"It was just luck..."
"Besides, Instructor Zephyr, you recognized this blade, didn't you?" Gern's voice was calm, but his eyes tracked every subtle change in Zephyr's expression.
At a time like this, Gern didn't dare take a gamble, even with Zephyr...
Hearing Gern's question, Zephyr didn't answer. Instead, he slowly set his tray on the table.
After a moment of silence, he walked straight over to Black Blade: Eight Desolations, took its hilt, and lifted it, examining its edge with an utterly serious expression.
"How could I not recognize Rocks's blade?" Zephyr's tone was flat, but a trace of complicated emotion lingered beneath it.
Gern's fingers tightened slightly at those words, though his face remained perfectly composed.
Zephyr gave Eight Desolations a casual swing. Its edge sliced through the air with a faint hum.
Then he suddenly chuckled. "Rocks is already dead. You picked up his weapon at God Valley, didn't you?
"After Roger and Garp gravely wounded Rocks at God Valley, the Holy Knights escorted the Celestial Dragons away.
"The World Government simply left him there alone to fend for himself as the Buster Call that followed destroyed the island...
"Relax! You never even saw Rocks the entire time. What does any of this have to do with you?"
Everything! Gern froze, thinking to himself.
I dug Rocks's grave and buried him myself! He personally gave me this blade! How could I not be nervous?!
Outwardly, however, Gern only said calmly, "Instructor, does it really not matter?"
"Ah." Zephyr sighed, his gaze returning to the blade.
"Not just anyone can wield Rocks's blade."
Before he had even finished speaking, Zephyr abruptly coated Eight Desolations in Armament Haki.
Yet the instant his Haki touched the blade, something unexpected happened.
Hum! The blade trembled violently, its dark red patterns suddenly lighting