Surface Research Base – Training Ground No. 1

BOOM—!

A deafening explosion echoed through the massive, all-metal training hall. The air vibrated violently as visible shockwaves rippled outward in every direction, causing the entire facility to shudder.

Thud, thud, thud... Crash, crash, crash...

Two dark shadows flickered between the ground and the air, moving at ultra-high speeds. Every time their limbs collided, the sound was like a roll of muffled thunder. Fierce gales expanded in concentric circles, creating ripples of air-bursts in the atmosphere.

Even the reinforced metal flooring was splintered by the raw force of their steps, leaving behind deep footprints. The metal walls were riddled with deep indentations from fists and palms, some so precise that the very lines of a palm print were visible in the steel.

"Rankyaku!"

Moving with extreme velocity, Zephyr lashed out a kick toward Aeridar on his right. His leg muscles contracted sharply, generating massive kinetic energy in a split second.

The air was instantly compressed into a blue-white, crescent-shaped blade of vacuum. It whistled through the air with razor-sharp intensity, slamming into the metal wall with a resounding bang. It sliced clean through the meter-thick plating, tearing a jagged fissure over ten meters long and allowing the outside sunlight to spill in.

"Impact Wave!"

Narrowly dodging the slash, Aeridar countered with a heavy punch. A titanic force erupted, driving the air before him forward.

Vroom— Rumble—

The air seemed to tremble as it was compressed into a white halo, forming a massive annular shockwave. It swept forward with a roar, the metal floor cracking and spider-webbing along its path. With a colossal boom, the metal wall a hundred meters away caved in, forming a crater nearly ten meters in diameter, filled with dense, hairline fractures. 𝐟𝐫𝕖𝗲𝘄𝚎𝗯𝕟𝐨𝕧𝐞𝚕.𝕔𝕠𝐦

Utilizing the high-speed movement of Soru, Zephyr nearly got sucked into the vacuum pressure of the shockwave but managed to twist away at the last second.

"Rokushiki: Shigan — Fist Authority!"

Zephyr used Geppo to tread the air, soaring above Aeridar. His right fist, coated in pitch-black Armament Haki, struck downward with the explosive force of a Shigan. The pressure almost caused the air to ignite, shrouded in a piercing, whistling gale.

Pop~

Feeling the lethal wind above him, Aeridar’s expression tightened as he vanished into thin air.

DONG—!

The sound was like a giant bronze bell being struck. The metal floor buckled and groaned as Zephyr’s fist punched straight through it, burying his arm up to the elbow. A circular gust of wind expanded outward, kicking up a turbulent storm of dust and debris.

Twenty-five meters above the training ground, a group of people watched the battle through tempered glass in a lounge.

"How long have they been at it?" Dalt asked without turning his head.

Arlan glanced down at his watch and replied in a low voice, "Six hours."

"It seems Zephyr-san’s regenerated right arm is fully capable of high-intensity combat. It won’t be a liability," Dimitri observed coolly, his eyes narrowing.

"As expected of a former Admiral and a peak-tier martial artist. Truly a monster," Betilla remarked in awe.

"It’s incredible... Zephyr-sensei’s arm..."

"This is amazing! Sensei’s body has returned to its prime!"

Ain and Binz watched the fierce combat below with mounting excitement. After six hours of relentless fighting, Zephyr wasn’t even gasping for breath or breaking a sweat. Only his original, healthy body could have supported such a long-duration, high-intensity engagement.

On the other side, Shuzo stood with a complicated expression. Since being captured, he had endured torture and brainwashing, nearly having his memories rewritten. It was only the arrival of Zephyr and the others that had saved him. Otherwise, he would have become a mindless killing machine. However, as a man who lived to hate pirates, he still found the idea of serving them difficult to swallow.

"You two have seen our sincerity. Your request has been fulfilled," Arlan turned his head to stare at Ain and Binz. "Now, it is your turn to show yours."

The excited Ain and Binz immediately sobered up. They instinctively looked around the room.

Dimitri, Betilla, Enrod, and six or seven other executives of the Chris Pirates were all watching them. Some had even shifted their stance, resting their hands on the hilts of their weapons. It was clear: if they reneged now, a lightning-fast strike would descend to erase them.

Ain shared a look with Binz and Shuzo, then stepped forward. "On behalf of the Neo Marines, I officially join the Chris Pirates!"

...

Punk Hazard – Research Institute.

"Shurorororo~ Great Physician Jason, what do you think of my Koro?" Caesar Clown drifted over like a ghost, his gas-like coat billowing as he let out his signature cackle.

Looking at the monitors, Jason stroked his chin. "It looks decent. The kill radius is extensive, but I wonder if it can actually affect the monsters in the New World."

"Shurorororo ~ Of course! I specifically tailored my research for that!" Caesar boasted. "I can’t guarantee it would stop a Yonko or an Admiral, but I’m confident it can drop the tier of monsters just below them!"

Jason didn’t make a snap decision. "I will report this to the Captain. He will decide whether to purchase Koro."

"Oh, I’m sure Aeridar-sama will be very satisfied with this weapon! Shurorororo!" Caesar laughed triumphantly. Koro was his latest toxic gas weapon, and he was marketing it relentlessly to fund his research and lavish lifestyle. The fact that the Beasts Pirates had already bought a batch gave him immense confidence.

Jason waved a hand, his expression turning serious. "Enough of that, Dr. Caesar. The Captain also sent me here to check the progress of the Giantification Experiments."

"Shurorororo~ Naturally, no problem at all!" Caesar’s pupils contracted for a split second, but he maintained his smirk. "Monet, bring the files from the second cabinet!"

In the corner of the room, a beautiful woman with wavy light-green hair and golden eyes stood up. Or rather, a harpy, as she possessed avian wings and talons. Monet walked to a steel locker marked with a ’2’ and used her wings to pull out a thick folder.

"The documents you requested," Monet said with a light smile as she approached.

Jason gave Monet a deep look before taking the file. The cover read: Research Data on Giant Physiological Structures.

Bang!

Suddenly, the door was burst open. A person clad in a green hazmat suit rushed in, sounding frantic. "Master! It’s bad! The Centaur Patrol found a samurai who broke onto the island! He’s incredibly strong, the patrol has already suffered heavy casualties!"

"What?!" Caesar cried out in surprise.

At that moment, Law, who had been resting on a sofa with his eyes closed, stood up and shouldered Kikoku.

"I’ll handle it," Law said tonelessly before walking out.