The Undying "Black Arm"
Marineford 'Fleet Admiral's Office
Afternoon sunlight streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows, illuminating the large mahogany table. After issuing instructions regarding the Martial Arts Tournament via the internal confidential channel...
Sengoku, Tsuru, Zephyr, and Roy were still sitting around in the office discussing.
Sengoku tapped the table lightly with two fingers, his gaze fixed on Roy.
"Roy, although we all know your abilities, isn't it a bit much to bring out so many powerful Devil Fruits at once...?"
Before the words were fully spoken, silence replaced them.
Staff Officer Tsuru He slowly sipped his tea, his eyes flashing with worry;
Zephyr crossed his arms and frowned, clearly sharing the same concerns.
Upon hearing this, Roy's lips curled up slightly. "Don't worry, Fleet Admiral."
"I have no plans to take action against the 'deep' existence for the time being."
He slowly tapped his fingers on the table. "The World Government imprisoned 'them' in the lowest level of Impel Down, not for trial, but for control."
"The surveillance and security there are extremely tight, precisely to prevent those truly terrifying and powerful fruits from being reborn and thus escaping their control."
At this point, Roy paused, "But for certain prisoners that the World Government 'don't care about'... I can still handle them."
"After all, isn't it normal for Shiryu to 'play' a few Pirate prisoners to death in Impel Down...?"
Upon hearing this, the three men's expressions visibly softened.
Sengoku sighed, "I see. It was 'extracted' from low-risk prisoners in Impel Down... The Five Elders certainly won't pursue these people."
Just then, Roy suddenly turned his gaze to Zephyr, his expression abruptly changing:
"Teacher, about the fruit I told you before—about the one that's right for you..."
Zephyr's pupils contracted slightly, his breathing involuntarily quickened, and his fists slowly clenched.
Sengoku paused upon hearing this, as if realizing something. A slow smile curved his lips as he looked at Zephyr with the warmth of an old friend.
"Old buddy, you're in luck."
His gaze shifted to Roy, his eyes gleaming. "If I'm not mistaken..."
"Is it the Phoenix?"
As soon as he finished speaking, the air in the office seemed to freeze.
Even the experienced and knowledgeable Staff Officer Tsuru He couldn't help but breathe rapidly for a moment;
Zephyr's weathered eyes were fixed intently on Roy, a flicker of excitement gleaming within them.
Roy no longer concealed his intentions; with a slight flip of his hand, a Devil Fruit shimmering with blue flame patterns slowly emerged.
The oppressive aura unique to Mythical Zoan swept through the entire room, as if a divine bird reborn from the ashes was soaring out of the abyss.
It is Zoan Bird-Bird Fruit, Mythical Zoan, Phoenix Form!
--A power that once belonged to Marco!
--Known as the "King of the Sky," possessing near-immortal regenerative abilities!
Roy placed the fruit steadily in front of Zephyr, his eyes revealing the respect a disciple has for his master.
"Teacher Zephyr..."
"Don't even think about retiring again."
Zephyr's eyes, weathered by time, were fixed on the fruit, his rough fingers trembling slightly on the table.
He slowly raised his head, his voice hoarse and deep. "You brat... do you know what this fruit means?"
Roy's expression remained unchanged, his eyes showing an unusual seriousness. "Of course."
"It means that 'Black Arm' Zephyr will no longer be troubled by aging!"
"This means the Navy will have a true 'immortal' Admiral!"
Sengoku laughed heartily and patted Zephyr on the shoulder, "Old man, now you have no excuse to retire in your old age!"
A long-dormant flame gradually rekindled in Zephyr's eyes, and his fists slowly clenched, his knuckles cracking.
"Retirement? Ha..."
"My fists aren't so old that they can't beat up Pirates!"
Staff Officer Tsuru gently reminded him, "Roy, won't the World Government investigate the recovery of this fruit?"
Roy smirked coldly. "Don't worry, the Five Elders would rather we wear down the Pirates..."
"Besides, even if they find out, what can they do to me?"
Sengoku narrowed his eyes, looking at him with a half-smile, "You planned this all along, didn't you?"
Roy shrugged. "It's just going with the flow."
Without further hesitation, Zephyr took a big bite of the fruit!
"Snap!"
The next instant, the entire office was engulfed in blue flames!
"Boom--!"
A surge of vitality washed over Zephyr's entire body like a torrent, and fiery phoenix wings suddenly unfurled behind him, illuminating the entire building with dazzling blue flames!
Zephyr's aged appearance was burned away in the flames, his skin regained its firmness, his muscles bulged again, and phoenix feather-like flame patterns appeared on his Black Arm. His Haki and vitality intertwined, making him look like a god descending to earth!
He clenched his fists, and Armament Haki instantly covered his arms, causing the phoenix blue flames to blaze fiercely!
"Ha ha!!"
"This feeling... it's like I'm forty again!!"
Sengoku's eyes flashed with amazement. "As expected of Mythical Zoan... Zephyr, you're back."
Staff Officer Tsuru revealed a rare smile, "It seems the Navy is truly about to undergo a major change."
Roy gazed at the rejuvenated Zephyr, a deep light shining in his eyes:
"The Phoenix's regenerative abilities, combined with the 'Black Arm's' top-tier Armament Haki..."
"Zephyr's strength will be even greater than it was at its peak!"
At the same time, various naval branches successively received classified orders.
Thick smoke filled the air inside Akainu Admiral's office.
Sakazuki, Cigar dangling from his lips, gripped the document stamped with the top-secret seal with his rough fingers.
His gaze swept over each line of text, a sharp smile playing on his lips, as he slowly exhaled a Smoke.
"That kid Roy... he always manages to pull off something so shocking."
He slammed the file onto the table with a thud, his sharp gaze sweeping over the neatly lined-up hawkish elites before him.
Doberman, Onigumo, and the others stood at attention, their military uniforms crisp and clear.
Sakazuki began in a low voice, "This Martial Arts Tournament— "
We must take it!
G-3 Marine Branch
"Hahaha!!"
Garp's booming voice made the office windows rattle. He slammed his hand on the table, laughing so hard he was shaking.
"As expected of Roy! To actually come up with something like this!"
Kuzan lazily against the sofa, holding a document in one hand, his breath freezing a thin layer of frost onto his teacup.
"Mr. Garp... Roy himself said it's Devil Fruit that increases combat power..."
"That's no joke!"
Garp's eyes lit up, and he slammed his fist into his palm. "Hehe... I definitely have to go see this kind of excitement!"
"After all, I am a lieutenant Vice Admiral!"
Kuzan was taken aback by this. "You're... going a bit too far..."
In the Laboratories of the Vegapunk Institute, the hum of machines rose and fell.
Kizaru sat lazily on the sofa, legs crossed high, holding a document in his hand, a smile playing on his lips.
"Wow... Roy, oh Roy, it's been so long since you've made such a big commotion!"
Sentomaru walked in carrying Giant Axe and asked curiously, "Uncle, what big thing is the Navy planning?"
Kizaru adjusted his sunglasses and waved the document with a smile:
"I wasn't planning on getting involved..."
"But you know, this might actually be good for you~"
Sentomaru took the document, glanced at it, and his eyes widened suddenly:
"Hey!! I absolutely have to participate in this!!"
The elite Vice Admirals at the Marine Headquarters also received the news one after another, and the barracks and Training Grounds instantly became lively.
After returning from G1 to report on their mission, Momonga and Yamakaji whispered among themselves by the Training Ground.
"Martial Arts Tournament... looks like this time they're going to get serious."
Dalmatian and Bastille met in the cafeteria, clutching documents in their hands, and whispered as they discussed strategies.
Maynard then used Den Den Mushi) to have an in-depth discussion with Comil about tactical preparations.
Everyone realized one thing--
This conference is anything but ordinary!
In Gion's office, Tokikake sat cross-legged on the sofa, holding a document in his hand, his brow slightly furrowed.
"Roy is probably doing this to motivate the Vice Admiral..."
We're under immense pressure!
Gion stood by the window, her fingertips lightly tapping the window frame. "I definitely have to go."
"Anything Roy can produce... can't be bad."
Tokikake suddenly looked up. "By the way, Roy isn't participating, is he?"
Gion chuckled softly, a sly glint in her eyes. "Who knows~"
With the secret order issued, rumors spread throughout the entire navy, from Marine Headquarters to all branches.
But regardless of their stance, everyone reached a consensus—
What Roy took out...
Absolutely not bad!