A Little Like Whitebeard, Except for the Intelligence

Night fell, and the moon and stars were few.

After quickly bandaging the wound, Zephyr gazed intently towards Mariejois, his eyes unfathomable, and no one knew what he was thinking.

"Teacher..."

"Set sail and return to Marine Headquarters."

Under the worried gaze of a few surviving students, the battered naval warship set sail once more, heading towards Marineford, the Marine Headquarters.

Two weeks later, news spread throughout the Marine Headquarters that former Marine Admiral Zephyr had been attacked and that only two trainees remained from the Navy Training Camp's combat assessment.

Inside the Fleet Admiral's Office, Sengoku's face was grim, and his mind was filled with a multitude of thoughts.

The sudden appearance of an unknown pirate capable of defeating a former admiral made it hard for the Fleet Admiral not to think in a slightly unorthodox way.

"Who exactly is behind this? The World Government? CP0? Or is it really a pirate...?"

"Reporting to Fleet Admiral Sengoku, General Zephyr has arrived!"

"Let him in."

"Yes."

The deputy turned and left, and a short while later, when Zephyr stepped into the office, Sengoku's pupils dilated in shock.

"Your arm was..."

"The pirates slashed him with Bisento, just like Whitebeard's. He's a young opponent, and he gives me the same feeling as Whitebeard when he was young, except for his intelligence."

Hearing this, Sengoku felt much more at ease. He was truly afraid that the most unbelievable of his many guesses would become reality.

"So what are you going to do now? You've lost an arm, and Black Arm Zephyr's reputation is..."

"He has no fame whatsoever; he is merely an old man who has been swept away by the tides of time, and is now old and frail."

At this moment, a sense of melancholy arose in the heart of the Sengoku. This was probably what was meant by the decline of a hero. He wondered if he could maintain this state before he retired.

"Regarding your arm, I've contacted the Marine Science Unit. They can develop the latest Seastone weapon for you, which will maximize your existing combat capabilities."

Upon hearing the news, Zephyr lowered his eyes, his weathered face showing no emotion.

"Do you have any other clues about the pirate who hurt you?"

"Weevil, the surname is unclear, but the first name is Weevil... Speaking of which, some of that guy's features are quite similar to those of Edward Newgate, the Whitebeard, especially that crescent-shaped Whitebeard."

For a moment, Sengoku burst into laughter, thinking that Zephyr was joking.

"How is that possible? If Whitebeard had married and had children, the current Whitebeard Pirates would not exist at all, and I could retire early without any worries."

Anyone who has heard of the Whitebeard Pirates' fame on the high seas knows that everyone under Whitebeard calls him "Pops," and no one knows whether he has a wife and children.

"I hope so. I remember the last time we talked was after a disagreement about the concept of justice, and we parted on bad terms."

"Now it seems that this topic was too naive... If there's nothing else, I'll go ahead and check on those students who were lucky enough to survive."

Zephyr's attitude at this moment had changed somewhat from his previous attitude, but the unease deep in Sengoku's heart was growing stronger.

"Wait, Zephyr, is there really no other hidden story about this attack?"

"Hidden story? Are you saying I lied to you? Sengoku, what do you consider a lie, and what is the truth?"

"Sometimes, even your own eyes can deceive you. When it comes to justice, everyone sees things from a different perspective, and naturally, everyone has a different understanding of justice..."

As soon as he finished speaking, Zephyr's figure disappeared from the office. Sengoku's eyes were deep, and it was unclear what he was thinking.

Two weeks later, Punk Hazard, Marine Science Unit.

"This is the weapon developed by Dr. Vegapunk and Dr. Caesar Crow, the Iron Arm Crusher."

"Not only is it equipped with Seastone bullets, but its massive crusher is also capable of repelling Giant Vice Admiral from Marine Headquarters in a single blow; its power is immense..."

"However, there are some minor drawbacks. While ensuring strength, there is inevitably a slight lack in speed. We have considered adding auxiliary equipment, but that would create further burden..."

"No need, this is fine, this is good enough."

Rejecting the accompanying scientist's introduction, Zephyr nodded in satisfaction, his gaze falling on the weapon before him that could give him a new life. A seed of doubt was quietly planted in his heart, waiting to sprout.

Meanwhile, on a massive ship far off the edge of the New World.

Huayue, who was fast asleep, frowned slightly and slowly opened her eyes. A sliver of light appeared on the distant horizon, piercing through the endless darkness.

"It's dawn, Your Majesty. Your dream was filled with unease..."

"Ah, change course, look in the direction that brings unease, and you'll be able to sense where this unease is coming from..."

Jade strands of hair brushed against her bare chest. Once the room was empty, the warship turned and sailed off in an unknown direction.

Donning a robe, he arrived alone at the depths of the ship, in a room sealed off by strips of black cloth.

Ding! Ding! Ding!

Sweat accumulated into deep puddles, and Kuina, dressed in her training clothes, looked utterly exhausted.

"Seven days and seven nights of fighting, you've reached your limit. Come with me..."

"No, I will never stop here! I can become stronger, even stronger! I will stand at the pinnacle of the world's swordsmen, becoming the strongest swordsman. Who would stop here!"

Soaked in sweat and having long lost all sensation in her muscles and nerves, Kuina, who had persevered entirely by willpower, resolutely refused, but noticed a faint smile reflected in those blurry eyes.

"What do you think is the nature of swordsmanship in this world?"

"What are you talking about? Strength, speed, reaction time, combat skills, domineering aura... that's all there is to a swordsman's battle..."

"No, this is the foundation of combat, not the instinct for combat, nor the determination behind your swinging of the sword. Come with me. The only person who can help you understand yourself is yourself."

The space rippled, and before Kuina could react, she was suddenly plunged into the almost bone-chilling milky-white spring water.

Where is this place?

"After you finish your bath, go out and choose the sword that best suits you from the swords in front of you. Listen to the voice of your heart. The choice you make will accompany you for the rest of your life."

During the conversation, all her fatigue vanished. Kuina remained silent for a long time until her strength returned to its peak before she stood up and resolutely stepped into the dense array of swords.

"Choose, sense your domineering aura, understand your heart, speak the name of your heart, incorporate your domineering aura and soul into it, and forge your own black blade."