaido rolled his shoulders, preparing for round two. He hated when others interfered in his battles, but he didn't mind if the number of enemies increased. Having more tough opponents—that's how he found enjoyment.
At that moment, Zephyr pulled out an aerosol inhaler from inside his coat and took two puffs from it. With age, he had developed an illness resembling asthma. During high-intensity battles, he could have an attack at any time and needed medication to keep it under control.
His condition is different from Whitebeard's illness—it's a chronic disease that's difficult to cure completely.
"Is your body fine?"
"I'll be fine until this fight's over. But... let me cover you."
Zephyr had a clear understanding of his own body. He was capable of participating in battles at this level, but not of leading them. Losing his right hand had already significantly hampered his strength.
The Science Unit had equipped his right arm with a special prosthetic called the "Smasher," but in the end, it still couldn't compare to the original arm.
The Smasher wasn't without its advantages either. Outfitted with Seastone inside, it was essentially a natural enemy of Devil Fruit Users—that's why Zephyr had the confidence to say what he did.
"Done discussing? Then let's continue and begin round two of the war!"
Kaido bounced lightly on his feet a few times. After merging the power of Dragon Dance into his body, he charged toward the two of them. But his target wasn't Sengoku or Zephyr—it was Zephyr's Smasher. That weapon posed a significant threat to him and needed to be dealt with first.
The Seastone used to create it came from Wano Country. At the time, even Caesar had participated in the Smasher's development. After he fled to work under Doflamingo, information about the Smasher was sent to the Beasts Pirates' intelligence department.
There were only a handful of enemies worthy of Kaido's attention, and he had some understanding of this matter.
With Hassaikai in hand, he didn't have to worry about physical contact. Even so, it was best to take precautions.
"Smash Tornado!"
Zephyr's Smasher slammed into the ground, shattering the stone tiles beneath its force. Then, the front of the Smasher began to spin violently, generating a tornado that tore through the battlefield. The gust hurled broken rubble and Seastone bullets—fired from inside the weapon—straight toward Kaido.
This kind of attack wouldn't deal real damage, but it could create a better opening for Sengoku to attack.
As Kaido dodged Zephyr's assault, Sengoku had already leapt high into the air. The giant Buddha palms glowed with golden shockwaves, crashing in toward Kaido from both sides...
...
While Kaido was reveling in his battle, up on the main plaza, Whitebeard's fight had grown even more intense.
"Great Eruption!"
A huge magma fist clashed with Whitebeard's punch. The cloak of justice fluttered in the wind behind him, but Akainu showed no intention of backing down. Like a nail hammered into the ground, he remained firmly standing in front of Whitebeard.
"Yasakani Sacred Jewel!"
A blinding yellow light erupted from the side of Akainu and Whitebeard, like a miniature sun that made it impossible to keep one's eyes open.
And from within that sun, a storm of laser blasts rained down like a downpour, bombarding Whitebeard's body.
No holding back—facing Whitebeard in his prime, Kizaru was going all out. The dense barrage of laser blasts landed squarely on Whitebeard.
In the next instant, he shifted directions and successfully evaded Whitebeard's counterattack.
"Unbelievable… he's like a monster. Even that kind of attack didn't work..."
Whitebeard's body was covered in several crimson scorch marks, but none of them pierced through. Thanks to his current physique, Whitebeard managed to withstand Kizaru's assault.
"Hell Hound!"
Seizing the moment when Whitebeard was focused on attacking Kizaru, Akainu's magma-arm extended rapidly, stabbing toward Whitebeard's head. But a white light—signifying tremors—flared from Whitebeard's elbow, and using a twist of his torso, he slammed it straight into Akainu.
Even with a Logia-type body, Akainu's internal organs were significantly affected by the tremors. Still, he didn't retreat. Instead, he turned his whole body into magma and continued launching a fierce assault.
Akainu withstood Whitebeard's pressure head-on, while Kizaru flanked from the side, looking for openings. This was their strategy, each playing to their own strengths.
Even though Whitebeard had regained his youth, he was still held back by the combined assault of Akainu and Kizaru, unable to push any closer to the execution platform.
However, they also failed to bring Whitebeard down quickly, and the battle fell into a deadlock.
"Sacred Yata Crow!"
Kizaru, who had just been forced back by Whitebeard, launched a rapid series of mid-air kicks. Countless laser beams shot toward Whitebeard like a flock of crows—only to be intercepted midair by Marco using his own body.
"Pops, we can't break through! The Marines have blocked off the road to the execution platform!"
The flames of regeneration healed Marco's body. Just moments ago, Jozu had taken over the fight with the Vice Admiral who'd been tying Marco down, giving him time to rush to Whitebeard's side and ask about the next move.
Although nearly all the Admirals were occupied, there was still one man in front of the execution platform—Garp. And the Whitebeard Pirates no longer had anyone left who could take him on.
Boom!
Whitebeard threw another punch at Akainu in front of him, then began scanning the battlefield. At last, his gaze landed on Luffy, who was surrounded by a group of Marines.
To break past Garp's defense...it seems he could only rely on him…..
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