Zephyr's Move, Noah's Attack

"Hmm, this is not a good situation."

Everyone was having a blast... no, they were really having a great time. While Roman could use protecting Nami as an excuse to slack off, he seemed a bit too idle...

!

Great, no need to worry about it anymore.

"Nami, protect me!"

?!

Are you going 'over there'?

Having lived with Roman for two years, Nami immediately understood why Roman would say that.

"That's right, it seems like people from the Marine Headquarters have come."

Don't forget, the true 'White Knight' is still leading Fleet 211 across the seas. —They just managed to send those unfortunate Caribou to Impel Down through the Gates of Justice, and now Marine Headquarters is here again. What a miserable life!

"Okay, go ahead."

Nami roused herself, opened the book in her hand, and prepared to unleash her various abilities!

"Don't be nervous, just remember to call me if anything happens."

As Roman finished speaking, he froze, the same person he was, but the lively light in his eyes vanished. —This was how Roman looked when he was remotely and precisely controlling the White Knight.

On the flagship of the Fleet 211

"Ahem, sorry, sorry~~"

As 'Roman' pushed open the Captain's Cabin's cabin door and then slammed it shut again, the glimpse of long orange hair inside made Vice Admiral Doberman, who was waiting outside, twitch his face.

In broad daylight, young people don't even care about their health...

"Vice Admiral Doberman, what has happened at headquarters that requires your personal attention?"

Den Den Mushi) are, of course, essential for every Marine warship. But the navy also possesses 'black Den Den Mushi's capable of eavesdropping on other people's conversations—this is the very thing Smoker used to track the Straw Hat crew Pirates.

Although there are 'White Den Den Mushi' that can prevent eavesdropping, they are extremely rare, so the Navy prefers to use 'human-to-human' communication for many important matters.

"Let's go inside and talk... You all step back!"

Thinking of Major General An in the cabin, Doberman had no choice but to unleash his Observation Haki and talk to 'Roman' against the sea breeze.

"I······"

He had four X-shaped scars on his face, a curly beard, and flowing brown hair that reached down to his shoulders. Because his left eye was missing a pupil, he looked like a tough soldier—and indeed he always was—but Lieutenant Vice Admiral Doberman hesitated for once.

"Roman, do you know Zephyr?"

Zephyr?!

Black Arm... could it be...?

Roman certainly knew who Zephyr was.

Former World Government's top combat force and Marine Headquarters Admiral, known as "Black Arm" Zephyr due to his powerful Armament Haki, fought countless pirates throughout his life but never killed a single enemy, earning him the title of "The Unkillable" former Marine Headquarters Admiral.

Later, after his entire family was killed by pirates, his attitude towards pirates changed drastically, forcing him to become an instructor and train new naval recruits. Two years ago, the Three Admirals of the Navy— Aokiji, Kizaru, and Akainu— were all his students.

Nine years ago, Zephyr's training ship was attacked by pirates. His beloved students, except for Ain and Binz, were all killed, and his right arm was also severely injured, forcing him to replace it with a mechanical arm.

This made Zephyr's feelings towards pirates extremely hostile...

"Of course, Zephyr is a renowned senior figure in our Navy. Even Akainu Fleet Admiral and Admiral Kizaru are his students... I remember Mr. Doberman was also Zephyr's student?"

"Yes, but a year ago, the Navy's move to fill the Shichibukai angered Zephyr, who then left the Navy and founded the 'NEO Marines' with the goal of annihilating pirates worldwide."

"I know that,"

Roman nodded. After all, as a star Vice Admiral with an amazing track record of capturing pirates (a year ago), Zephyr had also praised Roman lavishly, saying that if Vice Admiral had Roman's level, the Four Seas would have been at peace long ago.

"But... didn't Akainu Fleet Admiral say that we don't need to pay attention to the 'NEO Marines'?"

Akainu himself is a ruthless military man who would love for all pirates to die, so he turns a blind eye to Zephyr's blatant "splitting the family" move. Unless:

"The Navy recently received information that Zephyr is searching for 'Dyna Stone,' which is said to be comparable to Ancient Weapon. Once he obtains enough 'Dyna Stone,' he plans to ignite several volcanoes in the New World, thereby destroying the entire New World!"

··········

Roman was at a loss for words.

The word "comparable"... well, let's just say that if you say "XXX is comparable to XXX," you're guaranteed to be utterly defeated! For example, in various Three Kingdoms-themed works, whenever a general appears, they like to boast, "This person is comparable to Lu Bu!" And then: that general is most likely dead...

Putting aside the question of how powerful that Dyna Stone actually is, just the fact that it could destroy the world is enough to illustrate its potential:

"Even if a volcano erupts, how will it destroy the entire New World? With volcanic ash?"

LOL!

Crocodile, Luffy's father, said: Is that all?

Besides, for experts, a volcanic eruption is nothing. With a wave of Armament Haki, swimming in lava is just normal.

"... In short, the Navy must stop Zephyr's actions. This time, the instructor has gone too far!"

That's true. If Zephyr's plan succeeds, it's hard to say how many pirates will die, but as for ordinary people...

"So, what does headquarters mean?"

··········

Lieutenant Vice Admiral Doberman, forced a smile before finally uttering a cold sentence.

"In the name of justice—"

"Destroy the rebel Zephyr!"

After Vice Admiral Doberman left,

"Boss, do we really have to..."

As a Second-generation Marine and a rising star with the rank of Rear Admiral general, Borgin naturally received the message from Vice Admiral. This left even these Second-generation Marine feeling bewildered.

After all, many of their elders, and even themselves, had studied under Zephyr, though they were expelled for poor performance. But now they were going to attack him—that was truly...

Give me the Den Den Mushi.

Roman wouldn't let such nonsense happen: Leaving aside that 'Dyna Stone' —which, in Roman's estimation, was most likely left behind by some Awakening Devil Fruit user in history. Whether it could even destroy the New World was another matter entirely; let's talk about Zephyr himself:

Whitebeard Jr.., the enemy who killed his student and lost an arm, will soon be removed from the Shichibukai due to the Dressrosa Incident, and then besieged by the Navy—thinking about it this way, wouldn't Zephyr "split up" the family because of this incident, have died in vain?!

"Akainu Fleet Admiral, it's me."

After connecting to the Den Den Mushi, Roman got straight to the point.

"Please allow me to try and persuade Instructor Zephyr about his situation."

"Ahhh, the sky is getting dark!!"

"What's going on? Why is 'Noah' from Fish-Man District up there—"

"The bubble is about to burst!! If such a huge ship falls, it will destroy the entire Fish-Man Island!"

?

By the time Roman came to his senses, a huge ship had already loomed over Fish-Man Island, squeezing the enormous bubble that enveloped the entire Fish-Man Island.

"Roman, what's going on?"

When Nami asked him a question, Roman answered without even thinking.

"It's Targ Targ Fruit."

"Hey, what's that?"

Luffy jumped over too, looking curious.

"This is the effect of the Targ Targ Fruit Devil Fruit. Once an opponent is targeted, the object thrown by the user will automatically track the target to the ends of the earth, unless it is shot down or blocked by an obstacle along the way."

Roman pointed to the sky.

"This giant ship was clearly thrown here by someone using their abilities."

"Isn't this the same thing that attacked Princess Shirahoshi before?"

"Hehehe~~~ Shirahoshi, you actually rejected my advances! I will never forgive you—"

In fact, the Devil Fruit user didn't need Roman to explain; he had already jumped out on his own: on the deck of the huge ship 'Noah,' a four-legged ugly man holding a megaphone was shouting.

"Let's disappear along with this Fish-Man Island, my love!!"

What kind of madman is this...?

Roman rubbed his forehead. He thought about it and decided against it. There were plenty of lunatics on the Grand Line anyway; one more wouldn't make a difference. Zephyr at sea was still planning to blow up the world!

"Please don't drag others into this because of me. — If you're going to come at me, come at me."

Now that she knew the other party was targeting her, Shirahoshi immediately fled towards the outside of Fish-Man Island: although that would put her in a desperate situation, it would save everyone here.

"The giant ship has started moving?"

"It was Princess Shirahoshi! She lured 'Noah' away!?"

"She's such an innocent little girl, but I don't dislike her."

"Roman!" Nami grabbed Roman's hand anxiously. "Why are you talking about this now? Let's think of something!"

"Don't panic, look—"

"That Little Oars Jr., I specifically told her not to go far!"

Luffy promised to protect Shirahoshi, whom he brought along for fun, and now someone is trying to hurt her! Doesn't this make the future King of the Pirates lose face?

Of course, for Luffy, face is not as important as his crew; friends are more important.

"Roman, let me up!"

"Good."

With a flick of Roman's finger, the fluttering white paper formed a pair of wings behind Luffy. Then:

Splash—

With a flap of his wings, Luffy soared into the sky and chased after Shirahoshi!

Meanwhile, Hody Jones, who had just been beaten to a pulp, took the opportunity to use his bubble to fly onto the iron chain hanging from the giant ship 'Noah'.

"Damn Vander Decken, he actually wants to kill me too?"

"But this is an opportunity. As long as we pop the bubbles on this Fish-Man Island, those human pirates will drown immediately!"

He's been terrified of Luffy; he's capable of anything to kill him! As for how many Fish-Man Island residents will be affected?

"This is a necessary 'sacrifice' for the sake of victory."

In an instant, the situation changed to the Mermaid Princess Shirahoshi fleeing ahead, while the giant ship 'Noah' changed direction behind! Luffy flapped his wings and followed closely behind, while Hody Jones climbed up the huge iron chain!

Roman, who excels in aerial combat, did not move, nor did Jinbe, who excels in naval combat.

"I'm sorry, Roman."

Roman shook his head as Jinbe apologized in a low voice.

"It's okay, I know."

The 'protagonist' who saves Fish-Man Island should be Luffy, and can only be Luffy! Because he is the captain and the backbone of the Straw Hat crew.

So Roman and Jinbe both chose to 'slack off'. — In any case, even in a naval battle, they firmly believed that Luffy would not lose to Hody Jones.

And that nobody named Fan something-or-other~