One of the Navy's greatest advantages is their numbers, not just at the grassroots level but the high-level forces as well. If a one-on-one fight can't determine a winner, then send in two people. Other forces might not be able to do this, but the Navy has the resources.
Former Admirals are still Admirals. Due to health reasons, Zephyr's physical fitness has slightly declined, but he's not someone ordinary people can handle.
The Admiral who refused to kill has long since become a thing of the past. After the tragic deaths of his family and students, Zephyr's heart has undergone a massive change. Although he still believes in the Navy, he has established a new Pirate Guerrillas, specifically to hunt pirates on the ocean.
This time, the top war naturally called Zephyr back.
"It's been a long time, old friend."
"Hmm, the last time we teamed up was decades ago, wasn't it?"
"Yes..."
After his family was killed 30 years ago, Zephyr withdrew from the front line. It was Steel Bone Kong's persuasion that kept him in the Navy. Although they are from the same era, the friendship between Zephyr and Sengoku is nowhere near that of Tsuru and Garp.
If not for the commencement of the top war, they wouldn't have had such an opportunity to team up.
With the advantage of numbers, it would be foolish not to use it and duel with pirates one-on-one.
"Brother Kaidou, do you need me to hold off one for you?"
High above, King who was searching for Blackbeard appeared behind Kaidou. He hadn't found Blackbeard yet, but he saw Kaidou being jointly attacked by Zephyr and Sengoku.
"No need, go do your thing, I don't need you here. Don't intervene in my fight."
"Yes."
King flew back into the sky while Kaidou shook his arm, ready for the next round. He hated others interfering in his battles but didn't mind the number of enemy increasing. Facing more tenacious opponents is his way of seeking joy.
At this moment, Zephyr took out a spray can from his pocket and inhaled twice. With the aging of his body, he's contracted an asthma-like condition which could flare up during high-intensity battles, requiring medication assistance.
His condition is different from Whitebeard's, categorized as a difficult-to-cure chronic disease.
"Is your body alright?"
"It's fine after this fight, but... let me cover you."
Zephyr is clear about his physical condition; he can participate in this level of battle but doesn't have the capability to take the lead role. Having lost his right hand, his strength is already restricted.
The Science Corps have equipped him with a special prosthesis called Shredder, yet it's ultimately not as good as his original arm.
Shredder isn't without its advantages, equipped internally with Seastone it's the nemesis of ability users, giving Zephyr the confidence to speak like this.
"Have you finished discussing? Then let's proceed, the second round of battle should begin!"
Kaidou bounced lightly several times, and with the power of Dragon Dance fusing into his body, he charged ahead towards them. His target was not Sengoku or Zephyr, but Zephyr's Shredder. That weapon posed a significant threat to him and needed to be dealt with first.
The Seastone used to make it came from Wano Kuni. At that time, Caesar also participated in the making of Shredder. After he ended up under Doflamingo's employ, information on Shredder had been sent to the Hundred Beasts' intelligence department.
There are only a few enemies worthy of Kaidou's attention and he has some understanding about this matter.
With Hassaikai in hand, he doesn't have to worry about body contact issues; this is a precaution.
"Smashing Tornado!"
Zephyr's Shredder smashed towards the ground, breaking the metal of the stones under his attack. Then the Shredder's tip started spinning, a whirlwind emerged from it, carrying stones and Seastone bullets shot from inside the Shredder towards Kaidou.
Such attacks may not be effective, but can create a better output environment for Sengoku.
As Kaidou dodged Zephyr's attack, Sengoku had already leaped high, with giant Buddha's Palm glowing with golden shock waves smacking towards Kaidou from both sides....
....
As Kaidou was finding his fun, ahead of the plaza, Whitebeard's battle became even more intensified.
"Great Eruption!"
Magma Giant Fist collided with Whitebeard's fist, the Cloak of Justice fluttering in the wind behind Akainu, yet he had no intention of retreating, standing firmly like a nail in front of Whitebeard.
"Yasakani no Magatama!"
A radiant yellow light appeared from the side of Akainu and Whitebeard, like a small sun, stunning to the eye.
And from that sun, countless laser beams shot out like rain, bombarding Whitebeard.
No borders drawn, confronting the peak of Whitebeard's era, Kizaru also got serious, bombarding Whitebeard with dense laser bullets.
Then instantaneously moved to another direction, successfully evading Whitebeard's counterattack.
"Really terrifying like a monster, even such an attack doesn't work..."
Whitebeard is left with many crimson marks on his body, but hasn't been pierced through. Relying on his current physique, Whitebeard successfully blocked Kizaru's attack.
"Meigo!"
During the interval of Whitebeard attacking Kizaru, Akainu's magma arm quickly elongated, stabbing towards Whitebeard's head. Just then Whitebeard's elbow emitted a white light symbolizing vibration, directly blasting towards Akainu while changing his stance.
Even a Logia-type body like Akainu's suffered considerable impact as his internal organs shook, yet he didn't retreat. While his entire body magmafied, he continued his fierce onslaught.
Akainu held up against Whitebeard's pressure head-on, while Kizaru looked for opportunities from the side. This was their tactic, bringing each of their strengths to the fullest.
Even with the rejuvenated Whitebeard, facing the combined attacks from Akainu and Kizaru, he was being restrained here, preventing him from getting closer to the execution platform.
However, they also couldn't quickly defeat Whitebeard, instead turning the fight into a stalemate.
"Yatagarasu!"
Having just been pushed back by Whitebeard, Kizaru kicked multiple laser blasts mid-air, shooting towards Whitebeard's body like a flock of crows, but Marco used his body to block them in mid-air.
"Dad, we can't break through, the path to the execution platform is sealed by the Navy!"
The Flame of Rebirth healed Marco's body, allowing him time to come to Whitebeard's side after Jozu took over dealing with the Vice Admiral, to ask about the next move.
Though nearly all Grand Admiral Level forces were tied up, there was still Garp before the execution stand and the Whitebeard Pirates didn't have anyone capable of dealing with him.
Boom!
Punching towards Akainu ahead, Whitebeard began to assess the entire battlefield, ultimately focusing his gaze on Luffy surrounded by the Navy.
Breaking through Garp's defense seems to only rely on him...