Triumphant Return! The Fluttering Ship-Slaying Blades!
On the evening the Martial Arts Tournament was declared over, the atmosphere had just begun to calm down from its initial excitement.
Just as everyone was preparing to return, in the center of the ruined arena on the Deserted Island, Garp and Zephyr found themselves facing each other.
Garp's lips curled into a smile, a hint of fighting spirit in his eyes, his fists clenched so tightly they cracked. "Zephyr... you've been holding back this fighting spirit for a long time, haven't you?"
Zephyr cracked his neck, Phoenix- like Blue Flames dancing around his shoulders, his eyes sharp. "Enough talk, let's fight!"
"Boom--!"
The two erupted almost simultaneously. The moment their fists and arm strength collided in mid-air, it was as if a deep crack was torn open in the sky above the entire island, and the violent shockwaves caused the distant sea to rise into a wall of waves hundreds of meters high!
"These two old men...!"
Roy's pupils contracted sharply, sensing a devastating Impact brewing, and he abruptly raised his hand and waved it.
"Whoosh--!"
A dazzling Spatial Rift suddenly opened, and thousands of onlookers were forcibly Teleportation back to the safety of Marineford!
Only Sengoku, Tsuru, the Three Admirals, Gion, Tokikake, and other high-ranking officials remained in place, their faces grave as they gazed at the island on the verge of destruction.
"Bang--!"
Garp's Iron Fist collided with Zephyr's Black Arm, and the Shockwave swept in all directions like the roar of a dragon!
"Snap--!"
The ground on the Deserted Island instantly cracked open, the fissures spreading wildly like a spider web, reaching all the way to the shore, and the surrounding seawater suddenly surged upwards!
"Boom--!"
Half of the island collapsed under the pure force of the two, and an astonishing black lightning bolt appeared in the sky, as if a god had descended!
Half a day later, Sengoku stood on the deck of the Warship, veins bulging, his voice drowning out the roar of the tsunami:
Such a meaningful island... and you've destroyed it like this?!
When are you two old fogies finally going to tone it down?!
Garp laughed heartily amidst the smoke and dust, his face radiating the exhilarating satisfaction of undiminished battle lust.
"Haha! Sengoku, don't be so stingy! It's been so long since we've had such a satisfying fight!"
Zephyr shook his slightly numb arm. "We can just find another one later... What if leaving it behind gives the World Government some leverage?"
He sighed softly, rubbing his forehead. "These two... they really can't learn what self-control is, even when they're old."
On the other side of the Warship, Gion stood at the edge of the deck, sword in hand, gazing at the sunken island reduced to ruins, her eyes filled with both shock and awe.
"Is this the power of legends?"
Tokikake stroked his stubble, his usual nonchalant demeanor vanishing. "Looks like we still have a long way to go..."
As the curtain fell on the Martial Arts Tournament, the Navy's elites embarked on their journeys home, each carrying new abilities and ambitions.
Sentomaru excitedly tugged at Kizaru's cloak and shouted:
"Uncle! Hurry and send me back to Punk Hazard! The Doctor can't wait to see my Stone-Stone Fruit!"
I will have the entire experimental island completely transformed with my power!
Kizaru pushed up his sunglasses, lazily drawing out his words, "What a hassle~ But it's fine, the Doctor doesn't like waiting."
A flash of golden light, and the two had vanished from the deck.
Upon returning to Marineford, Gion Tokikake immediately devoted themselves to developing their new abilities.
Gion would occasionally seek out Kuzan to request guidance on the advanced use of the Snow-Snow Fruit.
Kuzan originally didn't want to get involved, but seeing Staff Officer Tsuru standing behind Gion,
Then look behind Crane, where two old men are rubbing their hands together, flexing their muscles, and ready to "discuss martial arts insights on the spot" at any moment...
He sighed, put his hands in his pockets, and exhaled a puff of cold air. "Ugh, what a hassle..."
Several days later, Marine Headquarters Marineford
The Vice Admirals who went out to suppress the Pirates returned in triumph one after another, with the sound of cannons and the Hunting Roar of military flags.
The remnants of the major Pirate crews in the New World finally breathed a sigh of relief, whispering amongst themselves in the shadows:
"Those navy lunatics are finally gone!!"
"What's gotten into them lately?! Why are they suddenly working so hard?!"
"I heard that even three of the 'Five Buster Call Generals' personally lead their teams, cutting down Pirates they see!!"
Meanwhile, in the Marine Headquarters conference room, a huge battle record list hung in the center, making the results clear at a glance.
First place: Strawberry
Battle achievements: Led troops to annihilate an entire Pirate island, destroyed 7 Pirate crews, and captured 23 wanted criminals.
Reward: Flag-Flag Fruit (Paramecia)
Second place: Rakulowa
Battle record: Sinking two Four Emperors- affiliated fleets and killing four Pirates with bounties over 100 million.
Reward: A special Giant-Specific Armed Sword made by the Science Division (a small wish that Roy promised to fulfill).
On the podium, Strawberry is usually expressionless and has a long face that reaches past his knees, showed a rare smile.
He accepted the Flag-Flag Fruit as a reward and took a bite without hesitation.
"Vomit--!"
His rigid, expressionless face contorted instantly, then forced itself back into a cold, stern expression before he spoke in a low voice, "... Disgusting!"
"Puhaha--!"
A burst of hearty laughter erupted in the meeting room; even Doberman and Onigumo couldn't help but slap the table and laugh hysterically.
"Vice Admiral Strawberry, your facial expression control is a complete failure!"
"Even a tough guy like you can't handle this, hahaha!"
Strawberry's face darkened, he took a deep breath, and drew his sword from his waist.
"Floating – Softening Steel!"
"Whoosh--!"
The longsword instantly softened into a ribbon of metal, deftly wrapping around his arm.
He gave a soft shout, and the sword suddenly hardened, accompanied by a deafening whistling sound. A sharp sword aura ripped through the training ground in the conference room!
"This fruit..."
A rare glint flashed in Strawberry's eyes as he murmured, "I like it..."
He immediately turned around, his gaze fixed intently on the head of the Science Division: "I want two massive, highly compressed ship-slaying blades custom-made!"
"It softens and wraps itself into a cloak and scarf in normal times, but hardens instantly during battle!"
"Next time I fight Pirates, I'll cut down an enemy ship in one blow!!"
The head of the Science Division excitedly took notes, his voice trembling. "Understood! We will use Dr. Vegapunk's Latest Alloy to tailor-make one specifically for you!"
Doberman, Yamakaji, Momonga, and Onigumo surrounded Strawberry and patted him heavily on the shoulder.
"Well done!"
"Next time, let's join forces and sweep across the New World!"
Strawberry smiled, a rare occurrence for him. "Thank you... but this is all thanks to everyone's hard work and dedication."
He raised his hand and solemnly saluted Roy in the distance. "Vice Admiral Roy, all of this... I will remember."
Roy nodded slightly, his gaze steady. "No need to thank me, you deserve it."
In Marineford Square, the soldiers were filled with fervor, raising their fists and shouting!
Inside the Fleet Admiral's Office, Sengoku stood with his hands behind his back by the window, looking down at the cheers below, and finally let out a long sigh of relief.
"Roy's plan is starting to work."
Zephyr leaned against the window. "These kids, they're finally starting to look like they can carry the future of the Navy."
Garp, munching on Senbei, chuckled indistinctly, "But the happiest one is probably that Strawberry guy, right?"
He usually has a serious face, but today he's grinning like an idiot, haha!