One Piece - Heaven Defying Comprehension!

Zephyr…

Gion looked at the two frozen figures before her,herhis gaze intense. She knew Zephyr's history well.

Though Zephyr rose to the rank of Admiral, he maintained a strict code—capturing pirates to face justice in Impel Down, never taking a life. Zephyr held the belief that even as an admiral, he had no right to decide who lived or died; this was the essence of his justice. Known as the "Admiral Who Does Not Kill," he was revered by the Marines, especially her Sister Tsuru, as embodying the purest form of justice.

Yet, his kindness toward pirates did not shield him from tragedy. Four years into his role as admiral, his family was killed by pirates. This loss fueled a deep hatred within him, igniting a desire for revenge. However, this thirst for vengeance conflicted with his principles. In his anguish, Zephyr chose to resign.

Kong, the Marine Fleet Admiral at the time and now Commander-in-Chief of the World Government, persuaded him to remain. Zephyr accepted a different path—stepping down from admiralty to become the Chief Instructor of Naval Headquarters, dedicated to training the next generation. The renowned admirals Borsalino, Sakazuki, and Kuzan, among the strongest in history, were all his students, as were many of the current vice admirals.

For Marine Headquarters, Zephyr's contributions were unmatched; he gave everything to his duties, embodying his ideals with dedication. But the outcome was a cruel one.

Looking at Zephyr's frozen form, Gion's heart ached.

Hancock was still a Shichibukai at this time so she was also informed about the World Government's new candidate to succeed Crocodile position in the Seven Warlords of the Sea—and their candidate was none other than the man who attacked Zephyr's ship, severed his arm, and killed most of his students. That man, Edward Weevil, self proclaimed as "Whitebeard Jr.," was now the chosen successor.

The World Government's pursuit of balance had dismissed the sacrifices of a veteran who had shaped a new generation of Marines. To Gion, this decision showed a complete disregard for Zephyr's loyalty and the integrity of his work, favoring the brutal pirate instead.

In the face of this betrayal, Zephyr's loyalty finally broke, and he left the Marines for good. 

With a quiet sigh, Gion reflected on how this turn of events echoed her own disappointment with the World Government. Despite their shared commitment to justice, they were still human with feelings. The World Government, however, showed little regard for Marines as individuals. This lack of humanity had helped drive Gion to fully join the Entei Pirates.

"The 'Non-Killing Admiral,' Black Zephyr…"

Ace watched the frozen Zephyr, respect in his eyes.

After his family's murder, Zephyr's resentment toward pirates grew deeply ingrained. Though it conflicted with his principles, he managed to suppress his hatred and upheld the justice he believed in. But he knew that out at sea, the conflict might overwhelm him, possibly driving him to act against his own code.

So, he chose a different path, one where he could protect his ideals without the risk of compromise, and became the Chief Instructor—preserving justice, not through battle, but by passing on his vision to the next generation.

To many, Zephyr's belief might seem naïve, perhaps even foolish. But he is indeed a man unwavering in his pure sense of justice.

Ace admired such a person.

"Raki, purify Kuzan's ice."

Ace looked over to Raki, who gave a quick nod and stepped forward.

With a powerful exhale, magnificent feathers appeared on Raki's arms, and an unusual flame ignited around them. Suzaku flame soon engulfed Zephyr and Ain, purging them with its purifying force rather than burning.

The Suzaku flame is unique, purging rather than merely heating, so much so that it can evaporate Haki itself. Even the essence of a Devil Fruit ability can be erased by it. Rather than melting Kuzan's ice through intense heat, Raki's flames dissolved the Frozen Fruit's effects entirely, leaving Zephyr and Ain as they were before being frozen.

"All done." With a final touch, Raki smiled at Ace.

"So, this is the power of the Mythical Beast Suzaku," Zephyr murmured, watching the lingering Suzaku flame on Raki. No trace of Frozen Fruit's effects remained in him. It was as if the flame had erased the Frozen Fruit ability itself, not through heat but by purifying its essence, returning his body to its original state before the ice. 

This flame's terrifying ability could simply remove a Devil Fruit's effects.

"Flame Emperor!" Ain gasped, regaining consciousness and immediately adopting a defensive stance.

"Stand down, Ain," Zephyr calmly instructed, signaling his student to relax. "Attacking here would be a grave mistake."

Settling into a cross-legged position, Zephyr chuckled, looking directly at Ace. "It's an honor, truly, to have someone of your caliber come forward personally, bringing the entire Entei fleet."

He glanced around, his gaze stopping at Rayleigh. "Rayleigh, it's been a long time."

"Indeed, Zephyr," Rayleigh replied with a soft smile.

Zephyr had served as an admiral alongside Sengoku. Yet, unlike Sengoku or Garp, he neither possessed a powerful Devil Fruit nor wielded Conqueror's Haki. His strength was entirely built on martial arts and Armament Haki, giving him just enough power to reach the admiral threshold.

Had Garp not refused promotion, Zephyr might never have risen to the position. During the era when the Marines battled the Roger Pirates, it was Sengoku and Garp who primarily led the fight.

"Call me 'Z,'" Zephyr stated firmly.

"It's just a title, but you're still as stubborn as ever," Rayleigh chuckled.

"Vice Admiral Momousagi? Are you alright?" Ain exclaimed upon noticing Gion standing nearby.

At the end of the Flame Emperor Incident, Gion, a Vice Admiral, had seemingly been taken by the Entei Pirates. Of course, the Marine Headquarters report stated she'd been "kidnapped" by the pirates, not that she had joined of her own will, as some suspected. Gion, also known as Momousagi(Pink Rabbit), was not only the strongest female Marine but also an Admiral candidate, held in high regard by Marines, especially among the women.

Despite leaving the Marines with Zephyr, Ain's sense of allegiance hadn't fully shifted. 

"Call me by a different title now, Z, Ain." Gion spoke calmly, glancing at both of them. 

"The Entei Pirates' Grand Fleet, Captain of the Sixth Division—Gion."

Zephyr and Ain's eyes widened simultaneously.

"You too..." Ain whispered in disbelief, staring at Gion.

Not only had a former Admiral joined Entei's ranks, but now Gion, an Admiral candidate, was under their command? What has the world come to? Why were former bastions of justice now turning to piracy?

Ain's hands clenched. Although she and Zephyr had left the Marines, it wasn't out of opposition to justice. They intended to reshape it, following Zephyr's vision to establish NEO Marine—a force dedicated to true justice on the sea. To Ain, pirates were the embodiment of absolute evil. 

So why would Aokiji and Gion not only become pirates but join Portgas D. Ace, one of the most infamous pirates of their era?

"Gion, have you eaten a Devil Fruit?" Zephyr asked, his expression tense. Through his Observation Haki, he could feel the immense, residual energy surrounding Gion. It was an overwhelming power, one that could crush him with ease. This suggested that Gion's strength now far surpassed her previous limits.

As Naval Headquarters' chief instructor and close to Vice Admiral Tsuru, Zephyr knew Gion's strength and potential intimately. Although she had the skill of an Admiral candidate, she hadn't yet bridged the gap to a full Admiral, partly due to physical limitations. But now, Gion's power had not only reached Admiral level but perhaps even exceeded Zephyr's own peak.

Just what kind of Devil Fruit could grant her such terrifying strength?

"It's the Cat-Cat Fruit—Mythical Beast Model: White Tiger," Gion admitted without hesitation.

"The White Tiger... as renowned as the Azure Dragon and the Vermillion Bird, a Mythical Zoan known for possessing the most destructive power among the mythical beasts?" Zephyr's eyes narrowed in realization.

No wonder her power had skyrocketed. Even the World Government hadn't acquired such a rare and coveted Devil Fruit. Zoan fruits, especially of the mythical variety, are known to hold their own will, making them difficult to harness. And among Zoan fruits, the mythical beasts stand as the most formidable.

Historically, the World Government had only managed to secure the Fish-Fish Fruit—Mythical Model: Azure Dragon, before it was later claimed by Kaido through Big Mom. In fact, only a handful of mythical beast fruits were known to exist.

Only one person in this era could have acquired not one but two of these legendary fruits.

"The Flame Emperor," Zephyr muttered, eyeing Ace with a bead of sweat trailing down his forehead. "To think that you hold two of the Four Sacred Beasts' Devil Fruits, the Vermillion Bird and the White Tiger... what a terrifying man."

The Four Sacred Beasts of legend included the Azure Dragon, the Black Tortoise, the Vermillion Bird, and the White Tiger.

Only the Tortoise Fruit—Mythical Zoan Model: Genbu—remains unseen. With Kaido wielding the Azure Dragon form and now the Suzaku and White Tiger forms in this man's hands, who's to say the Tortoise Fruit isn't next?

"It seems the last of the Four Sacred Beasts Devil Fruits interests you, Zephyr," Ace said, looking at him with intrigue. "The Tortoise Fruit—Mythical Zoan Model: Genbu—is indeed important to me as well."

The corners of Ace's mouth lifted into a slight Issho. "According to the Devil Fruit compendium, the Tortoise Fruit—Genbu form—can renew strength and vitality. It would suit you well in your current state. How about it? Join my crew, and I'll make sure this top-tier Zoan Devil Fruit finds its way to you."

Zephyr's eyes widened at this. If anyone else had made such an offer, it would be dismissed as mere boasting. The World Government had sought out the rarest Devil Fruits for years, yet even they had failed to secure those of the highest caliber. Top Zoan fruits, each carrying the mythical creature's will, have a way of choosing their own wielder. Finding one on the vast sea is almost a fantasy.

But this was no ordinary claim. It came from the Flame Emperor himself, Portgas D. Ace, the strongest Devil Fruit user in history. Ace had already secured the Bird-Bird Fruit, Mythical Zoan: Suzaku, and the Cat-Cat Fruit, Mythical Zoan: White Tiger. If he declared his intent to acquire the Tortoise Fruit—Genbu model—who could possibly doubt him?

In the Devil Fruit compendium, the entry for this rare fruit is brief: the Tortoise Fruit—Mythical Zoan: Genbu—can grant its user renewed youth and strength.

Zephyr looked at Ace's confident smile and felt the slightest grin tugging at his own lips.