One Piece: Fist of the Full Moon

With twin blades in hand, Roldy's attacks grew increasingly unpredictable.

Yet before Zephyr, it was still not enough.

Zephyr deflected every strike with ease. But what surprised him was this—he could not find a flaw in Roldy's technique.

The two remained locked in stalemate.

Below them, Marines and pirates continued to fall in mounting numbers.

Strangely enough, neither of these two men carried the intent to kill.

One fought merely to complete a mission assigned by the World Government.

The other fought for a long-awaited reunion.

Roldy was exhilarated.

He could now force Zephyr to fight seriously—force him into the same posture he would adopt against monsters like Shiki or Whitebeard.

That alone was enough to make his blood burn.

But just as Roldy's excitement peaked—

Just as his eyes turned red with battle-lust—

Zephyr's defense faltered for the briefest instant.

Instinct took over.

Roldy's blade cut through Zephyr's skin and slashed across his chest.

The moment fresh blood stained the edge—

Roldy froze.

With swordsmanship not yet at the level of a Great Swordsman…

He had wounded his teacher?

The man who stood at the pinnacle of the seas?

Something wasn't right.

Zephyr's face had gone pale. Cold sweat dotted his brow. He clutched his chest, his expression mirroring Roldy's shock.

Then discomfort overwhelmed him. He quickly retreated, reached into his coat, and retrieved something—

He swallowed it in one motion.

After a moment, color returned to his face.

Medicine?

"…I really am getting old."

Noticing Roldy's gaze, Zephyr forced a smile.

"Yes, Teacher. You are old. The era ahead belongs to people like me—belongs to the young. Men like you should step back and never come out again."

Zephyr was barely forty.

He should have been in his physical prime.

Yet asthma?

It sounded absurd.

What Roldy did not know was that after his departure, his cigar-loving teacher had barely put the smoke down. Even a body of iron could not withstand repeated blows to the heart.

"Perhaps you're right," Zephyr said softly. "But the seas don't allow men like us to rest. You've grown, brat. Whatever path you take… I'll trust your choice."

Before even reaching forty, strands of white already streaked through his hair. He looked less like a man in his prime and more like someone past sixty.

"Teacher… you could leave the Marines. You've long been disgusted with those World Government bastards, haven't you? Why not come with me?"

Roldy extended the invitation.

If it were anyone else, Zephyr would suspect calculation—strength, influence, political leverage.

But this was his only true disciple.

Zephyr knew the invitation was simple.

It was because his name was Zephyr.

"Don't talk nonsense," Zephyr replied flatly. "You know that's impossible. In times like these, I could never stand with pirates."

The tone shifted.

It became a declaration of stance.

But Roldy did not mind.

He understood his teacher too well.

If Zephyr would not become a pirate—

Then he himself could simply stop being one.

A name was just a name.

Golden Lion Pirates… why not change it?

Zephyr was Marine.

He had once been Marine.

So…

Should he establish a brand-new Navy?

The thought lingered.

It didn't sound so bad.

"Oh, and one more thing," Zephyr continued. "The World Government has classified you as a top-level threat. Be careful in everything you do. And Shiki is not someone you can entrust your life to. A man like him doesn't truly stand beside anyone. He's another Rocks."

He paused.

"The Marines are still dealing with the aftermath of the war. A new global recruitment drive is coming. The World Government is also absorbing fresh power. Once they recover… the balance of the New World will shift. They won't allow pirates to run wild forever. At the very least, they'll force the New World into equilibrium."

State secrets.

To Zephyr, they meant nothing at this moment.

On the surface, it was concern for a student.

But for a true soldier to reveal the Government's current strategy so casually—

That alone spoke volumes.

"That's enough. I'm leaving."

Zephyr turned away without looking back.

"But remember this—if you ever become truly unforgivable… I won't hesitate to arrest you myself."

Roldy watched his departing figure.

As their commander withdrew, the Marines shifted tactics, disengaging and creating distance.

The pirates were unwilling to let them go. Some hotheaded men prepared to give chase.

Sheen instinctively looked to Roldy.

Roldy raised one clenched fist.

"Stand down!"

The pirates shot Sheen angry looks. A few nearly started a fight—until their companions restrained them.

As Vice Captain, Roldy's authority was absolute.

Even the most reckless among them dared not defy him.

No one wished to provoke the tyrant known as "Rampaging" Roldy.

"So, Teacher… are you truly loyal to the World Government?"

Roldy murmured to himself.

"Or only loyal to your own justice?"

Suddenly—

A dark object flew toward him from the distance.

Roldy raised a hand and caught it effortlessly.

It was massive—nearly half his height.

A package?

He frowned and opened it.

Inside lay a brand-new coat.

And a letter.

◇ BONUS & SUPPORT ◇

◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 10 reviews — drop a comment!

◇ 1 bonus chapter for every 100 Power Stones.

◇ Read 70 chapters ahead on P@treon → /Sagamaster789