"Don't be like that, Purple-Hair!"
This was Shane's first encounter with Zephyr since the God Valley Incident ended.
His earlier encounter with Garp and Sengoku in West Blue had been a narrow escape from death.
Who would have thought that by the time he encountered a Marine Admiral again, his strength would have improved by leaps and bounds?
Although he lacked advanced Haki and Devil Fruit Awakening, Shane believed his strength already placed him in the top tier below that level.
"You brat, you really have no respect! I'll let you taste my fists in a moment!"
Zephyr's Armament Haki emerged again, his gaze abruptly changing as though he intended to see through Shane's every move.
And that was indeed the case.
As a veteran Admiral, his position was more comparable to that of the later Aokiji, but his approach was uniquely his own.
Many people thought Aokiji resembled Sengoku more, but in reality, Aokiji had followed Zephyr as a rookie and been deeply drawn to his justice.
Then, as he grew stronger, he came to admire Garp's free-spirited justice, firing up his blood and tempering his iron fists.
Only after becoming an Admiral did his passion cool considerably, shaping his later style and making him seem as composed as Sengoku.
Shane felt as though he had experienced all of this himself. The young Aokiji he had met was very much a boy with a temper and plenty of passion.
"An Admiral's Haki really is frightening, Purple-Hair Zephyr."
Zephyr!
Just how strong was he?
Shane could not help wondering, despite their brief clash at God Valley.
But the disparity in their Haki had caused Shane heart-wrenching pain even when he had lost his reason back then.
It was hard to imagine facing Zephyr at his peak; the danger would only