One Piece: sign-in to Ryujin Jakka

Roman spent an entire day sailing before finally arriving at the Ronadoren Sea.

From the intelligence he'd gathered along the way… Zephyr was still being relentlessly pursued by Whitebeard Jr., forced into an endless retreat.

Their warship had taken severe damage, forcing them to dock on a nearby island.

But the price they paid was steep—many Marine cadets had already fallen.

It must be noted that Zephyr's current position was that of an elite Marine instructor. These weren't just any soldiers… they were Zephyr's cadets—the future elite of the Marines, handpicked and personally trained by the man himself.

His pride.

His hope.

His life's work.

It was no surprise, then, that Zephyr's hatred for Whitebeard Jr. had already reached a boiling point.

"Kalifa, contact Zephyr!" Roman ordered.

The Den Den Mushi rang.

Ten seconds passed.

A minute.

Two.

Only then did the snail's eyes flick open.

From the speaker, Roman heard the roar of wind and crashing waves. A storm.

And sure enough, in the distance, ominous clouds loomed, and the sea churned with fury.

"Instructor Zephyr, we're almost there. Please, hold on!" Roman said firmly.

"White Dove..." Zephyr's voice was strained, but resolute. "I'll hold out until you arrive. Even if only for the sake of these children."

Click.

He hung up.

But in his heart... a glimmer of hope had returned.

White Dove was near.

If he could just stall Whitebeard Jr. a little longer, if he could hang on until Roman arrived, they could defeat him together.

Zephyr glanced at the stump of his right arm. A bitter smile curled on his lips.

"Let's hope this aging old body… can still handle one last fight."

"Teacher Zephyr!" Ain's voice trembled as she rushed to his side. "Please don't fight! We can still escape!"

Zephyr didn't respond.

He had already made his choice. He'd lost his arm. He was weakened. But there was no more room to run.

"The moment we fall into his attack range, it'll be even more dangerous," Zephyr said. "Rather than wait for that… let me hold him back. I can buy you time."

He turned, offering one last smile.

"Don't worry. Admiral White Dove will be here soon. He's the most righteous Marine I've ever met. I'm at ease leaving you all in his care."

Without hesitation, he charged toward the enemy.

"Leave this to me!!!"

On the other side of the battlefield, Miss Buckin saw the lone man charging toward them.

Her lips curled with contempt.

"Weevil, kill this man! That way, when your father, Whitebeard, finds out, he'll be very pleased with you, his son."

"Yes, Mama!"

At his mother's command, Weevil(Whitebeard Jr) lit up with excitement. Wielding his long-handled naginata, he charged toward Zephyr.

Each step he took left shallow craters in the ground.

Standing nearly seven meters tall, Weevil looked like a monster. His upper body was bulky with fat, while his legs were strangely thin. His long hair reached down to his legs, and his sideburns were braided. His body bore three glaring scars—testaments to his fearsome battles.

But the most defining feature was his crescent-shaped white mustache, much like Whitebeard's, though longer and thinner.

He looked like a monster.

No—a living calamity.

"Weevil will smash you!!"

Raising the blade high, he brought it crashing down toward Zephyr.

A sharp, howling slash cut through the air.

Zephyr narrowed his eyes.

"Armament Haki—Full Cover Hardening!"

"Black Arm: Heavy Strike!!!"

BOOM!!!

A massive explosion rang out.

Wind tore across the island, uprooting trees and hurling debris.

Miss Buckin's tiny figure was nearly blown away by the shockwave.

"Weevil! Are you trying to kill me too?!"

"Sorry, Mama! I'll be more careful next time!"

Zephyr saw an opening.

"Shave (Soru)!"

"Black Arm: Heavy Punch!!"

In a flash, he appeared behind Weevil, slamming his reinforced fist into the giant's back.

If it were anyone else, they would've been obliterated.

But...

Clang!

It was like punching solid iron.

"His body... It's inhuman... He might be even tougher than Whitebeard himself!"

Weevil turned, lifting his weapon again.

This time—no slash.

Just raw, unfiltered strength.

"Crush him!!!"

"Black Arm: Heavy Strike!!!"

Zephyr did not flinch. Even with one arm, he still had the iron willpower of a former admiral.

BOOM!!!

Their attacks collided again.

Zephyr was sent flying.

He crashed through the forest, smashing through tree after tree before finally landing hard on the ground.

Cough!

Blood gushed from his mouth. His Armament Haki faded.

His entire body felt like it had been crushed.

So heavy.

So... weak.

"Ugh…"

He looked toward Weevil, still advancing.

Even without any technique—just brute force—Weevil had still managed to inflict such terrifying damage.

"But… for the sake of these kids… I have to keep fighting…"

"If I just hold out a little longer… White Dove will arrive…"

Zephyr bit down hard. Blood trickled from between his teeth.

He forced himself to stand.

His right arm—gone.

His left—useless.

But he still had his legs.

He could still fight!

Miss Buckin sneered, "Still struggling, old man? Weevil, let him taste death."

"Yes, Mama!"

Weevil lumbered forward, his enormous shadow enveloping Zephyr.

But Zephyr didn't flinch.

"Armament Imbuement."

Blood spilled from his lips.

But he still lashed out—a final strike.

WHAM!

Crack—!!!

His left leg was shattered.

And with a roar, Weevil struck Zephyr down like a ragdoll, sending him flying once more.

He was too strong.

A monster in human skin.

Weevil's strength rivaled Whitebeard's in his prime.

If Zephyr had still been young… maybe he could've fought evenly.

But age had taken its toll. His strength, his resolve—it was fading.

His eyes dimmed.

This might be it.

But even if he died—he wouldn't die in vain.

He would buy his students…every last second he could muster.

Even just a little more time…