"Cough, cough!"
As the dust and smoke cleared, Zephyr came into view.
He struggled to his feet, his tattered clothes stained with blood, and tried to speak.
He raised a hand coated in dust and soot to stop the blood spilling from his mouth, but it kept seeping between his fingers.
Zephyr did not answer the Neo Navy soldiers. The blood in his mouth left him unable to speak.
Instead, he stared at Kizaru hundreds of meters away, helplessness buried deep in his eyes.
He had wanted to tell Kizaru—had always wanted to tell him—that he had chosen the wrong path. But now he lacked the strength.
So be it. He still had to make sure his students and subordinates got out alive.
He needed enough strength to stop Kizaru. He could not let the tragedy of that year happen again.
Resolve hardened on Zephyr's face. He forced down the blood in his mouth, snatched up a medicine bottle from the ground, and swallowed its contents by the mouthful.
The two watched each other from afar. Kizaru's lips curved into a smile, then his body became a streak of light. In an instant, he appeared before Zephyr.
"Hmph. You really won't let up."
Zephyr snorted. The massive Crusher roared, and the medicine quickly took effect. He felt strength return to his body.
Kizaru looked at Zephyr, who showed no sign of backing down, then glanced at the huge Crusher and the medicine bottle. He smiled.
"Teacher Zephyr! Speed is power, and I am light! Do you really think medicine and that clumsy machine can beat me? You're underestimating me."
Zephyr's face darkened. He had never imagined he would be reduced to such a state, much less mocked by the person he disliked most.
"One fight will settle that!"
Zephyr took