Listening to Zoro's explanation, Rowan nodded in agreement.
He lowered his tobacco pipe and clasped his hands behind his back, his gaze remaining fixed on Zephyr in the center of the battlefield. In truth, before the fighting had even begun, he had already anticipated this outcome.
After the tragedy seven years ago, Zephyr had pushed himself through an even more rigorous training regimen. In terms of raw power, there were very few among the Seven Warlords who could decisively defeat the current Zephyr. However, the man was now over seventy years old. While his combat techniques remained at the absolute pinnacle of the sea, his stamina was a far cry from what it once was.
The most critical factor, however, was his opponent. Edward Weevil, the self-proclaimed Whitebeard Jr., was a freak of nature whose raw strength was said to rival that of a young Whitebeard. In many ways, the outcome of this battle had been decided the moment it began.
Zephyr had no chance of winning.
To put it bluntly, if Rowan hadn't run into Zephyr today, the tragedy from seven years ago would have played out all over again. Granted, given Zephyr's order for the recruits and instructors to evacuate first, a total massacre might have been avoided this time. But a stamina-depleted Zephyr would surely have died on this island.
Rowan was surprised that Zoro had managed to notice this. It proved that beyond having incredible combat instincts, Zoro's composure, calm demeanor, and meticulous observation skills far surpassed Luffy's.
Sigh...
This is the difference between a genius and an ordinary person.
Thinking of this, Rowan couldn't help but sigh internally. Compared to Zoro, who possessed a well-rounded set of elite capabilities, Luffy was like a reckless hothead. Of course, Luffy wasn't without his strengths. The boy's combat intuition and sheer mental fortitude were levels above most people. If that weren't the case, he wouldn't be the absolute protagonist of the original story.
Beyond that, there was Luffy's terrifying recovery rate. No matter how exhausted he was, a single hearty meal could restore him to full vitality instantly. That particular trait was clearly inherited from Garp. Grandfather and grandson were cut from the exact same cloth.
Thinking of Garp, Rowan wondered: if Garp had been the one to run into Weevil today, what would the scene look like? Unsurprisingly, it would likely be a complete one-sided crushing. Garp's combat power and physical endurance were simply beyond the scope of normal human understanding. A man who could take down the overlord of an entire era like Rocks and drive the Pirate King, Gol D. Roger, to the brink of death multiple times... the title of "Marine Hero" was well-earned.
At that thought, Rowan couldn't help but feel a bit vain.
I really am something else. To be able to tame a monster like Garp and have enough charisma to make that kid call me "Pops" with total sincerity.
"Ahem..."
With a light cough, Rowan suppressed the smirk tugging at his lips. His gaze turned serious once more, focusing on Zephyr. By now, the battle between Zephyr and Edward Weevil had reached a fever pitch.
CLANG!
The massive "Battle Smasher" and Weevil's naginata collided with unstoppable force, creating an ear-piercing screech of metal on metal.
"Smasher Blaster!" Zephyr roared.
BOOM!
A violent explosion erupted as the high-output cannon built into the Smasher detonated between the claw and the blade. The thunderous roar echoed across the entire island. Amidst the bursting flames, both Weevil and Zephyr were sent skidding back by the sheer force of the blast.
After stabilizing himself, Zephyr raised his left arm to wipe the sweat drenching his forehead. His breathing was becoming increasingly labored. His eyes, however, remained locked on Whitebeard Jr.
Zephyr was powerful; that was a fact acknowledged by the entire world. If he weren't, he wouldn't have been a Marine Admiral during the same era as Sengoku and Garp. Of course, Garp hadn't held the rank of Admiral back then, but the entire Navy treated him as one by default. In some respects, Garp's status was even higher than an Admiral's. After all, not everyone has the guts to turn down a promotion to Admiral multiple times.
In Zephyr's experience, from his first battle at eighteen, no recruit of his era—aside from those two freaks Sengoku and Garp—had ever been stronger than him. Especially after he mastered Armament Haki, he could resolve encounters with hundred-million-Berri pirates with ease. Now, although he had lost an arm, the Battle Smasher designed by Vegapunk had actually increased his destructive output.
The Smasher was constructed entirely from specialized alloys and Sea Prism Stone. At full power, most of the world's strongmen would have to dodge its edge. But facing a freak of nature like Weevil, Zephyr felt a growing sense of powerlessness. This feeling only intensified as the battle dragged on.
Gasping for air, Zephyr had barely recovered a sliver of strength when he saw Weevil letting out another roar and charging forward once again. Zephyr let out a low growl of his own, swinging the Smasher to meet him. The massive mechanical claw groaned and shrieked as it tore through the air, aimed directly at Whitebeard Jr.'s hulking frame.
CLANG!
The drum-shattering clash of metal rang out again. As the Smasher and the naginata ground against each other, brilliant sparks showered the ground. But this time, the feeling of futility in Zephyr's heart reached its peak.
My strength is being suppressed?!
Zephyr's mind reeled. Time seemed to freeze. His muscles bulged, and veins twisted across his skin like snakes. He was using every ounce of his strength for this block.
Opposite him, however, Weevil remained as composed as he had been at the start. It was as if this prolonged, high-intensity combat hadn't drained his stamina at all.
Krak!
Suddenly, Weevil let out a low guttural growl, and the pressure on Zephyr's arm spiked. Then, to Zephyr's utter disbelief, the edge of the naginata began to slowly, inexorably crush downward.
"Master Zephyr!"
BOOM!
Amidst the horrified screams of Ain and the others, Zephyr's mechanical arm was smashed directly into the earth by Weevil's massive blade!