Chapter 39: Zephyr (1)

"Teacher!"

Ain cried out in disbelief. Just as she was about to say something, Zephyr's calm scolding came in response.

"Ain, remember your identity. You are a Marine, and your duty as a Marine is to obey orders!"

Ain's eyes widened, and there was a visible struggle on her face. She glanced at Gnar, who remained calm, and said through gritted teeth:

"I understand!"

But Gnar suddenly laughed and said:

"Are you concerned about me, a pirate, Miss Ain?"

Ain did not answer. Instead, she silently watched Gnar. If she hadn't known that Gnar had once been a Marine, she would have viewed him simply as an evil, bloodthirsty pirate. But after learning about his past—especially how Gnar had once harbored a righteous heart and wanted to join the Marines, only to be almost sold into slavery by them—her hatred had vanished, replaced by understanding.

Seeing Gnar, who was about her age and facing a lifetime in an underwater prison, Ain felt a deep sympathy.

At this moment, Zephyr spoke coldly:

"Don't worry, kid. As your final wish, I'll give you a good beating."

Zephyr was confident that Gnar would not escape his grasp. This confidence stemmed from his own power.

"Yeah!"

With the meal finished, it was time to end things. Gnar wiped his hands and stood up slowly.

"In that case, let me see the so-called highest combat power of the Naval Headquarters…"

"Haha, I won't disappoint you, Ain. Is there a place near this city that's suitable for this kid's final stage?"

Ain snapped back to reality, thought for a moment, and replied with a complicated expression:

"To the west, near the Santo River, there's a vast Gobi Desert…"

Before Ain could finish, Zephyr nodded and smiled:

"Hey kid, do you have the guts to follow me?"

"Certainly…"

Alabasta is known as the land of sand, but on its edge, there is a vast, arid expanse suitable for construction. The city of Nahana was built there, and between it and the Santo River stretches a Gobi Desert paved with various stones.

Previously, few people came here, and only dust and howling winds filled the air. But today, the sky was pierced by the sound of two figures descending through the air.

Zephyr

"Boom…"

As the two landed on countless gravels, Zephyr looked around and asked with interest:

"Kid, where did you learn the Six Styles?"

Zephyr had recognized that Gnar was using Moonwalk, one of the six techniques developed by the Marines.

The gritty sand brushed against Gnar's face as he stood on the stones, clenched his fists, and said:

"Oh, you're referring to the air-stepping technique? I picked it up a few days ago on the outskirts of the Alabasta capital when Miss Ain tried to stop me. I learned it after watching it a few times."

"Oh!"

Zephyr was slightly surprised and showed some admiration in his eyes.

"I didn't expect you to have such talent. It seems you've met the basic requirements for mastering Haki."

Gnar responded knowingly:

"Really? But since there are six techniques, it seems Miss Ain wasn't very skilled. I've only learned three so far."

"That's right. The six techniques are Shave, Iron Body, Paper Arts, Moonwalk, Tempest Kick, and Finger Pistol. These techniques were developed by the Marines, including the World Government, to counter Devil Fruit users.

Although Haki is said to be a power ordinary people can awaken through practice, only a few can truly master it. Even within the Marines, only Vice Admiral-level experts can use it.

The Six Styles are not something ordinary people can master. Only carefully selected Marine elites can learn them through rigorous training.

Ain has been with me for six years and has learned Tempest Kick, Shave, and Moonwalk. She is considered exceptional in her class. Your ability to learn these three techniques so quickly shows you have extraordinary talent."

This actually surprised Gnar.

"Admiral Zephyr, you're praising me as a pirate?"

Unexpectedly, Zephyr shook his head and said coldly:

"You misunderstand. I'm not praising you!"

"!??"

Zephyr clasped his hands on his chest, looked at Gnar, and said boldly:

"I just want to tell you, although I don't know where you, little brat, get your confidence, and I don't know what your purpose is in daring to face me alone, you have no chance of winning."

Facing Zephyr's confident words, Gnar didn't argue. He simply stretched out his arms, clenched his fists tightly, and let a powerful aura burst from his body, with his muscles bulging.

"Oh!"

Zephyr, feeling the beast-like power radiating from Gnar, was both surprised and pleased. He said with interest:

"Interesting! In that case, let me see where your confidence comes from, kid!"

Gnar also wore a beast-like smile on his face.

"Admiral Zephyr won't be disappointed!"

"Boom…"

In an instant, the two figures vanished from their spot...

By the harbor of Nahana

Even though Zephyr and Gnar were far from Nahana, the Marines, still not completely reassured, continued to evacuate the town's residents to the safety of the port.

As the highest-ranking officer present besides Zephyr, Ain was responsible for this operation. However, her gaze frequently shifted toward the distance.

"The battle between the teacher and that pirate should begin soon!"

At this moment, a Marine approached with a report:

"Captain Ain, the residents have been evacuated, and we've received a response from the warship. They're speeding up and will arrive in about an hour. After that, we can temporarily transfer the situation in Nahana to the sea."

"Good job!"

Ain responded and looked into the distance again. Seeing this, a Marine beside her glanced around and asked curiously:

"Captain Iron, what about Teacher Zephyr…"

Suddenly, a rumbling thunder echoed from the sky, waves appeared on the sea, and the ground began to shake.

This caused panic among the Marines and nearby residents.

"What's happening?"

"Is there an earthquake?"

"Hey, where should we look?"

No one could find an answer. Only Ain seemed to realize something and looked towards the direction of the battle...

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