The Ark Maxim has already taken off, with Tesoro and Enel flanking it on either side.
Lightning crackled in the air, forming a massive electric grid that blocked all pursuit routes.
Besides, even if he catches up, what can he do?
It's uncertain whether he can defeat Roy alone.
Zephyr took a deep breath, forcing himself to calm down.
He turned and looked at the new recruits.
Shuzo knelt on the deck, his body covered in wounds, but he was still panting.
Others were injured or fainted, but no one died.
Zephyr watched this scene, his heart filled with mixed emotions.
That kid Roy... he really held back.
But he won't thank him for that.
He couldn't bear the responsibility of having the Heavenly Tribute him.
The Ark Maxim slowly rose into the air, its golden hull shimmering in the sunlight.
Roy stood at the bow of the ship, looking down at the ravaged battlefield below.
All three warships sustained varying degrees of damage—the decks were dented, the masts were snapped off by lightning, and the hulls were entangled in vines.
The naval recruits were either injured or dizzy, lying haphazardly on the deck.
But no one died.
Roy was satisfied with his plan—robbing was fine, but killing was unnecessary.
If we were to wipe out all of these next-generation talents whom the navy is focusing on developing, it would truly enrage the navy and would not be beneficial to the current stable development of Hachinosu.
"Boss!"
Tesoro fell from mid-air, his body crackling with lightning.
"Everyone's on board, we can go now."
Roy nodded, giving Zephyr one last look.
The old man stood at the bow of the lead warship, looking up at the Ark Maxim with a complex expression.
Anger, resentment, helplessness, and exhaustion—a mix of emotions made that wrinkled face look exceptionally old.
"Mr. Zephyr!" Roy shouted, his voice echoing across the sea, "Your student is excellent! Keep him well-trained!"
Zephyr did not answer.
He didn't know what to say.
Thank Roy for not killing anyone? That's impossible.
Criticizing Roy for stealing the Heavenly Tribute? It won't do any good.
He simply stood there, watching the golden spaceship fly higher and higher, farther and farther away.
"Chief Instructor..." the adjutant ran over, covered in wounds, "Should we give chase?"
Zephyr remained silent for a long time, then shook his head.
"Can't catch up."
Even if they catch up, they still can't beat them.
This fact weighed heavily on his mind, but he had to admit it.
"Reporting to headquarters," Zephyr's voice was hoarse. " The Roy Pirates stole the Heavenly Tribute. Requesting... instructions."
The adjutant was pale, but he still saluted and ran towards the communications room.
Zephyr stood at the bow of the ship, his coat fluttering in the sea breeze.
He gazed in the direction where the Ark Maxim had disappeared, his right hand unconsciously touching the old wound on his chest.
Roy...
Has this kid, who secretly learned Armament Haki right under his nose, grown up to this extent?
He closed his eyes and sighed deeply.
The Ark Maxim flies steadily above the clouds.
On the deck, the atmosphere was as lively as during the Chinese New Year.
Yamato, clutching the spiked club, yelled excitedly, "That was so much fun! That old man was incredibly strong! My hand is still numb!"
Savi rubbed his shoulder, wincing. "He almost knocked me back to my original form with one punch."
Jesus Burgess laughed heartily, "I took three punches! Three punches! That guy's strength is more terrifying than Giant Tribe's!"
Enel floated in mid-air, beaming with pride. "My lightning struck those recruits so hard they ran away in terror!"
"You were holding back?" Lafitte raised an eyebrow.
Of course I kept it!
If I were to unleash my full power, those warships would have sunk long ago!
Pea squatted on the deck, checking her seed inventory. "I've used up twenty-three seeds... I need to restock..."
Van Augur sat on the ship's railing, wiping his sniper rifle. "I destroyed forty-seven weapons. No friendly fire."
Charon said calmly, "I kicked thirty-one people into the sea. None of them drowned."
Kazami sat cross-legged in the corner, eyes closed, gently gesturing with her fingers on her knees.
He was reviewing the battle— the Devil Fruit User was fast, but his sword was even faster.
" Kazami!" Yamato leaned closer, "How's your opponent?"
"Not bad." Kazami opened his eyes. "Next time, within ten moves."
Yamato gave a thumbs up. "Awesome!"
Luo stood at the cabin door, holding his medical books, watching the excited group of men on deck.
A very faint smile unconsciously curved the corners of her lips.
This group of people... although they're noisy, they're quite nice.
Roy leaned against the mast, looking at his crew with a smile on his lips.
He took out a gold brick from his storage bag and tossed it in his hand.
" Heavenly Tribute..."
He murmured,
"Where did the World Government spend all that money it plundered?"
No one can answer this question.
He doesn't need answers.
Anyway, the money is already in his hands.
" Tesoro."
"Exist!"
"Once we reach Sabaody, we'll dispose of this gold. We'll exchange it for supplies and ship them back to Hachinosu."
Tesoro's eyes lit up. "Understood!"
Roy put the gold bar back into his storage bag and looked towards the distant horizon.
Sabaody Archipelago, almost there.
Fish-Man Island, the New World...
And then there's Red-Haired Shanks who's about to enter the New World.
Attention, everyone.
Roy clapped his hands.
"Full speed ahead, destination— Sabaody Archipelago!"
"Oh--!!!"
Cheers erupted on the deck, startling a flock of seagulls.
The Ark Maxim pierced through the clouds, its golden hull leaving a long trail in the sunlight as it sped towards the end of the Grand Line.
Behind them, the naval fleet grew smaller and smaller until it disappeared at the horizon.
Zephyr stood at the bow of the ship, watching the spaceship disappear completely into the horizon.
The communications soldier ran over. "Chief Instructor, headquarters has replied."
Zephyr took the telegram and glanced at it.
There is only one line of text above--
"Pursue them with full force. Reinforcements have been dispatched."
Zephyr gave a wry smile, crumpled the telegram into a ball, and threw it into the sea.
reinforce?
By the time reinforcements arrived, Roy had already run off to the New World.
But he was powerless to disobey orders from the Marine Headquarters.
Zephyr turned around and looked at the new recruits who were cleaning up the battlefield.
"Everyone, listen to my command."
Zephyr's voice rang out.
"Take stock of casualties and repair the ships. Set off in pursuit in one hour."
No one spoke.
Everyone knows this is just a formality.
You can't catch up.
On the Ark Maxim, Roy took out the gold brick from his storage bag and glanced at it again.
Then he put it back and turned to walk into the cabin.
" Tesoro, call me when we arrive."
"Got it, boss!"
Roy went into the cabin and closed the door.
He sat on the edge of the bed and took out the Eternal Pose from his pocket; the pointer pointed directly at the Sabaody Archipelago.
It'll be soon.
He lay down and closed his eyes.
The boat rocked slightly, like a cradle.
Outside the window, the sea of clouds was rushing past, and the sunlight streamed in through the window, warm and pleasant.
Roy closed his eyes, a slight smile still lingering on his lips.
This trip was very rewarding.
Devil Fruit User.
Munch-Munch Fruit.
Meganeura Fruit.
Heavenly Tribute.
And—his crew members have grown a bit more.
Next, the Sabaody Archipelago.
Then comes Fish-Man Island.
Then --
The New World.
This trip is also coming to an end.
Roy's breathing gradually calmed, and he drifted off to sleep.