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The battlefield had gone eerily still. Smoke drifted across the shattered ground, curling around rows of silent Marines. One by one… more arrived. Veterans, vice admirals, other officers who’d once trained under the same man. All of Z’s former students had come. Not to fight, to witness.
At the center of it all stood Z himself, unmoving, the wind tugging at his hair as if even the world itself hesitated.
Footsteps broke the silence. Heavy, familiar.
Monkey D. Garp stepped forward, hands in his pockets, usual grin absent. On either side of him stood Koby and Helmeppo, both visibly tense—but they still managed small, uncertain waves towards the Straw Hats. Garp stopped a short distance away from the ledge overlooking the crater of the volcano.
“Hello, Zephyr,” he said dryly. “Been a long time.”
A beat passed.
Then Z grinned—tired, but genuine. “Hello to you too, Garp.”
Monkey D. Luffy blinked, looking between them. “Grandpa? You know this guy?” he asked in astonishment.
Garp snorted, picking his nose like it was the most obvious thing in the world. “Of course, we were in the Navy together, what did you expect? By the way, still chasing that dream of yours even after running afoul of my old friend?”
“Shut up! I still think pirates are cool!” Luffy fired back, fists clenched.
“Oh yeah?!” Garp shouted, stepping forward as if ready to argue right there.
“Enough, Garp,” Sengoku chided, his voice cutting cleanly through the tension.
The air settled again.
Z’s gaze shifted, softer now. “Sengoku. Glad to see you too,” he remarked. “I’m guessing you brought everyone?”
Sengoku’s expression didn’t change, but his eyes said enough. “Indeed, as difficult as it was.”
A quiet ripple moved through the gathered Marines.
Z exhaled slowly, then glanced back toward Luffy. “So, Garp… your grandson’s made quite a name for himself… just like his father.”
Garp folded his arms, looking at Luffy out of the corner of his eye. “At least they both stick to their guns, that much I can say for certain.”
The moment lingered—and then it shattered.
More heat distorted the air. A presence pushed forward like a force of nature.
“Enough of this. Justice will and must be restored at all costs.” Akainu stepped into view, each footstep cracking the ground beneath him. He removed the cigarette from his teeth, magma licking across his fingers as it burned to ash and crumbled away.
The Straw Hats stiffened instantly. Luffy’s expression darkened.
“Sakazuki,” Z said calmly, his posture straightening despite the fatigue in his body. “So it’s true… you actually made it to fleet admiral. If things hadn’t changed so much, I’d congratulate you.”
Akainu’s eyes narrowed. “Spare me the pleasantries, Zephyr. We’re only here to retrieve the Dyna Stones. You’re fortunate that circumstances prevented us from simply resorting to a damn Buster Call!”
A low rumble passed through the Marines behind him.
“I knew not even you’d wanna take that risk… especially considering what was at stake,” Zephyr said, grinning widely.
Garp stepped forward again—this time slower, more careful. “Stand down, Zephyr,” he pleaded. “If you come quietly, I’ll find a place for you far away from any criminals.”
For just a moment—Z’s smile faltered. “I think we both know it’s too late for that, Garp,” he said, quieter now. “I’ve already made up my mind.”
Garp held his gaze. The silence between them said everything. “I know.”
⸻
“Master Z!” Ain rushed forward—but the ground froze beneath her feet.
Ice exploded upward in a jagged wall, separating her from him in an instant. Frost spread across the battlefield, swallowing the Dyna Stones in crystalline stillness.
Gasps rippled outward.
Akainu’s jaw tightened. “Aokiji…”
From the distance, Aokiji turned his back, walking away without a word.
Z let out a low chuckle, rolling his shoulders as the cold air settled around him. “Kuzan, huh? How considerate of you to give your old teacher a place to die.” He raised his voice, turning to face the gathered Marines—his students. “A master and his students, reunited at last!”
⸻
Then he moved.
Explosive, relentless.
Z surged forward, his broken artificial arm smashing into the first wave of Marines, sending bodies flying. The ground cracked beneath every step, every blow carrying the weight of decades.
Koby flinched as a squad was swept aside like nothing. “Is this really the power of ‘Black Arm’ Zephyr?” he wondered aloud, voice shaking.
Helmeppo stared, frozen. “If so, then it’s unbelievable.”
Garp watched in silence, eyes heavy with memory. “Indeed it is. Though he’s not in spring anymore… it seems Zephyr packs as much of a punch as ever.”
Z roared as he drove forward, refusing to slow, refusing to stop.
Then light gathered, blinding.
“Now… ‘Yasakani Sacred Jewel’!”
Golden beams rained down like judgment.
Z turned his head, already knowing. “Borsalino…”
High above, Kizaru hovered, his usual lazy expression gone—replaced with something quieter. “Master Zephyr… this is farewell!”
The beams fired. They tore through Z’s body in flashes of light, forcing him backwards—step by step—until his back slammed against the ice wall with a thunderous crack.
For a moment—everything stopped. Marines lowered their heads, some closing their eyes.
Akainu ground his teeth, pulling his cap down over his face.
Smoker removed his cigarettes, exhaling slowly.
Hina crossed her arms, gaze hard but unmoving.
In the distance, Aokiji paused—but didn’t turn back.
And somewhere in the ranks… Doberman wiped at his face.
Z coughed. Blood spilled down his chin. And still—he smiled. He pushed himself off the ice, staggered once, then stood tall.
“Now pay attention, boys,” he said, voice steady despite everything, “‘cause master’s got one last lesson for ya.”
⸻
Far from the battlefield, the Thousand Sunny sailed on. No one spoke.
Behind them—the sound of battle didn’t stop.
Z charged forward again, roaring as he swung, his blows still sending Marines crashing back. Even as his body failed him, his spirit didn’t waver. He kept fighting. For his beliefs, for his students, for the man he once was, until his last breath.