"Zoro, who are you talking to?" Nami asked, puzzled.
Noticing Zoro's glance, Robin pointed at Chopper and said softly, "If you're looking for him, he already went on ahead."
"Huh? Zoro, I'm right here. What is it?" Chopper asked.
"Nothing. While Kizaru's distracted, take Usopp and that damn cook and get out of here."
Zoro looked toward the spot where Wuli had been standing, only to find him gone. He had no idea when Wuli had left.
Then Zoro took off toward the streak of yellow light that was Kizaru, with Luffy charging on the other side.
"Watch out! Kizaru's coming!"
"Ah!"
Cries of alarm and screams suddenly rang out one after another. Zephyr looked back at the young Neo Navy soldiers.
His subordinates—or rather, his students—were forming a defensive ring with their own bodies. Kizaru merely raised a hand.
Several flashes of light pierced more than a dozen of them. He broke through their so-called defensive ring with ease.
Blood poured from their wounds, but there was no fear on their bloodstained faces. Staggering, they threw themselves at Kizaru.
Kizaru kicked them away. They slammed hard into the ground and struggled desperately for a moment before the pain made them pass out.
Zephyr's heart, usually hard as steel, softened. He stopped, unable to help wanting to save the subordinates who were ready to die for him.
"Teacher Z, what's wrong? Kizaru has left Straw Hat behind to chase us. We need to hurry." Seeing Zephyr stop, Ain reminded him softly. She was proud of the subordinates Kizaru and the Marines had struck down. If it came to it, she too would sacrifice her life for her teacher's plan without hesitation!
"It's nothing!" Zephyr steeled himself again and turned to press on.
"They can't hold Kizaru back any longer. Ain,