42. Ace’s Complicated Feelings. Zephyr’s defeat.

│3rd Person POV│

[Grand Line, New World, Moby Dick, After Departing from the G5 Marine Base…]

The entire area fell into a deathly silence as everyone was caught in Ron's words and struggled to form a response for a short period.

"Ron, are you saying that Roger was right to start the Great Pirate Era?" Ace asked with a complicated expression after a while.

"That's correct," Ron replied, glancing at Ace, aware of his thoughts.

He deliberately expressed these sentiments, because it was true that by starting the Great Pirate Era, Roger provided people worldwide with a new path.

And also because Roger was painted as the worst criminal in history by the World Government, which had a significant impact on Ace's view of him.

Ron didn't want Ace to hate his father for believing the propaganda spread by the World Government.

"In my opinion, Roger was not wrong. One could even argue that he genuinely gave the world a chance to overthrow the World Government.

"Without the Age of Great Pirates, there would be no Four Emperors on the sea, fewer pirates, and the World Government's power would have reached its zenith, resulting in a significantly higher number of atrocities committed by the World Noble all around the world.

"Moreover, the revolutionary army, born out of this era, has risen to a point not much inferior to the Marines, or the multiple CP agencies.

"Their goal is to overthrow the World Government and break free from the rule of the Celestial Dragons, ushering the world in a new era and a new order."

As his words settled in, Marco and others fell silent again, contemplating the profound implications of Ron's statement.

Finally, Whitebeard broke the silence, saying, "If the Celestial Dragons lose their dominance, and the World Government is overthrown, maintaining the current policies of the Revolutionary Army towards the areas it manages, it would indeed mark the beginning of a brand new era.

"Once this era stabilizes, pirates may gradually withdraw from the stage of history.

"Eventually, people could live in peace and contentment, eliminating the need for acts of burning, killing, looting, and evil."

Ron nodded in agreement with Whitebeard's perspective.

While the Great Pirate Era might not single-handedly change the world, the revolutionary army born within this era carried the potential to bring about transformative change.

Ace, feeling a bit helpless, also sat down, reflecting on Ron's and Whitebeard's words, 'Is that really true? Did his words really bring the opportunity to change the world for the better?'

The resentment he held towards Roger began to diminish as he considered the positive effects of Roger's last words.

He always thought that Roger was just a failed father who didn't fulfill his duties and even blamed him for his mother's death.

But, knowing the impact his execution and last words had on the world at large, Ace's hate for his father felt small in comparison.

=+=+=+=< Scene Break >=+=+=+=

[Grand Line, New World, G5 Marine Base…]

Meanwhile, inside the G5 base, Kaido was now in his Human-Beast Hybrid Form.

He was absolutely dominating the fight while Zephyr was trying his hardest to keep defending and prolong the fight.

"Thunder Bagua!"

Eventually, Kaido's attack connected as Zephyr was sent flying away after getting hit by the kanabo.

The resounding crashes echoed as Zephyr collided with boulders, coming to a halt.

Blood seeped from the corner of his mouth, and his breath weakened. He even struggled to stand back up, gazing at Kaido with a look of unwavering determination.

However, Zephyr was already old, already closing in on his 70s, leading to a significant loss of strength and combat effectiveness he once possessed during his prime.

After half a day of battling Kaido, he keenly felt his inability to persist, with his physical strength rapidly declining.

"Zephyr, are you ready for another round?"

At this point, Kaido declared while resting his Hassaikai on his right shoulder, "If you persist any longer, I'll beat you to death!

"Your current strength isn't even on the level of an Admiral. Although your Armament Haki is commendable, it isn't enough to withstand my strikes imbued with Conqueror's Haki.

"Keep fighting, and you'll meet your end today!"

His words hung heavily in the air, plunging the surroundings into a tense silence.

The expressions of everyone in the Marine Elite Training Camp shifted dramatically, their attention solely focused on Zephyr.

"Teacher Zephyr!"

"Instructor Zephyr!"

"..."

Although they refrained from uttering it aloud, their pleading gazes spoke volumes.

They cared more about Zephyr's safety than the fate of the G5 Marine base.

If it came to it, they preferred Zephyr admitting defeat and leaving. Even if the G5 base was lost, a new Marine Base could be established in the future.

However, if Zephyr died here, the Marines would lose a top-quality instructor to nurture future Marines.

"Kaido!"

Surveying the situation, Zephyr understood what his students were thinking.

As a former Marine Admiral, surrendering to pirates, even at the cost of losing a base, went against his pride.

Subconsciously, Zephyr's restless aura intensified.

He rose forcefully, proclaiming, "I am Black Arm Zephyr! Come on, Kaido! I won't surrender until I am down for good!"

"Stubborn!" Kaido sneered disdainfully.

He could tell that Zephyr was already at the end of his rope.

He had no intention of completely being at odds with the Marines, but under the circumstances, time was of the essence.

If the Marine Base couldn't be destroyed promptly, this golden opportunity would slip away.

Thinking of this, Kaido immediately raised his kanabo, "In that case, let me help you.

"Thunder Bagua!"

"Damn!" Zephyr knew that he wouldn't be able to defend against this attack, yet he had no choice but to fight back.

"Black Arm: Steel Fist!"

As the fist and the kanabo collided, the sound of bones shattering resounded through the air.

In the next instant, Zephyr's right arm bent at a weird angle.

The collision led to his bones breaking into fragments, his flesh becoming torn and shredded, and blood scattering in all directions.

His Armament Haki finally gave out against Kaido's Conqueror's Haki unfused strikes.

"You should have surrendered when you had the chance!" Kaido stated, his whole body and kanabo emitting black lightning indicating them being coated with his Conqueror's Haki.

He swung fiercely once again, sending Zephyr flying into the midst of Marines, causing many of them to be seriously injured, some even falling unconscious.

Zephyr could no longer stand up at this moment with his right arm completely useless at the moment.

Although it was not completely destroyed yet, if not given proper treatment as soon as possible, it was possible that the arm could not be saved.

"Teacher Zephyr!"

"Instructor Zephyr!"

"…"

At this moment, the Marines around him couldn't hold back at all.

One by one, they quickly stepped forward to aid Zephyr, acknowledging in their hearts that today's matter had been a complete failure.

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