Bonus chapter wishing everyone a safe Dragon Boat Festival!
The Crimson Dawn pirate ship sailed leisurely across the azure seas. Returning to Skypiea would take time. Perona and Laboon were playing with Olga while the doctor remained locked in his cabin, claiming he needed to "study current knowledge to keep up with the times."
On deck, Rhett lounged lazily in a hammock woven from crimson mist.
"So boring," Rhett whined like a petulant child.
"Captain Rhett! A marine warship spotted ahead!" Perona's voice rang out from the crow's nest.
Squinting, Rhett followed the crew's pointing fingers. Indeed, a marine vessel slowly crossed the distant horizon. On its deck, young recruits trained under the watchful eye of former Admiral "Black Arm" Zephyr.
"Well if it isn't Zephyr?" Rhett's lips curled into an amused smirk. "Taking the rookies out for field training?"
This was Rhett's first encounter with the last member of the ancient F4 since setting sail. Might as well say hello—Rhett held considerable hope for this meeting.
Zephyr's family had likely already been murdered by this point. Rhett still wanted to help this kind-hearted marine of justice. Back then, however, Rhett had been just another sea bum.
One Piece contained many tragedies and emotional gut-punches, but Zephyr's was the slow-burning kind—one that required witnessing his entire life to fully appreciate.
Heh. Want the full story? Rhett's inner voice was amused.
At 38, promoted to Admiral and married.
At 39, his son was born. First tragedy: burying his own child.
At 42, pirates slaughtered his family. Began hating pirates, tried resigning but was refused. Still held hope for the Marines then.
At 65, Edward Weevil attacked his training ship. Lost all students except Ain and Binz, his right arm severely injured.
Second tragedy: losing his carefully nurtured pupils. Oda showed mercy leaving those two—without them, it'd be a lone-wolf ending.
At 73, learning the pirate who maimed him became a Warlord shattered his faith in the Marines. Resigned to form the Neo Marines, aiming to eradicate all pirates.
At 74, fought Luffy and died battling Marines.
The cruelest irony?
His student Akainu gave the order.
His student Kizaru executed it.
His student Aokiji buried him.
Third tragedy: a man of ideals dying by those very ideals.
Willpower mattered tremendously in One Piece—just look at Garp. Rhett suspected Garp's power plummeted after Ace's death at Marineford. Yet Zephyr could still establish the Neo Marines, suggesting his current strength remained formidable.
Gild Tesoro approached, spinning a golden ring on his finger. "Captain, shall we engage? Those recruits seem weak."
Rhett waved him off, eyes sparkling with mischief. "Patience. Let's play first. They're the Navy's future—just hopelessly outmatched."
"Listen up!" Rhett's voice carried on the sea breeze. "After them!"
The Bluma Jackson instantly accelerated, lightning crackling along its hull as it shot toward the warship like a loosed arrow.
On deck, Zephyr drilled recruits in martial arts when a panicked marine rushed over. "Instructor Zephyr! The Crimson Dawn's Bluma Jackson approaches from astern!"
Zephyr's brow furrowed as he spotted the distinctive dragon prow. "Damn it all—why now of all times?" he muttered.
"All hands! Turn about, full retreat!" Zephyr barked.
Bewildered recruits protested: "Sir, shouldn't we fight?"
"Follow orders!" Zephyr snapped. "Prepare a launch. If necessary, I'll hold them alone while you flee."
The warship veered sharply, but Bluma Jackson's lightning propulsion closed the gap alarmingly fast.
Rhett grinned from the bowsprit. "Zephyr! No need to run! We just came to say hello!" His blood-mist amplified voice carried clearly across the waves. Some recruits recognized him: "That's Rhett! The 3.6 billion berry pirate!"
Zephyr clenched his fists, weighing options. Against Rhett's notorious strength and his green crew, victory was impossible.
"Ready cannons!" Zephyr ordered through gritted teeth. "Slow them down!"
Before the guns could fire, a golden figure leapt from Bluma Jackson.
"Golden Judgment: Heaven's Descent!" Gild Tesoro rained golden spears that obliterated every cannon.
Zephyr's expression darkened further. As the ships converged, he launched himself toward Bluma Jackson via Moon Walk to buy time.
"Mist God Style: Heaven's Cleaver!"
Though Zephyr blocked the attack, lacking footing mid-air sent him crashing back onto the warship.
Rhett: Like I'd let you board?? Do you know how much repairs cost me each time?
Standing at the prow wreathed in crimson mist, Rhett fixed Zephyr with a stare.
"Zephyr, our first meeting and you're already leaving? How heartbreaking—"
Mid-sentence, Rhett vanished, reappearing on the marine deck as blood-mist engulfed the ship. When recruits moved to attack, Zephyr halted them.
Armament Haki blackened Zephyr's fists as he growled, "Rhett! You think I fear you?"
Rhett tilted his head, slowly drawing Black Tide. The massive blade scraped the deck, leaving a scarlet trail.
"Only one way to find out."
—BOOM!!
Zephyr attacked like a storm, each punch capable of shattering mountains. Rhett moved like a specter, Black Tide flashing between defenses and counterstrikes. Their clash rocked the warship violently.
Recruits huddled by the rails, awestruck.
"This...this is Admiral-level combat?!"
"He's matching Instructor Zephyr blow for blow?!"