31. Zephyr attempts at delaying the battle.

│3rd Person POV│

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

The pirate ships and Marine Warships lined up in two rows facing each other.

Neither side launched an attack rashly, and the entire area seemed extremely silent for a few moments.

However, as time passed, the atmosphere became more and more oppressive, and the tense mood heightened.

"Kaido! Whitebeard!!"

At this moment, Zephyr's figure emerged from a Marine Warship.

Standing in the bow area, his eyes glared at Moby Dick and Kaido's ships ahead, filled with anger.

"Zephyr!"

Seeing this, Whitebeard smiled lightly.

Observing the approaching figure, he calmly remarked, "So many years have passed, and you haven't retired yet. You want to protect this place with just your own strength. Are you ready to perish here?"

Hearing this, Zephyr's expression darkened.

While Whitebeard's words frustrated and annoyed him, he also knew they held the truth.

Even if it was just the Beasts Pirates led by Kaido himself, he would have only hoped to stall and pray for reinforcements to come quickly.

Now, with the Whitebeard Pirates also participating in the attack, even stalling for a few hours would be extremely challenging.

Moreover, with Whitebeard personally involved, the Beasts Pirates were destined to be at a significant disadvantage before the Marine Admiral arrived to help.

"Whitebeard, you are too arrogant. Today, this place will be the burial place for you guys."

At this time, the angry roar of Tokikake resounded.

Although aware of the danger of the situation, he had no intention of listening to some pirates insult his teacher, no matter who the pirate might be.

Most importantly, he understood that this matter couldn't be ignored.

Engaging in verbal battle and delaying time were the best options to allow Aokiji and Akainu more time to arrive.

"Worororororo~!! Where did you come from, Brat!?"

There was not a change in his expression, but before Whitebeard could speak, Kaido on the side laughed in anger before saying, "Someone insignificant should refrain from interfering in a conversation between equals.

"Zephyr, are your Marines so unruly lately? In that case, I will help you teach these newcomers some lessons."

As he spoke, Kaido took a step forward.

The next second, a wave of Conqueror's Haki swept out from him.

Under Kaido's control, this wave of Conqueror's Haki did not affect the Whitebeard Pirates and Beasts Pirates but was focused on the area where Zephyr, Tokikake, and other Marines were located.

Thump—

Thump—

In an instant, most of the Marines on those warships fell to the ground one after another.

It was clear that those below the Marine Vice-Admiral couldn't withstand the impact of Kaido Conqueror's Haki.

Even those at the Rear-Admiral level could barely remain standing. Those below the Rear-Admiral level immediately fainted, with no resistance at all.

This resulted in more than 70% of the people on the Marine warships falling unconscious, now reduced to lambs waiting to be slaughtered.

"Kaido!"

Seeing this situation, Zephyr became extremely angry.

This unscrupulous use of Conqueror's was a significant shame to the Marines.

Especially when so many Marines were unconscious, taking action would lead to their demise.

With this in mind, Zephyr suddenly said, "What exactly do you want to do? Since you and Whitebeard are here, I will take this as my loss and return your supplies to you!

"In return, you have to promise to retreat without causing any trouble here. However, If you want to destroy G5, then let's go to war directly!"

As soon as these words were uttered, the atmosphere in the entire place plummeted.

Now that the situation has unfolded in such a way, Zephyr made it clear that he intends to fight to the death.

"Wororororororo~!! Interesting!!"

Kaido laughed out loud at Zephyr's empty threat. He looked at Zephyr and then said, "I know you're bluffing Zephyr! I know exactly what you're waiting for.

"Aren't you just waiting for the little ice cube and the magma dog? I know their situation very well. They won't be able to arrive here until at least tomorrow evening.

"Under such circumstances, I would have already decimated the G5 base several times over. But I also want to give you, a former Marine Admiral, some chance. Hand over my goods, and then we can fight.

"As long as you can defeat me, then I will leave directly with my goods and the people of Beasts Pirates."

At this moment, Kaido's extreme mastery of Observation Haki was revealed.

He was able to pick up Tokikake and the other Vice-Admiral's conversation with Aokiji and Akainu through Den Den Mushi without the other party noticing anything amiss.

It seemed like he knew his opponent's every movement and was strategizing to win this battle from thousands of miles away.

Kaido was not as reckless and brainless as others may think.

"Kaido!!"

Zephyr's face darkened, filled with anger. But he also knew very well that Kaido's words were true.

They had just contacted each other, but Akainu and Aokiji really wouldn't be able to arrive here in a short time.

In the current situation, all he needs to do is delay time. The so-called confiscated goods are insignificant; the most important thing is to save this Marine Base.

"Whitebeard, what about you?"

However, Zephyr did not agree immediately. Instead, he turned to look at Whitebeard on the Moby Dick.

Kaido had stated his conditions and bargaining chips.

But what about Whitebeard?

He didn't know why the latter appeared here.

It might just be to watch a show, or it might be to take advantage of the situation.

Regardless, the presence of the World's Strongest Man couldn't be ignored, as he posed a much greater threat to the Marines than even Kaido.

"Me?"

With a faint smile, Whitebeard looked at Zephyr.

Immediately afterward, his eyes locked on Tokikake and the others behind him, and he said, "My purpose in coming here this time is similar to Kaido's. After all, half of his goods now belong to me.

"But since Kaido is already going to fight you, I won't be involved in this matter.

"But Zephyr, I heard that you are currently training recruits in the Naval Headquarters, and you are even leading a group of recruits to the New World this time.

"It just so happens that there is a new member in my crew, and he is quite young, just a fourteen-years-old kid. You select three people from your subordinates to fight with him.

"If your men win, then if you don't take the initiative to attack, then I, and the Whitebeard Pirates, will not intervene. But if you lose, then your Observation Haki and Armament Haki training manuals, hand them over."

Having said this, Whitebeard's eyes flashed with a calculative gleam.

His Haki was very strong, but almost all of it was improved through combat.

To be honest, Whitebeard did not have much aptitude or experience in teaching others.

But Zephyr was different.

This guy was the Chief Instructor of the Marine Headquarters, and he was also one of the former Admiral, Black Arm Zephyr.

He was a person who had ascended to the position of Marine Admiral with just his excellent Observation Haki and Armament Haki, in addition to his physical skills.

If he could get the training manual for the Color of Observation and the Color of Armament written by him, it would be a golden opportunity for the Commanders of the Whitebeard Pirates and some elites to improve themselves!

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A/N: This will be the last week of this FF in [Last 30 Days] section. Let's aim to dominate the Power Stone rankings at least one time before we move onto the [31-90 Days] section, shall we?

So, keep the power stones coming guys.

Anyway,

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