SWISH!
In an instant, ZP‑1 vanished from where it stood.
Before anyone could blink, a flash of red light blurred across their vision, and three crew members were sent flying straight into the sea.
"What just happened?!" Julius cried out in shock.
Even as the words left his mouth, "Zephyr" was already standing directly in front of him.
Its entire body glowed with pulsing crimson patterns, and its normally short‑cropped hair stood rigidly upright like the spines of a hedgehog — looking like an immovable guardian demon risen straight from hell.
"Don't… don't you dare underestimate me!"
Julius roared, tearing off the modified harness from his back and throwing it aside.
He clenched his right fist and charged forward, a wisp of red energy flaring around his arm.
Borsalino's eyes widened slightly from the mast above. "He's even using Armament Haki… not bad for an old fellow!"
But before anyone could react, ZP‑1 simply swung its leg in a lightning‑fast sweep.
Julius was sent flying backward, crashing hard into the mast where Borsalino stood.
The impact snapped the wooden pole clean in two.
Borsalino leaped lightly to the deck, dusting off his coat.
"How terrifying… a pirate worth 130 million Berries, taken down in seconds by the power fused from both Grimm and Instructor Zephyr?"
In the Admiral's office, Sengoku frowned deeply as he read the latest report from Marine Base G‑2 regarding the Pacifista project.
The document stated that ZP‑1 had displayed combat capabilities far exceeding expectations.
Even at this incomplete stage, its performance was on par with that of a full Vice Admiral.
Once fully perfected, it could potentially be mass‑produced into an unstoppable army of super soldiers.
However, the cost was staggering. First, the funding required was immense — constructing a single ZP unit cost as much as building an entire warship, a sum that left anyone who heard it gasping.
Second, the core material came from Zephyr himself — specifically, the Lineage Factors derived from what was known as "Kazan's Curse," as Dr. Vegapunk had labeled it.
Only with this genetic material could the Pacifista unleash their devastating power; without it, every aspect of their strength would drop sharply.
In short, to continue producing more units, Vegapunk and the research division needed a steady supply of Lineage Factors extracted from Zephyr's body.
Once the World Government saw the results, they had fully approved the plan.
It seemed simple enough: every time Zephyr came in for a medical check‑up, Vegapunk would perform the necessary procedure to collect the required genetic material without his knowledge or consent.
"Admiral Sengoku, the Fleet Admiral requests your presence. Also, Instructor Zephyr has returned to headquarters and is on his way to the Science Research Department — as usual, he's gone to run tests with Vegapunk."
An officer entered the room and delivered the report.
Sengoku scratched his bushy white hair in frustration. "Very well, I understand. You may leave."
"Sir!"
"Tch… what am I supposed to do about this?" Sengoku muttered. He felt as though he had lost more hair in just the past few days.
A large part of that stress came from the situation with Zephyr. To Sengoku, Zephyr was both a mentor and a close friend.
If things continued down this path, the consequences were impossible to predict.
With a heavy heart, Sengoku walked to the Fleet Admiral's office — the very position he himself would one day occupy. Standing before it, he called out, "Admiral Kong."
"Ah, Sengoku. I assume you've seen the reports on the Pacifista program?" Kong replied, his fingers steepled beneath his thick, M‑shaped mustache.
Sengoku forced a stiff smile. "It seems the Government is quite pleased with the results."
"True, the expense is enormous, but if it can multiply our military strength so drastically, they have every reason to be happy." Kong let out a sharp, bitter laugh.
"I just checked on Zephyr myself — his condition has worsened again. And he says that after this final class of cadets graduates, he intends to resign completely as Chief Instructor of the Marine Academy."
"So it has come to this…"
Sengoku was no fool. Even without Kong spelling it out, he understood perfectly.
Zephyr feared his deteriorating state would negatively affect the next generation of marines, so he chose to step aside and devote whatever strength he had left to his only remaining mission: hunting down pirates.
"Speaking of changes, I will be stepping down as well."
Kong's words caught Sengoku off guard. "What do you mean?"
"More accurately, I am being promoted," Kong corrected.
"I will be named Commander‑in‑Chief of all Marine and Government forces, and you will take my place as Fleet Admiral."
He spread his arms, gesturing toward the large desk behind him — the seat that would soon belong to Sengoku.
"Is this the will of the Five Elders?"
"Let's keep that between us for now," Kong said, raising a hand to stop further questions.
"Once I move up, all three Admiral positions will be vacant. That means Aokiji, Borsalino, and Issho will be promoted. Issho is being fast‑tracked, though he's still only a Rear Admiral at present."
To leap directly from Rear Admiral to Admiral would mean skipping two ranks — something that had never happened in the history of the Marines.
"Admiral Kong… please take care of yourself," Sengoku said after a long pause.
"I'm not dead yet, you fool!" Kong laughed and shook his head.
KNOCK! KNOCK!
Just then, someone knocked on the door.
"Come in!"
Three men in black suits entered, standing in a rigid triangular formation. The man at the front saluted Kong first, then spoke.
"Fleet Admiral Kong, Admiral Sengoku — we are here on behalf of the Celestial Dragons. The time has come for all member nations to submit their Heavenly Tribute."
The easy smile vanished from both Kong and Sengoku's faces. Sengoku snorted.
"This happens every single year. Is it really necessary to send messengers to remind us? We will handle it as required."
More than 170 nations that belonged to the World Government were forced to pay a portion of their wealth as tribute to the Celestial Dragons — a sum known as the Heavenly Tribute.
Most high‑ranking marines, including Kong and Sengoku, viewed this practice with utter disdain, and the very mention of it turned their stomachs.
Undeterred by their hostility, the agent continued. "However, this time, the upper echelons of the Government have added one more condition."
"And what is it?" Kong asked, his tone growing impatient.
"They wish for Instructor Zephyr to personally oversee the transport and security of the tribute."
The words hung in the air like a bomb.
"Are you joking?!"
Kong shot up from his chair so abruptly it rattled the floor. The three agents took two steps back, intimidated by the Fleet Admiral's aura.
"We are only messengers, sir — this order comes directly from the highest authorities. We have delivered the message, and now we will take our leave."
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